Congregational Growth Ministry Team minutes

Last meeting: Nov. 13, 2007

Attendees:

Gary Akgulian

Bob Heil

Dale Hershfield

Rich Flamang

Lance Schmidt

Jen Wageman

Staff:

Pastor George Detweiler

Jan Sommerfeld

Excused: Jeff Diehl

Collin Goldschmidt

Important items of information:

FELC communications update

• Jan Sommerfeld noted that the First English Web site gets roughly 125-130 hits a day. The pages most viewed for the last month are: the Commitment to Community stewardship page; newsletter; announcements; devos and employment. Activity peaks near the weekends.
• Pastor Detweiler stressed the importance of developing the welcoming around the 10:30 a.m. service at the Downtown Site. Welcome hosts at this service are key, since the current trend is that this service is attracting most of our Downtown Site visitors.

Welcome/Connection Center update

• Bob Heil and Rich Flamang researched welcome centers and spoke to a vendor. Rich presented a 3-D computer-generated welcome center kiosk created by Pyramid Creative Group in Little Chute. The kiosk features a computer and swivel monitor; recessed wheels; kickboard; stools, storage cabinet and space for a printer. The general consensus was positive for the unit, which was viewed as flexible and an effective tool to provide information quickly to members. A wireless network was considered. This project concept will be forwarded to the Support Ministry Team for consideration of color theme coordination and other design details. Other issues: the maintenance of the computer will be provided by staff; regarding security, software can be installed to be site-specific; it will be staffed: during worship services. The center will be piloted at the North Site. Estimated cost: $3,000. Bob and Rich will work with Pyramid on the details.

2008 budget and programming planning

• The team reviewed the ministry team planning grid and budget.

Long-term planning

• Pastor Detweiler encouraged the team to explore the possibility of additional sites. He noted that due to the shift to discipleship, members’ needs are met when they reach out to others and meet their needs. Another consideration is the concept of renting a site or partnering with another congregation to develop a site. He feels there is an opportunity to establish a church in the area near Hwy. 76 and U.S. 10. Our goal is to help get it started without investing our money in property.

2008 New Member program

• Jen, Collin and Lance will get together to talk about the new member program for 2008.

Congregational Growth new members

Terms are expiring for Jeff and Lance. The team should start thinking about recruiting new members. Lance noted that while he wants to continue to be part of the team, he doesn’t wish to be chairman for a second term.

Next meeting: Dec. 11