The elders held their monthly meeting on Wednesday morning, December 13. Todd Swift opened the meeting in prayer, giving thanks for our wonderful salvation through the message of the gospel, and for the privilege of partnering together in the ministry of reconciliation to God through Christ. Please pray with us, that with the help of the Holy Spirit, the truth of the gospel would be guarded and promoted in all the ministries at OBC.

After the minutes from November’s meeting were approved, Dave Guthrie took us through Article 18 – “Of The Assurance of Grace And Salvation” from The London Baptist Confession of Faith 1689. Saving faith being already addressed in Article 14, this article addresses the grace of hope – a confident assurance that one can have of their salvation.

And as Romans 5:2 states, it is a hope that “does not put us to shame;” it does not disappoint. The article also addresses the infallible ground of that assurance, the fact that assurance may sometimes waiver, and how that assurance can be made sure again. All of this through the precious promises of God that are yes and amen in Christ.

Being the treasurer, Dave continued with a review of the November financials. It is hard to express the encouragement we were given. From below budget income the previous two months to $27,523 over budgeted income for the month of November, there was abundant reason to give thanks to God for hearts stirred by the Holy Spirit to give to the work of gospel ministry at OBC.

Our encouragement and thanks continued with the approval of four new members: Jonn and Kimberly Eidem, and Damian and Amanda Impelluso. The next induction ceremony will be later in January, 2024.

The last two items related to the elders. The elders approved the renewal of Todd Swift and Dallas Focht for another three-year term.  Following the renewals, appointments for 2024 were approved. Dallas Focht was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Elder Board, Dan Perina was appointed Secretary, and Dave Guthrie maintained his duty as Treasurer. 

The meeting closed in prayer at 7:25 a.m. Our next scheduled meeting is January 23, 2024.