A Report from Senate 2008

A Report to the VT/NH Minister’s Council August 22, 2008

When President Michael Kroll called me up around the first of August and the conversation turned to whether or not I might be willing to represent the region at the National Minister’s Council Senate….going to Green Lake in August was not high on my list of late summer priorities. I have, however, always felt it important that we be represented so I said yes. Having just returned from Green Lake, I am glad to have had the chance to go. It was informative, inspiring and challenging. We heard from Dr. Roy Medley about the restructuring of the denomination; we were made aware of the changes in the Executive Director’s job description; and of course, we said good-bye to Kate Harvey who has done such an admirable job for the last 14 years as Executive Director of the Minister’s Council. Largely due to her efforts we have received sizable grants which have underwritten the start of many ‘Together in Ministry’ (TIM) groups around the country – and I know a number of us are part of these on-going learning/fellowship groups. Also because of her efforts we have had three national Minister’s Council gatherings during the off year from the National Biennial of ABC. She has guided us through the Jerusalem Councils and has been working hard to fulfill the third part of a national effort, this one being to strengthen the regional minister’s council.

The Theme, Re-Membering Your Future was very appropriate as the journey of Abraham texts we used caused us to consider our own future by remembering our past as a Council. To put together something new for tomorrow, we put together again a picture that is based on remembering God’s Invitation, God’s Provision and God’s Continuing Call. The history of our ABC Minister’s Council was enlightening.

As I was put on the Membership and Constituency Committee this year, I assisted in finishing the new Minister’s Council brochure and was involved with a continuing discussion of the immigration issue as it pertains to some of our ABC pastors. A bit eye-opening to know just how much documentation is needed by these ordained and recognized ABC pastors on a regular basis and the uncertainty our present policies make them work under. That conversation will continue. We also considered ways to increase our regional memberships. While most of New England Councils have not changed as much in numbers of members, some of the other regions have suffered 40% to 60% drops in membership due to the controversy of the last three years. It was noted that many of these dramatic shifts were not due so much to individual members feelings as much as leadership folks in the regions who have discouraged connections. As we learned in this region, the best way to get past these divisions is to get to know one another face-to-face, as real people and fellow servants of Jesus Christ.

While saying good-bye to Kate Harvey, we welcomed Joe Kutter, a Past President of the Minister’s Council, as new Acting Executive Director. Those of you who were at the retreat last year may remember his involvement and his candid and helpful understandings of the national picture during some trying times. He wishes to come to each region this next year and I will encourage the Executive Committee to contact him soon about coming to our Annual Regional Meeting so he might meet a larger cross-section of our membership. I would also suggest that the Executive Committee contact the Program Committee for the Annual Meeting so that our Minister’s Council Meeting might be at a reasonable time to facilitate a larger attendance.

On the ABCUSA website is a link to the Minister’s Council website. There you can get the particulars of the denominational restructuring that is going on; the work our National Senate is doing to strengthen regional councils; the new job description for Executive Director and a lot more – even the text of Kate’s final address called “Promises to Keep” Whoever is elected Senator from our region for the next term will be fortunate to connect with so many good pastors, able leaders and new friends. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
Respectfully,
Rev. David R. Wood, substitute senator for 2008