CALLED SESSION MEETING

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Rev. David Montgomery, moderator, called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m., and opened with prayer.  Eight elders were present as follows:  Shirley Bailey, Vernon Brown, Ray Brust, Rob Edwards, Rose Morgan, Ted Mungle, Helen Mungle, and Velva Yeomans.  Elder Nate Heider was excused.  Others attending the meeting were Peg Brown, member of the Interim Search Committee, and Don Barger, Lay Pastor.  This meeting was requested by the Interim Search Committee to take action on their recommendation to approve Don Barger as Commissioned Lay Pastor at Westminster, and to partition the Committee on Ministry to approve Mr. Barger as Commissioned Lay Pastor.

Elder Morgan, co-moderator of the Interim Search Committee, gave background on how the committee came to the place were Mr. Barger was selected to recommend to the Session for approval as Lay Pastor, starting date of August 15, 2007, for more or less 30 hours per week.  The covenant would be for one year, to end on August 14, 2008, with option to renew should there be a need.  Copies of Mr. Barger’s faith journey were distributed.  Before approaching the committee, he had discussed his intention with both David and Ann Marie Montgomery.  There are several areas that Mr. Barger would need to be trained.  As this was a committee recommendation, no motion nor second was required.  Vote was unanimous.

Some concerns addressed were that (1) Westminster has two members within the congregation who have gone through the Lay Ministry Program; (2) interim ministry training; and (3) conflict management training.  Mr. Barger will continue his part-time work at Kirchoff’s Bakery, but stated that if a special need arose at the church that he could reschedule hours to take care of the church’s needs.  Westminster would be his primary responsibility.

The Interim Search Committee will prepare a covenant to be submitted to the Committee on Ministry at their August 7 meeting in Hopkinsville.  A letter to the Stated Clerk will be prepared requesting that Rev. Montgomery continue to moderate Session until Mr. Barger has received the Interim Ministry training and to serve as his mentor.  Rev. Montgomery will request time on the agenda.  Mr. Barger and members of the Interim Search Committee will be invited to attend.

Another item, which needs to be addressed right away, is hiring a part-time secretary.

Following this meeting, the Interim Search Committee, Mr. Barger, Rev. Montgomery, and Treasurer Rob Edwards, will meet to work out the financial package.

With business accomplished according to the call, Elder Bailey moved, seconded by Elder Brust, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:45 p.m.  Motion was approved.  Rev. Montgomery closed the meeting with prayer.

 Velva Yeomans, Clerk of Session                                                              Rev. David Montgomery, Moderator