Meeting Highlights ...

• Devotional from Pastor Jason Meyer
• Membership Report
• Motion to Call Elders and Deacons
• Treasurer’s Report
• “Fill These Cities: 25 x ’25” Update
• Presentation and Vote on 2019 Operating Budget
• Deceased Members From 2018
  

Devotional

Pastor Jason shared a devotional on 1 Peter 1:3–5, reflecting on how to enjoy God more fully even in the midst of trials. When our lives are shaken and we experience loss, we hold steady and do not experience the loss of all, because God is the substance of all things and we cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Membership Report and Church Discipline Matter

At the end of the meeting, Bethlehem membership stood at 2,665.

The elders proposed a motion to dismiss a member who expressed unbelief. The motion carried without opposition.

Motions to Call Elders and Deacons

Bethlehem members voted to call the following as elders and deacons to service at Bethlehem.

Non-Staff Elders

• Tony Cooper (North Campus)
• Paul Delahunt (Downtown Campus)
  

Deacons

• David Fuller (North Campus)
  
• Jenny Fuller (North Campus)
  
• Laurie Walmsley (North Campus)
  
• Andrew Sheard (Downtown Campus)
  

Treasurer’s Report

Adam Sexton delivered the Treasurer’s Report to the assembly.

Fourth Quarter Summary

Giving was $3.07M

• Down $240K compared to Q4 2017 giving

Spending was $2.96M

• Down $190K compared to Q4 spending
• $180K below Q4 2018 budget

Giving exceeded spending by $112K

2018 Summary

Giving was $10.18M

• Down $768K from 2017 when giving was $10.95M
• Does not include $1.1M of designated South Campus gifts

Spending was $10.3M

• Down $33K compared to 2017
• $897K below 2018 budgeted spending of $11.2M

Spending exceeded giving by $125K

Conclusion

While giving was down in 2018, expenses were well managed in line with contributions.

‘Fill These Cities: 25 x ’25’ Update

Strengthening the Core

• All Church
  Pastor Jason Meyer was encouraged by the congregation’s engagement at the QSM and by the robust discussion of elder candidates and also by the elder council’s process of calling elders.
• North Campus
  Pastor Steven Lee made the body aware of the blessing that Pastor Brian Liechty has been to the North Campus in his pastoral care & counseling role, and he praised God for his faithfulness in providing Brian and his family to the North Campus.
  
• Downtown Campus
  Pastor Ken Currie overviewed the Downtown Campus Strengthening the Core Model, which draws from Acts 20:28.
  
• South Campus
  Pastor Dave Zuleger shared a brief praise report on progress at the South Campus in 2018.
  

Church Planting
Pastor Kenny Stokes shared a Church Planting update. Michel Galeano was approved by the South Campus elders to plant Grace Upon Grace Church in Weston, Florida.

Unengaged People Groups
Pastor Jason Meyer observed that other churches have been encouraged by Bethlehem’s model to engage 25 Unengaged People Groups and have sought to engage the unengaged as well. The unengaged groups in the world have gone from 1,300 to 300.

Presentation and Vote on 2019 Operating Budget

The members approved the elder-recommended 2019 Operating Budget of $10,600,000.

Deceased Members From 2018

Bethlehem remembered the members who passed away in 2018, as Pastor Jason read the following names:

• Tom Eckblad Sr.
• Leo Flaten
• Barb Youngquist
• Cindy Breen
• Dan Sterken

Thanks to Church Clerks Benjamin Holvey and Jacob Smith for their assistance in preparing this update.