Church Board Minutes 2021 11 18
Special Meeting
Bethel College Mennonite Church Board Minutes
Pending approval at December 2, 2021 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.
Board Members Present: Elizabeth Schmidt (moderator), Ada Schmidt-Tieszen (moderator-elect), Glen Ediger, Judy Friesen, John Kliewer, Lois Preheim, Dale Schrag
Board Members not present: Cynthia Linscheid, Adam Robb, Bill Swartley
Staff Present: Nathan Koontz (pastor), Renee Reimer (pastor)
Staff not present: Dawn Yoder Harms (pastor)
Others attending: None
1.Welcome and Centering Prayer – Moderator Elizabeth Schmidt opened the meeting with moments of reflective silence and meditative breathing followed by reading the prayer in Voices Together # 955.
2. Deliberation on Interim Pastoral Candidate Todd Schlosser – Elizabeth Schmidt opened a listening circle discussion in which all board members present were able to express their personal response to earlier having read the Western District Conference profile of Interim Pastoral Candidate Todd Schlosser. All board members present expressed largely positive responses and collectively decided to invite Todd to the December 2, 2021 board meeting for an in-person interview. The board specified that among subjects to be brought up on December 2 should be a confirmation of Todd’s understanding of the team aspect of this particular interim pastoral position description as well as his understanding of BCMC’s open and affirming positions on issues of justice, LGBTQ+ full inclusion in particular. It was also decided that a separate familiarization conversation between Todd and Pastors Renee and Nathan would be in order. Shortly after meeting adjournment, Elizabeth offered the December 2 board meeting invitation to Todd which he accepted.
3. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. Next meeting is December 2, 2021 at 6:30 pm.
Submitted by John Kliewer, Temporary Clerk
Church Board Minutes 2021 11 18.docx