| ATTENDEES: | Trevor & Maxine Dennis, Juliette & Duncan Lawrence, Jimmy & Deborah Ogunshakin, Andy & Helen Torbet, Derek & Carol Edmondson, and Warner & Kay Baker. |
| APOLOGIES: | Scott & Clare Bryden, Liz Palmer & Vicky Redgrave |
The meeting began at 4.15pm and opened with a prayer.
| Topic | Action | |
| 1. | Matters Arising from Previous Minutes | |
| There were no matters arising. The Minutes from the previous meeting (15th March 2004) were agreed as a true and accurate account. | ||
| 2. | Shepherds & Trustees | |
| It was noted that no objections had been raised in regard to the proposed new shepherds, namely Derek & Carol Edmondson, Liz Palmer and Vicky Redgrave. It was therefore agreed by all present, that Derek, Carol, Liz & Vicky would be shepherds.
JO stressed that it was important for all shepherds to be committed and able to attend most meetings. This will remain a key requirement to participate in the group. Warner & Kay Baker announced to the meeting their intention to commit to shepherding once again. This decision came about after some private discussion between them. The group very much welcomed their recommitment to this role. Andy & Helen Torbet also stated their preference to not take on the role of shepherds, in addition to that of trustee and secretary respectively. The group acknowledged this. The shepherds therefore would be as follows: Warner & Kay Baker, Trevor & Maxine Dennis, Derek & Carol Edmondson, Duncan & Juliette Lawrence (for Leicester), Liz Palmer & Vicky Redgrave. The trustees would be: Scott Bryden, Jimmy Ogunshakin, Andy Torbet, Trevor Dennis and Marilyn Dean (for Leicester). Helen Torbet would remain as secretary and take minutes at the trustees meetings. It was agreed that notes should be made of discussions and decisions made at shepherds meetings. However, these notes would not be made public, but should remain confidential. This is because of the pastoral nature of these meetings. Any matters of public interest or for publication should be reported to the trustees (especially to JO for a legal opinion), who may note these in their minutes. Kay Baker agreed to take responsibility for taking notes at shepherds meetings. MD suggested that both the trustees and shepherds need terms of reference to define their roles. |
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| 3. | Legal/Finance | |
| JO gave feedback following his meeting with Chris Knight - charity law barrister at Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS). JO had previously circulated via email on 8th April 2004 copy letters and documents provided by Chris Knight. It was agreed that JO should continue to deal with these legal issues and be the contact for the church with ACS.
AT and JO signed the letter accepting the terms and conditions of ACS. |
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| 4. | House Groups (inc. Coventry) and Youth Ministry | |
| Erdington, Five Ways, Bourneville & the Teens are going well. | ||
| Bearwood and Acocks Green are thinly covered and need some attention. | ||
| Handsworth is doing well. It was noted, however, that the venue was at Roy Arthur’s flat, which is a shared accommodation with non-church members. Concerns regarding the security and safety of sisters and children were raised and it was therefore felt that perhaps an alternative venue may prove more amiable and attractive to visitors. It was agreed that this issue be raised with the group to gain their views. | TD/AT | |
| 5. | Leicester & Pastoral Matters | |
| Leicester were expecting two new faces shortly. Penny from South Africa and Polina from Russia.
Discussion on how we should study the Bible with people and welcome them into the fellowship was then pursued. It was agreed that this subject was a matter of further discussion at the shepherds meetings (when the trustees and shepherds meet separately once the Trust is in place). There were three matters of confidential nature regarding situations that advice was sought on. |
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| 6. | Any Other Business | |
| DL raised the issue of access to funds for Leicester church. It was agreed that for the time being, if Leicester required reimbursement, they contact Helen Torbet who will arrange it. More formal procedures needed to be explored in the future. | ||
| Warner Baker proposed to buy the old church keyboard. He has looked after it since the ICC bought it and Warner has programmed it. WB needs to have a keyboard and he felt it would be easier to retain the information stored on this one. WB will still bring the keyboard to church on Sunday. | ||
| DO mentioned that they still had a mobile phone from when they were leading the Coventry church. JO will speak to Paul Rowden in London to clear this issue up. | JO | |
| Trevor Dennis proposed that the church needed a new projector, which could project a visible image in daylight. We also need to purchase a laptop, stand and screen. CE had been involved in researching these items at work and would aid TD in the purchase. This was agreed. | TD/CE |
Helen Torbet
Church Secretary