June 19, 2025 | Deacon Meeting Minutes

Attendance: Denny Denk, Aaron Libner, Erika Zank, John Genskow, Chuck Falch, Bruce Winkler, Mark Oldenberg, Adam Urberg

Absent:  Gail Graese, Pastor Ethan Luhman, Del Polzin, James Martin

Pastors: David Forke, Mark Schulz

Recording Secretary: Sue Gumz

Guest: Tonya Ida

Opening

John Genskow called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm. 

Devotion/Opening Prayer – Denny Denk

He shared information from The Heart of Leadership used from the District Gathering he attended.

Consent Agenda

May minutes were approved by email vote.

Financial Report – Gail Graese (Tonya Ida)

May Financial Report

CD Renewal Update – Finance team decided to renew our current CD to a 1-year CD at 4.25%

Denny Denk made a motion to approve the May financial report, seconded, motion carried.

Follow-up Items

•  Leadership Book study – Mark Schulz

  • The first week of the study is underway with Zoom and in-person sessions beginning next week.

• Convention Highlights – Mark Schulz

  • Duwayne Lueck has retired after about 4 terms as District President. He was on staff at the District for many years prior to becoming president. Pastor Tim Schuch was elected as our new District President. A disappointment to Pastor Mark was that no mention was made regarding the decline in attendance in the LCMS.

• Upcoming circuit vacancies – Mark Schulz

  • Dan Wonderly – Fatih, Chippewa Falls, will be retiring at the end of this summer. Jeff Carlson – Our Redeemer, EC will retire at the end of 2025. Mark has been in contact with Brad Thomas, Circuit Visitor, about potentially helping out.  Also, Central Lutheran, Chippewa Falls (AALC), is entering a vacancy soon.

• Deacon Nomination Update – Adam Urberg

  • Eight names were submitted.  All of them said no except for Stan Norman, so he is on the ballet with Chuck Falch and Del Polzin. The two deacons elected will serve a 3-year term.

New Items

Capital Plan Budget – Chuck Falch

Discussed repair of stucco. Mark Oldenberg made a motion to pay the whole bill for stucco repair and not do this in two parts. Aaron Libner seconded. Motion carried.

Denny Denk made a motion to approve the proposed capital improvements brought forward. Erika seconded. Motion carried. The Board was concerned about the current location of AED being in the church office since the office is sometimes locked.

Mission Budget – Erika Zank

Erika went over her mission slides for the Annual Meeting.

A.        Love EC - Sharing Jesus – $41,000

B.        Love EC - Human Care - $28,600

C.       Love the World – $68,700

D.       Other (Pastoral Care) - $1,200

A motion was made to approve the mission budget, seconded, motion carried.

Revised Annual Budget – Mark Schulz

Small changes have been made since the last meeting. The budget total is 1,638,000.  Mark Oldenberg made a motion to approve the new annual budget as presented, seconded, and motion carried.  

Annual Meeting Agenda – John Genskow

Pastor Ethan will lead the opening prayer via video. John Genskow went over everyone’s responsibilities for the annual meeting. He also outlined his intent to call for establishing a designated fund to cover paying off the mortgage early, and a celebration for Mark and Lynette. Funds collected that exceed these needs could be used for new ministries, the endowment, and building maintenance.

Visioning Process – Mark Schulz

Pastor Ethan didn’t want to hire a consultant for this.  Pastor Ethan suggested that Pastor Mark lead the process on this. The initial plan is to launch the visioning process in October. So, at September’s meeting, the board will be asked to approve the plan. Pastor Mark is thinking this should be a 3-year outlook. The last group we used was Auxano, which was post-split. Pastor Mark believes he can keep his biases out of the decisions.

Additional comments

Aaron Libner commented that the Prayer Path looks fantastic. He encouraged the deacon board to walk through the finished process. The inspiration for this came from Kathy Sahlhoff.

Aaron Libner closed the meeting in prayer.

Denny Denk made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Adam Urberg seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.