Board of Elders (“BoE”) Meeting Minutes

        May 11, 2013

Present: Ming-Jer Tsai (Chair), Pastor Caleb Chang, Pastor King-Fai Choi, Liqin Chen, Ke-Chieh Chu, David Ho, Terry Yang (Secretary), Loren Shih (Board of Deacons [“BoD”] Chair), Ji-Yong Wang (BoD Representative)

Invited: City Outreach Ministry (“COM”) Representatives: Pastor Ju-Ta Pan, Steve Chung, Elder Chaw-Bing Chang; Chinese Music Ministry Representatives: Deacon Wensong Pan, Kathy Ho, S.C. Chang, Jenny Chou, Meiling Hong, Yilee Lo, Cherilyn Hu

Elder Tsai opened with prayer at 9:02 am.

1. Brief Sharing (Devotional, Testimony, Life Experiences, etc.)

Elders shared ministry and personal struggles, prayer requests and praises.

2. Update to the State of the Church

Pastor Caleb provided follow-up to the recently completed Chinese Ministry Mission Revival Conference (April 26-28), special Missions Committee-sponsored training (~40 response cards received), and baptism ceremony (39 new members baptized into CBCGB).  The experimental 2nd Chinese Ministry (“PM”) service ended after exactly 6 months with bittersweet celebration afterwards on April 28, 2013.

Elder Yang provided update on status of Youth Ministry during Pastor Sandy Liu’s sabbatical and English Ministry (“EM”), which is moving forward with implementing the congregational focus on using vocation for God’s Kingdom through the current sermon series, upcoming summer fellowship studies and the EM Fall Retreat, to be held on campus this year.

Elders brought up need to update CBCGB Church Calendar with Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International (“STEMI”) Boston conference and Chinese Ministry informational meeting dates.

3. BoD Updates

Deacon Loren provided update on BoD projects to: investigate replacing CBCGB’s oil heating system with gas. Initial cost estimate appears to not provide adequate return on investment; two Deacons looking into possible cost reduction options. Loren also provided update on establishing formal procedures for large church-wide events, like the Easter Chinese Ministry Evangelistic Meeting, to ensure that fire codes are adhered to and medical response and emergency evacuation protocols are active. The BoD is also reviewing possible renovation of the church office facilities and potential upgrades.

Brother Ji-Yong provided update on yearly financial budget review process; initial budget review with ministry leaders completed on May 2, with initial proposals collected and discussed resulting in an overall 1.9% increase in the General Fund budget for next year but no actions taken. Final budget proposal to be approved by ministry leaders in late May prior to submitting to the Church Council (“CC”) for final approval.

Pastor King-Fai provided update on draft facility lock-down procedure requested from Gerald and Eileen Ng; draft to be discussed with pastoral staff and Childrens Ministry. Pastor King-Fai reminds new participants in Childrens Ministry that the family information form can be completed online before arriving onsite.

4. Ministry Review – COM

Pastor Pan and team provided update on COM. Recent developments include: 1) Formation of drama team to present Gospel in more creative ways; 2) Formation of two undergraduate student ministries to address increasing number of overseas undergraduate students; and 3) Targeted development of more young professionals committed to COM so that resources are more consistent and dependence on CBCGB infrastructure/resources can decrease. Challenges include: 1) Unprecedented 45 graduates leaving COM this year, a large percentage of the current congregation; and 2) COM Gospel Camp Columbus Day weekend in New Hampshire. Discussed partnership opportunities between COM and Lexington campus, including continued financial support for pastors by Lexington campus, better visibility for events at both campuses, and potential for COM to be a long-term “mission” field for co-workers from the Lexington campus.

5. Ministry Review – Chinese Ministry Worship

Deacon Wensong and team provided update on Chinese Ministry Worship. No current Music Ministry Coordinator; team feels a need for direction for the Chinese Ministry Worship, and thinks that would best be accomplished through a position of authority such as a director.

Choir (S.C./Kathy) presented status, goals, accomplishments and challenges, including desire for better organization of music so that less paper is consumed, better coordination with pastors with regards to joint worship development, rear sanctuary projector, designated area to store and organize robes and music library (BoE directs BoD to investigate), and to provide community outreach through music.

Pianist/organist ministry (Jenny) presented status and challenges, including a need for “new blood”, as current musicians have been serving for more than 10 years. Jenny also presented need for constant tuning of all pianos throughout facility due to lack of constant climate control throughout the week; team suggested replacing Sanctuary piano with a hybrid (electric that looks and feels like a real piano), and BoE directs EM/CM worship teams to investigate.

“Summer choir”/special event ministry (Meiling) presented goal to unite fellowship groups through singing and provide congregation with a better understanding that music can be a conduit for worship and is not just a performance; challenge remains regarding how to promote and support the available slots this summer.

Song selection team (Yilee) presented status, goals and challenges. Currently each member of team selects songs for a specific presider independently, but team desires to better coordinate and streamline song selection so newcomers have a chance to learn the hymns and worship, given that currently there are about 120 different hymns and 120 different worship songs in the rotation.

Worship team (Jenny) presented status, goals and challenges; team currently serves once a month for the Chinese service as well as for special occasions. Team desires younger members to join so that they can be developed spiritually, a bridge to connect with all parts of the congregation better through worship, and better means to serve each member of the worship team. BoE charges worship team to elevate Easter and Christmas services to better reach out to community and increase visibility of CBCGB, and to support fellowship gatherings by developing simple way to provide expanded hymn repertoire.

6. Church Building Expansion (“CBE”) (brief update, relocation of 151 users)

Elder Chu provided update on CBE project. Project team completed soil test, is near completion of architectural design and has begun land survey field work for construction related to 151 Spring Street. Project promotion team has collected drawings from architects, feedback from CBE project team and related article penned by Senior Pastor for newsletter, to be distributed soon. Based on current giving levels to the CBE Fund, goal of $1 million in donations expected to be reached by the end of calendar year 2014; construction still expected to begin in September 2013. BoE directs BoD to determine logistics and funding for relocating current users of existing 151 Spring Street facility during construction.

7. CC Offsite Retreat

Elder Tsai provided update on plans for CC offsite retreat on June 15.

8. Workers Compensation Insurance

Elder Tsai presented notification from Human Resources Committee that workers compensation insurance is required by Massachusetts State Law for all CBCGB employees; BoE directs the Finance Committee and the BoD to implement measures to comply with applicable workers compensation law.

9. Church Directory

Elder Tsai presented request by church member to issue church-wide directory (either online or paper). Discussion tabled until next BoE meeting.

10. LCD Monitors for Information Display

Elder Tsai provided update on BOE directive from April meeting; ad hoc committee formed, but Stewardship Committee does not have enough funding in this fiscal year’s budget to implement directive. Elder Tsai to propose Stewardship Committee budget amendment in upcoming Church Council meeting so that wiring can be laid in tandem with the ongoing Chapel audiovisual upgrade project construction.

11. Special Missions-Social Concerns Ministry (“SCM”) Conference Issue

Elder Liqin provided update on invitation to special speaker to provide workshop for Missions-SCM Conference in November. Special speaker requested CBCGB agree to security contract prohibiting written promotion of the workshop and the use of any recording devices (including cellular phones) during the workshop; BoE authorizes CBCGB officers to sign security agreement and directs Elder Liqin to work with BoD to determine room usage for workshop and any additional arrangements necessary to comply with security agreement.

12. Elder Nomination

Elder Ho provided update on discussions with Elder Nomination candidates.

Pastor Caleb closed with prayer at 12:57 pm.

長老團會議記錄

二零一三年五月十一日

出席：蔡明哲（主席），章開第牧師，蔡景輝牧師，陳利欽，朱克潔，何明治，楊德禮（秘書），施志寧（執事會主席），王繼勇（執事會代表）。

受邀者：城區事工代表：潘儒達牧師，鍾信忠，張召斌。中文音樂事工代表：潘文嵩執事，薛悅悅，張世玨, 周鑫泉，洪美齡，陳綺麗，何小玲。

蔡長老於上午9點02分以禱告開始今天會議。

1. 簡短分享（靈修，見證，生活經歷等）

長老們分享在事工上和個人面對的難處，代禱請求及讚美。

2. 教會近況

開第牧師提到在4/26-4/28剛結束的中文宣教培靈會 ，差傳委員會為此提供特別訓練 (收到約40張回應表) ，以及39位新會員剛受洗加入教會。午堂的崇拜在6個月的實驗期後於4/28結束，會後有茶點及事工苦樂分享。

德禮長老報告在劉梅碧儀牧師修安息年假時，青少年事工的現況以及英文部正藉著講台系列信息，暑期團契學習，和秋天的退休會 (今年將在教會舉行) 讓會眾聚焦於用個人職業為神的國度盡力。

長老們提出更新教會行事歷，加入唐崇榮牧師國際佈道團在波士頓會議及中文事工資訊

會議的日期。

3. 執事會近況

志 寧執事報告執事會項目的進展：調查以瓦斯取代石油作為教會取暖系統。初步費用估計顯示並未提供足夠的投資回報，兩位執事將再進一步研究減低成本的可行性。 志寧也提供為了大型教會活動，例如復活節和中文佈道會，建立正式程序的進度報告，以確保消防規則， 醫療支援及緊急疏散程序都正確。執事會也正在審核教會辦公室設施的裝修及升級。

繼 勇弟兄提供年度財務預算審核過程。與教會事工領導人一起做的初步預算審查已在五月二日完成。初步提議的資料及討論的結果，決定明年的經常費加增1.9 % 但未採取任何行動。最終的預算提案將於五月底在教會事工領導同意後交由教會聯會最後通過 。景輝牧師提供由吳艾彪，陳怡平夫婦要求的設施鎖定草案。草案將由牧師長們及兒童事工討論。景輝牧師也提醒兒童事工新同工，家庭資料表可在來教會前在家上網填寫。

4. 事工檢討城中區

潘 牧師及同工提供城中區事工最新資料。近來發展包括1）成立戲劇小組能以更生動活潑的方式介紹福音。 2）成立兩個大學本科生事工以因應數目不斷增加的來自海外來的大學生。 3）培養能固定來城中區 族的年輕上族班，這樣資源可比較穩定也減少對母會基礎設施及資源的依賴。挑戰包括1)前所未有的45名畢業生將在今年離開城區，佔目前會眾的極大比例。 2）將於哥倫布日長周末在新罕布什爾州舉行的福音營。討論城區與勒星頓園區合作機會，包括勒星頓持續在財務上支持城區牧師，增加城中區和勒星頓彼此間活動 的報導，和將城區視為勒星頓同工的長期宣教工廠的可能性。

5. 事工檢討-中文部崇拜

文嵩執事及同工提供中文部崇拜事工最新資料。目前並無音樂事工的負責人。同工覺得中文崇拜要有個方向，而有權威性的職位比如主任，將可最適當地滿足這要求。

世玨，悅悅報告詩班現況、目標、已完成事項及挑戰，包括好好整理樂譜以減少紙張消耗，與牧師能在聯合崇拜事工上做更好的溝通，大堂後方的投影機，特定的地方來存放及整理詩袍，（長老團指示執事會調查），以及藉著音樂深入到社區中。

鋼 琴/風琴事工（鑫泉）說明現況及挑戰，包括“新血”的需要，因為目前的音樂同工們都已事奉超過10年了。鑫泉也提出教會所有的鋼琴都需要調音，因為缺乏氣 候控制的裝置。同工們建議把大堂鋼琴換成混合型鋼琴（電子鋼琴但是看起來與彈起來都像真正的鋼琴）​​。長老團指示英文與中文敬拜團深入研究。

“暑期詩班“/特別活動事工（美齡）提出藉詩歌來聯絡團契且讓會眾瞭解音樂可以帶動崇拜而不只是表演。眼前的挑戰是如何填滿並支持暑期獻詩的檔期。

詩歌挑選小組（綺麗）報告現況、目標及挑戰。目前每一位小組成員是為特定的司會單獨選歌，但同工們希望能更有效的安排及整合詩歌，好讓新來的人能有機會學詩歌及敬拜。 （目前約有120首聖詩及120首崇拜詩歌輪換選擇）。

敬 拜團（鑫泉）說明現況、目標及挑戰。目前敬拜團每個月在中文堂獻詩一次，也在特別聚會獻詩。同工希望能有年輕人加入可以在靈裡被造就，像一座橋樑透過敬拜 能聯結所有的會眾，以及更好的方式在敬拜團中彼此服侍。長老團期望敬拜團能提升擴大復活節及聖誕節的事奉深入社區，增加教會的知名度，也能發展出一套簡單 方法，增加讚美詩的劇目來支持團契活動。

6. 教會擴建（簡報，151號用戶的搬遷）

朱 長老提供擴建的近況。團隊已完成土壤測試，建築設計也近尾聲。為了151號的開工，也已開始了土地測量。項目推廣團隊已蒐集一些建築設計圖，擴建團隊的反 饋以及主任牧師寫的有關的文章，將會在近期內公佈。以目前籌募擴堂基金的進度，預計一百萬美金目標可於2014年的年底籌到，預定在今年9月開工。長老團 指示由執事會決定，在施工期間，搬遷使用151號的人員所需要的設備與金經費。

7. 長執聯會退修會

蔡長老提供牧長執聯會將於6月15日在教會外舉辦退修會的近展。

8. 職工賠償保險

蔡長老講到人事委員會提醒教會，要為所有職員投保職工賠償保險，因為是麻州法律要求的。長老團指示財務委員會和執事會實施因應措施以遵行法律規定。

9. 教會通訊錄

蔡長老提到有教會會友要求發行教會內的通訊錄（在網上或紙上），長老團決定提交下一次會議再討論。

10. 液晶顯示器-資料顯示系統

蔡長老講述長老團在4月份所做的決定，成立了特設委員會，但理事會在今年會計年度預算中並無足夠的金經費來實施。蔡長老建議在即將到來的牧長執聯會中做屬於理事會的預算修訂，好讓管電線可在副堂視聽升級項目建設中同時接好。

11. 特別宣教與社會關懷事工

利 欽長老提到邀請一位特別講員來11月份的宣教與社會關懷联合年會。因安全考慮，特別講員要求教會簽定安全協議，禁止對這位講員作任何書面推廣以及在會議中 使用任何記錄裝置（包括手機）。長老團授權教會行政人員簽擔保合同，也請利欽長老與執事會搭配，決定合適的教室以及為遵守安全協議，所需要做的任何額外的 安排。

12. 長老提名

何長老講述與長老提名候選人談話的結果。

開第牧師在下午12點57分以禱告結束會議。