Church and Society Mission Team

Fourth Meeting: 8/26/07

First Presbyterian – Columbia, MO

Members Present:

Team Moderator, Debby Howland, Jefferson City

Greg Walker, Moberly

Ruth Thompson, Columbia

Pastor Kathy Jackson, Columbia

Pastor Rudy Beard, Jefferson City

Ray Schneider, Jefferson City

Jerry Simon, Jefferson City

Brian Long, Jefferson City

Moderator Howland called the meeting to order and opened with a prayer asking for compassion, wisdom, and guidance.  She welcomed Greg Walker to the Mission Team and thanked Pastor Jackson for permitting the group to again meet at First Presbyterian in Columbia.

Following a brief discussion, the Team approved the minutes from the 6/10/07 meeting. 

Moderator Howland next led a discussion of activities conducted since the last meeting. 

She began by noting that the planned presentation to the Fulton Session has been postponed until October 18 in order to allow the Session to focus on pressing business at its August meeting.  She also pointed out that renewal of the “SCHIP” program is currently before Congress and that maintenance or expansion of this children’s health program is vital to states’ efforts to care for low-income children.

Coordinator Long reviewed the Governor’s decision to sign the Social Security Tax Cut bill (HB 444) and the Medicaid Revision bill (SB 577) into law.  He explained that Governor Blunt vetoed the Tax Credit bill (SB 327) but has called the legislature into special session to pass a somewhat less expensive version of the bill.

He also reported that several Team members from Jefferson City met with Eva Schulte of the Kansas City Church Community Organization and learned how they have mobilized several Churches around social issues, including low-income health care.  Ms. Schulte stressed the importance of working from the grassroots and focusing on issues that local congregations identify as important.

Moderator Howland shared with the Team that the Presbytery requires all Mission Teams to complete a short evaluation that is due in October.  The Team worked through the evaluation questions and agreed to the following responses:

1) Identify the major goals for 2007.

To identify and report to Presbyterians on critical ethical issues before Missourians — particularly those issues that are related to our Christian faith and state government including: Children, The Dependent , Poverty, and Pornography.

The Mission Team approached these goals by using emails, letters, and presentations to alert Presbyterians to critical social issues.  When appropriate, the Mission Team provided timely information that recipients could use to develop input that could, in turn, help guide state policy and legislation. Upon request, the Mission Team is ready to present seminars on Church and Society issues.

The Mission Team contracted with Brian Long, former state budget director to monitor, interpret, and report on topics identified by the Mission Team.

2) Which Goals were met? Which remain unmet or are ongoing ministry issues?

The Team generally met its goal of identifying and reporting on Church and Society issues.  The Team chose to focus on the issues of: low-income health care, state actions that reduce available resource for funding social programs, and predatory lending.  Background information was prepared, legislation was tracked, and information was communicated primarily through a Mission Team website.  Development and maintenance of the website was a major accomplishment.  

3) What surprises or obstacles did you encounter in meeting these goals?

The team is unsure how much the Presbytery is using the information that they are developing and will continue working to design more effective communication methods.

4) Have you shared the 2007 evaluation with endorsing sessions?

The evaluation will be shared with the three endorsing sessions before the end of October.

5) What are your goals for 2008?

In 2008, the Team will focus on identifying social issues of immediate interest to Churches in the Presbytery.  This will be accomplished through renewed outreach efforts via email, postal service, and handouts at Presbytery meetings asking for input.  The team also hopes to conduct more presentations to Sessions and Boards of Deacons to share unbiased and accurate information on the issues selected and to get feedback on how to better serve Churches in the Presbytery.  Finally, the Team plans to establish contacts with the other Missouri Presbyteries and explore opportunities for collaborative efforts.      

6) Report expenditures from your 2007 budget.

As of July, 2007, the Team has spent approximately $3,000 of its budget of $6,500. 

7) What is the 2008 budget request, with explanation?

The Team is evaluating the role of Coordinator (its major expense) and will develop a budget request in the near future.

Mr. Walker led a discussion on ways that the Team can be more successful at outreach and awareness and to increase usage of our services.  He recommended several methods of directly engaging Church leaders and inviting them to help guide our efforts.

Moderator Howland helped the Team develop the following list of “next steps”:

• Set up meetings with the other Presbyteries and consider inviting representatives to meet at the January Synod meeting;

• Continue to look for opportunities to make presentations to other MUP Churches;

• Add information on the federal SCHIP program to the Team website; and

• Use multiple methods to solicit input from MUP Church leaders on topic for 2008.

Pastor Beard acknowledged that opposition to the state’s death penalty is controversial but he challenged Team members to consider including this as a focus issue.  He reminded the Team that National Church has repeatedly issued statements against capital punishment and that federal courts have just lifted a stay on Missouri executions. 

The next Team meeting was set for Sunday, November 11 at Columbia First Presbyterian Church.