July 16, 2026 | Deacon Meeting Minutes

Attendance: Mark Oldenberg (Chair), Chuck Falch, Aaron Libner, Donna Austad, Denny Denk, Stan Norman, Bill Westerlund, Riley North, Adam Urberg, James Martin (Chair-Elect), Vicki Doriott (Treasurer)
Pastors: Ethan Luhman
Recording Secretary: Sue Gumz
Guests: Tonya Ida

Mark Oldenberg opened the meeting at 6:35 pm.

The opening devotion and prayer were given by Mark Oldenberg. His focus was on Acts 6:1-7 and the purpose of the deacons as we are transitioning with several new deacons and new positions.

The deacons introduced themselves, as this is the first meeting with our newly elected deacons.

Consent Agenda: Mark Oldenberg

Chuck Falch made a motion to approve the July pastoral report and the minutes of the June 19, 2026 meeting. Stan Norman seconded. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Vicki Doriott/Tonya Ida

Vicki Doriott shared financial reports. James Martin made a motion to approve the June financial report. Donna Austad seconded. Motion carried.

Standing and Ad Hoc Committee Updates

Operations/Building: Chuck Falch

Stucco – the lift is here, so we're just waiting for them to fix the high bird holes.
Roofers – have not scheduled yet, but when they come, they will be done within one week.
Organ – stewardship fund to help pay for the new organ and future projects; also use some endowments for this. $51,000. (16-20 weeks from order placement) Hoping it will be ready for Christmas.
Roof - The roof project will deplete the remaining Momentum funds.
Rec Zone -flooring is around $40,000.

Policy: Mark Oldenberg

Bill Westerlund volunteered to be the committee chair.

Personnel: Denny Denk

Nothing to report

Mission: Aaron Libner

Nothing to report

Finance: Mark Oldenberg

Reviewed the audit, and some new things will be put into place. The team was thinking about how they could educate the congregation on ways to use their retirement funds for additional charitable giving in a beneficial manner for both parties. Potentially add information on the Peace website. The board gave the finance team charge to go ahead with this.

Follow-up Items

Visioning Process Update: Pastor Ethan Luhman

Jeff Myers will be able to help us set our outcomes and challenge our thinking to help us set our goals appropriately moving forward.

James Martin brought a proposal to the deacons on a way to bring cohesiveness with the staff and will help Ethan to be most successful. There will be more discussion of this at a personnel committee meeting.

CD Renewal update: Mark Oldenberg

It has been secured and will mature in 12 months.

Staff Lunches: Mark Oldenberg

Staff meetings are on the first Monday of the month. Mark was hoping that some of the deacons could attend the lunch portion of these meetings in the off months of the regular deacon meetings.

New Items

Pastor/Ministry Report Measures & Outcomes: Pastor Ethan Luhman

Change Pastoral report to Ministry Report. Pastor Ethan asked the deacons what are the things that are most important to measure success at Peace. Please share those data points with Pastor Ethan. We will recap the items suggested at the next meeting. 

Training/Annual Calendar Tasks

The next deacon meeting will be on Sept. 17, 2026, at 6:30 pm. There will be a sign-up sheet available for volunteering for devotions and closing prayers.

Nov. 12, 2026 (note this is the 2nd Thursday).
January 21, 2027
March 18, 2027
May 20, 2027
June 17, 2027
Annual Meeting Monday, June 21st
July 15, 2027

Additional comments

Question came up about Meet the Deacons videos and if we will be doing these again.

Bill Westerlund will bring forward some policies for training purposes.

Closing prayer was given by Denny Denk.

Aaron Libner made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Adam Urberg seconded. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.