REPORT OF THE CHURCH BOARD SECRETARY

April 2009

            It is my privilege and honor to submit my fourth report as Church Board Secretary. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service” (I Timothy 1:12).

            Your Church Board met a total of twelve times in regular monthly sessions and two times in special sessions during this church year, 2008-2009.  Minutes of all board meetings are recorded and posted on the bulletin board in the hallway outside of the Fellowship Hall.

            Statistics on Membership: We started the church year in May 2008 with 166 members (active and inactive combined).  Three (3) of our members, Marjorie Lawson, Loren Hall and Mabel Kinder, moved to their eternal home. Six (6) members requested transfers.  Therefore, we finished the year with 157 members. 

            The highlight of 2008-2009 was celebrating the Nazarene Denomination’s 100^th Anniversary - Out of Many, One (Unity in holiness); Out of One, Many (A mission to the World).  Our commemoration began on Sunday, September 14, celebrating the history of our local congregation.  Our worship service on September 21 was a celebration of the mission of the International Church of the Nazarene.  On Saturday, September 27^th, members of our local congregation handed out bottles of water at the Apple and Pork Festival as a means of outreach to our community.  We celebrated the mission of our local congregation on September 28 and had an outside Sunset Prayer Service in the evening.  These services were in preparation for the worldwide celebration on October 5 as we commemorated our Nazarene heritage with thousands of Nazarene congregations around the world, united by the same scripture reading, the same sermon text and communion.  Everyone attending enjoyed a potluck dinner and afternoon singspiration.

            “Enriched by diversity, bonded in unity, what holds us together is greater than what distinguishes us.  Our core values are firm:  We are Christian.  We are holiness.  We are missional.  The mission of the Church of the Nazarene is to make Christlike disciples in the nations – disciples who hear, understand, and obey the teaching of Jesus.  As a missional church, we are a discipling church. … As a church of one, we continue to seek many.  As a church of many, we remain one.”  Stan Ingersol, “A History of One Hundred Years of the Church of the Nazarene”, A Century of One and Many. 

            Our committees have been very active this past year as we strive to better our communication, outreach, worship and music techniques and fellowship.      

            Some of the major projects and events for this past church year were: (1) a Kid’s Carnival (planned by Doug and Kristen Hammer) in August 2008 as an outreach to our community; (2) new carpet in the foyer and hallways in September; (3) all-church work day sponsored by the Building and Grounds Committee in October; (4) Pastor’s office re-model in November; (5) Ladies Restroom remodel project (still on-going); (6) Continued 4^th Wednesday Program and Food Pantry; (7) Palm Sunday Cantata for Dove; (8) Maundy Thursday Service leading up to Resurrection (Easter) Sunday; and (9) April Blood Drive.                  

            A few goals for this next church year are repeated from this past year for we should always: (1) strive to meet the challenges and opportunities stated in our mission statement by being faithful images of God’s love to our community,  (2) witness spiritual growth and unity within our church family, (3) further develop “action” to the Outreach ministries plan, and (4) establish a discipleship ministry to aid new Christians in their walk with Christ.  We also would like to (5) establish hands-on ministries to meet specific needs of our congregation and the community, (6) help build up the children and youth groups, (7) brainstorm new ways to utilize or change the food pantry space, (8) paint the fellowship hall, and (9) finish the ladies restroom. 

            We are the body of Christ, each with our own gifts and talents.  We can accomplish more together than separately.  Our church can become a beacon to the community. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Let’s roll up our sleeves, dig in our heels and help with Christ’s mission.  

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Karren Osborne

                                                                        Church Board Secretary 2008-2009

We are called to be a community that is a faithful image of God’s love.