Members' Meeting Recap

Last Sunday we had a members' meeting, but I know not everyone could be there... including me! I was sick with Covid, but I'm feeling great now, and I was able to be virtually present at the meeting. Here are some highlights:

First, Joe gave an update on the church's finances. A quick overview is that our giving has increased over the last year, as you might expect with more people. Our expenses also increased, and the largest area of increase was in Missions Giving! That's a great sign of health. We are bringing in more money as a church, and that means our ministry partners are benefitting more. We have also put together a plan to start saving money every year to put toward either a new building or building out our warehouse for a larger place to meet, and hopefully we will go back to only having one Sunday service where we can all be together. 

Secondly, I gave some look-aheads to some upcoming ministries. One upcoming ministry is our Deliverance Ministry. We are already building a list of people who are trained to minister to others, and we are building a list of people who need deliverance. Recently, we rolled out a system for connecting the two lists and getting people set free! Next year, we will do some more training and build the list of deliverance ministers. I'm hoping LOTS of you will be on the deliverance minister list by the end of next year.  

Another ministry look-ahead is that Burton Purvis is spearheading a Hospital & Home Visit ministry. Burton is a long-time pastor and appears to be the perfect person to bring some needed organization to the church's process for making sure no one slips through the cracks. He's not the ONLY person making these visits, but he's the one making sure they happen and that other pastors can visit as well. If you know someone who needs to be on the visit list, let us know, and if you want to be part of the team to go make these visits, let us know: office@wellspringdfw.org

Thirdly, I announced that Hunter Howe has been invited into a process of ordination. This is a process similar to the Elder Apprentice process, where we will be closely inspecting his character and abilities. Ordination is the chance for the church to officially endorse and install a man or woman in pastoral ministry. If you're thinking, "Hey, isn't Hunter already in pastoral ministry?" You're on the right track! This process is the process to make it official. One feature of this process is input from the church. Until December 16, you as a church member are invited into a phase of speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace. If you have any concerns about Hunter that we need to know about, please email me personally or reach out to another elder: Dustin@wellspringdfw.org.

Likewise, if you have any confirmations or other encouraging things to point out about Hunter, now is a great time!

Fourth and finally, we focused on our church's protective policies for our children. Our Church must remain vigilant in its fight to keep sexual sin away from our children, whether at Church or at home. Meeting attendees received revised Children's Ministry Policies, which relate to Volunteer selection and staffing, rules related to physical contact and safety procedures. This Children's Ministry Policies Handout is available by request at Office@wellspringdfw.org. OR you can get your own copy of the policies by joining the kids ministry team! Just click here for our Serve Form. 

I also provided a handout prepared by the Texas Women's Center of Tarrant County entitled "Talking to Your Kids About Touch Without Scaring Them."  I've had a discussion with my children about the concept of appropriate and inappropriate touch. I highly recommend that each Member Family with small children have that same discussion.

Finally, meeting attendees were also given this guide for What to do if your child or any other child discloses abuse. On top of everything the list says, I also want to say, that you can reach out to me or any other pastor for help and support.

Thanks for being an awesome church!