Members present:   Pastor Fred Hill, Ken Olson, Dave Johnson, John Bibby, Herm Scharm, Marsha Einhorn, and Dee Cameron

Members absent:  Mary Ann Klein and Larry Coltrin

Guest present:   Kim Pulchaski

Ken Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Herm Scharm opened with devotions.  The committee was given an opportunity for personal sharing. 

Natural Church Development:  Kim Pulchaski was a guest at this meeting and shared with us what the Wellness Team is working on.  The team would like to use the book The 3 Colors of Ministry in small groups to help members discover what their spiritual gifts are.  To implement this workshop, there is a 6-hour training session for leaders.  Our coach, Lee Boergadine, has agreed to teach.  These team members will then be assigned to the various small groups, introduce the workshop and find a leader from the group.  Start dates to be determined.  The committee is hoping the church members will be opened to this and enjoy it.  It will help all of us here at Lord of Life discover our best path to Passionate Spirituality.
The council is very supportive and will pray for the members of the Wellness Team as they undertake this important mission.

Call Committee Update: They are presently working with three candidates.  Two of them have already been interviewed once and one of them they heard preach.  The committee will not meet again until after the Thanksgiving holiday.  

Congregational Concerns:  There was much discussion regarding the recent development of unrest in our congregation as we move from a pastor focused congregation to a mission focused one.  Changes always bring fear of the unknown.  Pastor has agreed to step back or step down.  People need clarity in the direction we are going.  We must continue moving forward down the path we have started.  Pastor is consistent in this time of change and would only hurt matters if he were to step down.  Pastor will pull back and begin to relate to the second tier people here at church.  NCD has a track record of working with congregations to get them where they want to be.  NCD will continue to work on increasing our Passionate Spirituality.  The Call Committee will continue to interview and find the right candidate.  Celebration Service was a big change but it too will continue as many find it what they need.  To go back on any of these would tear the church apart even more.

Training/Coaching/Spiritual Director Update:  Ken Olson, Pastor Fred and Karl Reko are meeting on December 4 to talk about coaching and what council needs.
Christian Education Hour:  Marsha Einhorn recommends we discontinue her Christian Education Hour segment “Church History, Art, Architecture, Biographies, Etc.”  There is not a consistent space to hold this class, attendance is low, and very similar offerings are being offered in “Hot Topic of the Week.”  Marsha Einhorn will help out with the “Hot Topics” segment.   Hot Topics is growing.  Sunday School’s attendance has increased due to soccer ending which interfered with participation with many of the children.   
 
Consent Agenda:  Marsha Einhorn moved to approve the consent agenda, which includes the minutes and treasurer’s report.  Dave seconded; motion carried.

Finance Committee:  October 2007 was the third lowest month for contributions since 2002.  Attendance is there.  The committee will monitor the situation.  Marsha Einhorn moved to accept the Finance Report.  Herm Scharm seconded; motion carried.

Personnel Committee:  Dave Johnson moved to accept the Personnel Committee Report.  Marsha Einhorn seconded; motion carried.

Stewardship:  John Bibby moved to accept the Stewardship Report.  Marsha Einhorn seconded; motion carried.

Endowment Committee:  Marsha Einhorn moved to accept the Endowment Committee Report.  Herm Scharm seconded; motion carried.

Old Business:  Confirmed that Lifeline Screening will be using the facilities for their screening processes on February 4, 2008.

New Business: 
Council meeting highlights will be posted on bulletin board.  Marsha Einhorn made a motion to approve the format created by Ken Olson for the highlights.  John Bibby seconded; motion carried.

The facility audit reports they are working on the entryway proposed changes.  They are also still doing minor repairs.

Suggestion Box:   We will start using the suggestion box form created by John Bibby.
The following items were discussed:

1. Change Sunday School back to where it was.
1. Not a feasible option at this time.
2. Need to see music notes on screen or 10:30 handouts.  Difficult to sing unknown songs without some idea of music
1. Pastor will talk with Diane and Wes to draft something for the bulletin explaining why we can’t.

1. Helpful to have topic or title for Bible Study/forum-Library group.
1. Judy is being proactive to try and get the topics.
2. It would be helpful to have a sign on both Annex doors if Adult group is not meeting that day.
1. It was decided in these minutes that this group would be discontinued.

Diane Gioe informed us that she would like to start a Green Team at Lord of Life after attending an event titled, “Greening your Congregation.”  Council is in full support of such a mission.  John Bibby does the purchasing and has already changed the plates from styrofoam to a coated paper. He will do the same with the cups after we use up what we have.

John Bibby was approached by a Cub Scout troop looking to do a project for a badge.  They were given the job of sharpening all the pencils in the pews.
 
John Bibby moved to adjourn.  Marsha Einhorn seconded; motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted.

Dee Cameron
Council Secretary