GRACE CHAPEL BOARD OF ELDERS MEETING MINUTES
January 9, 2012

All elders were in attendance: Paul Bodet, Bill Burke, Mark Cannister, Roy Ciampa, Tom Colatosti, Kurt Drescher, Brad Gardner, Donald Jin, Bob Landrebe, Ravi Ravichandran, Al Reuther, Gary Thorburn, Bryan Wilkerson

1. Prayer – Meeting began at 6:37pm with prayer.
   
   
2. Wilmington Campus – TV – Tom VanAntwerp provided a report on the Wilmington Campus and highlighted the following.
   1. Tom reported that it has been an amazing year 2011 both personally and with the church.  Personally, Tom and Julie have been looking after twins and it looks like adoption of the twins is imminent. 
   2. As for the Wilmington Church: This past Sunday was one of the best services yet.  Tom read an encouraging email from an attendee.  People who were reluctant to see change in Lexington, are actually embracing Wilmington.
   3. Attendance between 450 and 525 consistently. More than 600 for Christmas Eve services. 
   4. First Alpha course began in fall 2011 (15 attendees).  Starting Basics of Christian study this week. Eight to nine families will be dedicated on January 29, 2012. 
   5. First baptisms scheduled for February 2012. 
   6. People accepting watching video of Pastor. 
   7. Tom is excited about the leaders that have come out of the woodwork.
   8. Tom would like to replicate diversity in Lexington in Wilmington.  Starting to see a good deal of diversity.
   9. Tom is looking forward to baptisms, starting marriage course, and launching a few more life communities.
   10. Wilmington will be hosting its first Winterblast in February 2012.
        
3. Based on Tom Van Antwerp’s report, the BOE engaged in a conversation with Tom V. regarding report.
   1. Technology seems significantly improved; however, not flawless. We still have work to regarding the technology.
   2. Speakers should be more conscious that they are speaking to the both campuses, not just Lexington.
   3. We need to improve on how we replicate the special Sundays that cannot be easily replicated. For example, Messiah Sunday.
   4. A constraint to increasing capacity is the limitations of the current  septic system
   5. People are affirming Tom as pastor in Wilmington.
   6. Winterblast will be localized to Wilmington.
   7. Prayer – The BOE prayed for Tom V. and family, volunteers and Wilmington campus.
       
4. Spiritual Development book –The BOE discussed chapter 5 of Oswald Sanders’ book, Spiritual Leadership.
   
    
5. Finance Report – Paul Bodet and Bill Burke reported the following regarding GC’s financial status.
   1. We are still closing books and waiting for a few stock gifts to settle.  Currently running a significant budget deficit. 
   2. Deficit primarily due to the two Sundays that we were closed and because Christmas and New Years day fell on Sundays and resulting in lower attendance and less in offering plate.
   3. We need to provide more opportunities for people to give, and we must educate around stewardship and giving.
   4. NDOG – We received about 53% of what has been committed.
       
6. Housing Allowance – BOE unanimously approved housing allowance requests for staff.
   
   
7. Staffing: Stevens Ministry – We need to send someone to training for Stephens Ministry. It was moved that “the BOE approve the acceptance of the designated funds to send someone to Stephens Ministry training.” The motion passed unanimously.
   
   
8. Pastor Report – Bryan Wilkerson reported the following:
   1. Christmas Programs
      1. Christmas programs went well. Robert really adaptable and pulled off Christmas Eve with two drama teams. We held ten services in three days. It was a huge commitment by volunteers.  We served about 6500 people.  Wilmington packed in first service, but less so during second service so we may need to adjust times in Wilmington.
      2. BOE feedback was that there is a marked improvement in worship in Lexington.
   2. Attendance is ahead of last year by about two hundred people.  
   3. Matching gift to the Iraqi gift of $20,000 and they were able to get building – great story.
       
9. Bylaws: Mark Cannister sent summaries via email for the BOE to review and catch issues/glitches for bylaw clean up changes to be presented at the June congregational meeting.
   
   
10. Chairman Comments: Tom C. challenged the BOE by asking, “Are we being urgent enough and passionate enough? Is the bar high enough? Can we crank ourselves up for the next phase of ministry and raise our level or energy and commitment for growth? We must always be in renewal.”
    
    
11. Adjournment: The BOE adjourned the meeting at 9:30pm.
    

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Bodet, Elder