MINUTES FOR CHARGE CONFERENCE

October 2,  2005

Nick Sholars District Superintendent called the meeting to order. In his

introductory remarks he stated that PSUMC was his 8th stop on his rounds,

leaving only 44 more to go. This being his 3rd year with the District, he is

completely bored with the way charge conferences have been handled in the

past, so this year he will be doing it a little different. He advised us he would be

sharing a proposed Growth Plan. Currently there are 8.1 million members in

the Methodist Faith. 1.9 million have been lost in the last 10 years.

The meeting was opened with a prayer from Nick. He told us he wanted to

hear about our church in 4 specific areas. These being: Discipleship, Evangelism,

Missions, and Outreach.

Burton Love presented a slide/projector overview of these topics. Mentioned

under Programs were UMM, UMW, Care and Share, Shepherd Groups,

Prayer Chain, Tape Ministry. Covered under Evangelism were Strong commitment

to welcoming visitors to our church with follow up by delivering cookies, plants,

and mailed cards, a planned revival in the spring, and our websight. Under

Missions and Outreach were Flood Buckets, Support of Waco Home,

Thanksgiving baskets for area needy, $5,000 for Hurricane Katrina Relief,

$1,000 and food, water, supplies for Kirbyville area residents hit by hurricane

Rita, Communion Rail Offering  for Kaufman Childrens Shelter, upcoming

fellowship picnic dinner for Payne Springs Volunteer Fire Dept.

Next order of business was the approval of local church leaders followed by

the approval of the 2006 budget with a motion from Maxine Kinder to accept

and a Second from Charles Bjerke. Nick then advised us an audit would need

to be conducted in all churches with a report sent to District by January 31, 2006.

Basically a 2 paragraph report stating “this much came in, this much went out,

this much is left.” And all is in order. The issue of insurance and incorporation

were addressed with Ron Close, trustee. This was followed by Pastor Elizabeth’s

report.

Four goals of the Palestine District were reviewed next. 1) Bible Study--

Acts being studied in Vespers every Sunday evening, taught by John Teegarden.

2) Pastor in covenant prayer group with other pastors in ministry area.

3) Partner with “smaller” church in our area for restoration and reconciliation

in community--Pastor Elizabeth will be chair for this.

4) Payment of apportionments.

The strengths and weaknesses of our church were discussed next. A list has

been complied and given to Pastor Elizabeth for publication in next issue of

church bulletin or can be posted on bulletin board.

Nick presented to the congregation a Growth Plan. We as a church Nick stated

are more than budgets, committees, church officers, good music. It is ALL about

winning people over to become disciples of Christ. Do we want our church to

grow?  His plan included 6 steps:

1)  Name 2-3 people who do not know the Lord and need to be won to faith

in Jesus Christ.

2)  Do acts of kindness and service ministering over these 2-3 people. For example,

taking them a meal, a cake or sending a card in mail.

3)  Invite them to church with you. Drive them to church.

4)  Share with them what Jesus means in your life.

5)  Invite them to your Bible study.

6)  Create a place for them to serve in the church if one doesn’t already exist.

This is what grows the church and the kingdom of God. This proposed challenge

is not for Nick, not for Pastor Elizabeth, but for the Lord. Anyone willing to

accept the challenge was told to put name and address on sheet of paper being

passed around and Nick said they would receive from him personally a letter

reiterating these 6 principles.

Meeting was concluded with a closing prayer from Pastor Elizabeth. 

Respectfully submitted,

Joy Simmons, Secretary