March 21, 2017

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ELT Meeting Minutes March 21, 2017 Attendees: Pastor Mathew St. John, Pastor Paul Schoolmeesters, Jeff Westman, Dan Johnson, Mike Brown, Cort Cieminski, Derrick Grow , Jerry Hoffman, Armando Mazon, David Quon, Tony Ringsmuth, Jot Turner, Saado Abboud, Chris Haskett Absent: none I.

Leadership Development Studies: Pastor Matthew St. John A. He spoke from Matthew 14, where we note Jesus’ attention to personal care in the midst of ministry, a caring for the soul. John the Baptist had just been beheaded. When Jesus heard, He withdrew to the mountains to pray. We see here in Jesus the practice of 6 keys essential for enduring ministry: Self-care, Solitude, Soul Friends, Small Group, Sabbath, and Sanctuary. The press of people is unrelenting and unsustainable apart from this discipline.

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Senior Staff Report: Cassie Davison Bair A. Our Community Outreach Ministry exists to glorify God by loving our community through good deeds and the good news. Relationships, though messy, are the bedrock and help produce fruit that lasts. B. Some key 2017 Events: Alpha has been reintroduced to NHC as a place to invite community members with whom we have built a relationship to explore further the big questions of life. The first course is in process this spring with another being planned for the fall. The Unity of the Spirit series seeks to use the momentum created by Dr. Perkins visit to invite new people into the conversation on racial unity and the role of the Church Back to School Cookout Celebration in August partnering with Children and Family ministry for reach out to the community. Targeted outreach is planned for local business leaders, immigrants and area police officers. C. Prayer requests: Favor in relationships with New Hope residents and Alpha

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Immigration and New Hope Church - Guests: Pablo Cachon and Cassie Davison Bair A. Our vision for ministry to our immigrant friends requires that we in the church set aside our nationalistic leanings and recognize a shared longing for home, both here and in heaven. In carrying out the great commission and in obeying the great commandment, we are recognizing that our undocumented friends are caught in a system that is in serious need of reform. They are in need of literacy services, healthcare services, legal assistance and more as they pursue a pathway to citizenship. B. On a national level, the EFCA is advancing a ministry called Immigrant Hope. Discussion entertained the possibility of becoming a center for such an effort - not a sanctuary Church, but a body that acts with compassion and complies with established law, but understands that under most circumstances we are not obligated to enforce the law. We have a desire to welcome the stranger, to embrace these our immigrant brothers and sisters as family - loving and serving them in tangible ways. In 2008, Pastor Steve Goold and the elder leadership team articulated and embraced a white paper entitled Clarification of Relationship of NHC to Immigrant Status. The document was reviewed and discussed by the 2017 ELT along with with Pastor Pablo and Cassie Davison Bair. Action: In light of pressing realities, the elders unanimously affirmed the 2008 white paper as distributed and were supportive of exploring the commitment of NHC resources to respond to related needs in the future. 1

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Call to Order and Approval of Minutes – Jeff Westman The meeting was called to order and February 2017 minutes were approved. Senior Pastor’s Report – Pastor Matthew St. John A. Vision Dashboard Overview: Church Planting – Launch Team meetings are underway with a planned fall 2017 launch of Gospel Life Church. [BRACKETED ITEM] All People – Unity of the Spirit series was completed. Mosaic is working with staff leadership on purpose and mission and on working to build community connections. Leader Development – Pastor Matthew is consulting with leadership development specialists with a view toward serving the needs of under-resourced communities. o Alvin Sanders, of World Impact, offers a Leadership Development Institute that aims to sharpen the theological edge of under-resourced communities. o NHC will be hosting the Global Leadership Summit in August. B. Upcoming Sermon Series: May-June, 2017 – Start Where You Are – Influence! August 2017 - Psalms October-November 2017 - Ruth February-March 2018 - One Tuesday With Jesus (exposition of Mark) April 2018 - Series on Mental Health

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Senior Associate Pastor’s Report – Pastor Paul Schoolmeesters A. Financial Giving to date is at 105.2% of budget with a positive balance of $177,478. A portion of this is from a one-time gift, the dispersement of which is pending review by the Finance Committee. Spending is at 91.4% of total budget. 2017-18 budget requests have been submitted by various ministry areas and are being adjusted to align with projected revenue. The Finanace and Personnel Committees will review their respective portions of the budget and present a proposed 2017-18 budget to the ELT at the April meeting. B. Facilities Property Council approved funds for improving security at several vulnerable entrance points, new technology to support those with hearing loss, and moving forward with campus refreshing plans for the main lobbies and fellowship room. C. Staffing and Ministries Jeff Osnes, our new Director of Facilities, will start April 17. Jeff brings experience from serving in similar roles for the past 15 years at Grace Church, North Heights Lutheran Church and most recently Brookdale Senior Living in Edina. Having been a NHC member for almost 6 years, Jeff loves NHC and has a great deal of respect and appreciation for our facilities team. Jeff will care for and enhance the facilities of New Hope Church by developing our facilities staff, systems and a culture of excellence and by providing maintenance expertise and initiative. Elizabeth Teichroew has transitioned into the role of Care Coordinator while also maintaining her role in scheduling.

VII.

Old Business A. 2017 Nominations Committee Update - Jeff Westman The Nominating Committee has met three times and is reaching out to candidates. B. Follow up on Elder Self Evaluations Pastor Matthew summarized a few key observations: Strengths include uncommon commitment to prayer, a shepherding spirit, a valuing of collaboration (with some

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discomfort with the level of partnering experienced to date), humility and a deep love for the church. Jerry noted that our unity is a fragile state that must be nurtured and protected. It is rooted in mutual trust and a commitment to moving together.

New Business A. Pastor Matthew’s Annual Evaluation The form and job description will be distributed next week.

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Upcoming Elder Meetings A. Tuesday, April 18 @ 7pm B. Tuesday, April 25 @ 7pm C. Annual Meeting: Sunday, May 21 at 5pm; ELT at 3:30pm

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Share and Closing Prayer

Respectfully Submitted, Dan Johnson, Co-Recorder Elder Leadership Team

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