SILVERWOOD MENNONITE CHURCH

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

3/4/07, 9:30 AM

Ruth Miller, Congregational Chair, opened the meeting with prayer. Approximately 75 persons attended.

1. Pastoral Team Search Committee (PTSC) Report

John Preheim, PTSC Chair, provided an update on Committee work to this point, likening it to the process in putting a jigsaw puzzle together. They have reviewed what needs to be done, completed Congregational Information Forms, worked on Job Descriptions, met with Conference Minister Lloyd Miller, and looked at various ways of putting things together. They are working on the model of a Pastoral Team with a Team Leader rather than a Lead Pastor. They acknowledge some frustration with time constraints and needing at times to wait on others. They hope to be able to share more information in 4-6 weeks. They appreciate the congregation’s prayerful support so far and request its continuing.

2. Spiritual Gifts Discernment Committee (SGDC) Report

a. Eliza Stoltzfus, SGDC Chair, reported the Committee received more than sixty responses, overwhelmingly positive, to the nominations of Rollin Handrich for Board Chair and Leah Miller for Board Vice Chair. Ruth Miller, Congregational Chair, called for a standing affirmation for Rollin and Leah. No opposition to the affirmation was given.

b. Eliza reviewed some of the SGDC approaches to their work that began and continues with prayer each step of the way. She affirmed the congregation for its many gifts and passions though some also need yet to be discerned. The Committee invites people to inform the Committee of gifts and passions as they are discerned so they can be fit into carrying out the congregation’s vision in the new structure. The Committee also encourages and invites active participants who are not members to become members of the congregation which would also make them available for Board or Commission membership. Currently SGDC is working on Commission Chairs and members. It is still hoped that at least most of the new Commissions will become active by soon after Easter, perhaps with a gradual evolution.

3. Progress on our Vision

Gary Martin, Transitional Pastor, reminded us of our Vision Statement and our six months goals, almost all of which we have met. We are implementing a revised structure, discerning passion and gifts, have started eight small groups, revised Adult Christian Education and are in a Pastoral Team Search process. The new Board will begin work on 3/12/07 on the next six month objectives. Not all parts of the new structure will begin at the same time. The new Commissions will be smaller but some persons no longer on a Commission may still be doing similar work.

Questions and discussion followed up in several areas. Gary reported four people have requested membership but he has waited to start the membership class till a few more join. Rather than waiting till things were clearer for people hesitating, he reminded us all that the central focus for the future is clear. We are all in this together and we all need to trust the Lord. Several people commented on how pleased they were with how things were going and that this congregation is a special body of gifted people. Strong affirmations for our Youth Pastor were voiced. In respect to Commissions and ministry, Gary reminded us that we are all on the same level, none are more important than others are and that persons who focus on ministry have roles equally important to those on Commissions. On the Pastoral Search, while that has often meant only looking outside the congregation, our Search also includes persons from within the congregation.

4. Prayer Time

Special prayer time was devoted for the new Board, the PTSC and SGDC. These three groups were asked to stand at separate spots and all other attendees asked to surround one of these groups for a period of prayer.

Dan Haarer, Congregational Secretary