Leadership Team meets at Neighborhood Church

Neighborhood Church of the Brethren hosted the Leadership Team October 12. Those present were voting members: Bob Champlin, Chm., Jim Lehman, Asst. Chm., Bill Pocklington, and Mandy Rahn. Ex-officio members; Kevin Kessler, DE, Gordon Heid, Treasurer, Mark Flory Steruy, Moderator, Gil Crosby, Secretary. Visitors; Pat Heid, David Barnett and Pat Crosby.

Chairman, Bob Champlin, opened with devotions based on Romans 15;7, Welcome each other into the Church as Christ welcomed you. The meeting was begun with prayer.

Gordon reported on the financial health of the District proclaiming our finances in good shape at the present time. Our investments are doing well adding to District income. Gordon also complemented Beth Carpentier on the great job she is doing backing up records and providing information to the Treasurer.

Kevin's report showed us how busy he has been traveling the District, attending Annual Conf., meeting with Ministry Teams, being co-chairman of the Illinois Conference of Churches capped off with his extensive reading program. One item of business concerning the District Executive was for the LT to approve a housing allowance of $6,000 for 2014 and future years.

A query came from the Virden Congregation, represented by Pastor David Barnett, stemming from the presence of the gay speaker at the 2012 District Conference worship service held at Virden. The query asks if the polity of the church allows displays at Annual Conference, including the wearing of adversarial clothing (both black and rainbow) and implied consent of a Gay lifestyle. After a lot of discussion on the query a vote was taken resulting in a tie vote. The query was returned to Virden who can present it at another LT meeting if desired. Pastor David and the Virden congregation were commended for doing an excellent job in writing the query knowing the feelings of the congregation and people in general on the subject.

Ordinations were approved for Josh Brockway of the Congregational Life Ministry Team in Elgin and Michael McKeever an Assoc. Professor at Judson University and teacherat Bethany.

Continuing discussion on the Douglas Park congregation led the Team to recommend to District Conference that the Douglas Park Congregation be dissolved. An attorney has been hired to help with residents of the apartments arrears in rent. Pastor Herman Ware concludes his service November 31. The new Properties and Management Team began work to assess what is needed to sell the property.

Bob Champlin and Bill Pocklington have completed their terms and leave the Leadership Team this year. The LT thanked them both for their service and contributions to the District for the past 6 years. We wish them God Speed and good wishes.

The next Leadership Team meeting will be held as a retreat at Camp Emmaus on November15 - 16. We will be welcoming the new Moderator Elect, Dana McNeil, LT members Vicki Matheny, Ray Cleer and re-welcoming Purvi Satvedi. to the Leadership Team.