District Leadership Team meets in Canton

The first Leadership Team meeting of the New Year was held at the Canton Church of the Brethren. Those attending were Chairperson - Mandy Rahn, Tim Laird, Gary Yoder Prudy Widlak and Vicki Matheny. Ex-Officio members attending were Kevin Kessler - DE, Dana McNeil - Moderator, Ellis Boughton - Moderator Elect, Joel Kline - Standing Committee Rep, Ryan Kellerman -Financial Secretary, Gil Crosby - Secretary.

Mandy opened with Prayer.

Minutes of the November 15 meeting were approved and our new Financial Secretary, Ryan Kellerman was introduced to the Team.

Kevin reported on the work he is doing in the District as District Executive. He works with the Ministry teams, Pastoral Placement and is Vice Chair of the Council of District Executives. A written report of Kevin’s activities in on file at the District Office.

The Affordable Care Act has caused some problems with Kevin’s insurance. The District can no longer reimburse him for health care insurance. A fine of $100 a day to the District could be assessed if this is violated. The LT voted to remove the Health Care reimbursement of $7,900 from the budget.

BBT is looking into being able to provide a program for Pastors and staff that would be compliant.

The Leadership Listening Team met with the Highland Avenue Congregation in December. A discussion on the 2004 Annual Conference paper on “When a Congregation disagrees with Annual Conference” and procedures to take. Both the District and Congregation are encouraged to take positive steps in such a case.

We received a letter from the Allison Prairie congregation in which they proclaimed agreement with a letter written previously by the Virden Church. They also said the Leadership Team and District were in their prayers as we seek God’s Wisdom.

LT Liaisons with Ministry Teams was confirmed with Tim Laird - District Disaster Response; Vicki Matheny - District Deacons; Purvi Satvedi - Ethics Team; Prudy Widlak - Properties and Asset Mgt. Team; Carol Novak - MLDT; Gary Yoder - Church Revitalization and Development Team and Mandy Rahn - District Youth.

The Ministerial Leadership Development Team requested a fund to help with finances for Bethany Students from the District. The LT approved the fund which can be met out of Other Ministries and Bethany Scholarship funds.

The Leadership Team voted to give 10% of the assets of the sale of the Douglas Park property to the Nigerian Crisis Fund. The amount designated is $14,980.15. The vote was unanimous.

Kevin has requested the District provide for a DE evaluation. This would also include an evaluation of the District as well. A line item for the DE called Discretionary Income was created and funded with $7,900. This is taxable income and increases deductions.

The Oak Grove Congregation informed the District of their intent to sell their parsonage. The proceeds would be used to drill a new well on the Church property. Currently the existing well in on the parsonage property and shared with the Church.

A full report of the Minutes of the Leadership Team meetings is available at the District Office.