Church Board Minutes
Bethel College Mennonite Church
October 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Pending approval at the October 23, 2025 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, John Waltner, Mary Ann Boschmann, Carolyn Penner, Jonathan Zerger, Elaine Schurr
Absent with notice: Kathryn Simmons, Margaret Toews, Tim Hodge
Staff: Mike Claassen, Joanna Harader, Nathan Koontz
1. Welcome and Opening Prayer.
2. Consent Agenda. Minutes from the previous meeting (included in packet), pastors’ reports (included in packet), and online minutes of commissions and committees.
Motion to accept made by Brad Kohlman and seconded by Mary Ann Boschmann. Motion carried.
3. Financial Report: Mike Claassen (action item)
a. Included in board packet—Finances have not improved and he is going to recommend a spending freeze to the finance committee that will meet next Tuesday. Discussion followed about what could and could not be frozen. Questions were raised about ways to access some funds. Should the plate be passed again in church services? Is the increased cost of living a factor? A proposal was made for the finance committee to develop a plan to identify what line items that could be frozen. The idea of shifting the fiscal year was also discussed. The Board needs direction on this.
A special meeting will be held on October 23 to determine if there will be a freeze and a release at the point of being fiscally sound.
A motion was made to accept the financial report by Jonathan Zerger and seconded by John Waltner. Motion carried.
4. Brief review of Congregational Meeting
The Board needs to communicate with the AV team about needs at future meetings.
5. Pastoral Search Update: Brad Kohlman
They are currently processing congregational surveys.
6. Board replacement update
Gifts Discernment is working on a replacement.
7. Discussion of proposed change to the Welcoming Statement (action item) a. Change brought by the Witness Commission (Darlene Dick, chair) b. Proposed change reads:
i. Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the diving within each person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital status, or age.
A motion to approve the proposed change was made by Brad Kohlman and seconded by Carolyn Penner. Motion carried.
8. Discussion of proposed Personal Growth Policy (action item) a. Submitted by SCRC (Bill Swartley)
i. Included in packet
A motion to approve the Policy was made by John Waltner and seconded by Jonathan Zerger. Motion carried.
9. Audio/Visual/Technology assessment preliminary discussion
One of the biggest critiques of services is about AV issues. The issues are increasing and there hasn’t been a live feed for the past 3 Sundays. The Board needs to authorize an assessment of the church, to set up a task force, and to secure bids. Something should be put in the bulletin about the sound system. Do we want Zoom in Fellowship Hall? Jonathan Zerger should chair the task force and Bill Eash will assist.
10.Executive Session
11. Adjournment- Meeting adjourned at 9:04 pm. Next meeting is October 23, 2025 at 7pm.
Submitted by Elaine Schurr, Clerk