All-Church Quarterly Strategy Meeting: July 24, 2011

Last night, more than 350 voting members attended the Strategy Meeting, so we were able to meet the constitutionally mandated quorum requirement (10% of our membership being present) permitting us to act, approving Jason French to transition from his two-year pastoral residency at the North Campus to a new full-time role, Minister for Worship & Music, South Campus.

Last night we also ...

• Strengthened campus-specific ministry by officially approving Lead (Campus) Pastor job descriptions for Dan Holst (North), Kenny Stokes (Downtown), and David Livingston (South).
• Expanded the responsibilities of Ken Currie (who has already been heading Campus Outreach Minneapolis) by adding Lead Pastor for Outreach, thereby overseeing ministry to and through partnering ministries near and far.
• Authorized $65,000 of TCT Church Planting Funds to be disbursed over three years for Mike Bartlett’s church plant, Redemption City Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan).
• Authorized up to $75,000 of TCT Campus Funds to improve the contiguous properties adjacent to the Downtown Campus by abatement, demolition, and lawn seeding.

In addition to the already-publicized updates regarding the Antioch Moment, Elder Chairman Tim Johnson reported that ...

• By the end of 2012, Lord willing, Pastor John and the elders aim to name a successor to the role of Pastor for Preaching & Vision
• Bethlehem Baptist Church will remain one church on multiple campuses until the Lord leads us otherwise.
• We will formally call for South Campus building funding (through Building One People) at worship services September 17/18.

Tim also asked that the Bethlehem family keep these specific people in prayer with regard to the Antioch Moment:

• The pastors and their wives, and the relationships between all of them
• Paul Tripp, as he works through relational topics with the pastors and wives
• Elder Tom Lutz, as he helps Bethlehem to rethink staffing, structure, and organizational processes
• Pastor Bud Burk, as he leads the elders in an ongoing prayer initiative
• Elder Todd Rasmuson, as he leads the TCT “Building One People” campaign
• Elder Klaas Van Zee, as works with the City of Lakeville and other individuals to secure property for a permanent South Campus
• Elder Bruce Power and the Succession Team, as they develop a plan for Pastor John’s transition out of the role of Pastor for Preaching & Vision and identify a successor.

Thanks to all the Bethlehem family who participated in last night’s meeting. God met us in many ways!