Summary of the First Round of Focus Groups

Below is a list of the ideas, questions, and suggestions that were discussed throughout the first round of the Focus Groups. These are the issues that the Renew Team will be addressing in our re-writing meetings.
If you are aware of other things that are missing here (or if you have more ideas), please email Pastor Dave and let him know.  Thanks!

ARTICLE FIVE:

• Add "expanded" into title to read "Expanded Doctrinal Statement"

ARTICLE SEVEN:

• In section 2, add word "initially" to indicate the membership process only happens once
• Add statement that those who don't re-commit annually are dropped from membership
• Add Bible passages as parenthetical to "Biblical principles" in paragraph about discipline
• Add statement about re-joining the church after discipline or lapsed membership

ARTICLE EIGHT:

• Define what "affirmation" means. Give specific vote percentage required for positive affirmation.
• Should there be a "ratio" which defines how many elders should serve?
• Section 2, Letter B). change the word "shall" to something different
• Add a statement about qualifications for deacons and deaconnesses
• Does the elder chairman need to be a paid employee of the church?
• Section Three: Letter C) Does the congregation affirm the teams as a whole or each individual on the team?
• Does the School Board need to be included?
• Section 3, Letter E) change wording regarding staff manual from "will be approved" to "must meet approval of Elders" or something more clear
• In Section Four, 7th bullet point, clarify this statement. "the man must be approved by the Elder Board without objection to be introduced to the church members as an official Elder Candidate"
• Provide clear definitions of the process as it moves from Elder Trainee to Elder Candidate to Elder.
• Should there be a minimum number of elders? 4? Does the word "normally" work as a guide in this area?
• Does Section 5, Letter E) provide enough congregational input in the removal of elders?
• Does the Congregation need to vote in order to remove elders?
• Should the congregation be given the opportunity for an annual vote of confidence on each elder?

ARTICLE NINE:

• Should the last sentence say "revised" or "reviewed"?
• Should it say, "reviewed every five years"?

ARTICLE TEN:

• Does the first paragraph need to identify Sunday as the primary meeting time?
• Do we need to have a prescribed number of congregational meetings each year (including an annual meeting)?
• Change paranthetical statement in third paragraph from "excluding immediate family" to "household"
• Should all meetings be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order? or at least have a mandatory time for items from the floor?