PRESBYTERY OF BOISE STATED MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2009 Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church

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1 9:00 Registration and Refreshments PRESBYTERY OF BOISE STATED MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2009 Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church 9:30 Call to Order Marianne Paul Declaration of a quorum Opening Prayer Welcome by Host Pastor Aaron Beaty Worship Approval of the docket Recognition of First Time Elder Commissioners and Visitors Approval of the Stated Meeting Minutes Report of the Stated Clerk Coordinating Council Approval of the Standing Rules Budget and Finance Committee Treasurer s Report Proposed Budget for 2010 Committee on Representation Nominating Committee Committee on Ministry/Committee on Preparation for Ministry Presbyterian Women Report of the Commissioners to Synod of the Pacific Presbytery Program Committee Shared Ministry Report Capital Campaign Report Annual Meeting of the Corporation Ruth Hicks Randy Marshall Ron Tincher Harvey Pitman Dick Symms Joe Dorociak Katharyn Mattson John Murphy Marci Glass Bruce Swanson and Marianne Paul Bruce Thomas *12:15 Report of the Interim Presbytery Executive Edward Dunn Lunch Theological Education Fund Report David Goebel Presbytery History Moment Monte Munn Unfinished Business Miscellaneous Business (All new business must be received by the Stated Clerk, in writing, not later than 10:00 AM) Adjourn with Prayer Written Reports/Communications Presbyterian Women The Parish Paper * Order of the day REMINDER: 2010 MISSION YEARBOOKS CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE PRESBYTERY MEETING. PLEASE BRING YOUR CHECK, PAY TO: PRESBYTERY OF BOISE OR SEND TO RON TINCHER 3301 SEMINOLE DR. NAMPA, ID Phyllis Tincher, Mission Yearbook Coordinator 1

2 Dear Friends, It is my pleasure to welcome you to Boone Memorial as we prepare to host the November 14 th Presbytery meeting. This is my first time hosting Presbytery since my arrival three years ago. Our choir and I are especially looking forward to our time of worship and sharing the Communal Sacrament with you. If you have not been to Boone before, here are some basic directions: -From Highway 84, take the 10 th Ave. (Exit 28) off-ramp -Turn South on 10 th Ave and follow that for about one mile. -Turn left on Cleveland Blvd. -Turn Right on 14 th Ave. Boone Church is on the right at the corner of 14 th and Dearborn. 406 S. 14 th Ave. Caldwell, ID If you need some additional guidance, you can reach me on my cell phone at You are welcome to park in our parking lot on the south side of Dearborn across from the sanctuary, or along the curb. Please be careful when crossing the street from the parking lot as we have folks buzz down that road way too fast. Lunch will be provided downstairs in Shupe Hall. A lunch donation will be taken at registration with a suggested donation of $5. Please note that you are welcome to join us for lunch whether you make that donation or not. Once again, welcome to Boone and to Presbytery! May our Lord bless us richly in our worship and our work. Pastor Aaron Beaty 2

3 PRESBYTERY OF BOISE Stated Meeting August 22, 2009 Bethany Presbyterian Church Ontario, Oregon The meeting was called to order with prayer at 9:30 a.m. by moderator Marianne Paul. Ruth Hicks, stated clerk, declared that a quorum was present WELCOME BY HOST PASTOR Karen Francis welcomed commissioners in behalf of Bethany church. WORSHIP Worship was led by Karen Francis and the church praise team. Scripture was read and the Word preached. DOCKET Presbytery voted to approve the docket as presented. ATTENDANCE Commissioners were seated or reported absent, as follows: Ministers of Word and Sacrament in Attendance David Bales Aaron Beaty David Beck Elizabeth Beck Alex Chamberlain Joe Dorociak Edward Dunn Karen Francis Marci Glass David Goebel Ruth Goldthwaite Richard Green Lee Hicks Ruth Hicks John Matthew Judy McKay John Murphy Marianne Paul Norm Shrumm Brenna Stanfield Bruce Swanson Ministers of Word and Sacrament Not in Attendance Jerry Binns David Carlson (exc) Mark Cox Mark Davis (exc) Joanna Dunn Wes Jones Ed Keener Fran Kirk Tim Koah Ralph Marshall Phil Moran Norm Naugler John Payne John Pickrell Phil Rogers Lisa Schilbe Mark Smith Bob Van Nest Nina Westfall Daryl Wilson Elder Members of the Coordinating Council Present Kathy Mattson Dick Symms Ron Tincher Chuck Winder Commissioned Lay Pastors Present Chaz Brand Carol Brunlinger Randy Marshall Joey Mills Elder Commissioners Present Adrian (2) John Witty Boise Covenant (3) Bob Niccols LaVonne Nicholls Robert Yearsley Boise F irst (3) John Hicks Mike Thomas Boise Southminster (3) Carol Brunlinger Cheryl Marshall Randy Marshall Boise Trinity (3) Caldwell (3) Jim Mertz Carol Ann Waddell Emmett (2) Jacquelyn Benjamin Ruth Robinson Homedale (2) Barry Fujishin King Hill (1) Ken Jones Chaz Brand Nampa (3) Phyllis Henry Ron Tincher 3

4 Ontario (2) Marilyn Blair-Clausen Joey Mills Owyhee (2) Angie Davis Noni Manning Parma (3) Glenda Leigh Roswell (3) Larry Sorenson Mary Ann Sorenson Hester Wamstad Weiser (2) Naomi Field Wendy Stokes RECOGNITION OF FIRST-TIME ELDER COMMISSIONERS AND VISITORS Bob Yearley (Covenant) was introduced as a first-time elder commissioner. Guests Larry Gardner and Beth Swope (Reflections leadership team) and Linda Toth (minister-member and Presbytery Executive of Eastern Oregon Presbytery) were introduced. Presbytery voted to grant Linda Toth the privilege of the floor. Other guests present were Barb Hicks (Trinity) and Cliff Looney (Ontario). MINUTES Presbytery voted to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2009, stated meeting with the correction of Emmett elder commissioner s name to Larry Hall. STATED CLERK Ruth Hicks called for a special meeting of the Coordinating Council during lunch. She noted a letter from Grady Parsons, Stated Clerk of General Assembly, thanking the presbytery for per capita giving. Ruth announced that a vote on the presbytery standing rules will take place at the November meeting. Presbytery voted to approve the Administration Commission for the installation of the Rev. Karen Francis at Bethany Presbyterian Church on July 26, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. Minister members: Marianne Paul, Kingman Memorial and FPC, Homedale; John Murphy, Kirkpatrick Memorial Community; Joanna Dunn, FPC Boise. Elder members: William Gigray, Boone Memorial, and Marilyn Blair-Clausen, Bethany. Presbytery voted to approve the minutes of the Administration Commission for the installation of the Rev. Karen Francis as pastor at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Ontario, Oregon, on July 26, 2009 at 3:00PM. Minister members: Marianne Paul, Kingman Memorial and FPC Homedale; John Murphy, Kirkpatrick Memorial Community; Joanna Dunn, FPC Boise. Elder members: William Gigray, Boone Memorial. and Marilyn Blair-Clausen, Bethany. The Rev. Edward Dunn opened the meeting with prayer. The Rev. Marianne Paul was elected moderator and the Rev. Joanna Dunn clerk. The Rev. Joanna Dunn preached the sermon. The Rev. Marianne Paul presided and propounded the constitutional questions. Marilyn Blair-Clausen asked the congregational questions. The charge to the minister was delivered by the Rev. Joanna Dunn and the charge to the congregation by the Rev. John Murphy. The Rev. Karen Francis was duly installed. The minutes were read and approved and the meeting closed with prayer. (Submitted by the Rev. Joanna Dunn.) COORDINATING COUNCIL Presbytery voted to give authority to the Committee on Ministry to approve administrative commissions for ordination and installation services. Presbytery voted to approve the adoption of all applicable portions of Title 8: Personnel, from the Synod of the Pacific Administrative Manual, to serve as the initial personnel policies and procedures of the Presbytery until such time as a new policy is presented. Coordinating Council recommended that the presbytery give authority to the Moderator of the Coordinating Council, the Moderator, and the chairperson of the Committee on Ministry to create an administrative commission when requested by the Presbytery Executive, the Stated Clerk, or the Committee on Ministry, to be reported to the next meeting of the presbytery. It was moved and seconded that reported be changed to to be ratified at the next meeting of presbytery. Presbytery voted to defeat the amendment. Presbytery voted to accept the original recommendation. BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Ron Tincher, treasurer, noted concern that mission pledges are lagging behind. These pledges support 2010 mission projects in the presbytery. Ron asked that each church consider their mission pledges carefully. Chuck Winder, Vice Moderator, assumed the chair. 4

5 NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Jim Mertz and David Goebel told of Reflections mission and outreach activities. Presbytery voted to grant additional visitors privilege of the floor. Larry Gardner (Reflections) expressed his personal thanksgiving for Reflections and how it has affected his personal call and commitment to ministry. Presbytery voted to charter Reflections Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), on September 13, David Goebel reported that at the present there are 64 names on the charter and that it is the congregation s intention to leave the charter open until the end of the year. David led presbytery in a prayer of thanksgiving. Chuck Winder expressed thanks and appreciation for the work of the new church development commission. COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY After voting to approve the correction of the Terms of Call for the Rev. David Goebel, Presbytery voted that the Rev. David Goebel be called as the pastor of Reflections Church effective at the chartering service on September 13, Presbytery voted to approve the request for honorably retired status for the Rev. David R. Carlson effective September 1, A celebration of ministry for David Carlson will be planned for the future. Bruce Swanson told about upcoming courses and schedule for Seminary Without Walls. MISSION ALLIANCE COMMITTEE Edward Dunn told presbytery about mission co-worker, Gary Payton s visit October Edward is working on a schedule to get him to as many congregations as possible. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Kathy Mattson pointed out the leaders in Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery and spoke briefly of the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women, which was held July in Louisville. PRESBYTERY PROGRAM COMMITTEE John Murphy noted the following dates: Pastor s Retreat November 3-5, 2009, and Summer 2010 Youth Triennium. Marianne Paul, Moderator, assumed the chair. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN REPORT Half the teams (from presbytery and Reflections) who will visit congregations have been identified. Every church should shortly receive a letter requesting a visit to the congregations by team members. PRESBYTERY HISTORY MOMENT Monte Munn focused on the history behind the theology of the Trinity. REPORT OF THE INTERIM PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE Edward Dunn told of his many activities since the last meeting of presbytery and introduced Rona Peterson, the new director of the resource center. Presbytery complimented and thanked Edward for the job he does as Executive Director. ADJOURNMENT There was no further business to come before the presbytery, so commissioners voted to adjourn the meeting at 12:15 p.m. The closing prayer was offered by Marianne Paul. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Hicks, Stated Clerk Kathryn Baker, Recording Clerk pro tem 5

6 Presbytery of Boise Called Meeting Sunday, September 13, 2009 Reflections Church The meeting was called to order and opened with prayer by Moderator, Marianne Paul at 6:45PM at the Reflections Church for the purpose of chartering Reflections as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Members of the Chartering Commission: Phil Moran, Covenant church Rodney Moore, NCD Commission, Boone Memorial church Edward Dunn, Interim Presbytery Executive Ruth Hicks, Stated Clerk Joe Dorociak, COM Chairperson, Trinity church Lynda Downing, NCD Commission, Trinity church John Murphy, Kirkpatrick Memorial Community Church Cindy Tyree, NCD Commission, Covenant church The meeting was begun with worship with the Rev. Phil Moran preaching the sermon. The organization of the Reflections Church was led by Marianne Paul with Rodney Moore giving a synopsis of the development process and presentation of Member Charter. Finding the charter in order, the Rev. Edward Dunn lead the congregation in a Reaffirmation of Faith as found in the Book of Common Worship, including the taking of membership vows. Marianne Paul declared the constitution of the Reflections Church (U.S.A.). The Rev. Ruth Hicks, Stated Clerk, called the first meeting of the congregation to order with prayer. The slate of elders to be nominated by three classes was presented. There were no nominations from the floor. The elders were elected by common consent. Ruth Hicks lead the elders in the Constitutional Questions and asked the Congregational Questions. The elders were ordained and installed by the laying on of hands and prayer. The Rev. Joseph Dorociak then led the congregation in the calling of a pastor. The name of the Rev. David Goebel was put forth and the terms of call were read. The congregation enthusiastically elected David Goebel to be their installed pastor. The Constitutional Questions were propounded and the Rev. David Goebel was installed as the pastor of the Reflections Church. Joe closed the congregational meeting with prayer. Lynda Downing gave the charge to the Elders, John Murphy charged the pastor, and Cindy Tyree charged the congregation. The Rev. Edward Dunn gave a closing statement on behalf of the Presbytery of Boise. And David Goebel closed the worship with the final blessing at 9:15PM. Respectfully submitted, Ruth R. Hicks 6

7 REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK The minutes of the Presbytery of Boise were reviewed on October 29, 2009 and found with exception. There was no printed report of the Terms of Call for all Clergy, which is required. It was also recommended that we have a specific report of the Committee on Representation each year that is separate from the Nominating Committee report. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the presbytery approve the meeting dates for Proposed Meeting Dates for 2010 CC Mtg. Dates Mailing Date Presbytery Meeting Location (3 rd Mondays) Handbook Date /18 1/22 February 6 Covenant (Installation of Moderator Chuck Winder) 3/15 4/9 April 24 King Hill (Celebration of 100 th Anniversary) 7/19 8/7 August 21 Volunteer? a Boise area church 10/18 10/29 November 13 Volunteer? a church outside of Boise 2. Per the Book of Order, G b, the number of elders and clergy do not have to match unless there are more minister members than assigned elder commissioners. If there are more clergy, then the number of elder commissioners must be increased. In the case of the Presbytery of Boise, we have 42 clergy. This imbalance has concerned me over the years until my recent meeting of the presbytery stated clerks from the Synod of the Pacific. They assured me that an imbalance of elder commissioners versus clergy is acceptable by the Book of Order. In addition, of the nine presbyteries represented at that meeting of stated clerks, all give vote to their Commissioned Lay Pastors. In our past discussion of whether or not the Commissioned Lay Pastors should be given the vote at presbytery meetings, several of the churches with CLPs have complained that if they choose to honor the work of their CLP and give them an opportunity to have a vote at meetings, then it takes away an opportunity for another elder to have the experience and responsibility of being a commissioner. Therefore, I would like the presbytery to discuss the possibility of giving all the Commissioned Lay Pastors both voice (which they already have) and vote. Commissioned Lay Pastors may have the word pastor in their title but they are counted as Elders for parity. Approval of giving the Commissioned Lay Pastors the vote would be separate from them being one of the assigned commissioners of the church they serve. This would allow for a full compliment of elder commissioners at the presbytery meetings from each church. Therefore, I make the following recommendation: That voice and vote be given to all the Commissioned Lay Pastors for the Presbytery of Boise. 7

8 Minister and Elder Commissioners for 2010 Church 2007 Members 2008 Members Elder Commissioners CLP Clergy Clergy Covenant McLain Moran B. Stanfield 1st Boise Thiry Davis J. Dunn Boone (Moore) Beaty Trinity Rasmussen Dorociak Southminster Brunlinger Marshall Glass Kirkpatrick Murphy Nampa 1st Potter Swanson Sterry Cox Bethany Mills Francis Emmett Hall Beck Reflections 75 2 Goebel Weiser Wilson Adrian Paul Owyhee Scissons Vacant Homedale Paul King Hill Brand Vacant Total Elder Commissioners for 2010: 39 Plus 7 Elders on CC = 46 Total Clergy = 42 CLP = 11 Clergy, Parish 15 Validated 8 Lg/Inact. 3 Clergy, Retired 16 FOR INFORMATION Honorably Retired (16) Serving a Church (15) Validated Ministry (8) Bales David Oliver Beaty Aaron Chamberlain Alex Beck David L Beck Elizabeth D Goldthwaite Ruth Mary Binns Jerry H Cox Mark E Dunn Edward Earl Carlson David R Davis Mark T Green Richard Hicks Lee A Dorociak Joseph J Hicks Ruth Rutzen Jones Wesley G Dunn Joanna Rogers Philip C Keener Edwin K Francis Karen Ruth Shrumm Norman L Kirk Francis M Glass Marcella Auld Smith Mark D Koah Timothy Goebel David L Marshall Ralph O Moran Philip Joel Matthew John C Murphy John A McKay Judy A Paul Marianne C Naugler S Norman Robinson-Stanfield Brenna Payne John Nicholson Swanson Bruce D Pickrell John W Wilson Daryl R Van Nest D Robert Inactive (1) Member at Large (2) Bowen John R Schilbe Lisa Nicole Westfall Nina L. ELDERS ON COORDINATING COUNCIL Winder Thomas Mattson Pitman Tincher Roberge (or new chairperson?) Symms 8

9 ATTENDANCE 2009 Church Adrian (2) Covenant (3) Boise, First (3) Southminster (3) Trinity (3) Boone (3) Emmett, First (2) Homedale (2) King Hill (1) Nampa (3) Bethany (2) Owyhee (2) Parma (3) Roswell (3) Weiser (2) Feb April 2009 August C. Council Total Elder Members who could come to presbytery meetings Feb April Marshall Mattson Pitman Symms Tincher 4 Marshall Mattson Symms Winder Tincher REPORT OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL PRESBYTERY OF BOISE COORDINATING COUNCIL Monday, October 19, 2009 Reflections Presbyterian Church Meridian, Idaho Council chair Randy Marshall called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and opened it with prayer. Council members present were Joe Dorociak, Ruth Hicks, Randy Marshall, Kathy Mattson, Marianne Paul, Harvey Pitman, Dick Symms, Ron Tincher, and Chuck Winder. Others present were Judy Austin, Edward Dunn, and Bruce Swanson. The proposed agenda was adopted, with the addition of a matter brought by Bruce Swanson, by consensus. Council voted to approve the minutes of meetings of July 20, 2009, with the addition of attendees Marci Glass (for John Murphy), Ruth Hicks, and Harvey Pitman, and of August 6, SEMINARY WITHOUT WALLS Bruce Swanson noted that the Seminary without Walls had taken a voluntary reduction of $800 from its budget this year and would like the amount replaced from the Bicentennial Fund. Ron Tincher, treasurer, noted that the reduction had not in fact been taken and thus no action was 9

10 required of Council. TREASURER Ron Tincher went over his finance and budget reports. Council voted to approve presentation of the proposed budget for 2010 at the Stated Meeting of the Presbytery on November 14. The financial and budget information will be included in the meeting handbook. COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY Joe Dorociak reported that Pete Hoover, a member of Boone Church, has been certified by the Committee on Ministry as eligible for commissioning as a Commissioned Lay Pastor and will be presented at the November 14 Stated Meeting of Presbytery for commissioning to service both at Boone Church and in the Kairos prison ministry. The committee is drafting a model sabbatical policy for churches that it will present at the February 2010 Stated Meeting. NOMINATING COMMITTEE Dick Symms presented the committee s slate of nominees for vacancies and new terms on the various committees of Presbytery, for the officers of the Presbytery, and for commissioners to the 2010 General Assembly. Council voted to disband the 2009 Financial Review Task Force with thanks and took note that the Standing Rules of Presbytery call for a Financial Review Committee. The Nominating Committee will attempt to identify nominees for that committee to be elected on November 14. Council voted to recommend to Presbytery that the Meridian New Church Development Commission be released with great thanks. MISSION ALLIANCE Chuck Winder reported that the Mission Alliance Committee will be working in December on allotment of anticipated mission funds. It was agreed that a report on the specifics of how such fund allocations will be used should be prepared and distributed. INTERIM EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER Edward Dunn noted several ongoing processes. The Personnel Committee is working on an evaluation for Edward s position for the Coordinating Council. The Interim Executive Presbyter position description has been approved by the Mission Personnel Committee of the Synod of the Pacific with an addition of the requirement that the person be able to lift at least 15 pounds. The Presbytery s guest for Mission Challenge 09 was Gary Payton, who is the PC(USA) s partnership facilitator in Russia, the Ukraine, and Belarus and lives in Sandpoint, Idaho. The Presbytery s personnel policy, as adapted from the Synod of the Pacific Administrative Manual, has been delayed. A church has offered to sell the Presbytery a used color copier. After much discussion, it was informally decided that Edward (and possibly the stated clerk) would use the color copying and printing services available at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Edward offered the idea that Presbytery begin exploring the possibility of new NCDs in the Presbytery. He noted that Nancy Payton (Gary Payton s wife) would be pleased to lead a discernment retreat for the council. Council voted to plan a retreat in the spring of 2010, to be led by Nancy Payton, to discern the mission of Boise Presbytery. 10

11 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Kathy Mattson reported on the activities of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery, including a rousingly successful Fall Gathering, whose speakers included Gary Payton, STATED CLERK Ruth Hicks noted that there will be no Cost of Living Adjustment recommended for pastors this year. Council agreed that she will continue to work on dates for Council meetings but probably return to the third Monday of the month before Presbytery Stated Meetings. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Marianne Paul reported that a letter is about to go out encouraging churches to invite teams from the Capital Campaign Committee and Reflections Church to make presentations in worship. There is no capital campaign for the Interfaith Sanctuary currently under way or being planned; the Presbytery s original action was to combine the two. OTHER MATTERS Mission Yearbooks will be available at the November 14 Presbytery meeting. ADJOURNMENT The Coordinating Council adjourned at 9:10 p.m. with closing prayer by Randy Marshall. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Hicks Stated Clerk Judy Austin Recording Clerk RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the presbytery approve the proposed changes in the Standing Rules. Chapter I MEETINGS THE PRESBYTERY OF BOISE STANDING RULES (11/09) The Stated Meetings 1. Where a stated meeting of the Presbytery continues over a normal mealtime, the host church shall be responsible for providing that meal. The host church may assess a nominal charge., to be determined by the Coordinating Council. 2. The Coordinating Council shall be responsible for the planning of the docket, which shall include a worship service. 3. At the first stated meeting of the calendar year, the outgoing Moderator shall preside until the installation of the incoming Moderator. The Session of the host church shall make the necessary arrangements for the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The Coordinating Council shall prepare and hold a necrology service. 4. At the beginning of each stated meeting the Presbytery shall approve the docket. 5. Any item of business introduced by a committee, special committee, Coordinating Council, or commissioner at a stated meeting, which has not previously been presented to the Presbytery in writing for study and research by all commissioners, will be dealt with in the following manner: 11

12 a. It may be presented, but not debated. b. Presentation may be limited in time. c. It may be placed on the table for consideration by a future meeting of the Presbytery. d. The Presbytery may refer it to a proper committee. 6. New items of business should be presented at the time for "Miscellaneous Business," or they may be included in the docket of the Presbytery when it is adopted, by consent of the Presbytery. 7. Each Presbytery meeting will conclude with a prayer of thanksgiving for the major events and accomplishments of the day. 8. Ministers may for good reason be excused from active participation in the Presbytery for periods of up to one year. 9. Mileage for Commissioners to Presbytery meetings and Committee members to meetings of their committees may be paid at the rate determined by the Presbytery at its first stated meeting of the year as recommended by the Coordinating Council. Chapter II OFFICERS 1. The term of office for the Moderator and the Vice-Moderator shall begin on January 1, the same starting date as for the Committee chairpersons, Committee members, Coordinating Council members, Corporation President and Vice-President, and all others elected at the November stated meeting. 2. The Moderator, elected at the November Stated Meeting, shall be installed at the first stated meeting of the calendar year. The Vice-Moderator shall be installed at the same time as the Moderator. 3. The Stated Clerk shall serve a three-year term. The responsibilities of the Stated Clerk are: the implementation of church policy; maintenance of regular relationships with higher bodies; serving the Permanent Judicial Commission as required by the Rules of Discipline, D and D ; keeping the Presbytery calendar; supervision of an annual examination of minutes and record books of all church sessions in the Presbytery; responsible for communications to the presbytery; serve as the Secretary of the Civil Corporation. 3-a. The Clerk may appoint examiners to assist in the annual review of session records, provided that they are not examining records prepared by the examiner. The Stated Clerk shall enter in each Session Minutes Book that it has been examined and approved, with any exceptions cited, as noted in the Book of Order. 4. The Treasurer shall function in accordance with Civil Law and serve a three-year term. The Treasurer shall be the Treasurer of the Civil Corporation. The work of the Treasurer shall be supervised by the Coordinating Council/Board of Trustees and a financial report shall be provided to the Presbytery at each Stated meeting and annually to the Civil Corporation. Those in charge shall report at least annually to the Presbytery and more often when requested 5. The financial books of the Presbytery shall be reviewed by a Review Committee, nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Coordinating Council. 6. The President of the Civil Corporation shall operate under the Constitution of the 12

13 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the By-Laws and Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Boise, the civil laws of the State of Idaho, and, where appropriate, the civil laws of the State of Oregon and the State of Nevada. Chapter III THE COORDINATING COUNCIL 1. The Coordinating Council shall be composed of the following: Moderator, shall ordinarily be the most recent former Moderator of the Presbytery. See Bylaw Chapter II, Coordinating Council, Insofar as possible there shall be an equal balance of ministers, laywomen, and laymen. The M moderator of a committee can appoint an active member of the committee to serve as liaison to the Coordinating Council if the Moderator is not able to act in that capacity. 3. Minutes of the Coordinating Council shall be sent to Presbytery Commissioners following each meeting. 4. The Coordinating Council shall recommend to the Presbytery the budget for the next year at the third stated meeting. 5. The Coordinating Council will regularly receive reports from a Commissioner to the Synod of the Pacific. 6. The Coordinating Council will develop and maintain an Administrative Operations Manual for the Presbytery. The Administrative Operation Manual shall include the By-Laws, Standing Rules, Policies, Job Descriptions, Committee Descriptions and Responsibilities and Master Calendars for the completion of the work of the Presbytery. Chapter IV COMMITTEES OF PRESBYTERY 1. Committee On Ministry/Committee on Preparation for Ministry The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) requires each Presbytery to have a Committee on Preparation for Ministry and a Committee on Ministry (G ). The responsibilities of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry are articulated in the Book of Order (G ). The responsibilities for the Committee on Ministry are articulated in the Book of Order (G and G ). In this Presbytery there shall be a Committee on Ministry consisting of at least six members: membership shall be equally distributed between elders and ministers. (Book of Order, G ) In this Presbytery the work both of the Committee on Ministry and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry are combined in the Committee on Ministry. This Committee shall have the responsibilities as outlined in the Book of Order - G and G , G et seq. 2. Presbytery Program Committee The Presbytery Program Committee shall have a minimum of six members. The Presbytery Program Committee is the program planning body of the Presbytery. It has the responsibility for the development and provision of services that will: (1) strengthen and broaden the scope of the work of congregations; (2) enlarge the vision of the Presbytery. The focus of this Committee will be the undergirding of the normal tasks of the churches and the Presbytery in Christian education, social justice, the churches' missionary work, stewardship education, and evangelism. This Committee will also be responsible for 13

14 planning an annual pastors retreat. 3. Mission Alliance Committee The Mission Alliance Committee shall have a minimum of three sixteen members: one person from each congregation of the Presbytery. The Mission Alliance Committee will oversee and address mission of the presbytery and will interpret the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to the Presbytery. The Mission Alliance Committee shall develop funding criteria for mission priorities and the allocation of mission dollars. The criteria and priorities shall be presented to the Presbytery annually for its approval. 4. Personnel A Personnel Committee shall be elected to serve for the evaluation of the Presbytery staff. There shall be a minimum of three members consisting of both elders and clergy. This committee shall evaluate the relationship between the Presbytery staff and the Presbytery. It shall make an annual review of the performance and compensation and report to the presbytery its outcome. When the three-year terms of the Stated Clerk and Treasurer are due to expire, or earlier if a vacancy should occur, the Nominating Committee in consultation with the Personnel Committee shall nominate candidates for the offices of Stated Clerk and Treasurer in conformity with the Presbytery Bylaws and Standing Rules. 5. Committee on Representation The Committee on Representation shall have a minimum of two members. The main function of this Committee shall be to advise the governing bodies with respect to their membership and that of their committees to ensure fair and effective representation in the decision-making of the church. The Committee shall operate in conformity with the Book of Order, G et seq. 6. Budget and Finance Committee The Budget and Finance Committee shall have a minimum of five members, including the moderators of the Mission Alliance Committee and the Personnel Committee of the Presbytery. The chair of this committee shall not serve concurrently as the chair of Mission Alliance or Personnel Committees. The Budget and Finance Committee will prepare and present an annual budget to the Coordinating Council by its third meeting of each year. 7. Nominating Committee shall have a minimum of three members who are nominated by the Coordinating Council and elected by the Presbytery. The committee shall present a slate of nominees for the committees and officers of the presbytery at its fourth stated meeting and as vacancies occur throughout the year. 6. Vacancies Vacancies on continuing committees, councils, boards, and other bodies that require election by the Presbytery shall be filled by moderatorial appointment, from nominations received from the Nominating Committee, and reported through the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery. The moderatorial appointee shall serve until the completion of that calendar year; and the position shall be filled by election at the fourth stated meeting. 14

15 Chapter V PRESBYTERY PROCEDURES AND OVERTURES 1. Procedures The Stated Clerk will send out a summary of each Presbytery meeting along with the minutes immediately following the meeting. Sharing time will be built into the Presbytery meeting docket so that there is more flow from congregations to Presbytery than vice-versa. Commissioners will be are encouraged to report both to their Sessions and to their congregations. during worship. Pastors and elder commissioners from each congregation will be are encouraged to meet ahead of each Presbytery meeting to prepare for that meeting and for the issues that will be debated. All elders and other congregational members will be are encouraged to visit Presbytery meetings. 2. Overtures At a stated meeting the Presbytery will vote on the overtures sent down from the last General Assembly. Copies of these overtures will be distributed to the Sessions and other members of the Presbytery as soon as they are made available from the Office of the General Assembly. Chapter VI INTER-PRESBYTERY AGENCIES 1. Board of Directors Camp Sawtooth The Presbytery shall be represented on the Board of Directors of Camp Sawtooth and shall be responsible for maintaining the program and facilities of the Camp Sawtooth. Camp for the Snake River Mission Area. The Nominating Committee shall nominate and the Presbytery shall elect annually at the fourth Stated Meeting two persons to serve on the Sawtooth Camp Board for three-year terms. Presbytery representatives to the Sawtooth Camp Board shall be responsible for reporting annually to the Presbytery. Reports shall include a complete statement of programs, finances, and future plans. 2. Shared Ministry Board Boise Presbytery shall be represented on the Shared Ministry Board that is responsible for the cooperative venture of the Presbyteries of Boise, Eastern Oregon, and Kendall in lay leadership training and education. The Nominating Committee shall nominate and the Presbytery shall elect annually at the fourth Stated Meeting one person to serve on the Shared Ministry Board for a three-year term. Board members are eligible for re-election to a second term. A Board member shall not serve a consecutive term of more than six years. The Shared Ministry Board shall have oversight of the Paul K. Kessell Resource Center. Presbytery representatives to the Shared Ministry Board shall be responsible for reporting annually to the Presbytery. Reports shall include a complete statement of programs, finances, and future plans. 15

16 Chapter VI VII AMENDMENTS 1. These Standing Rules may be suspended or set aside at any time by motion at the time, passed by a majority vote. 2. These Standing Rules shall be amended by submitting the proposed change in writing ten days prior to a stated meeting, and adopted by a majority. 16

17 To: Boise Presbytery From: Ron Tincher - Treasurer Subject: Financial Report 3rd quarter 2009 Date: October 15, 2009 The following are my comments on the general fund budget as of September 30, Please note that the actual amounts are January to September and the budget amounts are for the entire year. Income: My comments for this quarter on income are almost identical to the last report. Income is lagging behind where we would expect to see it at this point in the year. Per capita is behind as more churches are making payments than in the past. So far this year eleven of our churches are paid in full. The other four have made payments. Please note it is each church s responsibility to accurately report their membership. Presbytery is responsible to pay Synod and GA per capita based on what you have reported. The per capita for 2010 will be based on your membership as of December 31, Expenses: We are current with all of our expenses and we have incurred no surprises at this time. Although the report shows that at this time our reserve is significantly over budget as our expenses continue through the rest of the year this will shrink The following are my comments on the designated accounts as of September 30, 2009: The major income to our designated accounts is from mission pledges from our churches that is split between NCD Meridian (Reflections) and the Benevolence Fund. The NCD commission gained $6, that had been transferred in from the close out of the SRMA. It was originally applied to the NCD Meridian Fund but was later transferred to the NCD General Fund at the request of the NCD commission. The income to the Norma Stout Fund is interest and the Presbytery Center reserve is from a close out of a Fidelity investment account and transfers from the general fund. The major expense in our designated accounts was a payout to Reflections of $14, early this year from the NCD Meridian Fund. Another $6, was transferred to the NCD General Fund at the request of the NCD commission as mentioned above. We continue to desperately need a capital campaign to reduce the mortgage on our Meridian property. The mortgage balance on the property is $536,019 as of September 1. The property committee continues to do a good job and we have maintained a positive cash flow for the year. Respectfully submitted, Ron Tincher 17

18 9:08 PM Presbytery of Boise 10/15/09 Budget vs. Actual Cash Basis January through September 2009 Jan - Sep 09 Budget $ Over Budget Ordinary Income/Expense Income 100 Investment income Dividend inc-synod custodial 1, , Total 100 Investment income 1, , Synod Revenue Share 69, , , Partnership Grant 62, , , Total 101 Synod 131, , , Rental Income Presbytery Center Rental Income 59, , , Presbytery Center Rent Support 11, , , Total 102 Rental Income 71, , , Per Capita income Per Capita Presbytery 31, , , Per Capita GA 14, , , Per Capita Synod 12, , , Total 106 Per Capita income 58, , , Transfer from SRMA 7, , SWOW-reimbursement 1, uncatagorized income Total Income 270, , , Expense 150 Mission Expense Presbytery Center Rent Support 11, , , King Hill Support 1, , Homedale Support 3, , , Ring Praise 1, , Reflections NCD Support 11, , , Cooperative Ventures Support 32, , , NCD Commission Support 21, , , Mission Expense - Other 0.00 Total 150 Mission Expense 83, , , Presbytery Center Expenses Building Expense 67, , , Building Reserve 5, , , Total 160 Presbytery Center Expenses 72, , , Administrative 200 Stated Clerk 201 Stated Clerk Comp 6, , , Stated Clerk Travel 1, , Office Expenses Postage Total 200 Stated Clerk 8, , , Presbytery meeting exp Recording Secretary comp Tri Presbytery Meeting Total Presbytery meeting exp , Insurance PerCaptia payout-ga 17, , Per Capita payout-synod 15, , Misc Administrative Presbytery Executive Salary 34, , , Travel Expense 2, , , Office Equipment , Office Rent 4, , , Office Supplies 2, , , Page 1

19 9:08 PM Presbytery of Boise 10/15/09 Budget vs. Actual Cash Basis January through September 2009 Jan - Sep 09 Budget $ Over Budget Total 250 Presbytery Executive 44, , , Resident Staff Search , , Conference & Training , , Total 199 Administrative 88, , , Committee expenses-administ 303 Committee on Ministry SWOW 2, , COM Misc Pastor's retreat Judicial expense , Total 303 Committee on Ministry 2, , , Total 300 Committee expenses-administ 2, , , Presbyter yprogram Expenses , Uncategorized Expenses Total Expense 247, , , Net Ordinary Income 23, , , Net Income 23, , , Page 2

20 Boise Presbytery Designated Accounts Summary & General Fund Balance As of June 30, 2009 Account Name 12/31/08 Balance 2009 Income 2009 Expense Current Balance Seminary Loan Fund $2, $0.00 $0.00 $2, David Bales - South Africa $ $60.00 $0.00 $ Youth $7, $0.00 $0.00 $7, Peacemaking Fund $8, $ $0.00 $8, Camp Sawtooth $ $0.00 $0.00 $ Bicentennial Fund $9, $0.00 $0.00 $9, Benevolence Fund $16, $3, $0.00 $20, Church Emergency Fund $1, $0.00 $0.00 $1, NCD Meridian $20, $4, $20, $4, NCD General $0.00 $6, $0.00 $6, NCD Norma Stout Fund $77, $2, $0.00 $79, Other Activities $ $ $ $ Presbytery Center Reserve $1, $11, $1, $11, Craig Zaiss Memorial $ $0.00 $0.00 $ Pastor's Retreat $ $0.00 $0.00 $ Presbytery Activities $ $0.00 $0.00 $ Tax Reserve $0.00 $ $0.00 $ Total Designated Accounts $148, $29, $23, $154, General Fund $34, $270, $247, $57, Total All Funds $183, $300, $270, $212, Account Balances: Wells Fargo checking $58, $80, Synod Custodial Fund $45, $46, Presbytery Center checking $1, $5, Norma Stout Fund $77, $79, $183, $212, /15/

21 Property at 201 W. Ustick Rd Summary of Cash Flows 9/30/2009 First Second Third Fourth Total Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Funds from/ to Presbytery $ 7,121 $ 7,988 $ 7,988 $ 23,096 Capital Campaign Contributions $ - $ - Building Use Income $ 18,667 $ 17,010 $ 12,580 $ 48,257 Interest Income $ - Other Income $ - Total Income $ 25,788 $ 24,998 $ 20,568 $ - $ 71,353 Building Facilities $ 4,132 $ 4,061 $ 3,945 $ 12,137 Utilitites $ 3,853 $ 2,370 $ 2,694 $ 8,918 Insurance $ 1,212 $ 1,454 $ 2,666 Bank Service Charges $ 6 $ 6 $ 6 $ 18 other $ 162 $ 18 $ 180 $ - GA Loan # $ 8,770 $ 8,770 $ 8,770 $ 26,309 Synod # $ 4,337 $ 4,337 $ 4,337 $ 13,011 Synod # $ 1,291 $ 1,291 $ 1,291 $ 3,873 Total Expense $ 23,763 $ 20,834 $ 22,514 $ - $ 67,111 Cash Flows $ 2,025 $ 4,163 $ (1,946) $ - $ 4,241 Changes in Fund Balances First Second Third Fourth Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Checking Balance $ 3,453 $ 7,705 $ 5,759 Total Funds $ 3,453 $ 7,705 $ 5,759 $ - Changes in Loan Balances First Second Third Fourth Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter GA# % $ 260,102 $ 254,885 $ 249,596 Synod # % $ 165,989 $ 162,864 $ 162,519 Synod # % $ 123,958 $ 123,502 $ 123,903 Total $ 550,049 $ 541,250 $ 536,019 $ - 21

22 To: Boise Presbytery From: Ron Tincher - Treasurer Subject: 2010 Budget Proposal Date: October 15, 2009 The budget committee used the following overall parameters for the formulation of the budget for next year: Keep the Per Capita rate the same for next year even though this will cause a drop in total income as the membership is down. Keep the salaries for our two paid positions the same for next year. We believe they are both doing an excellent job and this is only a result of economic conditions. Maintain the current level of support to the missions of our Presbytery and our churches. Continue to build a reserve in the general fund. Income Income is projected at this time to be a total of $323, which is $23, under the budget for this year. The revenue share and the partnership grant from Synod is projected to be down $13, This is based on our churches meeting their mission pledges which appears to be unlikely at this time. Once we know a close estimate on this for next year the budget will have to be revisited and adjusted accordingly. Rental income is projected to be off by $3, but that is because we have lowered the needed support for the Presbytery Center. Per capita is projected to be down by $6, which is a direct reflection of our drop in members. The rate is held the same as last year. SWOW budgeted income was increased to reflect was is currently happening. Expenses Total expenses are projected to be down by $23, Mission expense is budgeted to be $3, less than last year. This will be revisited once we know the funding that will be available for missions for next year. The Presbytery Center expenses are budgeted to be down $3,920. This is based on what is expected for actual expenses for this year. The reserve was removed for next year. We expect to have $13,355 in reserve in our designated account by the end of this year. Stated Clerk expenses are up due to additional travel expense to attend GA and the need for meal expenses. 22

23 A line item was added for treasurer office expenses and an initial amount of $500 was budgeted. Now that the SRMA is gone we handle a lot more office/accounting tasks and the need for postage, envelopes, checks and general office supplies has greatly increased. The Presbytery Exec budget is down by $4,383. Although it shows $3,333 is from salary this is actually caused by the salary being over budgeted for A meals account was added but it was more than offset by reductions in office supplies and office equipment. Judicial expense was removed as first we do not expect to incur a cost for this so it is inappropriate to budget for it and if something occurred it would probably way exceed the $1,000 that was previously budgeted. However, as we know something in this area could occur and that is why we plan to continue to build our general fund reserve. A line item for the Committee on Preparation for Ministry was added as this is needed to handle the testing that is necessary for new candidates. The budgeted amount for program expense was removed. It is expected that the designated account will be over $1,900 that could be used if needed. The pastor s retreat fund was moved to the program committee and budgeted for the same amount. There is $700 in the designated accounts that can supplement either this year s or a future year s expenses. Respectfully submitted, Ron Tincher 23

24 9:09 PM 09/10/09 Cash Basis Presbytery of Boise 2010 Budget Draft Jan - Sept 2009 Budget $ Over Budget 2010 Budget Change Ordinary Income/Expense Income 100 Investment income Dividend inc-synod custodial 1, , , Total 100 Investment income 1, , , Synod Revenue Share 69, , , , , Partnership Grant 62, , , , , Total 101 Synod 131, , , , , Rental Income Presbytery Center Rental Income 59, , , , Rental Income shared ministry 10, , Presbytery Center Rent Support 11, , , , , Total 102 Rental Income 71, , , , , Per Capita income Per Capita Presbytery 31, , , , , Per Capita GA 14, , , , , Per Capita Synod 12, , , , , Total 106 Per Capita income 58, , , , , Transfer from SRMA 7, , SWOW-reimbursement 1, , uncatagorized income Total Income 270, , , , , Expense 150 Mission Expense Presbytery Center Rent Support 11, , , , , Page 1 of 4 24

25 9:09 PM 09/10/09 Cash Basis Presbytery of Boise 2010 Budget Draft Jan - Sept 2009 Budget $ Over Budget 2010 Budget Change King Hill Support 1, , , Homedale Support 3, , , , , Kirkpatrick - Financial Outreach 1, , Kirkpatrick - Outreach Committee 2, , Sterry Church 9, , Emmett 9, , Ring Praise 1, , , Reflections NCD Support 11, , , , , Shared Ministry - Resource Center 16, , , , , $10,400 for rent support Camp Sawtooth 11, , , , , College of Idaho 4, , , , , NCD Commission Support 21, , , , Mission Expense - Other 0.00 Total 150 Mission Expense 83, , , , , Presbytery Center Expenses Building Expense 67, , , , , Building Reserve 5, , , , Total 160 Presbytery Center Expenses 72, , , , , Administrative 200 Stated Clerk 201 Stated Clerk Comp 6, , , , Stated Clerk Travel 1, , , Meals & Entertainment Office Expenses Postage Total 200 Stated Clerk 8, , , , Presbytery meeting exp Recording Secretary comp Tri Presbytery Meeting Total Presbytery meeting exp , Page 2 of 4 25

26 9:09 PM 09/10/09 Cash Basis Presbytery of Boise 2010 Budget Draft Jan - Sept 2009 Budget $ Over Budget 2010 Budget Change Treasurer Office Expense Insurance PerCaptia payout-ga 17, , , , Per Capita payout-synod 15, , , , Misc Administrative Presbytery Executive Salary 34, , , , , Travel Expense 2, , , , Meals & Entertainment Office Equipment , Office Rent 4, , , , Office Supplies 2, , , , Total 250 Presbytery Executive 44, , , , , Resident Staff Search , , , Conference & Training , , , Total 199 Administrative 88, , , , , Committee expenses-administ 303 Committee on Ministry SWOW 2, , , COM Misc Judicial expense , , Total 303 Committee on Ministry 2, , , , , Committee on Prep for Ministry , , Program Committee Page 3 of 4 26

27 9:09 PM 09/10/09 Cash Basis Presbytery of Boise 2010 Budget Draft Jan - Sept 2009 Budget $ Over Budget 2010 Budget Change 400 Program Expense , , Pastor's Retreat Total Program Committee , , , Uncategorized Expenses Total Expense 247, , , , , Reserve Increase 23, , , , Page 4 of 4 27

28 REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE 1. Approve the following nominations (in bold) for the classes indicated. Committees of the Presbytery of Boise COORDINATING COUNCIL Coordinating Council Moderator Stated Clerk Moderator of Presbytery Vice-Moderator Chuck Committee on Ministry Presbyterian Program Corporation President Presbyterian Women Mission Alliance Committee on Representation Budget/Finance Personnel Committee Nominating Committee Marianne Paul Ruth Hicks Chuck Winder Daryl Wilson Ch. Of the Redeemer/ Weiser Joe Dorociak Trinity/Boise John Murphy Kirkpatrick M. /Parma Bruce Thomas First/Boise Katharyn Mattson First United/Nampa Betty Beck, First, Emmett Harvey Pittman Southminster/Boise Ron Tincher First United/Nampa Richard Roberge Boone/Caldwell R.A. (Dick) Symms Boone/Caldwell Advisory Executive Staff Edward Dunn Recording Clerk Judy Austin Boise/First COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (Must be equal elders and clergy) Elder Barbara Allumbaugh Cole Southminster/Boise 2010 Minister Lee Hicks Retired 2010 Elder Willard Kneidl First United/Nampa 2010 Elder Skip Smyser Sterry/Roswell 2010 Minister Phil Moran Covenant/Boise 2010 Minister Joanna Dunn First/Boise 2011 Elder Kathy Mertz Boone/Caldwell 2011 Elder Ken Jones King Hill Com./King Hill 2011 Chairperson-Minister Joe Dorociak Trinity/Boise 2012 Minister Aaron Beaty Boone/Caldwell 2012 PRESBYTERY PROGRAM COMMITTEE Elder Kathy Neilsen Trinity/Boise 2010 Elder Louise Nagel First/Boise 2010 Chairperson - Minister John Murphy Kirkpatrick M./Parma 2011 Minister Daryl Wilson Ch of the Redeemer/Weiser 2011 Minister Marcella Glass Southminster/Boise 2011 Elder That Mac McCann Boone/Caldwell 2012 MISSION ALLIANCE Elder Barry Fujishin First/Homedale 2011 Elder Ro Roberge Boone/Caldwell 2011 Minister Mark Cox Sterry M./Roswell 2011 Elder Glenda Leigh Kirkpatrick M./Parma 2011 Elder Kathryn Baker Bethany/Ontario 2011 Elder Russell Thomas Owyhee/Owyhee 2011 Elder Bob Potter First United/Nampa 2011 Elder Chas Brand King Hill Com./King Hill 2011 Elder Elma Witty Kingman M./Adrian 2011 Elder Paul Busey Southminster/Boise 2011 Elder Annette Slaybaugh Trinity/Boise 2011 Elder Terry Nagel First/Boise 2011 Chairperson Minister Betty Beck First/Emmett 2011 Elder Carol Bounds Covenant/Boise 2012 Elder Naomi Field Ch. Of the Redeemer/Weiser 2012 Charlie Solomon Reflections/Meridian

29 BUDGET AND FINANCE Chairperson (Elder) Ron Tincher First United/Nampa 2011 Elder Jon Watson Kirkpatrick/Parma 2011 Minister David Beck Retired 2011 PERSONNEL Chairperson Richard Roberge Boone/Caldwell 2010 Elder Ron Howell First United/Nampa 2010 Minister Alex Chamberlain Validated St. Luke s 2011 Elder Rebecca Lee Covenant/Boise 2012 REPRESENTATION Chairperson Harvey Pitman Boise/Southminster 2010 Minister Joanna Dunn Boise/First 2012 Elder Ruth Clapier First/Homedale 2012 CAMP SAWTOOTH BOARD Elder Steve Crume Boise/Southminster 2010 Elder Rona Peterson First United/Nampa 2010 Elder John Hicks First/Boise 2011 Elder Carolyn Blackhurst Southminster/Boise 2011 Elder Winston Lundy Sterry Memorial/Roswell 2012 Minister Phil Rogers Validated - C of I 2012 Co-Opted Members Elder Bill Harenberg First/Boise Elder Chris Brown First/Boise PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION Minister John Pickrell Retired 2010 Elder Joe Witty Kingman M./Adrian 2010 Elder Charles Oakes Bethany/Ontario 2010 Elder Mike Reardon First/Boise 2012 Minister Alex Chamberlain Validated Ministry 2012 Elder Kay Hamilton Southminster/Boise 2014 Elder Joey Mills Bethany/Ontario 2014 Minister Judy McKay HR 2014 SHARED MINISTRY EDUCATIONAL COMMISSION Elder Carol Brunlinger Southminster/Boise 2010 Minister Bruce Swanson First United/Nampa 2011 Elder Sandy Bartles Sterry Memorial/Roswell 2012 Minister Edward Dunn Ex-Officio SYNOD COMMISSIONERS Minister Joanna Dunn First/Boise 2010 Elder Bill Gigray III Boone/Caldwell 2010 Minister John Murphy Kirkpatrick Mem/Parma 2012 Elder Beth Scherfee First/Boise 2012 NOMINATING COMMITTEE Chairperson - Elder R.A. (Dick) Symms Boone/Caldwell 2010 Elder LeAnn South Trinity/Boise 2010 Minister Mark Davis First/Boise 2011 Elder Tom Johnston Kirkpatrick Mem/Parma 2011 PRESBYTERY FINANCIAL REVIEW TASK GROUP for 2010 Bob Vernon Boone/Caldwell Janet Bean Covenant/Boise Rodney Moore Nampa United/Nampa 29

30 GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONERS: General Assembly meets: July 2-10, 2010 in Minneapolis MN Minister Aaron Beaty Boone Memorial/Caldwell Minister alternate Mark Davis First/Boise Elder Chuck Winder Covenant/Boise Elder alternate Young Adult Advisory Delegate Mathew Eardley First/Boise Young Adult Advisory Delegate Alternate The Rev. Aaron Beaty, nominee for Clergy Commissioner to the General Assembly: Training: I attended seminary at Regent College in Vancouver, BC from While the seminary was multi-denominational in the best sense of the concept, I relieved training in Reformed Theology and Presbyterian Polity from Dr. John Zimmerman and Dr. Eugene Peterson. As a result I developed a clean understanding of our reformed tradition and a working knowledge of our church government. My first call was as associate pastor for Christian education and nurture at Bethany PC in Portland, OR where my family and I served for seven years. Current call: I accepted the call as Sr. Pastor at Boone Memorial PC in My commitment in my calling is to assist the local body of Christ to grow in their knowledge and love of God, and to grow in their ability to function as active and positive members of the larger body. Work within the Denomination: In Cascades Presbytery, I participated in developing a ministry of support to newly ordained ministers called NOPS (Newly Ordained Pastor Support). Since moving to Caldwell in 06, I have served in Boise Presbytery s Interim Executive Presbytery Search Committee and I am pleased to currently serve on our Committee on Ministry. Why I want to attend GA: I have not attended a GA before and am interested in the experience. I also have a heart for our denomination and grieve at the divisions that manifest themselves so readily at the upper levels of our government. I would value the opportunity to contribute something positive in the midst of our struggles. I consider it an honor to be nominated to represent our Presbytery at GA. Elder Chuck Winder, nominee for Elder Commissioner to the General Assembly: Chuck Winder has been a member of Covenant for over 25 years and attends regularly. He has served three times on the Session of Covenant. He served for many years on the PJC. He has served as a Mission Advocate to MUCC for two years and is currently chairman of the Mission Alliance Committee of the Boise Presbytery. Chuck has served for about 15 years on the committee that organizes the Idaho State Prayer Breakfast. He has spent over 20 years in the Bible Study Fellowship program, an interdenominational study program. He attended as a student and then was in leadership for 20 years, serving as a discussion leader, class administer, substitute teaching leader and finally for the final six years as the teaching leader. As teaching leader he was responsible for the training of both adult and children leaders, approximately each year. Each week he prepared and presented to approximately 200 men a forty-five minute lecture on Old Testament scriptures as well as the Gospels and New Testament scriptures that applied to the course of study for each week. Chuck has also been involved in mission work locally and internationally. He served on the Board of the Boise Rescue Mission and the Louis Palau Treasure Valley Festival. He was also a cofounder of Idaho Cares for Africa, project in cooperation with World Vision, to provide clean drinking water for remote villages in Senegal. He has short-term mission experience in both Kenya and Uganda. 30

31 He was instrumental in Covenant s funding of a residence for orphans in Uganda through the Sanyu Babies Home and Rafiki International. Rev. Mark T. Davis, nominee for Alternate Minister Commissioner to the General Assembly: Mark T. Davis is the Pastor and Lead Minster at the First Presbyterian Church of Boise where he has served for 20 years. Mark holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina and a Masters of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He recently completed a Masters of Letters, with distinction in the dissertation, from the University of St. Andrews. His dissertation, Christian Formation: Image and Narrative Familiarity, completed his work at St. Mary s College in the area of the Bible and the Contemporary World. Mark has served as a reader of Standard Ordination Exams, a member of the Nominating Committee, a member of the New Church Development Commission and has been a regular participant various pastortheologian colloquia in the past decade. Mark has published material in The Journal of the Company of Pastors, Hungry Hearts, Presbyterian Outlook and Church and Society The Journal of Just Thoughts. Mark was a presenter for the Louisville Institutes symposium on the Shaping of Theological Education and presented as well in a joint consultation with the Church of Scotland held in Geneva in the fall of His paper from that consultation, "Jurgen Moltmann and Reformed Ecclesiology" appeared in the Journal of the Company of Pastors. Mark has lectured at Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN and Christ Presbyterian in Ormond Beach, FL. on the subject, 'Charitable Particularity - Aesthetics and Community in the Reformed Tradition.' In addition he presented a seminar for the Doctoral Program in Homiletics at Vanderbilt Divinity School on improvisational preaching. In the past year he has lectured on Image and Narrative in Advent Preaching in Jackson, Wy and Tamp Bay, Fl. In the past year Mark has completed two unpublished children's books, Cloudhouse and Harrison. Mark's current writing program is divided between a book of essays, 'Things My Father Said or Should Have' and a novel, 'Thumping the Stars'. Mathew Eardley, nominee for Young Adult Advisory Delegate to the General Assembly: My name is Mathew Eardley and I am currently a freshman at Whitworth University in Spokane Washington. Whitworth is a small, Liberal Arts University that is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. I have been an attendee at First Presbyterian Church in Boise since I was six years old and joined the church my sophomore year of High School. I have been very active in the church in many capacities. When I was younger I attended Sunday school, vacation bible school, and other events and activities for children. As I grew older I began to take on leadership roles with our Music, Art, and Drama camp as well as our Children s Chapel. More recently I was a member of the Worship Design Team, Audio Visual Team, and Facilities Committees. I have always had an interest in the leadership and polity of the church and attended session and presbytery meetings. I was very active in the high school Youth group, participating in Sunday Bible Studies, Wednesday Youth Group, and three mission trips including one to Costa Rica. I attended the Summer Youth Institute at the Pittsburgh Seminary where I joined a group of around thirty scholars, interns, and counselors for two weeks of intense study and discernment of faith and calling in life. I continue to pursue Christian formation at Whitworth where I am taking Foundations for Christian Leadership Class, attending local churches and the university chapel services. I look forward to serving as a Young Adult Advisory Delegate at the 219 th General Assembly in Minneapolis. 31

32 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY/COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY For Information: The COM is working on the following projects, which will come to the presbytery for approval in the future. o Sample Sabbatical Leave Policy o Sexual Misconduct Prevention Policy Edward Dunn and Ruth Hicks conducted the Triennial Visit to the King Hill church. The CIF has been submitted online for their search for a part time pastor of the yoked parish of King Hill and Glenns Ferry. The COM has conducted the required yearly interviews with the Commissioned Lay Pastors and is pleased to celebrate their individual ministries and thankful for their work in our churches. The CPM asks our presbytery to remember our candidate and Inquirer in our prayers. o Nick Van Santen, Candidate, Certified Ready to Receive a Call, and JoAnn Thiry, Inquirer, who is attending Dubuque Seminary. FOR RECOMMENDATION: 1. Approve the request of James F. Moore to be reinstated as a Minister of Word and Sacrament of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and as a member of the Presbytery of Boise per G Approve Pete Hoover to be commissioned to the Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church with the following permissions (Per G ): a. Administer the Lord s Supper. b. Administer the Sacrament of Baptism. c. Perform a service of Christian marriage when invited by the session or other responsible committee, and when allowed by the state. d. Have a voice and vote in meetings of the presbytery (such vote to be counted as an elder commissioner for purposes of parity). Statement of Faith Pete Hoover I believe in one, eternal, triune God who created everything that was, is, and will ever be. Nothing was created except by him. Out of his overflowing love, he created men and women, both in God s own image, to be in relationship with him and with each other. His creation is not just a thing of the past, but is on going and eternal, and the whole of the universe holds together because of his will. I believe that what God created was good, but men and women rebelled against God s will and tried to choose their own path, which led them away from God and towards destruction. We do the same thing today. In choosing to follow our own will we sin against God. I believe that God has reached out to us through out history, trying to gather us to himself, but we wouldn t listen. For this reason God chose Abraham to be the father of his people; a people chosen and blessed so that they could, in turn, be a blessing to all mankind. But they rebelled as well, so God sent them prophets, calling them back to him, but they killed the prophets and continued following other paths. Then God sent his Son, Jesus the Christ. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That he was born of the virgin named Mary by the Holy Spirit. I believe that he was born, but not created. He is eternal just as God the Father is eternal and they, along with the Spirit are one God in three persons. This is a marvelous mystery and I do not truly understand it, but I accept it as truth. I believe that Jesus lived among us and was indeed one of us, but was also God. He 32

33 was tempted just as we are tempted, and he suffered even greater things than we suffer, yet he was guilty of no sin. I believe that Jesus Christ suffered death on the cross and, in doing so, paid the price for the sins of all mankind, and that includes my own. He was raised on the third day in glory and now sits with God the Father and he intercedes for me and all others even now, and therein lays my hope. I believe in the Holy Spirit through whom I experience God every single day. It is the Spirit who aids me in my prayers, helps me in my understanding of scripture, and instructs me in my daily life. I am never alone. I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. I believe in one holy catholic church and that through baptism I am received into the family of God and that in sharing communion I am remembering the sacrifice that Christ made for me, and for all of mankind. I believe that I am called to share the gifts that God has given me with others, believers and non-believers alike. And I believed I am called to love. I eagerly await the time when Christ will come again. Come Lord Jesus. REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN See written report at the end of the handbook REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORT OF SHARED MINISTRY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN REPORT WRITTEN REPORTS 33

34 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION Open the meeting with prayer Approve the minutes from November 15, 2008 CORPORATION OF THE PRESBYTERY OF BOISE Annual meeting November 15, 2008 First Presbyterian Church Boise, Idaho In the absence of president Bruce Thomas, vice president Randy Marshall called the annual meeting of the corporation to order at 2:44 p.m. Ruth Hicks offered prayer. Members of the corporation voted to approve the minutes of the annual meeting of November 10, Bruce Thomas and the Coordinating Council were nominated as the president and board of the Civil Corporation. There being no nominations from the floor, members of the corporation voted to cease nominations and instruct the secretary to cast a unanimous ballot for the president and board. The members of the corporation voted to adjourn at 2:45 p.m. with prayer by David Carlson. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Hicks Stated Clerk Judy Austin Recording Clerk Recommendation: 1. Approve the Board of Trustees and officers of the Civil Corporation of the Presbytery of Boise, per the Bylaws, Chapter X, Civil Corporation Board of Trustees: President: Secretary: Treasurer: Vice President: Members of the Coordinating Council Bruce Thomas Ruth Hicks Ron Tincher Marianne Paul Other Business Adjournment with prayer 34

35 Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Boise October 18, 2009 Boise Presbytery Report Moderator- Katharyn Mattson V-Moderator- Carol Brunlinger Secretary- Marti Rippe Treasurer- Sara Nevill Mission- Jackie Benjamin Justice and Peace- Pat Thompson Spiritual Growth- Joey Mills Horizons/Resources- Phyllis Henry Leader Development- Sara Nevill Search Committee- Marilyn Lolley, Phyllis Henry, Kathryn Baker The 2009 Fall Gathering of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Boise was held at Kirkpatrick Memorial in Parma, October 17. Larissa Holt, a survivor of the Holocaust, was the morning speaker and Gary Payton, mission co-worker for PC(USA) in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland, spoke in the afternoon. The program and taco salad lunch was enjoyed by 85 people. Nothing can be said in this report to tell of the oppression over the years of German occupation and the following years of the USSR described by these two speakers. Blessings Without Boundaries mission pledge packets and pledging sheets were distributed to the various PW moderators present at the Fall Gathering. The pledge sheet which covers Presbyterian Women s pledge to the mission of PC(USA) and to the support of PW at the Churchwide, Synod, and Presbytery levels is due to Katharyn Mattson, PWP moderator by mid November. Blessings Without Boundaries mission packets and pledge sheets will be mailed October 29 to those churches not represented at the Fall Gathering. The search committee (Marilyn Lolley, Kathryn Baker, Phyllis Henry) will be looking for candidates for moderator, treasurer, historian, and a search member to present to the Spring Gathering which will be held at the Church of the Redeemer in Weiser. The Presbyterian Women in the Synod coordinating team will meet at the San Francisco Theological Seminary October to plan for PW Synodwide to be held at the Grosvenor Hotel, San Francisco, April Keynote speaker will be Barbara Rossing, author of the Horizon s Bible study on Revelation. Katharyn Mattson, PWP/Boise moderator, is a member of the PWS CT as mission interpretation coordinator. Other business will be to choose the 2009 Geneva Jensen Trust Fund award. Information about Presbyterian Women can be found on the Boise Presbytery web site: 1. PWP by-laws, standing rules, and other organizational items 2. Spring edition of PWPresbytery Spirit Weaving newsletter 3. Spring edition of PWSynod Pilgrimage newsletter 4. Information about the 2009 Fall Gathering (Thanks to Kathryn Baker) Any churches within the Presbytery who do not have an active PW and desire more information should contact: Leader Development Coordinator: Sara Nevill, snevill@cableone.net Moderator: Katharyn Mattson, katharynmattson@msn.com 35

36 T H E P A R I S H P A P E R I D E A S A N D I N S I G H T S F O R A C T I V E C O N G R E G A T I O N S Coeditors: Herb Miller, Lyle Schaller, Cynthia Woolever - September Volume 17, Number 9 David Bales & Herb Miller Do We Sing All Five Worship-Hymn Preferences? I just love the old gospel hymns, exclaimed Helen, the oldest choir member, after the choir finished practicing His Eye Is on the Sparrow. Carol, a choir member in her mid-sixties, asked, But aren t some of those gospel hymns theologically unsound? I prefer the really old hymns like Holy, Holy, Holy. Bill interrupted with, I ll take the contemporary praise songs over those oldies every Sunday. I first heard Father I Adore You at an Emmaus Walk Weekend back in the 1970s, and that really spoke to me. But those are actually old contemporary songs, said Amy, a thirty-year-old choir member. The praise songs written in the 1980s, like Change My Heart O God, are much more meaningful The youngest choir member, Jacob, interrupted Amy with, That type of praise song is too old to call contemporary! Songs written during the last fifteen years, like You Are My All in All, are what s happening now. Which of those five choir members is right? All of them! Many factors such as the denomination in which we grew up or our ethnic origins influence our hymn-type preferences. But more than any other single factor, the year we were born determines what hymns we like. since. The sanctuaries that these people filled to overflowing resounded to the great classic hymns, pipe organs, and choirs. That generation s bond to these hymns will never come unglued. Three examples of the great classic hymns: A Mighty Fortress (1528); Holy, Holy, Holy (words 1826, music 1861); and The Church s One Foundation (words 1866, music 1864). The big challenge for churches: Many people born since 1960 view most of the hymns in both hymn-types noted above as boring, devoid of meaning. This viewpoint appeared in the mid-1960s, as the Vietnam War began. Many age-18- to-44 adults were developing new music preferences. As a new hymn-type arrived on the scene, the public began describing it with the following words: non-traditional, contemporary, praise songs, modern praise songs, and praise and worship songs. As the next four decades unrolled, many mainline clergy and worshipers viewed this new hymn-type as a single preference. But that is far from accurate! A high percentage of American Protestants born before 1927 prefer the old gospel hymns (predominantly written between 1870 and 1935). Why do so many people in that age range prefer this hymn-type? We bond to music, both sacred and secular, between age sixteen and twenty-four. Thus, when most people born before 1927 sing the old gospel hymns they feel God s presence in a special way. Three examples of the old gospel hymns: Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine! (1873); Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (1882); and In the Garden (1912). At least three-fourths of American Protestants born from 1927 through 1945 prefer the great classic hymns (predominantly written between 1520 and 1870). When World War II ended in 1945, sixteen million Americans took off their uniforms. Between 1945 and 1960, Gallup Poll Surveys indicate that U.S. church attendance (as a percentage of U.S. population) rose to levels never achieved before or

37 The people who like praise songs are NOT one group that prefers contemporary. That tragic mis-perception produced declines in mainline worship attendance, and in some instances, the gradual disappearance of entire churches. Ninety percent of Protestant congregations with non-declining worship attendance report three hymntype preferences among worshippers born since Finding names that communicate these three hymn-types to such a diverse-background group as clergy and worship leaders is difficult. The following names attempt that feat: 1 st Generation Contemporary: Modern Praise Songs, written in the era. Three examples: They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love (1966); Father, I Adore You (1972); and He Has Made Me Glad (1976). 2 nd Generation Contemporary: Restorational Praise & Worship Songs, written in the era. Three examples: I Love You Lord (1978); Majesty, Worship His Majesty (1981); and Shine Jesus Shine (1987). 3 rd Generation Contemporary: Missional Worship Songs, written 1995 to the present. Three examples: Lord Reign in Me (1998); Here I Am to Worship (2000); and How Great Is Our God (2004). Approximately 75 percent of mainline Protestant worshipers born since 1946 prefer 2 nd Generation and 3 rd Generation Contemporary. If a church sings ONLY 1 st Generation Contemporary (written predominantly between 1960 and 1978), many younger worshipers feel uninspired, wish we could sing something more contemporary, and decide to visit a congregation where that happens. For most worshipers born after 1964, 2 nd and 3 rd Generation Contemporary (written from 1978 to the present) are as integral to their worship experience as were the old gospel hymns to worshipers born before Should mainline churches sing all three types of praise songs?to avoid gradually shrinking in membership over the next decade, congregations must consciously decide to provide worship experiences that match the spiritual preferences of young-adult age groups. Music may not determine the people a church effectively reaches, but music choices determine the people a church CANNOT reach. Churches that sing 3 rd Generation Contemporary may still fail to reach age-14 to age-40 young adults. But churches that refuse to include the music that most effectively connects with people of that age guarantee that they will NOT see many of them in worship each week. But is it possible to sing that many hymn-types? Examples of how non-declining mainline churches do it: Congregations that average fewer than people in worship increase the likelihood of maintaining stable attendance by providing one blended worship service that every Sunday sings the great classic hymns, an occasional old gospel hymn, and at least two of the three generations of contemporary praise songs noted above. About 50 percent of larger, non-declining mainline congregations (200-1,000 or more average worship attendance) offer two kinds of worship services on Sunday morning and sometimes a Saturday evening worship at 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. Often, this pattern involves (a) a traditional service at 8:00 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, in which worshippers sing the great classic hymns and a few of the old gospel hymns; (b) a 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service in which worshippers sing songs from at least two of the three generations of contemporary praise songs; and (c) in some instances, Saturday worship at 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. that uses songs from at least two of the three generations of contemporary praise songs. The other 50 percent of larger, non-declining mainline congregations (200-1,000 or more average attendance) use (a) a blended style in two, three, and sometimes four Sunday morning services blending the great classic hymns and at least two of the three generations of contemporary praise songs and (b) in some instances a Saturday worship at 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. that uses songs from at least two of the three generations of contemporary praise songs. How do we make the shift?* Print the following in the worship bulletin every Sunday for at least six months: Because we strive to show equal respect for all five preferences in worship music, we select songs and hymns meaningful to every age group via a balanced music selection consisting of (a) the great classic hymns written , (b) the old gospel hymns written , and (c) the three generations of contemporary praise songs written , , and 1995 to today. Bottom line results of showing equal respect for all five hymn-type preferences: (a) At least 75 percent of young-adult attendees (and many older adults) find worship more meaningful. (b) Worship attendance, Christian conversions, and offerings increase. (c) By focusing on age- 18-to-44 young adults (rather than clinging solely to historic worship hymns), a congregation increases the likelihood of health and strength twenty-five years from now. *See the study/discussion process in Church Effectiveness Nuggets: Volume 4, How to Increase Worship Attendance, plus an in-depth discussion and list of 116 praise songs from the three types of contemporary praise songs in Volume 32, We Are Singing the Right Hymns in Worship...Aren t We? Download both of these volumes free of charge ( Copyright 2009 by David Bales & Herb Miller

38 T H E P A R I S H P A P E R I D E A S A N D I N S I G H T S F O R A C T I V E C O N G R E G A T I O N S Coeditors: Herb Miller, Lyle Schaller, Cynthia Woolever - October Volume 17, Number 10 Cynthia Woolever Women Pastors: Are Our Assumptions Accurate? Returning from the hospital s emergency room, Pastor Joan hurriedly parked her car. The church s 150 th Anniversary Dinner would begin in two minutes. She had planned to arrive early and greet people. But that was not possible. The fellowship hall was packed with people, excitement, and the smell of baked casseroles. As Joan arrived at the head table, the governing board chairperson welcomed the crowd and asked her to give the invocation. Before praying, Joan said, I know that several of you are aware of Harry s heart attack. I m happy to report that Harry is now stable and he is expected to live. As she sat down, the board chairperson rose again. He called everyone s attention to the 150 th Anniversary placemat designed by the Anniversary Committee and delivered by the printer late that afternoon. The colorful sheet listed the names of all forty-seven pastors in the congregation s history, along with their dates of service. The last entry read: Joan Kalder, 2008 to present. The board chair said, Joan, this placemat puts you on our official list of pastors. But more than that, after only one year with us, you are not merely on the list; you are our pastor. The audience exploded with appreciative applause. Joan s experience is typical. After a clergywoman serves a church for a while, she is usually well accepted by the parishioners. Substantive contact with a clergywoman, as one s own pastor, co-pastor, associate pastor, or interim minister creates greater openness to female pastoral leadership. In other words, to warm up to female leadership, a church member can t just meet a clergywoman or hear her preach at another church. Since 1980, the number of clergywomen has more than tripled. Currently, one in five pastors in several of the mainline Protestant denominations is female. A generation ago many of these women might have become teachers, social workers, or community volunteers. Today their personal faith leads them to serve the local church. The Negative Outcome Assumption: When a woman becomes pastor, the church loses members to other congregations, sees its financial contributions shrink, and attracts only women worshipers. A New Trend in Some Denominations A few denominations have been ordaining women as pastors for several centuries. However, the ordination of women into the pastoral ministry in numerous denominations, in large numbers is a major change. More denominations began ordaining women during the 1970s than in any other decade for the last 100 years. What impact has this change had on the local church? What Are Our Assumptions? Every church member possesses unquestioned assumptions about the effectiveness of women pastors. Some of those assumptions are accurate; others are not. Now, research allows us to separate fact from fiction by reviewing thirty-year trends documented by six major studies. 1 The Contact Assumption: If church members have some direct experience with clergywomen, they are more receptive to women as parish ministers.

39 Do these negative outcomes ever happen when a new pastor arrives? Yes. But these negative outcomes are not more likely to occur when the new pastor is a woman rather than a man. In fact, research indicates that, on average, when the new pastor is a woman the worship attendance increases slightly, giving rises slightly, and the worshipers gender make-up remains the same. But the persistence of stereotypes what people think is reality tends to foster a frosty reception for the first clergywoman in some congregations. Countless members still believe that male pastors make the best match between the church and the pastor. And countless members still believe that women clergy have more problems in ministry, such as high absenteeism, more job turnover, conflict with their family roles, weak leadership skills, and temperaments not suited for serving a local church. Preferences what people feel is right for them also influence what people think is reality. The majority of members say that the pastor s gender makes no difference to them. But for those with a preference, more men than women prefer a male pastor. Nor do clergywomen get universal support from their male colleagues. Two out of ten male pastors prefer a male minister. Unfortunately, that small fraction of male clergy, and that one-third of members who prefer a male pastor, can be a noisy and resistant minority. The Male Clergy Exodus Assumption: Because women have become pastors, denominations have lost members and closed churches, and more clergymen have left the ministry. The numerical decline in members and congregations 2 among several mainline denominations is attributable to many factors but not to the ordination or women. Male and female clergy leave the ministry in about equal percentages, with slightly more women exiting than men. Both genders leave for a variety of reasons: they can t find placement, or they need more income to support themselves or their family, or they desire new challenges. During the 1970s, two trends fueled by financial factors such as inflation and rising costs of energy and healthcare began reshaping male and female clergy careers: First, congregations averaging fewer than 125 in worship attendance find it increasingly difficult to afford a fulltime pastor. Second, the number of those small churches that cannot afford a full-time pastor is increasing. As a result of those two trends, most full-time clergy (a) spend the majority of their working years as assistant pastors, associate pastors, pastors of small churches, pastors of two small yoke-parish churches, and medium-sized churches; and (b) have limited opportunities to serve in senior pastor positions. Only about one percent of clergy in most denominations become a senior pastor (supervising other clergy or staff members). Men have about twice the chance of becoming a senior pastor as do women. The Conflict Assumption: Clergywomen experience more conflict with the lay leadership than do their male colleagues. The amount of church conflict reported by male and female pastors is essentially the same. And the types of church members that tend to be at odds with the pastor are also the same. Business executives, middle-aged men and women, and church leaders who hold secular-workplace positions of authority are accustomed to making decisions in their organization. Some of these people are unaware that they expect their pastor (and their church) to defer to their preferences or suggestions. When their counsel is questioned, or if they do not get the expected response, these leaders may react in ways that create conflict with the pastor. About 5 percent of parishioners in any size or type of church are chronically unhappy with what s happening. Personnel committees can deal with misbehaving paid staff but few churches have a means of dealing with unruly volunteers. This makes the pastor s role whether male or female an exceedingly complex leadership task. The Bottom Line A wise female church elder said, We tolerate measles, we accept people. I don t want to be tolerated. I want to be accepted. That preference is true with pastors of both genders. Whether the current pastor is male or female, all parishioners (not just the personnel committee members) benefit from asking these six questions: 1. When we advertise an opening for a clergy position, do we so in a way that welcomes female applicants? 2. When we review applications for a clergy position, do we consider female applicants to the same degree as male applicants? 3. How often do we make unreasonable demands on our pastor? 4. How often are we unreasonably critical of our pastor? 5. In what ways do we show acceptance for our pastor? 6. In what ways do we make our pastor feel loved and cared for? 1 Edward C. Lehman, Jr., Women s Path into Ministry: Six Major Studies, Pulpit & Pew Research Reports (2002), Duke Divinity School ( 2 Patricia M. Y. Chang, Factors Shaping Clergy Careers: A Wakeup Call for Protestant Denominations and Pastors, Pulpit & Pew Research Reports (2005), Duke Divinity School ( Copyright 2009 by Cynthia Woolever

40 T H E P A R I S H P A P E R I D E A S A N D I N S I G H T S F O R A C T I V E C O N G R E G A T I O N S Coeditors: Herb Miller, Lyle Schaller, Cynthia Woolever - November Volume 17, Number 11 Lyle E. Schaller Seven Roads to a Multicultural Congregation We believe we should become a multicultural congregation, the pastor said. But how can we move beyond hope is our only strategy to a plan that achieves results? Start by recognizing eight realities that any effective multicultural-congregation plan must take into account: 1. Assume that the United States will continue to receive each year close to one-half of all the adults on this planet who choose to leave the country of their birth to live in another nation. 2. A relatively tiny proportion of those newcomers will migrate here from Western Europe. 3. For the vast majority of new residents, English is not their first language. 4. With modest exceptions, when it comes to a desire to become fully assimilated into the American culture, economy, and institutional scene, those immigrants represent three distinctive subgroups: (a) those who were born in another country and come here as adults, (b) those who were born elsewhere but come as children, accompanying a parent to the United States, and (c) those who were born here and continue to live here. The older the age of the new immigrants, the more likely they will be separatists, not integrationists. They want to retain a tie with Korea or the Philippines or China, etc., and they want to help their children retain a respect for their culture, diet, language, and customs. 5. Participation in the American labor force is usually the number-one road to assimilation. By contrast, worshiping in an already established Christian community in which the religious culture traces its origins back to Western Europe usually ranks far behind their desire for formal education, recreation, transportation, retail purchases, health care, and a half dozen other points of assimilation. Like most thirdand fourth-generation Americans, recent immigrants usually prefer to help create the new rather than to join longestablished voluntary associations. 6. The categories of Hispanic and Latino are widely used in contemporary America. But the overwhelming majority of Christian congregations that serve Spanish-speaking recent immigrants identify themselves in terms of the country of birth of their leaders, such as Mexico, Peru, Cuba, Honduras, or Haiti. 7. American-born white Christians desiring to reach, attract, serve, nurture, assimilate, disciple, challenge, and equip for ministry adults who are (a) American-born blacks, (b) Caribbean-born blacks, and (c) African-born blacks must recognize the great difficulty in organizing one congregation that is able to attract and assimilate adults from all three of those demographic cohorts. The two highly visible exceptions tend to be (a) very large congregations with a longtenured senior pastor and (b) the small church served by a long-tenured pastor who excels as a loving shepherd. With American-born blacks, ethnic identity has replaced the call of the early 1960s for racial integration: that is why black separationists outnumber black integrationists by at least ten to one. 8. One highly visible line of demarcation within America s ethnic minority population is between the integrationists and the separationists in marriage. The number of bicultural married couples has been increasing in recent years.

41 Church leaders whose congregations move beyond hope is our only strategy to an effective multicultural ministry recognize that those eight contemporary realities provide the context for planning in the American Protestant congregation, or denomination, in which the vast majority of today s members trace their ancestry back to Western Europe. We see the relevance of those assumptions when we observe seven effective multicultural-congregation models in contemporary America: 1. The congregation served by a pastor in a bicultural marriage that focuses on reaching other couples in a bicultural marriage. The white wife married to a black husband explained that the primary reason they chose this congregation was, Our children were being teased at school about their parents. We want them to experience a social setting in which bicultural marriage is the norm, not the exception. 2. The multisite missionary church in which the predominantly Anglo congregation launches a second site served by an associate pastor born and reared in Guatemala and a third site served by an associate pastor born and reared in Nigeria. The organizational structure declares, This is a multicultural congregation with one name, one membership roster, one governing board, one budget, one staff, one budget, and three sites. 3. Perhaps the most common model in American Christian congregations has been the Anglo congregation with a Christian Day School (kindergarten through eighth grade) that implements an aggressive effort to enroll a larger proportion of immigrant and ethnic minority children. The operational assumption is, The parents will follow their children. This model is most effective in reaching and assimilating parents with upward mobility ambitions for their children. 4. A relatively new, but growing, model implemented by the predominantly Anglo congregation meeting in a building that includes three different rooms for the corporate worship of God. In one church s expression of this model, the first hour of the Sunday morning schedule is three different worship experiences: one in English, one in Arabic, and one in Korean. Following those three simultaneous worship services, the second hour is integrated Sunday school classes for all ages. The third hour provides one worship service in Spanish, one in English, and one in Mandarin. 5. Another growing model originated more than a century ago in American church history. Rather than rely on geographical boundaries for defining the regional denominational structure, this model places the top priority on affinity. For example, several of the regional judicatories within the denomination s national structure overlap geographically: one regional judicatory is for congregations composed of recent immigrants from Korea; a second regional denominational structure is for congregations of Americanborn members who trace their ancestry back to Western Europe; a third structure is for self-identified theologically liberal congregations; a fourth structure is for self-identified theologically evangelical churches; a fifth regional judicatory was organized for recent immigrants from China; a sixth is for American-born blacks who place a high value on self-governance; and a seventh is for persons born and reared in Mexico. 6. A growing recent trend is when the immigrant congregation, now composed largely of American-born adults who are the children of earlier immigrants, decides to unite with an Anglo congregation. Both have recognized that their current facilities, often on an inadequate site, have placed a low ceiling on future growth. One way to mobilize the resources required to provide better physical facilities at a larger site is to merge and together write a new chapter in their history. 7. The model most difficult to implement is an attempt to launch a new mission designed to reflect a high degree of demographic diversity accompanied by an affirmation of theological pluralism. How can we transform a collection of people individuals who differ from one another in several respects into a closely knit, cohesive, and unified congregation? One or both of two strategies are most likely to be effective: 1. Identify a common enemy and rally the people together to defeat that common enemy. 2. Minimize the differences among people by conceptualizing this congregation as a collection not of individuals, but of several relatively homogeneous small groups of sevento-thirty-five persons per group in which each group shares several points of commonality. Examples of these points of commonality include (a) loyalty to a Christian Day School, (b) bicultural marriages, (c) widespread admiration of and strong support for the long-tenured pastor, (d) the same first language, (e) similar age and marital status, (f) the same stage in their personal faith journey, (g) the same gender and/or marital status, (h) a shared preference for the same type of worship experience, (i) spending ten days every year in a volunteer team engaged in doing ministry with fellow Christians in a sister church on another continent, and (j) regular active participation as members of a missional team engaged in helping to alleviate world hunger or sheltering the homeless or some other non-divisive social justice ministry. Summary: The larger number of (a) points of commonality and/or (b) choices a congregation offers, the better its chances of becoming multicultural. Copyright 2009 by Lyle E. Schaller

42 T H E P A R I S H P A P E R I D E A S A N D I N S I G H T S F O R A C T I V E C O N G R E G A T I O N S Coeditors: Herb Miller, Lyle Schaller, Cynthia Woolever - December Volume 17, Number 12 Cynthia Woolever Are We a Leader-Sending Congregation? While I was growing up, a pastor said, more than a dozen kids from our church entered seminary. In a neighboring congregation the same size and denomination not a single person has entered preparation for ministry during the last forty years. Why is that? his friend asked. Why do some churches nurture so many future pastors while others never do? Sending-Congregation Character Traits New research in 434 churches profiles the characteristics of sending congregations. 1 In 35 percent of those congregations, one of their members entered seminary during the past five years. Those sending congregations possess a culture of calling that makes them different from the other congregations in seven major ways. 1. Disciple Magnets. Membership size is not the driving force behind incubating future pastors. Sending congregations are, on average, slightly larger than non-sending congregations. But the size difference between pastor-producing congregations and no-pastor-produced congregations is not great. Growth rate is a much more pronounced trait among sending congregations. The average worship attendance in non-sending congregations increased about 3 percent each year. Worship attendance in sending churches grew, on average, more than 10 percent a year! Another big difference between the two church types: the percentage of worshipers who assert that their congregation is moving in new directions. Growth rate and future-focus illustrate that something remarkable is happening in sending churches. Potential clergy can get the impression that ministry is exciting. 2. Financially Healthy. Non-sending congregations are three times more likely to describe their financial base as declining. Forty percent of sending churches describe their financial base as increasing and 53 percent of them describe it as stable. More people hear the call to ministry in places where mission resources are readily available. Fewer hear the call in churches that operate in maintenance mode or struggle to soldier on. 3. Relationally Healthy. Non-sending congregations report more than twice as much church conflict that led to a pastor s departure. Congregations that produce no future ministers also report more conflict that sent members scurrying for the exit. 4. Leader Trainers. Sending congregations create more leadership-development opportunities for both young people and adults. These churches are more likely to involve teens in leading worship services speaking, Scripture reading, singing, or performing (in 65 percent of sending congregations versus only 49 percent of non-sending congregations). Attendees in these churches more often describe worship as alive and spontaneous. Sending congregations also offer considerably more religious education for youth, age twelve through eighteen, and adults than do non-sending churches. Thus, many adults in these churches hear God s call to ministry in the second, third, or fourth chapter of their lives.