“Reading the Agenda with Ministry Eyes”
Newsletter Article – January 23, 2012

Even though it’s a bit of a pain to pull together, (just ask Dianne, our parish secretary), I must say that I always enjoy reading through the Annual Report of the congregation. I’m always reminded of a year of ministry together in Christ’s name as I read through the reports and the statistics. And while a good part of the printed report looks back on the just completed year, there’s always a look, or plan, or vision for the future in these pages, too.

The Annual Report also includes the agenda for our congregation’s Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting will be this next Sunday, January 29th, after the second worship service. While the agenda of a meeting probably isn’t all that exciting or inspiring, I invite you to read this agenda with “ministry eyes”.

1) Devotions -- Okay, this one is easy. We will begin in responsive prayer – a prayer that echoes the words of the “Affirmation of Baptism” service.

2) Establishment of Quorum – While even one person on their own can be effective in their ministry in Christ’s name, we know that gathering a group together to do so is even better! So, we’ll want to make sure we have a good number of folks together so that we can best be about answering the call to ministry.

3) Approval of Agenda – We’re going to give our “thumbs up” to the plan for this meeting that the congregation’s Council has put together. I’m grateful that our Council regularly approaches their work with a focus on the Lord’s call to ministry.

4 & 5) Approval of Congregation Meeting Minutes – The minutes of the two congregation meetings that we had this past year record some of the history of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Reviewing and approving our history is a helpful thing. Minutes can help us to learn and to stay on track with the ministry ideals and goals on which we have set our sights.

6) Report of the Pastor – If my report to you doesn’t share something ministry-related, you call me on it! (-8

7) Report of the President – See #6 above. (I have no doubt that Paul’s sharings, too, will be “ministry-related.)

8) Treasurer’s Report – The money that is given and spent is used in so many, many ministry ways; but that’s another article. But don’t ever hesitate to ask a question about anything you see on this report.

9) Old Business: Enduring Gift Fund Committee Report -- The establishment of this fund and the EGF Committee was one of the ministry highlights of this past year. Having a way now for the congregation to receive legacy gifts from bequests and other contributions and therefore fund ministries in perpetuity is just wonderful. And some of you are so thrilled with this new means of ministry that we’ve already received $21,000 in gifts in the few weeks that it has been established!

10) New Business – a) 2102 Budget: See #8 above. b) Constitution and Bylaw Revisions: These documents provide a blueprint for how to go about being a congregation of Jesus Christ. These are ministry documents! c) Property Status Report – Bruce Johnson, a member of the Council, will be updating the congregation on what has been done in this past year – and a bit of the dream for what might be done – to make our building a better place in which and through which to do the Lord’s ministry. 11 & 12) Adjourn & Closing Prayer – We’ll be sent off to be the church in mission in our daily lives!

Mark S. Luepke