Elders convened for their monthly shepherding meeting. After hearing pastoral reports from Pastor Wade and Jon, the session performed FaceTime interviews with a church leadership consultant named John Purcell, from Transform Coaching and Consulting to work with the elders, deacons, and staff. Session agreed to retain his services, to help facilitate organizational health, leadership skills, and a biblical paradigm for shepherding the church well.
The session also heard the report of the Strategic Commission from September 5:
- Progress on the work and implementation of new committees and teams. Teams are starting ministry in the fall, building team members, and will report on their work beginning in 2020.
- Discussed 2020 Financial plan and budget, which will be developed for review in the October meeting by the session.
- Training for diaconal assistants will begin in the first quarter of 2020.
- Our 2020 teaching and preaching plan will include all-church focus on biblical hospitality and welcome, including a sermon series and materials for a 5-week study for small groups and Bible studies starting in January 2020.
Pastor Wade and Ben gave a report on the inaugural meeting of REACH South Texas, the newly formed regional church planting organization of which WPC is a supporting member. Pastor Wade is serving on the board of REACH.
A congregational town hall meeting on women in the ministry of the church was discussed, and will occur on October 23, including child care, dinner provided by WPC, and programming.