December 9, 2025 | Deacon Meeting Minutes
Attendance:
John Genskow, Mark Oldenberg, Mark Schulz, David Forke, Stan Norman, Ethan Luhman, Aaron Libner, Chuck Falch, Gail Graese, Bruce Winkler, Erika Zank, Adam Urberg, Sue Gumz, James Martin, Denny Denk.
The meeting opened at 5:05 pm.
Opening devotion was led by John Genskow.
Consent Agenda:
Stan Norman made a motion to approve the Nov. 20, 2025, meeting minutes. Erika Zank seconded. Motion carried.
Visioning Process:
• Four-part process
Self-discovery (who are we?)
Define our vision frame (what, why, how, when we succeed)
Defining direction (1:4:1:4), long-term vision, shorter-term goals
Congregational buy-in
• Options
Self (Story Brand): $1,000, cost, echo chamber, could miss key learnings, staff & deacon commitment/buy-in
Auxano 1: defining direction - $15,000, outside help, gain clarity around activities (steps 2-4), could miss outside wisdom (vision retreat)
Auxano 2: rediscover identity and define direction, $36-$48,000; outside help through the identity framework; cost; maybe there are things we can do on our own; readiness to trust the process.
Run Free: $59,000, the whole process, tons of resources & tools, cost, readiness to trust the process.
The congregational survey had 80 responses.
Board should locate call team surveys and give that information to Pastor Ethan Luhman.
Pastor Mark Schulz would like to do another reveal survey. This would be Pastor Mark’s final report card.
• Vision Frame:
Mission
Values
Strategy
Measures
Vision proper – comes out of vision retreat.
The goal is to complete the Story Brand by the March Deacon meeting so we can move forward.
During the next six months, we will work on #1 and #2. When the vicar comes, he can join us as we walk through the 26-27 budget.
We will get started now, keeping ourselves accountable by doing some groundwork for the consultant. When the consultant comes on board, they can then help us keep accountable.
Aaron Libner made a motion to authorize the pastors to move forward with a consultant up to $20,000 to help guide us through a visioning process. The board chair will work with the pastors to develop a final scope and budget with Jeff Meyer of Auxano and sign a contract. James Martin seconded. Motion carried.
Story Brand learning will be on Thursdays, 9:30-11 in January/February for 6 weeks. The Deacons are welcome to attend.
Mark Oldenberg closed the meeting in prayer.
Aaron Libner made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Chuck Falch seconded. Motion carried, and the meeting ended at 6:25 pm.
