The Midlands Churches of Christ

MINUTES OF THE SHEPHERDING GROUP
Thursday 30th October 2003

ATTENDEES: Warner & Kay Baker, Trevor & Maxine Dennis, Andy & Helen Torbet, Jimmy Ogunshakin (in part) and Duncan Lawrence (in part)
APOLOGIES: Deborah Ogunshakin, Scott & Clare Bryden, Bob & Maureen Truman and Juliette Lawrence.

The meeting began at 7.45pm and opened with a prayer.


  Topic Action
1. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes  
 
  • A & HT had not yet had chance to visit Aston Events Centre nor Birmingham Sports Centre. Would feedback once they had.
  
 
  • There’s was no feedback yet from Victor Odusanya and SB regarding a study on how a church should meet together.
 
 
  • HT confirmed that she had put all the Minutes together in folders for display at the next church meeting.
  
 
  • The group was reminded to continue to ask people how they felt things were going.
  
 
  • AT would put together an update to present to the church at the Friday meeting.
AT
 
  • It was agreed that the idea of a questionnaire was not very appealing and so it was suggested that discussions would be held in each house group in the form of a sort of ‘brainstorming’ session. A list of headings or topics would be drawn up to facilitate these sessions. The outcome of this would then provide us with on outline plan for next year.
Shepherds
 
  • There was no feedback from the Finance Group at the time of this meeting.
  
  (JO joined at 8.05pm)  
2. Search for New Venue  
  No new venues had been found.  
  HT had written to Ladywood Arts & Leisure centre to iron out overcharges on invoices. This had now been sorted. It was noted however that there was a small increase in charges.  
  Matt Auton had received an invoice from Ladywood Community Centre dated October 2002. It was suggested to pay this invoice sending a letter of how we were not happy with the late submission of this invoice and explaining the present position with the church. A copy of this letter would be sent to ICCM for their information. HT
3. House Groups (inc. Coventry) and Youth Ministry  
  Youth Ministry was going very well. The teens continued to be excited about the group. Coventry said "hello"! WB reminded the group to continue to keep in touch with Coventry.  
  (DL joined at 8.15pm)  
4. Pastoral Matters  
  WB mentioned a situation that had come to his attention. This was regarding a married couple who wished to part. He advised this couple to seek input and help from the church. He left this with the couple to speak to whoever they felt comfortable with. WB
  The question was raised as to how we were helping those who were sick and in need within the congregation. It was suggested that this be referred to the Committees. It was also suggested that perhaps a specialist group could be set up with their sole focus of helping the sick. We discussed how this had intended to be our prime focus as ‘shepherds’ at the outset, but we have become somewhat overwhelmed with the general running of the church, that this has fallen to the wayside. We wished to reverse this trend. Committees
  Due to another commitment WB left a few things with the group to discuss and left the meeting with KB at 8.45pm. These are minuted under AOB below.  
5. Leicester  
  DL was able to report that himself and Michael had been to the course James Greg was running in Oxford. They had been using what they learned to share with their congregation. DL was also able to share how the Leicester congregation were planning to visit other UK sister congregations as a way of renewing relationships. Their first visit would be to the Cambridge Church. They are able to do this as a whole congregation because of their small size.  
  They only had one prominent need in the church at present regarding an overseas student.  
  They are producing their own newsletter, but we would provide them with a copy of ours so as to keep in touch. SB
  DL was able to acknowledge safe receipt of a paying in book for the church bank account.  
  They were very much looking forward to visiting Birmingham for the Remembrance Sunday Service.  
6. Events  
  The Group discussed the possibility of perhaps taking a retreat together as a group. A time for spiritual encouragement and discussion regarding the New Year. HT to source some ideas and costs. HT
  The dates for all the Friday meetings were November 14th (worship evening), November 28th (teaching evening), December 19th (last Friday before Xmas – probably a fun evening yet to be decided) Newsletter
7. Legal Spotlight  
  JO was still working on the trust documents  
8. Any Other Business  
 
  • Xmas Meal – this was provisional booking for 13th December at a venue sourced by WB (Education Centre near Hockley Flyover) It was agreed to confirm the booking. WB may perform some Motown subject to professional commitments.
  
 
  • Teaching Evenings. The next teaching evening would be by JO. A two part series on "In the world, but not of the world". JO would do part two on November 28th. Roy Arthur would do the following teaching evening (probably to start the new year).
  
 
  • Men’s Prayer Night. Derek Edmondson had come forward to host a men’s prayer night – this would be announced to the church on Sunday.
  
 
  • Visiting Speakers. WB had mentioned inviting Malcolm Cox and Mike Desouza to speak in Birmingham. There was some discussion regarding this topic. Again, it was generally felt that potential visiting speakers should be invited to fellowship with us in advance of speaking. This would enable many to meet them and get to know them first hand.
 

Helen Torbet

Church Secretary

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