Church Board Minutes
Bethel College Mennonite Church
September 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Pending approval at the October 2025 Board Meeting
Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit, to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
Present: Bill Eash, Brad Kohlman, Margaret Toews, Mary Ann Boschmann, Tim Hodge, John Waltner, Carolyn Penner, Jonathan Zerger
Absent with notice: Kathryn Simmons
Staff: Joanna Harder
1. Welcome and Opening Prayer- Remembering Doug Penner
2. Consent Agenda. Minutes from the previous meeting (included in packet), pastors’ reports (included in packet), and online minutes of commissions and committees. Brad Kohlman moved to accept the minutes and reports. Second was by Mary Ann Boschmann. Motion passed.
3. Financial Report: Mike Claassen (action item) (included in packet)
August showed some improvement over previous months. Margaret Toews moved to accept the report and was seconded by John Waltner. Motion passed.
4. Pastoral Search Update: Brad Kohlman
Brad stated that the group will get their orientation on September 7. They already have a list of possible candidates. The earliest expected selection would be 5-6 months.
5. SCRC Recommendation for interim pastoral staffing. (action item)
The SCRC has constructed a Memorandum Of Understanding that increases Nathan’s assignment to ¾ time beginning on October 1 and ending December 31. Jonathan Zerger moved to accept with a second by Mary Ann Boschmann. Motion passed.
A second recommendation from SCRC was the Exit Agreement with Elizabeth Schmidt. SCRC will report about this at the September Congregational Meeting. Motion to accept was made by Brad Kohlman and second by Carolyn Penner. Motion passed.
6. From Finance Committee via Worship Commission (action item)
a. By consensus the Finance Committee recommends the Church Board approve the Worship Commission request for $5,909 in funding for a zimbelstern addition to the BCMC organ. The Finance Committee recommends that the funds come equally from two large memorial donations to the organ maintenance fund.
b. (see attachment for definition of zimbelstern and its application in worship)
Motion to approve made by Tim Hodge and seconded by Mary Ann Boschmann. Motion passed.
7. From the Indigenous Justice Task Group: Margaret Toews (action item)
“The Witness Commission, on behalf of the Indigenous Justice Task Group, asks the church board to approve creating a fund called Indigenous Justice Fund. The purpose would be to accept donations and be able to spend money in support of actions approved by the Task Group in support of Indigenous Justice activities. The fund will be administered by Witness Commission in consultation with the Indigenous Justice Task Group.” Motion to accept was made by Jonathan Zerger and seconded by Brad Kohlman. After discussion concerning oversight by the Witness Commission, the motion passed.
8. Review of Congregational Meeting agenda (see enclosed attachment)
John and Carolyn will count the votes. Jonathan, Brad, and Tim will hand out the votes. Margaret will be in the back of the church and make certain all have ballots. Brad’s cell phone number will be used for the phone in votes.
9. Executive Session The Board entered Executive Session at 8:07pm.
10.Adjournment-The Board adjourned at 8:20pm.
Submitted by Elaine Schurr, Clerk