April 21, 2002 Conference Call Meeting

Pastor David Baumgarn, Chairman
Pastor Dan Smith
Billy Witcher
Pam Rudick, Secretary
Trey Fisk
Ellen Griffin
Pastor Ruhlig, Ex Officio

Pastor Thomas Moyer, Executive Director
Mr. Dan Barz, Assistant to the Executive Director
David Kamin
Lisa Holmes
Mark Triplett
Rachel Barz

The opening devotion was given by Pastor Smith who read from John 10, the Shepherd and the Sheep. We live an abundant life when we follow God’s voice.

REPORTS
Pastor Moyer made the motion to accept the secretary’s report as submitted. Rachel seconded. Motion carried.
Pastor Ruhlig gave the Treasurer’s report. Our finances will be ok through August.

Inflows:            $44,004.95
Outflows:          $40,248.68
Totals:              $ 3,756.27

David made the motion to accept the report as submitted. Trey seconded. Motion carried.

Executive Director’s Report was given by Pastor Moyer. He shared his activities this year thus far and his plans through the summer. Mark made the motion to accept the report as submitted. David seconded. Motion was carried.

Dan Barz gave assistant’s report. He shared the status of Summer Training Travel Teams, and his schedule of activities. Pam made the motion to accept the report as submitted. Lisa seconded. Motion was carried.

OLD BUSINESS
Constitution Committee Report was given by Billy Witcher. The committees work focused on establishing the Board of Directors as the Governing body for OAFC and also how to word the Constitution to include participation or membership of individuals in OAFC. The sites that have been reviewed by the committee to change the wording in the Constitution for both issues were shared with the Board. A number of the Board Members would like to review the information from the sites. The Board Members will review these documents before the next meeting so as to discuss this item further.

Tax-Exempt number - Dan Barz presented committee Report on the local use of the tax-exempt number. This committee has started to look into this and has not made resolution as to this item. The one concern discussed is to hear what the local group leader needs are and how the organization can be of aide. It was discussed to have some time set aside during Summer Training to discuss concerns of the Local group leaders may have in regards to this to aid in the Boards decision.

Rachel Cousino’s name had to be removed from consideration because she will be 18 before the day of election."

Summer Training - Plans are well under way. The schedule will not change from last year. The only concern discussed was the departure time from the Training site. Last year, there was some confusion as to the departure time. Those teams traveling to a host church will not meet the hosts at the time listed on the schedule. It was decided to inform hosts that this time may be different if the team is traveling to the host congregation but we will leave the Training Site at the time listed on the Schedule so hosts can approximate a pick up time and will not be left waiting.

The only major change this year will be to have all the participants’ sign up for workshops when they register. The list will be available on the Web-site. There have been no changes to workshops but Leaders for specific workshops are still being sought.

T-shirts are being done through a local shop in Minnesota. A copy of the design is attached to the report

Travel Team – The following are the Leaders and the destinations at this point. There is a possibility for a 5^th team if a leader is found.

Pastor McIntyre – Michigan
Pastor Moyer – California
Pastor Dan Smith – Canada/Wisconsin
Orval Peters – Iowa
5^th team – Georgia

Material Review – There are no changes to the Leadership Manuals or the Bible Studies at this time. The Bulletin Inserts have been updated to reflect the statistics for 2001. They will be available at Summer Training.

NEW BUSINESS
Attendance at non-local OAFC Weekends – It was discussed as to whether an Ambassador’s commitment is to their local group or the National Organization. Youth can burn out if they are attending more than 1 weekend a month over a long period of time. Parents are supportive of their youth’s involvement but will the cost of excessive transportation become expensive. It was also discussed that many are going to other groups to help lead the weekend and is it our place to decide where the youth attend a weekend. Pastor Moyer made the motion, whereas, an Ambassador’s commitment is to their local group; and whereas, God’s Word directs us to do all things decently and in good order and to follow the direction of the authorities that He has established; and whereas, Ambassadors also have a commitment to attend the services and participate in the activities of their local congregation; and whereas OAFC encourages youth to fulfill their responsibilities to the home and family, therefore be it resolved that attendance beyond the local weekend be arranged only with the knowledge and approval of the local lead director’s involved. Pastor Smith seconded the motion. Motion was not passed.

Participation on OAFC – The Board discussed that when ambassadors move to another area, they should be put in contact with the nearest group so as to continue to attend weekends. If a group ceases to exist and an Ambassador desires to attend weekends, they should be put in contact with the nearest active group’s Lead Director. It was also discussed that when an ambassador becomes disruptive at a weekend some action should take place. Actions discussed were barred from weekends, a ban from all OAFC sponsored events. It was also discussed that we need to follow Matthew 18 when dealing with conflicts. It was also discussed as to whether a Lead Director's can ask an Ambassador to leave if they are disruptive and should the Board and Executive Director be involved. The main concern was in regards to banning someone from events. Pastor Moyer made the motion; whereas, OAFC youth and adults are commissioned at the local level and agree to be under the authority of the Lead Director; and whereas, participation beyond the local level requires the nomination of the Lead Director; and whereas, each Ambassador is to be connected and committed to a local group; and whereas, the OAFC manual gives guidelines for maintaining harmony among leaders and discipline among the youth; and whereas, the OAFC manual warns that where the line of discipline is not drawn it “will cause the serious-minded young people to become disillusioned with the program and many will leave. The troublemakers will be left and the program will not have a foundation to build upon and will collapse,” and whereas occasionally Ambassadors who have been disruptive in their local group seek to participate in other groups; and whereas they have been barred from attending future weekends until they indicate a willingness to follow the Lead Director’s instructions and the principles and purpose of OAFC; therefore be it resolved that the Local Director’s ban be honored and the disruptive individual not be allowed to attend any OAFC sponsored events or non-local weekends until they have been reconciled with their local Lead Director. Mark seconded the motion. Resolution was withdrawn.

Levels of Commissioning – There are concerns that the commissioning levels have become more competitive and not challenging the ambassadors to grow. Pastor Moyer made the motion; whereas, the levels of commissioning were established to encourage and challenge Ambassadors to grow in their Christian faith and witnessing skills; and whereas, the levels were not intended to create superior but servant ambassadors, and whereas, the levels of commissioning are not emphasized or recorded in many groups; and whereas, youth are active in a local group but are reluctant to be commissioned; and whereas, the levels of commissioning substitute law motivation for Gospel motivation; and whereas the levels of commissioning have not accomplished the intended purpose; therefore be it resolved that the levels of commissioning be eliminated and be it further resolved that the youth continue to be encouraged with the message of the Gospel of what Christ has done for them so that they are eager to tell others. David seconded the motion. Motion was passed.

Summer Travel Team Requirements – The Board discussed changing the requirement, attendance at a previous Summer Training, for serving on a Summer Travel Team. Juniors and Seniors in High School might be able to handle attending Summer Training and Travel Team all in the same summer. It was also discussed that if one has not been to Summer Training, they do not know what to expect and could find it overwhelming. The Board was reminded that youth were the ones to initially suggest that this be a requirement. Pastor Moyer made the motion; Whereas, it is the desire of the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ staff to send out the best equipped Traveling Teams; and whereas, youth mature physically, emotionally and spiritually at different rates; and whereas, Local Lead Directors are best able to judge an Ambassador’s readiness to serve on a Traveling Team; and whereas, otherwise qualified individuals have not been able to fulfill the requirement of attending a prior Summer Training; therefore be it resolved that attendance at a prior Summer Training not be mandatory; and be it also resolved that the following requirements be met: Nominees for Traveling Team must be: Commissioned Ambassadors, Highly recommended by their local Lead Director, Active in their attendance in their local OAFC group. Billy seconded the motion. Motion was not passed

Price of CD set – Pastor Moyer made the motion; whereas the total cost of the CD project has come to $26,138.70 and whereas 900 copies are available for sale since the copyright holders require that they receive a final copy; and whereas, the cost of production does not include staff travel and hours dedicated to this project; and whereas, the current price of $25 per set produces $22,500 when all the 900 sets are sold; and whereas, the quality of the 5 CD set makes it a good bargain at $30 per set; therefore be it resolved that the price of the 5 CD set be increased to $30 on August 1, 2002. Billy seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

Marketing the CD – The Board discussed the possibility of marketing the CD through Concordia Publishing House. A copy of the Songbook, Scorebook and CD have been sent to CPH. The office will be in contact with the LCMS Commission on Worship to see if there would be any problems. Other questions that were raised are, Would we still be able to make the sets available through the National Office? Would we charge the same price? Would additional licensing and copyright fees be needed? All of these items are being looked into. Pastor Moyer made the motion; whereas God has blessed us with a good quality evangelism tool that may be of interest to those beyond the membership and supporters of OAFC; and whereas making the CD set available through Concordia Publishing House may have the side benefit of increasing and awareness and appreciation of the OAFC ministry throughout the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, therefore be it resolved that we look into making the 5 CD set of the OAFC Songbook available through Concordia Publishing House. Rachel seconded. Motion was carried.

The next Board Meeting will be held at Summer Training in St. Francis, Minnesota at Trinity Lutheran Church on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 9:15am.

Pam made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:00pm CST. Pastor Moyer seconded. Motion was carried. Pastor Ruhlig closed the meeting with a prayer.