August 21, 2005

The Quarterly Ministry Meeting opened in prayer and Alonza Jones, President of the Pastoral Board, introduced reports from staff leadership:

Missions
Jim Houston, Missions Pastor, reported that our summer GraceOver project had 1,204 volunteer participants and raised more than $400,000 in donated goods and services. The Faith Family gave another $312,700 toward the project, over and above budget giving, so that no budget funds had to be spent on GraceOver. This was among our most successful local mission projects ever. Already this year the Faith Family has given more than $1 million to missions.

Since January, we have been instrumental in 10 new church starts around the world, the latest being in Budapest, Hungary. Jim also reported we will be working with the Ray of Hope ministry to establish a church training center in Kurdistan. $75,000 from the missions trust fund will be used toward this ministry.

Already, 18 mission projects have been planned for 2006. Jim also asked for prayer for each of these endeavors, as well as for a group leaving this week for a mission in Guatemala.

Discipleship
Debbie Bowers, Director of Adult Discipleship, reported an incredible fall launch, including 38 adult RBFs and 30 new LifeGroups. With the addition of two new adult RBFs were are again nearing capacity, even with our new modular buildings.

The summer months included our biggest VBS attendance ever.

Joining the Discipleship Team are Kelly Yoakum as Preschool Minister, Christy Wilder as Preschool Director (Birth - 2 year olds) and Wade Burtram as RBF Missions Coordinator. In cooperation with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary extension on campus, we will begin an intern program in the coming months, and several seminary students will serve as assistants in various areas of the discipleship ministry.

Worship
Donald Butler, Interim Worship Minister, noted prayer was a key priority for the Worship Team, especially during this transitional time. New vocal teams and bands have been formed and response to worship services has been very positive. Multigenerational worship--involving children and students in Sunday services--is something the Worship Team believes in and is working toward. Donald also introduced two new Worship Team members--Steven Sivley as Associate Worship Minister and Matt Glover as Technical Director.

Church Survey
Communications Minister Gene Mason reviewed results of the recent Churchwide Survey. Over 1,000 members and attenders participated, and more than 400,000 "data points" were collected and entered. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and many constructive suggestions were given. A survey summary was made available to meeting attenders. The survey results have been given to the Long Range Planning Team, who will review them thoroughly as they work on an updated campus master plan.

Gene also introduced two new Communications Staff members; Ben Deloach as Technology (IT) Director and Julie Curry as Communications Assistant.

ifoundhope Counseling Center
Associate Pastor Donnie Arrant shared plans for the ifoundhope Counseling Center to move from its current location in the Student Building to an off-site office on Highway 280. The move was planned earlier this year in conjuction with Student Building renovations. The move is now scheduled sometime in October. Donnie also shared our church's relationship with the Counseling Center will continue to be strong as this ministry grows beyond the Brook Hills property.

September and October
Leadership Pastor Larry Herndon addressed the pulpit plans after the first Pastor's departure, noting we have secured Dr. Richard Jackson, former Pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church, for three weeks beginning September 25. Other "home run" guests are being contacted. "We are prayerfully considering who to invite to preach because we want to maintain the excitement and quality of teaching during the transition time," Larry noted.

Stewardship
Tim Faulk of the Stewardship Team reported that we are currently running a budget surplus of more than $160,000, with an average weekly giving $5,000 above the budgeted requirement. "God has richly blessed our church," Tim commented, also noting that the staff is under-spending the total budget at this time, as is prudent during the challenge of a pastoral transition.

We recently made our annual bond payment, and our total debt stands at $11.1 million. This amount does not include the renovations and additions approved in March that are currently underway.

Personnel
Bill Christenberry of the Personnel Ministry Team noted that 14 staff have made transitions in the last year, but that God has been faithful in providing qualified individuals to fill key roles. The Personnel Team has been busy conducting interviews and approving replacements. Bill commented on the high quality and character of staff we have hired recently. The Personnel Team is also considering future staff needs, especially in the area of family ministry. As God leads, the Team will make recommendations to the Pastoral Board for additional positions.

Pastor Search Team
Ralph Dewberry, representing the Pastoral Search Steering Team, reported that 40 nominations had been received for the Pastoral Search Team, and that nominations are now closed. The Pastoral Search Team will be a significant commitment in time and travel. As directed by church bylaws, the Search Team will consist of 7 members, including at least one Lay Pastor. The Steering Team also indicated they hoped to include at least one senior adult, one young adult, two women and an African American on the team. The Steering Team will interview candidates and hopes to recommend a Pastoral Search Team by the end of September.

Long Range Planning Team
A.T. Scott, representing the Long Range Planning Team, indicated that the Team was working on an update to the campus master plan, having interviewed firms and selected the Garrison Barrett Group as the architect. Other previously approved projects were underway, including the Multipurpose Building renovation (Student Center) and technical upgrades to the Worship Room.

Introducing...
Alonza Jones introduced Marlin Priest, who was elected Vice President of the Pastoral Board, and will serve a one-year term as President beginning in January 2006.

Following a brief period of questions and answers, Marlin Priest closed the meeting in prayer.