Voter Meeting Minutes 1/24/2016 Chris Davis: We need to treat each other with respect while sharing different opinions. Opened with prayer and then left the room. Mike Bevers: Lind Simonsen will be the Robert s Rules guide for this meeting. Ken Breyer: Shared an update about the Building Committee. The Committee members are: Shane Doig, Selena Koosmann, Teri Sato, Ken Breyer and Todd Zern. We are working with an architect to expand eventually. We are thinking about what can be done right now. We are drawing a simple footprint now and looking at what costs will be, both now and in the future. This will be a long process. A fact sheet is coming, however, we want it correct before it goes out. Ground Rules Mike Bevers: The ground rule for this meeting is respectful listening. It is okay to disagree, but we need to do so respectfully. If you have a comment, please be brief and stay on topic. We also need to respect the majority vote and witness the love of God. When you speak please state your name for the record so that it can be recorded in the minutes and wait to be recognized. The vote is reserved for members of St. Luke s only. The first vote will be for Pastor David Reinke. If the vote is yes, then we will move on to the vote for Pastor Chris Davis. Mike Bevers: There have been several question that have been voiced prior to this meeting. These are the answers to those questions. 1. When an Intentional Interim is needed, President Linnemann picks ONE person for that role. Pastor Reinke is the leader of the Intentional Interim group. He would be the top pick. 2. The Call for the Intentional Interim lasts only until a new Lead Pastor can be found. Pastor Reinke cannot be the Lead Pastor. 3. The ELT has voted unanimously for an Intentional Interim and Pastor Reinke. Les Soltis called for the process to begin. This was seconded by Jim Klouse. The floor is open for questions. Michael Harrell: I have a concern in calling Pastor Reinke.
1. Will he help to find a new Senior Pastor? 2. Will there be much needed reconciliation? 3. Can we review St. Luke s structure and vision? Mike Bevers: Pastor Reinke will not call the Senior Pastor. The Call Team will do this. This is a very detailed, and thought out process. Pastor Reinke will help to prepare the church. He will help provide a transition from Senior Pastor to Senior Pastor. He may not look at our vision. Rich Wildhirt: Will this be a simple majority vote? Mike Bevers: Yes. Tina Backman: Can you review the reasons why we are seeking an Intentional Interim Pastor? Mike Bevers: President Linnemann put forth the idea of an Intentional Interim, first to staff and then to the ELT. Several Round Table meetings with the congregation members were held to see what concerns and needs were. Intentional Interims help congregations move forward. They usually have some experience with counseling. If Pastor Reinke is called, he wants to meet with the congregation in cottage meetings to find out what the needs and concerns are. He will provide insights to find a new Senior Pastor. His success rate is high in this area. There was a call for the question. First Call-Pastor David Reinke-Intentional Interim Pastor The vote was taken. The results were: 244 Call 6 No Call Second Call Pastor Chris Davis-Associate Pastor (Mike Bevers read a scripture verse from Pastor Reinke). Mike Bevers: This Associate Pastor role would be defined as (reading from the job description) Teaching, preaching, outreach and counseling, as overseen by Pastor Reinke and the ELT. If voted, it will be effective 1/25/2016 for an indefinite time. The ELT has unanimously voted for this. Opened for questions by Les Soltis and seconded by Jerry Blessing Jerry Blessing: Does Chris have to consider the Call? Mike Bevers: Yes.
Jerry Church: Why is this happening? Mike Bevers: Chris prayed and he felt that God was leading him away from the Lead Pastor role. This caught people by surprise. Chris has said that God has given him peace about his decision. (Mike called members of ELT to the front to answer questions). William McDaniel: Where is this new calling for Chris? Isn t this basically the same job? How is this new? Les Soltis-ELT: The assignment for the Lead Pastor is also a 1.5 million dollar- (interrupted). William McDaniel: Where is the new part of the job? Les Soltis-ELT: Pastor Reinke will help him define his new role. William McDaniel: Won t he be doing the same thing as he does now? Les Soltis-ELT: He will not be doing administration and leadership. Mike Bevers: No staffing. Shane Doig: I am concerned about leadership. Won t there be struggles between all the Pastors? Bob Snyder-ELT: I talked with Pastor Reinke about this, and Chris and Pastor Reinke have talked a lot. They feel comfortable together. Shane Doig: But does the congregation feel comfortable with this? Les Soltis-ELT: We are going to ask you to knock it off if you try to go to Pastor Chris. As of 1/25/2016 Pastor Reinke is our new Lead Pastor. Next weekend 1/30-1/31, 2016 there will be an Installation of both Pastors and step down for Pastor Chris. This will be a very clear step. There will be a Welcome Pastor Reinke cake and this will be a firm line in the sand of leadership. This is a very important step for closure. This is important in the process. This is an outward step for the congregation. Pastor Reinke is firm and not shy. In our conversations, he gets to the heart of things quickly. Can Chris accept a number two position? I don t know. Randy Sloper-ELT: Pastor Reinke will evaluate Chris and be honest with his evaluation of that.
Lois Thompson: I have seen Chris work a room. He is very good at that. He already does outreach to an extent. Sharon Bottomley: I have been a Lay Minister. There is more to a Lead Pastor than what people see. 75% of the job is administrative. Chris is also good at visitation. We should give Chris the opportunity to minister where God leads. William McDaniel: I want to make sure people understand that this is a Call. It is different from a hire. Once he is called, you can t let him go. Are we hiring a person or a position? Pastor Reinke can review all he wants, but this is a Call and you can t let a Pastor go once he is called. There are specific rules about that. Steve Straume-ELT: The ELT looked at all of this. The position was changed to a call instead of a hire, so that Chris could have benefits. I think he can be evaluated, and he will. He knows he can t do the job. There is no power struggle. William McDaniel: So we are just being kind to him? Steve Straume-ELT: We have been looking for an Outreach Pastor. Todd Zern: Chris would qualify for benefits as an employee as long as he works 30 hours or more. Just a clarification. Mike Bevers-ELT: Read from the constitution. Summary: a Pastor can be dismissed for inability to perform the functions of the job. Bree Mann: Read parts of a letter previously sent to members of ELT. Concerns were shared. These had been shared with Pastor Chris on other occasions. 1. Concerns about the process. 2. Concerns with Chris ability. 3. Where do we go from here? Chris doesn t drive, he can t read or write. He has trouble teaching and giving council. Can he lead us on an outreach journey? Why wasn t an evaluation done before? Why now? Can he go on a sabbatical? Of course we want to take care of him financially. Calling Chris may not be fair to him. Mike Bevers-ELT: ELT has looked into all of this. Now this shift will allow for Pastor Reinke to evaluate Chris. Taia Smith: The members of the ELT told us in July 2015 that an evaluation of Chris would be done. It hasn t been done. Why? Pastor Reinke hasn t had an opportunity to evaluate Chris at all. Why are we rushing this decision? Pat Smith: I agree with Bree and Taia. We must do what is best for St. Luke s. Chris can t remember names or situations. He had no memory that Glen had cancer. We
want him to be taken care of. What about disability benefits? I know another Pastor that is paid disability benefits. So don t try to tell me that we can t do that. He needs an evaluation. There is no real job description. Let s find out what he can do from a medical perspective. I think we should delay the vote today. Jerry Church: Why don t we call him today and then remove him later if he cannot perform his duties? Michael Harrell: There are only two positions for a Pastor. 1. Senior Pastor and 2. Associate Pastor. The job description for the Associate Pastor is determined by the Senior Pastor. The only requirements are can he preach the Word and administer the Sacraments. Karen Cook: I agree with Pat, Bree, and Taia. What are the qualifications for this job? Is Chris qualified? Dana Turcott: Pastor Chris was called here. We are all flawed and not perfect. We have been blessed by Chris. Gayle Bean: Dick and I have had several talks with Chris. I have told him that he reminds me of Moses. Chris can t function without Jake, Tammy and Jan holding up his arms. Chris has said that it takes more than that to hold his arms up. It is a struggle for him. He isn t capable. After 7 months an evaluation hasn t taken place. ELT told us that would happen and it hasn t been done. Jaye Dryden: I just need to share that I have been in counseling with Chris and he has told me that I am going to hell. I am not the only person he has said that to. It was devastating. Phyllis McDaniel: Why haven t we had one prayer meeting about this? What about prayer? Matt Kliewer: I am concerned that like a football analogy, this is our best guy we are sending out there? This is our quarterback? I am worried people. I think we should put this vote off. Carrie Andrew: What other options do we have? Mike Bevers-ELT: We deemed this course of action was the best of the options available to us. Taia Smith: What are those options? We want an education on what those options were. We request those answers. We deserve to know.
Mike Bevers-ELT: (quickly reviewed options) Terri Carver: Is this the only time we can call Chris? Can we put this off? Lind Simonsen: This is a process. The ELT has been granted leadership, but they cannot call or dismiss a Pastor. If the call is not today, then a committee can be formed to determine next steps. Tamera Camp: If you didn t call Chris, would you actually be looking for an Associate Pastor? Mike Bevers-ELT: No. But, Pastor Reinke is in favor of calling Chris. Tina Backman: And in response to the earlier comment, we were asked to pray in this process. We are in need of an Associate Pastor. God is still using Chris. God uses imperfect people. Pat Smith: Has Chris been medically evaluated? Mike Bevers-ELT: No. Pat Smith: That is part of the story. That needs to happen before we can make decisions. Dana Turcott: People are not like cars. Our bodies are limited. But, God helps us. Let s go forward. Lois Thompson: I agree with Dana. To not call him could be devastating to Chris. Sharon Maas: I am hearing a lot of heart. Can we make this time-limited? We want to take care of Chris. In six months, how would that be to see him go? That would be harder than to make a decision now. Is that an alternative? Does that satisfy things to put things off for a bit? Ken Breyer: The Holy Spirit told Chris to step down. God is in control. It isn t up to us. God knows what He wants and we have to pray and trust. Carrie Andrew: We don t understand. If we do not call him, what will happen to him? Mike Bevers-ELT: Chris will be out of a job today. Pastor Reinke will decide. Dave Ramsay: I like what Ken said. We need to trust God. Chris will listen to the Holy Spirit.
Ky Hopewell: We need to thank the ELT. This is our time to help Chris. We owe him that. Russ Wolf: I have gotten counseling from Chris. He voluntarily agreed to step down. He has humility and heart. We need to search our hearts. Teri Johnson: If this was a hire situation, we would hire him. I won t speak for all staff, but I will speak for myself. He struggles in the office. The call is not the right way to go. Lois Thompson called for the vote. Seconded by Teri Sato. Prayer by Sharon Maas. The vote was taken. The results were: Meeting adjourned. 180 Call 44 No Call
Congregational Meeting Attendance Meeting held: January 24, 2016-12:15pm 1 Sue Acuna 26 Janet Britt 2 Carrie Andrew 27 Matt Britt 3 Tina Backman 28 Holly Britt 4 Belinda Bartels 29 Brad Bush 5 Barbara Baumgartner 30 Tammy Caley 6 Don Baumgartner 31 Tamera Camp 7 Gayle Bean 32 Amy Carlisle 8 Dick Bean 33 Terri Carver 9 Marla Beckstrom 34 Jerri Chan 10 Bob Beckstrom 35 Howard Christianson 11 Marianne Bell 36 Vernita Christianson 12 Tyler Bell 37 Carl Church 13 Bryant Bevers 38 Dennette Church 14 Elyse Bevers 39 Jerry Church 15 Judy Bevers 40 Karen Cook 16 Mike Bevers 41 Darla Craig 17 Jerry Blessing 42 Lisa Cummings 18 Paulette Bodeutsch 43 Dave Danforth 19 Jerry Bottomley 44 Phyllis Danforth 20 Sharon Bottomley 45 Valerie Danforth 21 Donna Breyer 46 Heather Davis 22 John Breyer 47 Larry Davis 23 Kendra Breyer 48 Doug Deems 24 Ken Breyer 49 Faith Deems 25 Nate Breyer 50 Shane Doig
Congregational Meeting Attendance Meeting held: January 24, 2016-12:15pm 1 Pat Dorning 26 Jamie Griswold 2 Jaye Dryden 27 Theresa Griswold 3 David Emmert 28 Aurea Grothe 4 Kristin Emmert 29 Rob Grothe III 5 Roger Erickson 30 Robert Grothe Jr. 6 Stephanie Esbenshade 31 Roger Hale 7 Becky Faccone 32 Betty Hanson 8 Susan Fish 33 Paul Hanson 9 Dan Flint 34 Michael Harrell 10 Gloria Flint 35 Monte Hart 11 Gaylen Floy 36 Lori Hartman 12 Floyd Foess 37 Joe Harvath 13 Jean Ford 38 Karla Harvath 14 Rick Ford 39 Linda Herold 15 Kathy Foss 40 Shauna Higgins 16 Tammy Fossett 41 Linda Hilbert 17 Karen Foster 42 Jay Hileman 18 Mark Foster 43 Ruth Hileman 19 Debbie Fuller 44 Taryn Hill 20 Jeremy Fuller 45 Dave Hoag 21 Christy Gamble 46 Stephanie Hoag 22 Doug Grieger 47 Ky Hopewell 23 Steve Grieger 48 Mary Ann Hopewell 24 Tamara Grieger 49 Chris Hunt 25 Morgan Griffith 50 Kristie Hunt
Congregational Meeting Attendance Meeting held: January 24, 2016-12:15pm 1 Ben Jackson 26 Pamela McDaniel 2 Teri Johnson 27 Phyllis McDaniel 3 Angela Jones 28 Bill McDaniel 4 Julie Kinzner 29 Cheryl Mertl 5 Kevin Kinzner 30 Jason Mertl 6 Karstin Kliewer 31 Debbie Mininger 7 Matt Kliewer 32 Jess Mininger 8 Jim Klouse Jr. 33 Angie Nelson 9 Julie Klouse 34 Jason Nelson 10 Anna Koloen 35 Jerry Neumann 11 Terellice Kreshel 36 Mary Neumann 12 Joan Kroeller 37 Cathy Nolan 13 Diane Larson 38 Kevin O'Connor 14 Kirk Larson 39 Vickie O'Connor 15 Shari Lewis 40 Mitzie Ollila 16 Jenny Lockhart 41 Betty Ann Palmore 17 Brad Maas 42 Mark Palmore 18 Sharon Maas 43 Diane Percival 19 Bree Mann 44 Rob Percival 20 Bryan Mann 45 Stephen Percival 21 Julie Marshall 46 Earl Peterson 22 Tandy Marshall 47 Peggy Peterson 23 Astrid Maurer 48 Trisha Plucknett 24 Nancy Maynard 49 Shannon Pogson 25 Debbie McCleary 50 David Ramsay
Congregational Meeting Attendance Meeting held: January 24, 2016-12:15pm 1 Sandy Ramsay 26 Trudy Soileau 2 Roy Ray 27 Kathy Soltis 3 Rod Riveness 28 Les Soltis 4 Yvonne Riveness 29 Rebekah Soltis 5 Karen Roppel 30 Aaron Sowma 6 Rick Roppel 31 Da Hye Sowma 7 Carolyn Saastad 32 Trudy Stewart 8 Linda Salyer 33 Mick Stewart 9 Steve Salyer 34 Ann Stoker 10 Doug Sanders 35 Callie Stoker 11 Jan Sanders 36 David Stoker 12 Sharon Sandman 37 Jan Stork 13 Matt Sato 38 Rebecca Stork 14 Teri Sato 39 Richard Stork 15 Diana Shaw 40 Corinne Straume 16 Michael Shaw 41 Steven Straume 17 Jorgann Simonsen 42 Cindy Swezea 18 Lind Simonsen 43 Gena Talaga 19 Debbie Skelton 44 John Taylor 20 Randy Sloper 45 Susan Taylor 21 Pat Smith 46 Lois Thompson 22 Steve Smith 47 Bill Thompson 23 Taia Smith 48 Art Towne 24 Bob Snyder 49 Esther Trinidad 25 Bruce Soileau 50 Dana Turcott
Congregational Meeting Attendance Meeting held: January 24, 2016-12:15pm 1 Gordon Turcott 26 Verna Wright 2 Barry Turnbull 27 Todd Zern 3 Charlene Turnbull 28 Jennifer Dorning 4 Marge Ulmer 29 Glen Smith 5 Vee VanderSanden 30 Mark Taylor 6 Mark VanWinkle 31 7 Miriam VanWinkle 32 8 Tim Waisanen 33 9 Denise Ward 34 10 Mary Wendler 35 11 John Werth 36 12 Norma Werth 37 13 Gary Westerkamp 38 14 Terry Westerkamp 39 15 John Wiese 40 16 Anne Wiese 41 17 Debbie Wildhirt 42 18 Rich Wildhirt 43 19 Patsy Williams 44 20 Bill Williams 45 21 Raelene Wilson 46 22 Steve Wilson 47 23 Debbie Wolf 48 24 Russ Wolf III 49 25 Sara Wood 50