January 30-31, 2015

January 30-31, 2015

MINISTRY COUNCIL SUMMARY OF ACTIONS

1. The Ministry Council met Friday and Saturday, January 30-31, 2015, at Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bartlett, TN, in both joint and concurrent sessions with the Ministry Teams. Joint sessions included Servant Empowered Leadership workshops, worship, Ministry Team reports, meals and fellowship.
2. Twenty of the twenty-three Ministry Council Members and Staff were present. Members: Rev. Donny Acton, Ken Bean, Jill Carr, Rev. Michele Gentry de Correal, Rev. Troy Green, Rev. Carlton Harper, Elizabeth Horsley, Rev. Lanny Johnson, Rev. Ron McMillan, Adam McReynolds, Gwen Roddye, Rev. Sam Romines, Rev. Tom Sanders; (Excused: Sally Allen, Mary Ann Cole); Youth Advisory Members: Emily Mahoney, Eddie Montoya, Jr., (Excused: Carolina Gillis); Advisory Members: Rev. Michael Sharpe, Rev. Lisa Anderson, Rev. Forest Prosser; Director of Ministries: Edith Old; Executive Assistant: Megan Warren. Sixty-three Ministry Team Members and Ministry Team Staff were present. In addition six invited representatives from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA) attended: Rev. Barbara Clemons, Elder Lewis Leon Cole, Jr., Rev. Dr. Lynne Herring, Rev. Perry Jackson, Rev. Dr. Anthony Johnson, and Elder Craig White. Six members of the CP Nominating Committee also attended as invited guests: Nancy Bean, Rev. Toby Davis, Carolyn Harmon, Rev. Jimmy Peyton, Ellie Scrudder, and Rev. Kevin Small. Also present were eight students from the Advanced CP Studies class.
3. Received updated financial reports presented by Dan Scherf, Central Accounting Department. Included in the reports were graphs created by MC staff that illustrate the various sources of funding for the Ministry Council, with Our United Outreach providing 46% of the total. Another graph indicated that while Our United Outreach Goals have increased over the past three years, actual giving has been stagnant. Total Our United Outreach giving in 2014 was $2,562,443.75, down from both 2011 and 2012. Income shortfalls required a major revision to the 2015 budget, accomplished through the concerted and collaborative efforts of the Global Ministries Leadership Team (Team Leaders and Director of Ministries.)
4. Participated with Ministry Teams and guests in two leadership workshop sessions presented by Rev. Troy Green: “Seeing the Sea,” and “Making Waves.”
5. Received the report of Director of Ministries Edith Old, drawing attention to the challenges of funding year-round ministries despite the ebb and flow of giving. Because a disproportionate amount of Our United Outreach comes in during December, Ministry Council has been forced to borrow from Investment Loan Program, Endowment, and Contingency funds. The Director asked that members pray for the upcoming meeting of the Our United Outreach Committee and for the ongoing efforts of the Ministry Council and Global Ministries Leadership Team to address financial challenges.
6. Approved the revised job description of the Missions Ministry Team Finance and Administration position.
7. Elected twelve Ministry Team Members to succeed themselves in 3-year terms.
8. Approved 2015 housing allowances for clergy on Ministry Council/ Ministry Team Staff in accordance with IRS requirements.
9. Elected Rev. Lanny Johnson representative to Our United Outreach Committee.
10. Ministry Council Members, CPCA representatives and GA Nominating Committee guests assigned to specific Ministry Teams participated in afternoon sessions with Teams and reported back to the Ministry Council.
11. Participated in phone conference/question and answer session with Rev. Kevin Medlin, Lebanon CPC, to learn about the successful growth within that congregation and the effective programs and ministries being implemented.
12. Heard the report of The Cumberland Presbyterian Magazine subcommittee and adopted the recommended purpose statement for the magazine: “The Cumberland Presbyterian Magazine exists to inspire, equip, and engage readers in the work of Christian ministry.”
13. Heard a proposal from MC Member Ken Bean regarding growth/revitalization of churches. Approved initial research to identify churches with growth over the last five years and the gathering of information about the locations, leadership, history, and successful programs of those churches.
14. Heard the report of the Director of Ministries Job Performance Evaluation Committee.
15. Agreed to communicate with the Unification Task Force, stating support of the concept of Unification.
16. Response to past General Assembly directives: Heard a report from Rev. Michele Gentry regarding the cooperative programs and ecumenical relationships between CP and PCUSA denominations and approved the report to be presented to the General Assembly.
17. During the Saturday morning Joint Session, Ministry Council recognized Elected Members Mary Ann Cole and Rev. Carlton Harper, Youth Advisory Members Emily Mahoney and Eddie Montoya, Jr., and Advisory Member Rev. Forest Prosser, all who will rotate off at the upcoming General Assembly.
18. Heard reports from each Team during the Saturday morning Joint Session. Nineteen Ministry Council Members and Staff, fifty-four Ministry Team Members and Staff, three CPCA guests, six GA Nominating Committee guests, and three Advanced CP Studies students were present. Some highlights of Team reports:
    1. Communications: Asked that Ministry Teams and other denominational bodies designate a person who can be in regular contact with CMT, providing guidance about ways CMT can assist with ministry.
    2. Discipleship: Children’s Fest will be held in Texas June 13, and in Tennessee July 18. New CP developed VBS curriculum is available: Welcome to the Neighborhood. The Young Adult Ministry Council is seeking 3 new members. Writers for eVotions are being sought. New stewardship and worship education resources are available on the Ministry Council website. The Forum, “Unlocking the Scriptures,” will be held in Brentwood, TN, in November 2015, with Dr. Mitzi Minor leading the study.
    3. Missions: Rev. Lynn Thomas introduced Rev. Carlos Rivera and Rev. Gabriel Gallardo, who shared information about their ministries. Carlos is a CP missionary to Mexico; Gabriel is a pastor of a local congregation in Mexico.
    4. Pastoral Development: Ministers Conference locations were announced: 2016-Brentwood, TN; 2017- Montgomery Bell State Park; 2018- Birmingham, AL. Plans are underway to have an annual meeting for Chairs of Presbyterial Committees on the Ministry.

       Continued with the Ministry Council business meeting after the Joint Session adjourned.

19. Adjourned to convene on April 17-18, 2015 (Friday and Saturday) for the Corporate Meeting of the Board at the CP Center, Cordova, TN.