In the joint officers meeting on August 20, new elders and deacons were welcomed to the group. Officers discussed upcoming ministry and team plans for the fall of 2019, then prayed with partners for families in the congregation.
During the shepherding portion of the meeting, elders opened with prayer and studied Nehemiah 9.
The session received ministry reports about the College Station congregation from Pastor Ben Hailey; and about the summer youth ministry from Pastor Tree Triolo.
Elders reviewed minutes from past called meetings including a discussion of the dynamics of the ongoing relationship between Bryan and CS congregations. We are thankful for the the growth in the College Station congregation, and began discussion for evaluation of shared initiatives in governance, ministry, and financial commitments.
Elders approved a women’s outreach event for January, a mission luncheon highlighting gospel ministry in the Middle East.
Emily Tilsen and Jeri Lyn Triolo were approved to teach community groups and women’s Bible studies.
Work from the strategic commission meeting from August 1 was reviewed:
- Discussed the potential of coaching as a part of our ministry to equip WPC members to be leaders
- Approved job description for WPC Bryan’s sound booth position
- Development of a class for potential deacon assistants that would include lay leaders, potentially four men and four women
- Support for the new church planting network that is being developed for our area, REACH South Texas. Initial meetings for PCA churches in this partnership is on September 16.
- As we restructure WPC ministry groups going into the fall, new team leaders and committee members were approved. Team leaders are contacting potential team members in August and September.
With thankfulness for Walt Haisler’s 15 years as treasurer, the session has approved Darrell Stanley and Council Mills to transition to the shared position of treasurer. They will work closely with deacons in the upcoming year
With the addition of new elders Larry Watson, Paul McDonald, and Jay Rudinger, the shepherding plan for upcoming academic year was reviewed. Elders share in the shepherding of WPC member families so new placements were made to include our new officers.
Preparations will be made to have a town hall discussion this fall on the subject of women in the church, based on the 2017 ministry report of the PCA to discuss how WPC is implementing its recommendations.