Elder Monthly Update

Dear Faith Community Church,

Your Board of Elders desires to inform you of our recent activities and request your prayer for us as we collectively pursue our Spirit-led mission of making more and better disciples of Jesus Christ. Below is a summary of our December activities. If you wish to learn more about a given subject, please don’t hesitate to contact a pastor or elder.  Thank you for your interest and desire as we seek to help thousands more experience Jesus in a gospel inspired life.  

January 14, 2025, Regular Elder Meeting     

Updates  

• Christmas Eve services had 1800 onsite attendees – up from 1565 last year.  Praise God!!   

• Given the recent growth in our church, and the expected number of attendees, a change to the format of FCC’s Annual Celebration is being planned.    

• The City of Hudson Planning Commission has reviewed FCC’s proposed building plans.  Their feedback was directionally positive.  However, several questions were raised and will need to be addressed, including an easement request discussed as part of the agenda.  The project appears to be on track for a February 3rd review, and hopefully approval, by the City of Hudson.  Additionally, FCC’s request for rezoning received preliminary approval.  

• The latest cost figures for the design and build project have been updated and the overall project continues to track toward its targeted spend.  

• The elders were advised of Larry Szyman’s retired vocational elder status given Larry’s recent transition to part-time ministry.  

• The elders were updated on various staff transitions and efforts to hire next generation staff for our Refuge ministry.    

• The elders were reminded that input into a 5 Voices Exercise is due by the end of January.  

• The elders were updated on the monthly finance and metrics report.  

Topics  

Prayer: The elders discussed various needs and situations and spent time in prayer for our church.  

 2025-2027 Vision Script: The elders were appraised of the annual update to the subject.  See earlier reports for more information.  Some modifications to better articulate FCC’s efforts to make more disciples was requested.  Revisions will be considered at a future meeting.  

 City of Hudson Easement Request: As noted above, the City of Hudson Planning Commission has reviewed FCC’s planned building project.  As part of the process, a request for an easement to build a future 10’ sidewalk on FCC’s property was made.  The matter was discussed by the elders.  It was agreed that FCC would note that we are amenable to the request on the assumption that the City will pay for the sidewalk and allow for considerations regarding our signage.  

Charitable Giving Refund Request: The elders reviewed a request for a refund of tithes and offerings given to FCC during 2024. FCC’s current policies on these matters – which do not permit this kind of refund – were discussed in light of the circumstances of the request. The elders agreed to prayerfully further reflect upon the matter and discuss it further at our next meeting.  

Ministry Road Maps: The elders were introduced to the concept of Ministry Road Maps that is currently being implemented. The primary purpose of the Ministry Road Map is to identify the overarching purpose of each ministry in relation to FCC’s mission and include specific strategies and metrics to fulfill the ministry’s desired outcome. The elders affirmed the initiative.

January 28, 2025, Regular Elder Meeting  

Updates    

• The elders we updated on the building project.  The project continues to track toward its targeted spend and start date (April 2025).  It was noted that a construction loan will be needed, and a member vote needs to be scheduled.  The elders were also updated on recent land-related discussions.  

• The elders were updated on our efforts to work with Peacemakers Ministries to help mediate discussions regarding an on-going conflict.  The elders were informed that the other party has officially withdrawn from the Peacemaker process. An alternative pathway for reconciliation is being pursued. 

• The elders were reminded that the Five Voices exercise input is due by the end of January.  

• The elders were updated on Reach capital campaign metrics.  

• The elders approved the reallocation of previously approved, but, unspent capital funding to the general fund.  

• The elders were updated on Refuge hiring efforts.  

• The elders were advised that a lease has been signed regarding the current occupants of our transitional housing.  

• The elders were informed and celebrated the fact that Pastor Larry Szyman was named the Community Volunteer of the Year by the Hudson Chamber of Commerce.  

• The elders were informed and deeply appreciated FCC’s next generation ministry team’s efforts regarding Project Belong which seeks to care for a small group of children with special needs.   

• The elders were updated on recent activities regarding Christianity Explored and the upcoming Marriage Class.  

 Topics  

Prayer: The elders discussed various needs and situations and spent time in prayer for our church. 

2025-2027 Vision Script: The elders continued their discussion.  Several modifications to better articulate FCC’s efforts to make more disciples were presented.  The elders affirmed the approach and approved the subject.  

Charitable Giving Refund Request: Following up on the discussion from January 14th, the elders agreed that a refund was not allowable, affirming the no refund policy while also taking the opportunity to update other areas of the overall policy (such as adding a section on cryptocurrency). The elders also agreed to present an alternative solution to the party making the request.  

Prayer Room Design: A goal of the building expansion project is to increase the auditorium seating capacity by 25%.  To achieve this, a modification to the prayer room was planned that would reduce its foot print and enable about 30 additional seats in the auditorium.  The drawback would be a smaller and lesser prayer room.  It was noted that some minor seating reconfigurations could also achieve the goal of adding about 30 additional seats.  Following discussions, the elders decided to not modify the existing prayer room and consider the reconfigured seating options if and when our seating capacity requires it.    

Partner Ministry Above Budget Spending Authorization: The elders approved an above budget spending request to support ministries we have partnered with in the past.

Refuge Hiring Update: The elders were presented with a candidate to be considered for possible part time hiring.  Following discussions, the elder affirmed the potential hiring.

How you can pray us:  

• In thankfulness to God for his continued and faithful provisions to FCC and his work in drawing many more in joining with us.  

• For God’s guidance and wisdom as we contemplate how to best develop a discipleship initiative to meet the needs of FCC.  

• For God’s guidance and wisdom as we contemplate how to best shepherd, via a diaconate structure, those who call FCC home.  We earnestly desire to do this well while being a church of our size.  

• For the unity of our body as we experience a number of changes that our present growth is bringing about. For our staff and volunteers as they work diligently to faithfully serve the increasing number of people who are calling FCC home.  

• For God’s wisdom and guidance as FCC contemplates what church planting via a campus planting model means in practice.  

• For God’s grace, healing and peace upon Dan Clancy’s family and all those impacted, including our many youth, by his passing this past year.    

• For God’s guidance and wisdom for our staff and elders regarding our next generation ministry as FCC works through a staffing plan and looks to hire leadership roles, particularly in the Refuge.  

• For humility, love, and grace as FCC pursues reconciliation with a disaffected family and that the reconciling presence of Jesus would be on full display and for clarity, compassion, and care as we shepherd others being affected.   

• For God’s wisdom, guidance, and unity for the elder board as we continue to contemplate and discern many matters of importance, including our continued discussions concerning roles, responsibilities, and authority within the local church and specifically how it applies to our context at FCC.   

• For God’s wisdom and guidance as we continue to implementing our plans to accommodate and enhance the growth that FCC has been experiencing – specifically our efforts to design a facility that will meet our needs and budget target.  

• In thankfulness for God’s provision and our body’s response to our recently completed  capital campaign.   

  In Love and Peace,  

Gregg Bennett – Chairman of the Elders on behalf of your Elder Board:  

(Gregg Bennett, John Blum, Bill Brinkman, Jim Duffey, Dan Fosterling, Jon Gross, Tim Kurtz, Eric Lent, Tim Porter, Tim Prince, Pat Stream, Tim Studt, and Jan van Amerongen)