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Covenant
Lutheran Church 4202 Hickory Road Temple, Texas
76502 254-773-7718 Email covenatlutheran@hot.rr.com Grace and Peace from our Lord and Savior Jesus, Our Transition Team is working hard they are meeting regularly and have come
up with a plan to help us discern what God is calling us to be as the Body of Christ in Temple, Texas.
Part of their plan is contacting as many members as possible over the next several weeks and gets our view of the church.
I would like to pass along some thoughts others have had concerning how people view the church in relationship to size
and mission. “What is a great church? For many Americans, great is synonymous with large, Volume equals
vitality, quantity means quality. But a counter tradition is quietly emerging. As more churches grow to
stadium proportions, small congregations are coming to see their diminutive size as an asset for mission.” (Richard
Bliese, president of Luther Seminary in Christian Century, July 12, 2003).Bliese goes
on to point out that the vast majority of congregations are “small congregations” with an average attendance under
100. Nearly 60 % of the 400,000 congregations in the United States average 75 in weekly attendance, a percentage that holds
true across racial and class boundaries. The reality, on the other hand, is that while the average Protestant church is small,
half of American Protestants are members of the largest 15 % of churches. Some have been suggesting that a huge percentage
(I’ve heard up to 50 % or more) of small Protestant congregations in the United States will be closed by 2025. Some
define small churches as those where “the number of active members and the total annual budget are inadequate relative
to organizational needs and expenses; church struggling to pay its minister, heat its building, and find enough people to
assume leadership responsibilities.”Interestingly, there is some evidence that
despite a few mega churches that are growing (as in the Potter’s House with 35,000members and the Fellowship Church
in the Metroplex); the mega church movement seems be in decline. People are looking for churches where they can be known and
can know other Christians who share their journey.Carl Dudley writes, “When church
size is measured by human relationships, the small church is the largest expression of the Christian faith.” Others
note, “small churches are the norm primarily because many people still find them to be the right size in which to love
God and neighbor.” My observation is that small congregations do their ministry believing the myth of scarcity. When
fear of limited finances, limited belief in the future, and limited opportunity for mission and outreach (all signs of limited
trust in God’s abundant ability to provide all of the above) are allowed to permeate the psyche of smaller congregations,
then the congregation enters a spiral of thinking that can lead to depression, despair, and even death. The myth of size assumes
that small churches are always struggling, parochial, maintenance-oriented, at risk, and not able to compete in today’s
church marketplace. Which question ought to be at the forefront of our thinking: “How do churches grow?” OR “How
are churches to be church?”yet to seize. The small congregation is shaped by the
dynamics of its own community (gifts as well as Karl Rahner wrote that Christians removing into
a situation in the world that can be likened to a Diaspora and smaller congregations can more easily act as Diaspora churches
than bigger ones can. The questions are: can they be faithful, can they be friendly, can they be relevant, and can they be
places of spiritual transformation with a sense of apostolic self-confidence (in Rahner’s words)? Small
congregations may be seen as somewhat out of step with culture, not on the cutting edge; but that may be a gift that small
congregations have limitations); but this may provide an opportunity for the congregation to live on the edge or margins
of society where there is even more opportunity for mission. Discerning this giftedness and creating a mission around it is
a fundamental challenge for our small congregations. Being on the margins offers fresh opportunity for bold witness. In scripture,
faithfulness seldom comes from, or results in, large numbers or success. God often elects the small for extraordinary missionary
service.We must continually re-think the challenge of pastoral leadership for our small
congregations, however. While most of us went to seminary out of our sense of call to full-time Word and Sacrament ministry,
it may be that more and more people will go to seminary with the realization that they will serve as “worker-priests”
or “tentmakers.” Of course, this is not a new concept; yet it is one that is being renewed. Congregations will
need to let go of their “clericalism”…that is the idea that pastors are called (or “hired”
as I too often hear—and which they are not!) to do the work of ministry for the members…and convert members into
ministers (or disciples as we will be focusing on for the next six years). As we can let the myth of size go and claim a vision
of small congregations as mission outposts on the margins of society, our disciples will take on more of the ministry. Bi-vocational
pastors will train leadership teams in small congregations to perform the functions of visitation, teaching, youth leadership,
outreach, fellowship, stewardship, and missional service in the community.Ultimately, if we are about reaching the unchurched (many of whom have been turned off to mainline Protestantism
because of broken relationships and feelings of abandonment by the church) perhaps the small congregation can be more effective
in providing opportunity for building and renewing relationships. I see this in congregation after congregation I visit. Most
of them worshiping less than 100 every Sunday (many now closer to 50 or fewer) are alive, dynamic, and vigilant places of
missional joy and service to God. Their mission may not be earth shattering by seismic mega church standards, but their faithfulness,
welcome, and depth of service and caring are signs that they’re alive with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. If only
more would understand themselves in this light and have the confidence of faith in God and themselves, our synodical witness
would be ever deeper and brighter. If you would like to read more of Richard Bliese’s reflections and his own congregational
experience of turning a small congregation around from the spiral of death to a journey of life, the article is printed in
the July 12, 2003issue of Christian Century. May God bless our ministry journey and lead us into a wonderful future, Pastor Terry. P.S. See you in worship President’s Ponderings Remember earlier in the year when I asked you guys to take a look at Philippians? Especially the 4th chapter? Especially
verses 4 through 9? Well, let's look at them again, okay?
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it
again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever
you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you.We are entering some very interesting times for our congregation. The transition
team small group meetings start this week. I don't know about you guys, but that makes me excited and nervous all at the same
time. Excited because it means we're learning, changing, growing... And nervous for all those same reasons. I used to work
with a guy whose motto was: "Change is good." Well, I don't know if change is always good, but change does happen,
and it can be amazing and powerful and wonderful. And I believe God is moving in us to make that sort of change.But change is scary too. And that's why I wanted us to read this passage from Philippians again. Verses
6 and 7 especially have meant a lot to me this week. We've had a little stress. Gary Lamb resigned from the council, which
he's explained in his letter, and we're in need of someone else to fill that role. But hopefully, we will all be filled with
God's peace, with his love, and with his wisdom so that we can move forward in unity and in covenant with one another.So, you members of the body of Christ, peace be with you (I hope I'm not just imagining you saying,
"And also with you," right now, that you really are saying it!), and let's move forward, trusting in His love and
His wisdom. Jen Jones “Money Talks” from the Treasurer Brothers & Sisters in Christ, As we head
into the heat of the Texas summer much is happening at Covenant Lutheran Church. By now you should all have received or been
contacted by members of the Visionary Teams seeking input from you as CLC moves toward entering the call process. Please take
the time to honestly and openly share your thoughts with them as the church you have in the future will be directly related
to the input you provide during this process.As I had
expected, May came in slightly under budget, marking the 2nd time this year we have failed to reach our goals.
With the final week of June yet to come, it appears another shortfall will be seen for June. Many folks are on vacation during
the summer months so this is not uncommon. But it does signal a potential trend change so I urge any of you who have fallen
behind but are able to catch up to please do so. The year is rapidly moving towards the time we have to start looking at our
budget for 2011 and we need for the numbers we use to be as accurate as possible so the New Year can be planned accordingly. Regretfully, I must inform you of my resignation as Vice-President
/ Treasurer of CLC, effective immediately. Recent events have surfaced a considerable difference of philosophy between myself
and the majority of Council in the area of fiscal management and this has made it difficult for me to function as your Treasurer
as well as for our Council to function as an effective Council. For that reason alone, and after prayerful consideration,
I have decided to step down and not make myself an obstacle to any of the important decisions that are coming down the line
throughout the remainder of this year. Please understand, I have nothing but the greatest respect for all the members of the
current Council at CLC and love each and every one of my brothers & sisters that I have served with the past two years.
This is a simple “philosophical difference” and should be viewed as nothing more than that. But it makes things
difficult in the functioning of Council and the easiest way to eliminate any potential dysfunction is for me to remove myself
from the equation. It has been my honor to serve the congregation of Covenant Lutheran during the past two years and I thank
you for your trust, your prayers and the confidence you placed in me during a most difficult time in our church history. I
will continue to perform the necessary duties of Treasurer to insure the business side of our church continues uninterrupted
until a new Vice-President / Treasurer is appointed. As I have promised you all in the past, I am trying to be as open and
transparent as I can with regards to our stewardship of the gifts you provide for God’s work at Covenant Lutheran Church
and the trust you have put in me to guide the use of those gifts. All eyes need to be focused on finding God’s will
for Covenant Lutheran Church and nothing else. God’s Peace & Grace to you all, Gary Lamb Women’s News “Mom’s Sunday Dinner” Tuesday, June 15… was served to Sid Frasier. Terry Atkins, Billy Gray, Rick Low, Mitch Mann, Leonard
Gillmeister, Kenny Yauk, John Hendricks. Ara Yauk, Christian Wilson.Dressed in aprons, head cook, Cheryl Yauk and helpers Jean Eggert, Carol Frasier, & Pat Dalrymple
served spring greens salad, beef pot roast, potatoes, carrots with pie alamode for dessert. Featured entertainment
by the cooks was the ‘chicken dance’ with Christian Wilson participating. Rose
plants that decorated the tables were won by Rick Low, Terry Atkins, Kenny Yauk and Christian Wilson. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Covenant Graduates Covenant Women
hosted a brunch for three high school graduates: Max Esterby Allison Mesecke Mitch Sievers Pastor Terry
led a Rite of Blessing for the graduates.Brenda Sladek
presented each of the graduates with a blanket.We,
as a congregation, wished them God’s peace and guidance in their futures. Jane Snodgrass CLCW Secretary Covenant hosted FAMILY PROMISE on June 14 and 16 with seven
people. The next day a family of six joined the group. Thanks to all who provided food, visited, and spent the
night. First Lutheran sent a special "thank you" for all the help. Two new churches have now joined the rotation.
Families stay at each host church for one week at a time spending the evenings there and returning to the Family Promise center the next day
to begin their day of work or job hunting. The Center is located on Ave. A & 22nd (an old fire station leased
to us by the city), and it has facilities for showering and laundry. Most folks stay in the program
less than 90 days ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Grace
Growers Summer Bible Study meet in the Craft Room at Country Lane Apartments 2916
Country Lane Driveon Wednesdays at 10 am beginning June 3. Caroline
Brown and Cora DrakeCountry Lane
residents will host the group.Daily
Discipleship from the ELCA Web sitewill
be led by different Covenant members. Need a ride? Call
the church office 773-7718 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Summer Bible Study/Retreat Saturday, June 26
First Lutheran ladies hosted the “Pray Always” Bible Study/retreat at “Thee Landing” near
Salado. Seventeen attended with five from Covenant. Pat Dalrymple led the session on
“Persistence”, Laura Prudom guided the group through “Waiting with Patience and Hope” and the conclusion
“Power” was led by Pastor Pat Dietrich. The group shared and discussed each topic making it
a rich experience. Singing was woven into the day reinforcing each of the topics. Prayer
stations were set up for individual activity. Yummy food was enjoyed and the fellowship was sweet as we
got to know one another in the spiritual setting. New faces became new friends. Molly
Kirk’s hospitality was superb! We drew close to God and each other with thanksgiving & praise! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Prayer Corner As we pray for the Transition Team and their work in seeking God’s plan for Covenant, each member
is asked for thoughts, dreams and vision for future mission and ministry. We’ve received some questions
that give each one a voice in the process. When small group meetings are scheduled make a commitment
to participate. The mission of Covenant is still being created and led by the Holy Spirit.
Please be intentional about praying for and through this important step in the process as we move forward to the calling
of a pastor. In James 1:5-6 we find this instruction:
“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
Those who lack wisdom only need to ask for it in prayer. Pray in faith believing that wisdom will
be the gift to all the Transition Team and to each of us. God gives generously to those who ask in faithful
expectation.Prayer list for July:Pray: -for wisdom for the Transition Team; thank God for them and their gift of time with frequent meetings -for increased faith and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
for ALL as we wait for God’s plan and purposes to be revealed -that we will all conduct our lives
with the ‘wisdom from above,’ from God who
is the giver of ‘every perfect gift” (James 1;17) -for Pastor Terry and the Church
Council in decisions and current ministry needs.
-that we will be a welcoming and caring community, not just on Sundays by daily,
so that others will be attracted to worship and participate in ministry with us. -that
we will love and forgive one another as Christ has done for us. -that God will prepare the person
who He chooses to lead us into the future James
5:13-20 is a guide (sub title is Prayer of Faith) for us during this season of transition. Let’s put it to practice. Read it, mark it and LIVE IT! ELCA Military Chaplains Photos of two of the ELCA chaplains on our prayer list are in the July
issue of The Lutheran. Kerstin Hedlund is shown baptizing a soldier at Ft. Hood before he
was deployed. Michael Lembke is quoted in the article “Every day is Sunday” and is the writer
of “Steeped in Hospitality.” He writes regularly about his experiences at www.thelutheran.org/blog/chaplain. A study guide is included “The military: They need our support.” There
are only 70 Lutheran chaplains currently serving and 150 are needed. Covenant will soon
be partnering with other area Lutheran churches to provide support for a group that will deploy from Ft. Hood later in July.
Watch for more info. _____________________________________________________________________________ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble
themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will heal their land.2 Chron 7:14A Call
to Fall on Our Knees in Prayer: Sunday, July 4, 2010For too long, we’ve depended too much on politicians to restore respect for life, marriage, and religious freedom
in America. God has had the answer all along. He has entrusted a message of national transformation to His people. In 2 Chronicles
7:14, He calls them to humble, repentant prayer and promises to heal their land if they seek His face and turn from their
wicked ways. On Sunday, July 4, we are praying that millions of Christians in tens of
thousands of churches will fall to their knees as one, praying for America as a nation. Please visit Call2Fall.com and pray--as God instructs us—that he will change
the hearts of our government leaders and restore respect for life, marriage, and your Judeo-Christian values in our country’s
halls of power.
Prayers change hearts and lead to national revival God prescribes a very specific
type of prayer that is required for national spiritual transformation. His healing begins only after we
fall to our knees and take responsibility for the condition of our nation by corporate and individual sins, as the prophet
cried out from captivity: “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we
have turned away from your commands and laws.” (Daniel
9:5)
Mother’s Day Out Our summer program is underway. Students
have been running, jumping and catching all in the pursuit of learning about different sports and games. In the month of July
students will participate in camping activities. Butterfly nets, tents and pretend campfires will be seen
all over the church campus. We have new MDO pamphlets if you know someone with young children please pass
it along. The flyers are located in the narthex. Have a playful summer. Kathryn Hermans
C.T.L.C.Churches Touching
Lives for Christ702 W. Ave. G,
TempleDistribution DaysTuesday’s 12:30 P.M.Saturday’s 8:30 A.M. How you
can help: Fifty to seventy client families are generally served on Tues. afternoons and Sat. mornings. Wed.
volunteers unload trucks, restock food and clothing areas, and fill grocery sacks for clients. CTLC
is requesting Covenant bring fruit juice – any kind, any size. Donations can be brought to Covenant
and put in the basket in the Narthex. Churches Touching Lives for Christ
Covenant Lutheran is on Team
2 Days to Help Tuesday July 6th 12:30
P.M. Saturday July 24th
8/:30 A.M. July Eternal Candle
Tributes 6th In Praise for Billy & Joy Gray’s Anniversary 13th In Memory of C.T. Winchester by the Tetzlaff’s 20th 27th
July Anniversaries Bob &
Judy Renker | 07/09/61 | | Gary & Tawny Lamb | 07/29 | | Kirk & Renae Esterby | 07/29/89 |
July Birthdays
| Travis Breazeale | 3rd | | Gary Jones | 5th | | Al Tetzlaff | 11th | | Julie Clark | 15th | | Donna Blaszczyk | 16th | | Courtney Orb | 18th | | Aubrey Foraker | 19th | | Mack Freeman | 23rd | | Shelia Gordon | |
Thank You
Thank you so much for the customized blanket.
It means a lot to me to know that you are celebrating my graduation with me it also means a lot to know that everyone
cares so much despite not see me very often. The blanket will give me comfort in college and remind me
of Temple and my roots, especially my spiritual ones. Again thank you so much for the love and care. God Bless youAllison Mesecke Thank You Dear Women of CLCThank
You for the graduation gift. I really appreciate it. Love Mitch Mitchell Paul Sievers From Pam Hendricks: I want to thank our prayer group for such wonderful support while going through these issues of MS
diagnosis and broken disc resolution. I'm still on the same pathway of waiting for reabsorption and then determining
any underlying problem, but am thrilled to have good pain management with spinal injections. Since the effects are beginning
to fade from the last injections, I'll get two more before leaving for my month of Spiritual Director class work in CA.
When I return in August, we'll determine whether to go the surgical route, while I also work with the synod to determine my
serving route. :-) To top it all, when I return I will also need to work with nephrology for a problem discovered
when screening for a contrast MRI. I just need a full body tune up since age tends to wear any machine down!
Again, thank you all for your generosity in your prayers. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New Births Gage Brzezinske Born
June 16th 2 lbs 14 ozs 14 inches long 11 weeks premature Parents David & Ashley Grandparents The
Van Gundy’s ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Remember in Prayer THOSE WHO ARE ILL IN BODY OR SPIRIT:
THOSE DEPLOYED MILITARY PERSONNEL:
Judy Renker | Chaplain Paul Dirksmeyer | Karen Cox | Lt. Col Marc Spinuzzi | Vicki Morgan | Joshua Haynes | | Mary Francis Wahlberg | Jason Warren | | Carol WebbPam HendricksAlton BulandMike GlymphErna BuckelsJane DickCharlotte Jansen Gerda Freeman | SPC
Lawanda McErvin SFC Marilyn Hoyett Chaplain Kerstin Hedlund Chaplain Michael Lembke Capt Floyd Estes Jr | Khim Kjellen | | Cecily Brewer | | | | | | | | | | Sympathy extended to the family
of | Wes
Rosenthal | | | Pete Hernandez | | | Pastor Bill Lange Jr | | | | | | |
Lord, we lift up our prayers for all those who are sick, that are waiting for test results
or that have had surgery.
We also pray for the families whose loved ones have passed from their presence to Your heavenly home. Give them peace and comfort. Lord,
we ask Your blessings on all military personnel and their families. Protect them all and give them peace. We pray for your strength and your blessings on these, your faithful people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Readings
| July 4 | O God, the Father of
our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life's
journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Isaiah 66:10-14 | Psalm 66:1-9 | Galatians 6:[1-6]
7-16 | Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 | | July 11 | O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the
world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, and turn our hearts to love our neighbors with the love
of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Deuteronomy 30:9-14 | Psalm 25:1-10 | Colossians 1:1-14 | Luke 10:25-37 | | July 18 | Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ,
and you make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our lives, make us attentive to your presence, that we may treasure your
word above all else, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Genesis 18:1-10a | Psalm 15 | Colossians
1:15-28 | Luke 10:38-42 | | July 25 | Almighty and ever-living God, you are always more ready to hear than
we are to pray, and you gladly give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us your abundant mercy. Forgive us those
things that weigh on our conscience, and give us those good things that come only through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior
and Lord. | Genesis 18:20-32 | Psalm 138 | Colossians
2:6-15 [16-19] | Luke 11:1-13 |
Transition Team Report The
Transition Team was appointed by the Church Council to help develop a sense of the mission/vision that God is calling the
congregation, known as Covenant Lutheran, to embrace. With a defined mission/vision, the Call Committee can then search
for an appropriate pastor to lead us in living this mission.The Transition Team consists of Brenda Sladek, David Domelsmith, Charlotte Reemts, Billy Gray, Mack Freeman, and
our interim pastor, Terry Atkins.The Team has had
five meetings, beginning 17 May 2010. At the first meeting, Pastor Terry provided each member with an excellent resource
folder which he had assembled. We briefly reviewed Covenant’s history, talked about systems analysis and mental
models of the church. We decided to meet most weeks, on Mondays at 7 pm. We begin and end each meeting with prayer.By our next meeting on 24 May, we all felt overwhelmed by the reference
material and the task before us. Pastor Terry greatly encouraged us, reminding us that our job was to gather information;
the congregation will make the decision about the mission/vision. We decided to have a series of small group meetings
to gather information from the congregation, using the discussion resources Pastor Terry has provided. We will then
summarize our findings in a report and present the report to the council and the congregation.At our meeting on 2 June, we discussed information from the reference material regarding
definitions and implications of different church sizes. We noted that churches can be “healthy” at any size,
but the focus is different. We discussed emotional triangles and healthy ways to deal with conflict and anxiety.
Going forward, we should begin incorporating vision and mission in our conversations with congregation members. We should
not have preconceived ideas about what members will say or want, or what the final report will be. Focus on the process,
not the product.The Transition Team meeting on 7
June was focused on discussion of group meetings. We decided on two meetings per group with a third meeting if necessary.
We discussed different format options for the group meetings, emphasizing a co-host for each meeting and establishment of
rapport with the group. We went through a list of current members and other people active in the congregation and assigned
each person/family to a member of the transition team. Most people will be invited to group meetings. Others,
such as shut-ins, will be contacted individually or by phone.Our meeting on 23 June focused on planning for the group meetings. We discussed possible issues that might
arise and how to keep the discussion productive. Pastor Terry suggested a possible devotional to open the first meeting
and suggested that we include a discussion of mental models of the church. We had hoped to have the group meetings finished
by mid-August, but may need to adjust that timeline depending on how many meetings are necessary.Respectfully submitted by Mack Freeman
Covenant Council MeetingSunday, June 13, 2010 Pastor Terry Atkins opened the meeting
with prayer. The meeting was called to order by President Jennifer Jones
at 12:15 pm. Attending were members Jennifer Jones, Pastor Terry Atkins, Jean Eggert, Mack Freeman, and
Linda Domelsmith. Also in attendance was Pastor Jane Mar who handles the process for pastoral calls for
our Synod. Absent members: Gary Lamb, Adam Reemts, and Jane Snodgrass. Linda Domelsmith gave a devotion that focused on a passage in Luther’s Small Catechism
that demonstrated the power of God’s Word, promising success in achieving God’s goals through his Word.
Linda said that defining our mission and the future for Covenant is not an academic exercise but one that requires
us to hear what God is calling us to do. She read this passage from her old catechism held together by
duct tape:As the rain cometh down and
the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give
seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth; it shall
not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55: 10-11 Jean distributed minutes of the April 25, 2010 council meeting that had
been prepared by Secretary Linda Domelsmith and published in the church newsletter. Mack moved that the
minutes be approved. Jean seconded his motion. The minutes were approved as submitted. Mack delivered the financial report. He distributed and then provided an overview of a five-page
handout that included a profit and loss statement, budgeted vs. actual expenditures/income, and a balance sheet.
He said that we were operating a little below budget. Trimming expenditures was ensuring that expenditures
did not overrun income. The budget is tight. Jen said that current movement forward
with the Transition Team and call process will energize people and help draw them back into congregational life.
Summer is typically challenging with people on vacation. Linda moved that the financial report
be approved, Jean seconded the motion, and it passed. Pastor Terry said that we should ask Adam to begin planning for a church
picnic. The last picnic was on Reformation Sunday at Lion’s Park. Pastor Terry
said that Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be held on Saturday, July 24. The 2009 VBS program was also
held on a Saturday and was very successful with many nonmember children in attendance. Mack reported
that the Family Promise program needs help to cover the days for which Covenant is responsible.Jean reported that Pat Dalrymple gave her a “Call to Fall in Humble Prayer”
for July 4. She suggested that the prayer be used for Covenant’s services that day. Jean
also said that visits are ongoing with those who are sick. They are working with family members to ensure
proper care for an elderly member of the congregation. They are also working on communion for shut-ins. Pastor Terry told the Council that communion for shut-ins is a wonderful ministry for the congregation.
The communion kits should be brought to the altar when the other communion elements are brought up to heighten the
sense of sharing this sacrament and remind the congregation of this ministry. Jen called on Mack,
chair of the Transition Team, to provide an update. Mack reported that the Transition Team had been meeting
weekly. At their last meeting, the team went through the church directory and assigned congregational members
to Transition Team members based on common interests, e.g., families with young children. Transition Team
members will determine when and where their groups will meet. The Transition Team will be concerned with
process. God will be in charge of the outcome. The Team will present its findings to
the congregation and then will turn its mission/vision over to the Call Committee. Pastor Terry told the
Council that one Transition Team member will be on the Call Committee. When the congregation determines
what it wants to do, an incoming pastor will know what the congregation wants. Mack said that the whole
process is a learning process. Pastor Jane Mar asked how large the groups were. Mack
said the groups had 6-10 people/families. Pastor Terry said that we all have a mental model of the church.
The Transition Team will ask the groups,“What is your mental model of the church of the future?”
The Transition Team has worked really hard. Mack thanked Pastor Terry for the resource notebooks
that were distributed to Transition Team members at their first meeting. He said it was very helpful. President Jen said that as of June 1, Pastor Terry is now living in Clifton. Our contract with Pastor
Terry specifies residence in Temple. Treasure Gary Lamb had suggested that the contract be revised and
his housing allowance of $1100 per month be reduced to $900. Pastor Terry gave a brief overview.
When he first came to Covenant, it was experiencing internal strife and financial hardship. The
synod guidelines recommend a housing allowance of $1200-1500 per month. He was willing to go with the $1100
per month in light of Covenant’s situation at that time. To secure affordable health care, his health
insurance is paid through his wife’s company which represents a considerable savings for Covernant. The
ELCA insurance is much higher. When his 12-month contract with his apartment was ending, he tried to continue
on a month-to-month basis but they would only allow a minimum one-year lease with high payout for breaking the lease.
There were a few places that allowed month-to-month leases in Temple but they were not places where he could live.
Moreover, his return to his house (and family) in Clifton reinforces that he is a transitional pastor.
He said there was only one call during the preceding year where he had to be in Temple. The commute
is not a problem for him. Pastor Terry then excused himself from the meeting so the Council could
deliberate freely. Pastor Jane Mar said that it was not uncommon in large, metropolitan areas for pastors
to have commutes of an hour or more to reach their congregations. The ministers cannot afford the houses
that are near their churches. The Council considered the situation, including Gary Lamb’s suggestion
to reduce the allowance by $200. The general consensus was that the $1100 housing allowance was still appropriate
and affordable given Covenant’s financial situation. Mack moved that an addendum to the contract
be made such that the requirement that Pastor maintain a residence in Temple be deleted and his housing allowance remain at
$1100 per month. The motion was seconded by Linda and passed. Pastor Jane Mar gave
an overview of the call process. The congregation will need to put a profile together. Her
goal is to work as quickly as possible to put a group of 5-6 names together. They have a new electronic
system. The candidates are out there. The system has over a hundred names in it.
God is abundant and God provides. The starting package for a minister is $65K per year.
For a candidate with a first call, know that you can get someone with life experience, not just someone fresh out of
the seminary with no previous career. She encouraged the Call Committee to ask questions that required
open-ended answers. The Call is first and foremost relational, a covenantal undertaking, a marriage of
sorts. Pastor Jane distributed handouts about the call process and the Transition Team. Jen asked the Council to set the date for its next meeting: Sunday, July 18 after the late service. Jen
will do the devotional. All joined hands and with one voice prayed the Lord’s Prayer.
The meeting adjourned at 2:12 PM.
CHURCH PHONE NUMBER: (254) 773-7718 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 9:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m., M-F CHURCH WEBSITE: www.covenantlutheran.com STAFF Pastor
Terry Atkins Office Administrator: Donna Blaszczyk CHURCH COUNCIL President:
Jennifer Jones VP/Treasurer: Financial
Secretary: Mack Freeman Recording Secretary: Linda Domelsmith Worship & Music:
Adam Reemts Programs:
Jane Snodgrass Caregiving:
Jean Eggert
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