Monday, December 14, 2009

Building Maintenance

The following maintenance responsibilities are currently being carried out as an hourly paid position at the church:

Responsibilities:
  • Walls ( paint, clean, remodel as necessary )
  • Floors ( strip and wax tile, clean or replace carpet )
  • HVAC ( schedule and approve work done by qualified professionals )
  • Lights ( Replace bulbs, fixtures as necessary [ indoor and outdoor ] )
  • Doors ( Keep in good working condition )
  • Ceilings ( Purchase, replace, maintain ceiling tiles )
  • Bathrooms ( Keep plumbing and ventilation in good working condition )
Characteristics:
  • Needs to work independently and keep records of hours and work done
  • Flexible with work hours ( Building needs, Budget constraints )
  • Occasional Daytime Availability ( Coordinate and meet contractors and deliveries at the building )

Cleaning Job Description

The following cleaning responsibilities are posted on the cleaning room door and are currently being carried out as a paid position at the church:

Sanctuary:
  • Clean paper and trash out of pews.
  • Place lost and found items in the lost and found cabinet in the basement
  • Return Hymnals and Bibles to closet
  • Empty trash can in sound room
  • Dust pews
  • Vacuum
Front Foyer
  • Pick up paper and trash
  • Place lost and found items in the lost and found cabinet in the basement
  • Sweep foyer with dust mop
  • Empty trash can by the water fountain
  • Clean water fountain with glass cleaner
  • Mop foyer
Side Foyer Entrance
  • Sweep stairway
  • Shake or sweep rug outside door
  • Mop with Pine Sol
  • Replace rug after floor is dry

Hallways and Unlocked Classrooms

  • Pick up paper and trash
  • Empty trash cans
  • Tile floors: Sweep and mop with Pine Sol
  • Carpeted floors: Vacuum
  • Clean water fountains with glass cleaner
Bathrooms ( 2 upstairs, 5 downstairs ( don't forget preschool room) )
  • Pick up paper and trash
  • Sweep out bathrooms
  • Mop with Pine Sol
  • Clean mirrors with glass cleaner
  • Clean sinks and countertops with Pine Sol
  • Scrub Toilets
  • Replace Soap hand pumps if empty
  • Odor control
  • Report Maintenance problems
  • Restock Toilet Paper ( found under sinks )
  • Restock Paper Towels ( found under sinks )
Fellowship Hall and Kitchen
  • Move all chairs and tables to the wall
  • Sweep with dust mop
  • Pick up trash and empty trash can
  • Clean kitchen
  • Mop with Pine Sol
Cleaning Room
  • Put all cleaning products and tools away
  • Wash and dry mop heads once a month
  • Wash and dry dirty rags

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Mortgage Reduction Report

We started off 2009 with some of the lowest mortgage payments we have ever had and with our focus on the April Tent Meetings we did not have extra resources to pay down the mortgage. Over the summer, we continued making minimum payments toward the mortgage similar to 2007.

In the last half of the year, the entire body did a great job of cutting expenses to a level that we could make an extra principal payment in December.

It gives me great pleasure to let you all know that if we can pay down the mortgage at the same rate as we have the last two years that we will be able to pay off the mortgage in 2010. That will be an exciting time.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Work List for Fall and Winter

Outside:
  • Two new downspouts in corner that drain directly to the water retention basin instead of the basement.
  • Pull weeds and cut back the perennials in the front of the church
  • Trim hedges in front of the parking lot
  • Plant tree (or trees) and spread sand and rocks at the bottom of the building
  • Check security light function and timings

Hiring a plumber for the following items:
  • Repair baptistry heater ( water heater or jacuzzi heater instead of current system)
  • Repair water fountain near the community library
Foyer:
  • Install silver track lighting above the community library
  • Patch over the holes where the decorative fountain was and repaint
  • Talk with Josh about ideas for the community library

Sanctuary:
  • Redo the lighting on the stage ( direction, amount, appearance )
  • Build a wide canvass for projection ( alternatively, replace with multiple, smaller LCD monitors closer to the people )
  • Install projector and monitor in a more attractive and hidden manner
  • Reorient sound board
  • Prepare ceiling for painting
  • Design and build new altar in front of stage ( no more wires, cables, cords )
  • Blend baptistry design with the altar ( stones, brook, river )
  • Replace doors between sanctuary and foyer to open things up ( taller doors )

Fellowship Hall:
  • Waterproof the closet in front ( tear down wall to make more usable?)
  • Replace kitchen countertop
  • Repair left kitchen sink ( it leaks )
  • Replace ceiling tiles
  • Remodel both bath rooms ( new sinks, cabinets, exhaust fans, lights )
  • Remove all the multi-line business phone infrastructure
  • Repair or remove ceiling tiles in fan / storage / sink rooms
  • Insulate (plug) the unused dryer vent

Education Wing:
  • Cabinets and counter tops
  • Six switch light panel ( or dry wall over portion of junction box )
  • Replace fluorescent fixtures, lights and covers as necessary
  • Install video equipment securely
  • Finish mudding the Sound Closet
  • Replace carpet in all the offices, closets
  • Paint all the offices, closets, stairways, hallways ( almost done )

Other things that can be done ( wish list after mortgage is paid off ):

  • HVAC ( Install air return for the sanctuary )
  • Arrange for exterminator to protect building from termites
  • Install thermostats that are not adjustable by occupants
  • Basketball goal for community
  • Repave the parking lot
  • Sign

Administration Meeting Minutes - October 10, 2009

Attendees:
Mike Brady, Dan Leahy

Next Meeting:
Saturday, January 9, 8:00 AM

Purpose of Administration Meeting:

Developing leaders that can follow through with excellence in all of the five fold ministries as we coordinate body wide activities and serve each other as unto the Lord

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Service
  • Fellowship


Specific Topics discussed this month:

Discipleship
Mike and Dan passed out a preliminary draft of the By-Laws that they will be presenting in the near future. There are no significant changes since the last time that this was refreshed, but it is good practice to publish these By-Laws to each other so that we can all discuss our creed and culture using the same language. This is especially useful for newer members of the body as they seek to understand how we operate. The elders will also be documenting a few policies that were formerly administered in a more intensive custom manner by the members of the administration team.

Worship
The topic of the Lord's supper was discussed as we replaced communion with a baptism this past week and extended a streak of various reasons for not taking communion together with a priority. The worship service on November 1st will re-establish communion as a priority for our body

Finances
First proposal of 2010 budget was reviewed with the elders in September and the owners of each budget category have reviewed the proposal and have provided feedback supporting the proposal. Elders are continuing to pray about the giving category as it is growing fast and is likely that area that needs some adjustment.

Dan reported that he has made contact with Cornerstone and Travis and expects to see regular payments now. It seems that all parties involved understand the intentionally simple arrangement of $500 per month mailed to Travis.

Although James was not at the meeting, we discussed his proposal that we consider dropping internet and phone service at the building at some point this summer. After informing Dan and Mike that our internet and phone had not been functioning for the last 6 weeks and that we have been unable to find time to meet repairmen at the church to resolve the issue, that cancelling the non-functional internet would seem prudent until a compelling need arises in the future. This will result in a savings of $50 per month. We will keep the phone for now since we believe the phone book is still used by many members of our community.

Building and Grounds:
Josh made great progress on several projects over the summer and we are looking to wrap up a few more yet this year. Many of the work items that were posted in April are already complete, so this list needs to be refreshed for the fall and winter months.

The topic of clutter is again surfacing. The first year without high traffic in the building allowed us to enter the building without being confronted with accumulation of lost and found and repair items, but we have now settled into our new found space are accumulating Tatesbrook clutter instead of LCF clutter. We need to resolve this before it gets worse. Clutter tends to attract more clutter.

The city has sent us information that our share of the Water Quality Management Fee will be $4.32 per month. We are being charged for the shed surface area but I believe that is negligible. The only significant change that we can make would be to replace the asphalt parking lot and drive way with gravel. I think that would save us $3 a month when they do the next survey.

Evangelism:
No Evangelism topics discussed this month.


Church Calendar


October--
23-25 - Women's retreat at Agape Wilderness Retreat

November--
1 - Lord's Supper

December--
6 - Lord's Supper
13 - Christmas Caroling

January--
3 - Lord's Supper
9 - Administration Team Meeting

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Administration Meeting Minutes - July 18, 2009

Attendees:
Mike Brady, Paul Barth, Dan Leahy, Kelley Thomas

Next Meeting:
Saturday, October 10, 8:00 AM

Purpose of Administration Meeting:

Developing leaders that can follow through with excellence in all of the five fold ministries as we coordinate body wide activities and serve each other as unto the Lord

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Service
  • Fellowship


Specific Topics discussed this month:

Fellowship
In addition to the regular weekly times that we meet and fellowship, we have several planned times for body wide fellowship of all ages
  • July 19th - Picnic at Shilito
  • July 31st-August 2 – Cedar Point ( Youth focus but all ages )
  • August 9th - Picnic Shilito
  • September 18-20th - Men’s Retreat
  • October 23-25 – Women’s Retreat


Finances
Review of the first half spending versus the budget and discussion about the outlook for the remainder of the year. Expenses during the summer months has dipped our checking account balance lower than it has been this decade. January 2005 was the last time that we were lower than $15K in cash. 1998 was the last time we were lower than the minimum business checking account balance of $10K. A portion of this limited cash is earmarked for specific purposes that are not needed this year, so we really need to clamp down on expenditures.

Slight increase in insurance and workers compensation after reviews of the coverage amount for building replacement.

Mike and Dan reported that they are working on some policy changes for next year that includes finances but will also include some written description of our operation as church body. They have studied our own written description from years ago as well as some of the policies that our sister churches in the area use. It is their desire to establish best practices in all areas. This need was identified at the last elders retreat.

Travis Westerfield and Kevin will be meeting with the elders next month to begin planning the 2010 budget and discussing the financial policy changes.


Building and Grounds:
Josh Covington has begun working as the maintenance person at Tatesbrook. He has already tackled the back door, long standing and recent HVAC problems, staining the windows and remodeling the reading room. Josh is turning in receipts and hours in the same manner as Kara does for cleaning.

Evangelism:
VBS, Community Cookouts, and Ultimate Frisbee have been going on this summer. Of these three, Ultimate Frisbee has had the least impact. At the Ice Cream Social, George Myers suggested that a basketball goal would be a greater need than a picnic shelter. As finances free up, this has been a consistant request from within the body and from the community.


Church Calendar

July--
19 - Churchwide Picnic at Shilito <-- 2009 Church Picture
31,1,2 - Cedarpoint trip ( Youth and College )

August--
2 - Lord's Supper
9 - Church Picnic ( Shillito Park, Shelter#5 )

September--
6 - Lord's Supper
18-20 - Men's retreat at Wesley Woods

October--
4 - Lord's Supper
10 - Administration Meeting
23-25 - Women's retreat at Agape Wilderness Retreat

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Administration Meeting Minutes - May 2, 2009

Attendees:
Mike Brady, James Davis, Paul Barth, Kent Billingsley, Josh Wilson, Jackie Eby

Next Meeting:
Saturday, July 11, 8:00 AM

Purpose of Administration Meeting:

Developing leaders that can follow through with excellence in all of the five fold ministries as we coordinate body wide activities and serve each other as unto the Lord

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Service
  • Fellowship


Specific Topics discussed this month:

Fellowship
In addition to the regular weekly times that we meet and fellowship, we have several planned times for body wide fellowship of all ages
  • June 13th - Tatesbrook Neighborhood Association Ice Cream Social
  • July 19th - Picnic at Shilito
  • August 23rd - Picnic Shilito
  • TBD - Church wide campout


Finances
Income is exceeding budget, but some of the money was earmarked for specific items so people spending for the various ministries should still keep an eye on the budget.

Kevin talked with Kim Carroll in March about the rent increase from the current $75 per week (1998 through April, May, June of 2009) to $500 per month ( July 2009 - December 2010 ). Neither of us knew why the rent dropped to $850 per quarter the last few years, but that is water under the bridge. We talked about correcting it first in April, May, June and then later for July through December and discussed that this was just a step toward where we need it to be to be equitable.

We also have some temporary inflation of expenses while the Africa trip members raise funds for their trip this month. Funding is coming in, so that will bring expenses back to normal as we start depositing those funds. We are grateful to Paul Barth for heading up this mission trip and are aware of the extra work involved in fundraising and would like to become more efficient in the future.

Building and Grounds:
April 18th work day went well. Water is moving where we want it. Duane and John will be leading the landscaping effort next Saturday, May 9th.

We will be posting some pictures that Eva took of the work that was done.

Several people at the meeting requested a sign be put up out front. There have been several suggestions for improvements over the last few years. ( before and after we tore down the old sign )


Evangelism:
Lots of discussion about the recent tent meetings with Great Commission Fellowship Ministries. Even though there was not much community involvement at the meetings, we were blessed with a great turn out for the cook out on Wednesday before the tent meetings and also with the yard give-a-way on the Saturday before the meetings. Brother Gary Wilson believed that we would be better able to bridge the gap between the church and the community by including children ministry with the tent meetings. We do need to declare this first tent meeting a success, if for nothing else, the fact that Justin Baker accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Tatesbrook was definitely blessed and the elders will be meeting to discuss how we can bless GCFM now and how many ways we can partner with them in the future.

We do have two upcoming opportunities to connect with the community again.

  • June 13th, TBNA Ice Cream Social
  • June 22-26, Tatesbrook VBS


Last year at the Ice Cream Social, we provided drinks and Cornerstone provided hot dogs while the Tatesbrook Neighborhood Association provide the Ice Cream and all the toppings. Now that we know that Jordan Johnson can feed the community, we might rotate what we do after talking with the TBNA. Lou Gregory will be having the police there to help provide identification for the children at the very least. Last year, he also got the fire department there. We had some other activities that really went well like ultimate frisbee for the younger children and grass volleyball for the teens and young adults. At the meeting today, someone suggested that we do a Lego contest instead of the sidewalk chalk contest that we did last year.

The second opportunity to connect with the community is the Australian themed VBS this summer entitled Boomerang Express. Kent Billingsley will be leading this year. The first organizational meeting will be May 17th. There will be pizza after church on that day for all the volunteers.



James Davis also suggested that we might start playing ultimate frisbee at the church instead of playing at Kirklevington Park. There is not as much space so it would definitely be a slower paced game and probably reach 5th to 8th graders instead of high school and young adults.


Church Calendar


May--
3 - Lord's Supper
9 - Work day - Rain Garden
10 - Mother's Day
15-16 - Elders retreat
15-31 - Mission trip to Tanzania ( Health education, Discipleship, Service )

June--
7 - Lord's Supper
13 - Ice Cream Social
21 - Father's Day
22-26 - VBS: Boomerang Express
28 - Passport Youth Camp at Mercer University: About Passport

July--
4 - Dr. Scott's Fireworks Extravaganza
5 - Lord's Supper
11 - Administration Meeting
19 - Churchwide Picnic at Shilito <-- 2009 Church Picture

Aug--
2 - Lord's Supper
7,9 - Cedarpoint trip ( Youth and College )
23 - Churchwide Picnic at Shilito
HelloHaran

Sep--
6 - Lord's Supper
12 - Administration Meeting
18-20 - Men's Retreat - Wesley Woods (tentative date)

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Work List for April 18th

Here are some things that can be done on the work day as we prepare for the Rain Garden out back and the Tent Crusade by the tree sanctuary.

Duane's Sketch of Rain Garden:


Outside:

  • Fill all 35 stump holes with dirt and then plant grass ( shovels, dirt, grass seed )
  • Scrape grass out of parking lot ( good TC IB community service hours )
  • Spread mulch
  • Check security light function and timings

Hiring a plumber for the following items:
  • Repair the outside faucet in the rear of the building
  • Replace valves in upstairs men's restroom
  • Repair baptistry heater ( water heater or jacuzzi heater instead of current system)
Foyer:
  • Install silver track lighting above the Welcome Center
  • Patch over the holes where the fountain was and repaint
  • Talk with Josh about ideas for the Welcome Center

Sanctuary:
  • Redo the lighting on the stage ( direction, amount, appearance )
  • Build a wide canvass for projection
  • Stain the frames around the windows ( installed in 2007 )
  • Put up the light in front of sanctuary ( some members need symmetry )
  • Install projector and monitor in a more attractive and hidden manner
  • Reorient sound board
  • Prepare ceiling for painting
  • Design and build new altar in front of stage ( no more wires, cables, cords )
  • Blend baptistry design with the altar ( stones, brook, river )
  • Replace doors between sanctuary and foyer to open things up ( taller doors )

Fellowship Hall:
  • Waterproof the closet in front ( tear down wall to make more usable?)
  • Replace kitchen countertop
  • Repair left kitchen sink ( it leaks )
  • Replace fluorescent fixtures, lights, and covers as necessary
  • Replace ceiling tiles
  • Remodel both bath rooms ( new sinks, cabinets, exhaust fans, lights )

Education Wing:
  • Cabinets and counter tops
  • Six switch light panel ( or dry wall over portion of junction box )
  • Replace fluorescent fixtures, lights and covers as necessary
  • Stop emergency heat from kicking on when it gets too hot
  • Install video equipment securely
  • Finish mudding the Sound Closet
  • Remodel Mike's office
  • Replace carpet in all the offices, closets
  • Replace toilet seats and flush kits as needed
  • Paint all the offices, closets, stairways, hallways

Other things that can be done ( wish list ):

  • HVAC ( Install air return for the sanctuary )
  • Arrange for exterminator to protect building from termites
  • Install thermostats that are not adjustable by occupants
  • Grade the parking lot for better water drainage before repaving

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Administration Meeting Minutes - March 7, 2009

Attendees:
Mike Brady, James Davis

Next Meeting:
Saturday, May 2, 8:00 AM

Purpose of Administration Meeting:

Developing leaders that can follow through with excellence in all of the five fold ministries as we coordinate body wide activities and serve each other as unto the Lord

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Service
  • Fellowship


Specific Topics discussed this month:

Finances
Income is exceeding budget and expenses are lower than budget mainly because of not paying the mortgage in January and February due to refinancing. Spending should be back on track in March.

Building rental rates were discussed and Kevin was given permission to communicate increases as long as the increases were three to six months in the future.

There was also discussion about how much need will exist in the community in the next few years of economic recovery. Surveys and interaction will help us, but the general view is that food, education and service will be the most important contributions to the community.

Education for our own body is also necessary as we all will be solicited by desparate people to get involved with scams. In these times, it is important to work for the Lord with all of our might, work prompted by the love of Christ.


Discipleship:
This is some of the most important work we can do as a family relating to each other and with the Christians in the community.
  • Carol is leading a women's Bible Study
  • Marriage group met in February to for fellowship and fireproof
  • Travis is offering a Galatians Study ( after a new members class?? )
  • Paul Barth's group has started the Romans Study
  • Encounter Weekend tentatively set up for February 20, 21


Building and Grounds:
Need to remove the Christmas program props. A good suggestion from the January meeting was to have a children's party to help tear it down. At this point, it might just be one of the things for us to put in the dumpster in April.

We confirmed the dates of April 18th as a day to haul away junk from outside and May 9th to begin installing rain garden, bridge, water drainage. We would really like to have community (TBNA) involvement in this to help everyone know that the area is back there and that we desire the community to enjoy the improvement.

Duane and John got together last week and Duane has provided a sketch that will help everyone have a better idea of what the rain garden will look like. James will need to look into some measurements of the parking lot and the rain garden if we want to be considered on of the 101 rain gardens that the city is hoping to establish.

We also discussed the opportunity of tent positioning being a foreshadow of the picnic shelter that we would like to build for the community. Picnic shelter, bridge and walkway is intended to make the church campus more like a community park.

Mike has talked with a few local pastors and churches about the opportunity to join with us.

Members are praying for specific streets and specific people that they have met from the community.


Evangelism:
We talked about some of things we are doing to prepare the nets for the Tent meetings:
  1. Read the book that Mike and Josh have been passing out.(Author here March 16 )
  2. Prepare our small groups for growth ( More Groups, Classes, Service )
  3. Regular Prayer events for this purpose
  4. Block out calendar: April 23rd to 29th

There was also discussion about tying the Tent Meetings and community canvassing to the VBS at the end of June. Using our resources to minister to the children in the community is one of the best investments we can make.

Church Calendar


Mar--
1 - Lord's Supper
7 - Administration Meeting
13 - Friday Half night of Prayer (7:00 PM)
14 - Prayer walk (12:30 PM)
16 - Lee E. Thomas will be speaking at the church ( author of "Praying Effectively for the Lost" )
30 - Fayette County Spring Break

Apr--
5 - Palm Sunday, Lord's Supper, Pot Blessed Meal, Blood Drive
11 - Prayer event #4 (Saturday Prayer Walk) - Survey about use of Picnic Shelter, Grill, Open Space
12 - Easter
18 - Work day - Dumpster ( probably some extra room for a community cleanup... need to check with TBNA )
23-29 - Tent meetings

May--
2 - Administration Meeting ( Emphasis will likely be VBS )
3 - Lord's Supper
9 - Work day - Rain Garden
10 - Mother's Day
15-31 - Mission trip to Tanzania ( Health education, Discipleship, Service )

June--
7 - Lord's Supper
14 - Churchwide Picnic at Shilito ( Tentative )
21 - Father's Day
22-26 - VBS
28 - Passport Youth Camp at Mercer University: About Passport

July--
4 - Dr. Scott's Fireworks Extravaganza
5 - Lord's Supper
11 - Administration Meeting
19 - Churchwide Picnic at Shilito ( Tentative )

Aug--
HelloHaran

Sep--
Men's Retreat - Wesley Woods

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Administration Meeting Minutes, January 10, 2009

Attendees:
Mike Brady, James Davis, Dan Leahy, Kelley Thomas, Josh Covington, Kent Billingsley, Jackie Eby

Next Meeting:
Saturday, March 7, 8:00 AM

Purpose of Administration Meeting:

Developing leaders that can follow through with excellence in all of the five fold ministries as we coordinate body wide activities and serve each other as unto the Lord

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Service
  • Fellowship


Specific Topics discussed this month:

Finances
Commercial loan refinance completed ( $30K, 10%, $641 per month).
Budget finalized with elders and communicated to the administration team last week.
Presentation for Celebration was reviewed briefly so we could focus on planning for evangelism



Discipleship:
We spent most of our time on various aspects of discipleship and accountability applied to our relationships and the need for freshness and the need for wisdom and experience in all of the groups. We have made terrific progress on this in 2008 and need to keep pressing harder. There were some ambitious goals stated. If they happen, look out. This is some of the most important work we can do as a family relating to each other.
  • Here are the opportunities for discipleship that are already occuring:
  • Carol is leading a women's Bible Study
  • Marriage group is considering how to expand
  • Travis is offering a Galatians Study ( to be scheduled )
  • Paul Barth's group is considering the Romans Study
  • Encounter Weekend tentatively set up for February 20, 21

Building and Grounds:
Need to remove the Christmas program props. A good suggestion was to have a children's party to help tear it down.

We discussed the dates of April 18th as a day to haul away junk from outside and May 9th to begin installing rain garden, bridge, water drainage. We would really like to have community (TBNA) involvement in this to help everyone know that the area is back there and that we desire the community to enjoy the improvement. James offered a picnic table.

We also discussed the opportunity of tent positioning being a foreshadow of the picnic shelter that we would like to build for the community. Picnic shelter, bridge and walkway is intended to make the church campus more like a community park.

Mike has talked with a few local pastors about the opportunity to join with us.


Evangelism:
Mike reminded us of things we will be doing to prepare the nets for the Tent meetings:
  1. Read the book that Mike and Josh have been passing out.
  2. Prepare our small groups for growth ( More groups, Smaller groups before March )
  3. Abigail to provide CCC Training: January 23 and 24
  4. Four Monthly Prayer events for this purpose (Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr)
  5. Block out calendar: April 22nd to 29th

There was also discussion about tying the Tent Meetings and community canvassing to the VBS at the end of June. Using our resources to minister to the children in the community is one of the best investments we can make.

Church Calendar

Jan--
11 - Youth Parents Meeting
11 - Celebration
16 - Prayer event #1 (Friday Half Day of Prayer)
16,17 - B.A.S.I.C. Winter Camp
23 - 7:00 PM Sharing your faith training ( Abigail )
24 - 9:00 AM Sharing your faith training ( Abigail )
30,31 - Dare to Share conference in Columbus

Feb--
1 - Lord's Supper, Gideon speaker
14 - Prayer event #2 (Saturday Prayer Walk) - Invitation to dinner
14 - Valentines Supper ( Youth Fundraisor for Tatesbrook, Free for Community )
20,21 - Encounter Weekend

Mar--
1 - Lord's Supper
7 - Administration Meeting
13 - Prayer event #3 (Friday Half day of Prayer)

Apr--
5 - Palm Sunday, Lord's Supper
11 - Prayer event #4 (Saturday Prayer Walk) - Survey about use of Picnic Shelter, Grill, Open Space
12 - Easter
18 - Work day - Dumpster ( probably some extra room for a community cleanup... need to check with TBNA )
22-29 - Tent meetings

May--
3 - Lord's Supper
9 - Work day - Rain Garden / Sign
10 - Mother's Day
17-30 - Tatesbrook 8 to Africa

June--
7 - Lord's Supper
14 - Churchwide Picnic at Shilito ( Tentative )
21 - Father's Day
22-26 - VBS
28 - Passport Youth Camp in Wingate, NC: About Passport

July--
4 - Dr. Scott's Fireworks Extravaganza
5 - Lord's Supper
11 - Administration Meeting
19 - Churchwide Picnic at Shilito ( Tentative )

Aug--
HelloHaran

Sep--
Men's Retreat - Wesley Woods

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Moving Mortgage to Ministry ( Progress Report )

We took action on our commitment to spend more of our limited resources on ministry instead of the building. We did not spend as much on Children, College or Youth as we challenged ourselves but we did expand spending on Adult ( Peter Lord, Bob Warren, Men's Retreat, Women's Retreat ) and on Praise and Worship ( Sound and Video Equipment ).

Since this is a year that will include the April Tent Evangelism and the June VBS, we should be able to spend more than we did in 2008 on Children.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Work List for Winter

Here are some things that can be done this winter. If you complete one of these items, be sure to let the maintenance man know so that he/she can make sure no one else is working on it. I don't want anyone to get hurt pushing each other out of the way to get to these.

Outside:

  • Fill all 35 stump holes with dirt and then plant grass ( shovels, dirt, grass seed )
  • Scrape grass out of parking lot ( good TC IB community service hours )
  • Call city to turn in three or four extra herbies and two extra rosies.

Hiring a plumber for the following items:
  • Repair the outside faucet in the rear of the building
  • Replace valves in upstairs men's restroom
  • Repair baptistry heater ( water heater or jacuzzi heater instead of current system)
Foyer:
  • Install silver track lighting above the Welcome Center
  • Patch over the wholes where the fountain was and repaint
  • Talk with Josh about ideas for the Welcome Center

Sanctuary:
  • Redo the lighting on the stage ( direction, amount, appearance )
  • Build a wide canvass for projection
  • Stain the frames around the windows ( installed in 2007 )
  • Put up the light in front of sanctuary ( some members need symmetry )
  • Install projector and monitor in a more attractive and hidden manner
  • Reorient sound board
  • Prepare ceiling for painting
  • Design and build new altar in front of stage ( no more wires, cables, cords )
  • Blend baptistry design with the altar ( stones, brook, river )
  • Replace doors between sanctuary and foyer to open things up ( taller doors )

Fellowship Hall:
  • Waterproof the closet in front ( tear down wall to make more usable?)
  • Replace kitchen countertop
  • Repair left kitchen sink ( it leaks )
  • Replace fluorescent fixtures, lights, and covers as necessary
  • Replace ceiling tiles
  • Remodel both bath rooms ( new sinks, cabinets, exhaust fans, lights )

Education Wing:
  • Cabinets and counter tops
  • Six switch light panel ( or dry wall over portion of junction box )
  • Replace fluorescent fixtures, lights and covers as necessary
  • Stop emergency heat from kicking on when it gets too hot
  • Install video equipment securely
  • Finish mudding the Sound Closet
  • Remodel Mike's office
  • Replace carpet in all the offices, closets
  • Paint all the offices, closets, stairways, hallways

Other things that can be done ( wish list ):

  • HVAC ( Install air return for the sanctuary )
  • Arrange for exterminator to protect building from termites
  • Install thermostats that are not adjustable by occupants
  • Grade the parking lot for better water drainage before repaving

Administration Meeting Minutes - December 6, 2008

Attendees:
Mike Brady, James Davis, Matt Hind, Kim Hind, Kelley Thomas, Josh Wilson

Next Meeting:
Saturday, January 10, 8:00 AM

Purpose of Administration Meeting:

Developing leaders that can follow through with excellence in all of the five fold ministries as we coordinate body wide activities and serve each other as unto the Lord

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Service
  • Fellowship


Specific Topics discussed this month:

Finances
Commercial loan due this month, will renew at Fifth Third unless anyone objects.

Income and expenses are both over the projected budget for 2008 but we are operating at a greater than $10K deficit for the year. We spent more on staff, missions and benevolence than we did on the building or ministries for our own children.

We reviewed the third pass of the budget and discussed the direction of investing more in the people and less in the building. Our attempt to do that in 2008 moved in the right direction, but we didn't quite get there. Areas where we would like to do better are the youth, children, preschool and the local community.


Building and Grounds:
The second floor of the education wing has been re-purposed in the last month. We now have a lounge in between the library and the pastor's study. In fact, the lounge made a great meeting room for the seven us meeting today.

John Rice has the talent and willingness to plan and lead us in making a Rain Garden in the spring. More details will be available as the spring approaches. If you are interested in helping, be sure to let John know about it.

We will be doing some of the Rain Garden work before and after the Tent Meetings in April, so we might be able to incorporate that into our partnering with TBNA and community awareness.


Evangelism:
Mike reminded us of things we will be doing to prepare the nets for the Tent meetings:
  1. Read the book that Mike and Josh have been passing out.
  2. Prepare our small groups for growth ( More groups, Smaller groups before March )
  3. Abigail to provide CCC Training: January 23 and 24
  4. Four Monthly Prayer events for this purpose (Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr)
  5. Block out calendar: April 22nd to 29th

There was also discussion about tying the Tent Meetings and community canvassing to the VBS at the end of June. Using our resources to minister to the children in the community is one of the best investments we can make.

Church Calendar

Dec--
6 - Administration Meeting
7 - Lord's Supper
7 - Pot Blessed Meal

Jan--
4 - Lord's Supper
10 - Administration meeting
11 - Celebration
16 - Prayer event #1 (Friday Half Day of Prayer)
23,24 - Sharing your faith training

Feb--
1 - Lord's Supper
14 - Prayer event #2 (Saturday Prayer Walk)

Mar--
1 - Lord's Supper
7 - Administration Meeting
13 or 20 - Prayer event #3 (Friday Half day of Prayer)

Apr--
5 - Lord's Supper
11 - Prayer event #4 (Saturday Prayer Walk)
22-29 - Tent meetings

May--
3 - Lord's Supper

June--
7 - Lord's Supper
22-26 - VBS

2009 Roles


Elders
Mike Brady, Dan Leahy, James Davis

Trustees
James Davis, Kevin Eby, Scott Faulkner

Administration Team - Kevin Eby
  • Treasurer - Kevin Eby ( Posted )
  • Financial Secretary - Travis Westerfield
  • Financial Management Consultant - Cindy Faulkner
  • Building Maintenance - Seeking Paid Staff for this position ( Posted )
  • Calendar - Jackie Eby
  • Web Communication - Josh Wilson
  • Welcome Center - Josh Wilson
  • Library - Josh Wilson
  • Cleanliness - Kara Imes

Worship Team - Kent Billingsley
  • Worship Consultant - Tony Jones
  • Sound Operation - Adam, Kevin, Jacinta
  • Sound Setup/Tear down - All musicians, Jacob Jones
  • Sound Recorder/CD duplicator -
  • Video Projector - Duane Keaton

Age Group Ministries
  • Adult Ministry -
  • College Ministry - Paul and Tracy Barth
  • Youth - Josh Covington
    • Kim, Kim, Matt, Erin, Kent, Amber, Brady
  • Children - Dan Leahy, Tim Scott, Joje Leahy
    • VBS Directors - Josh Covington and Kent Billingsley ( to be Posted )
  • Preschool - Gayle Thomas
  • Nursery - Sarah Westerfield

Prayer - Dan Leahy

Friday, December 05, 2008

Mortgage Reduction Report

As we prepare to discuss the 2009 budget at the Administration team meeting, the outlook for paying off our building loan is late 2009 or early 2010.

We were able to pay more on the loan during 2008 because of a special offering given to the Tatesbrook by the River of Life. This special offering was not stipulated but they gave it after prayerfully considering that God had led them to help us get out of debt as long as we were meeting the rest of our budget. We are grateful to the River of Life and were able to apply all of that offering to the debt.

A second reason that we were able to recover from the trend of making the minimum payments that we started in 2007 was to have lower building repair and utility costs without any heavy users of the building.


Sunday, November 30, 2008

Work completed in October and November

Without a scheduled workday, the building and grounds has been kept up a little at a time. If I missed anything, let me know. A few more things have stopped working since October, but overall, I think we are just keeping up with the building.

Outside:

  • Pull out last nine stumps from the bushes ( James, Emily, Aaron, Joshua )
  • Install small lights that shine on the front walkways ( Kevin )
  • Replace outdoor lights and set timers ( Scott, Gadis, Kevin Thomas [ after Gayle highlighted the darkness ] )
  • Scrape grass out of parking lot ( James, Emily, Aaron and Joshua got this started [ lots more to do ] )
  • Patch up holes in the downspout tiles ( Kevin )
  • Rehang the gutter over the sidewalk ( Kevin )

Sanctuary:

  • Move the pews back into the sanctuary ( Kevin and Travis )
  • Get ceiling fan and new light in foyer working with switch ( Scott )

Education Wing:
  • Reglue loose step covers in stairwells ( Kevin Thomas )

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Administration Meeting Minutes - October 25, 2008

Attendees:
Mike Brady, Dan Leahy, James Davis, Kelley Thomas, Matt Hind, Kim Hind

Next Meeting:
Saturday, December 6, 8:00 AM

Purpose of Administration Meeting:

Developing leaders that can follow through with excellence in all of the five fold ministries as we coordinate body wide activities and serve each other as unto the Lord

  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Worship
  • Service
  • Fellowship


Specific Topics discussed this month:

Finances
Income and expenses are tracking over the projected budget for 2008 as an overall total. There were some big 2008 budget misses that all balance out in the total. We spent more on missions and benevolence than we did on the building or ministries for our own children. As we prepare the 2009 budget, we are hearing more requests for spending on missions and no request for increasing ministry to our own children. The elders are prayerfully considering whether this shift in direction in 2009 happened to us out of others felt needs or whether God has intended us to shift our focus from "person to person" to "nation to nation". God may be telling us it is time for us to take our own children from "nation to nation".


Building and Grounds:
Reverend Williams and his church of thirty people disappeared, so Cornerstone will be moving over to the larger room and we will be splitting our crowded little Tatesbrook "Cleaning/Sound Equipment Closet" into two closets. With only two bodies sharing the building, I don't believe it is necessary to draw a picture.

There was discussion about Rain Gardens and we will all be praying about the need and praying for someone to take charge of this. The location needs to be where water runs off of a parking lot or building and can eventually reach a storm drain to provide an improvement to the water quality of the area. The only location that is close to qualifying our land is behind the church. We already have a grass garden there, but establishing a Rain Garden might help us to be more diligent in keeping that back area of our building cleaned up. James noticed that a swing set was added to our collection of basketball goals, herbies, rosies, and remains of the shed. Lou Gregory and the TBNA is interested in this project as well. He would like to see a "Tatesbrook" sign at the corner of Trent and Appian. It helps the community to be a community when they have a name.


Evangelism:
In preparation for the Tent meetings and canvassing that will be occurring in the spring, Mike shared some goals, dates and training with us to help us prepare the nets for the Tent meetings:
  1. Read the book the book that Mike and Josh have been passing out.
  2. Prepare our small groups for growth ( More groups, Smaller groups before March )
  3. Abigail to provide CCC Training: January 23 and 24,
  4. Block out calendar: April 22nd to 29th
Praise & Worship:
Kent's new team is doing well and the members of the group are getting to understand their new leader in the team formation stages of development. It is exciting to witness the results. In the first few weeks we have discovered that one of our monitors (purchased by Cornerstone or LCF) was damaged and we need to replace it. It may have been damaged long ago, but we just noticed it within the last month.

Recording the service :
The fact that we did not record David Ravenhill's message a few weeks ago has surfaced a need by all those who serve in various roles on Sunday morning during the service. Those that serve in the nursery, preschool, childrens' church, prayer, or any other Sunday Morning role that keeps someone from hearing the sermon would like to have the sermon recorded and available to be picked up after the service.

Church Calendar

Nov--
2 - Lord's Supper
8 - Women's Retreat at Agape Wilderness Retreat

Dec--
6 - Administration Meeting
7 - Lord's Supper

Jan--
4 - Lord's Supper
23,24 - Sharing your faith training


Saturday, October 04, 2008

Work List for October Work Days

Winterizing and cleaning up this year should be relatively simple, I've only heard a few complaints about stuff that needs to be done.

Outside:

  • Pull out last nine stumps from the bushes ( shovels, pick ax )
  • Fill all 35 stump holes with dirt and then plant grass ( shovels, dirt )
  • Mow the tree sanctuary ( weed eaters, hand mowers, no grass over 12" )
  • Install small lights that shine on the front walkways
  • Replace outdoor lights and set timers
  • Scrape grass out of parking lot ( good TC IB community service hours )
  • Patch up holes in the downspout tiles ( else we will have more water in basement )
  • Call city to turn in some extra herbies and rosies.
  • Brainstorm on new ideas for the front that engages the community
    • Community Garden
    • Community Shelter with picnic tables and grills
    • Basketball court
    • Sand Volleyball



Hiring a plumber for the following items:
  • Repair the outside faucet in the rear of the building
  • Repair baptistry heater ( water heater or jacuzzi heater instead of current system)

Sanctuary:

  • Redo the lighting on the stage ( direction, amount, appearance )
  • Build a wide canvass for projection
  • Move the pews back into the sanctuary
  • Put up the light in front of sanctuary ( some members need symmetry )
  • Install projector and monitor in a more attractive and hidden manner
  • Reorient sound board
  • Repair ceiling tape and prepare for painting
  • Design and build new altar in front of stage ( no more wires, cables, cords )
  • Blend baptistry design with the altar ( stones, brook, river )
  • Replace doors between sanctuary and foyer to open things up ( taller doors )

Fellowship Hall:
  • Waterproof the closet in front ( tear down wall to make more usable?)
  • Replace kitchen countertop
  • Replace fluorescent fixtures, lights, and covers as necessary
  • Replace ceiling tiles
  • Remodel both bath rooms ( new sinks, cabinets, exhaust fans, lights )

Education Wing:
  • Cabinets and counter tops
  • Six switch light panel
  • Replace fluorescent fixtures, lights and covers as necessary
  • Reglue loose step covers in stairwells
  • Stop emergency heat from kicking on when it gets too hot
  • Install video equipment securely
  • Finish mudding the Sound Closet
  • Remodel Mike's office
  • Replace carpet in all the offices, closets
  • Paint all the offices, closets, stairways, hallways

Other things that can be done ( wish list ):

  • HVAC ( Install air return for the sanctuary )
  • Arrange for exterminator to protect building from termites
  • Install thermostats that are not adjustable by occupants
  • Grade the parking lot for better water drainage before repaving

Monday, September 01, 2008

Financial Secretary

Responsibilities:

  • Collect offerings each week and record charitable giving by individual.
  • Total offerings and make deposit each week
  • Report total of income by category to the treasurer each week. The categories include general offerings, special offerings, book purchases, camp fees, etc. Money that is given to the church for books, camp or anything else that is tied to something that the giver receives can not be reported as a charitable deduction.
  • Report year end giving to individual givers for tax purposes ( after reconciling with treasurer )
  • Respect the privacy of the individual givers at all times.


Characteristics / Requirements:

  • Trustworthy with money and private information.
  • Conscientious about records that can be audited.
  • Discipline to set aside 30 minutes to an hour per deposit and 4 to 8 hours per annual report.
  • Available to meet with the administration team for budget planning purposes in the fall.

Treasurer

Responsibilities:

  • Pay all bills ( mostly automated ), but also requires going through mail for some vendors and customers
  • Pay Staff ( Pastor bi-monthly, Music Minister monthly, Church Plant Pastor monthly, Custodian bi-monthly )
  • Report giving and expenses to body on a regular basis ( communication avoids surprises )
  • Report Quarterly Financial Statements to the Administration team and the Elders
  • Pay ministries that are receiving a percentage of our quarterly income
  • Pay Income Tax on Quarterly basis ( Federal 941, Lexington Wage, Fayette School, currently not paying state taxes for any employees )
  • Record income on a weekly basis as reported by Financial Secretary
  • Write checks for reimbursements of expenses as needed ( receipts for payment required along with signature )
  • Reconcile all accounts on a monthly basis
  • Report returned offering checks to financial secretary
  • Provide Staff with W2 information by January 31 each year
  • Store all financial records in an organized manner ( paper trail stays with treasurer )
  • Provide Annual Report to administration team at the end of the year after everything is reconciled.

Characteristics / Requirements:

  • Trustworthy with ability to write checks under authority of elders and administration team
  • Conscientious about records that can be audited.
  • Discipline to set aside 1-2 hours per week, 2-4 hours per month, 2-4 hours per quarter and 8-16 hours per annual report.
  • General business background and familiarity with accounting practices
  • Computer that can support QuickBooks ( Assuming need to tie into financial history )
  • Available to meet with the administration team for budget planning purposes in the fall.