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Well, it certainly is for some things. Sharing the last piece of dessert, for example. Eight would be more than enough for that task! But if the charge includes words like “shepherd, discern, motivate, equip and support” and relates to a large community of believers, a few more dedicated folks would help.
Eight is the current number of people serving on the Board of Overseers, the group of men and women in the church who have two major goals as summarized by Janice Rohling, the Executive Pastor. This group strives to “steward the mission, vision and values” of the church and then to “communicate these things to the wider church body, including the pastors.” The Overseers include both volunteers and pastoral staff and, according to the Woodland Hills Constitution, can include up to four more members.
 The nominating committee has recently received nominations for potential Overseers and would like to especially grow in the number of people of color serving in this leadership role. Volunteer overseers serve for a three-year term and must initially go through a nominating process that includes a final election by the Covenant Partners. Pastors on this board serve as long as they remain in that pastoral position.
The most seasoned veterans on the current Board are those representing the pastoral staff. Greg Boyd (Senior Pastor), Janice Rohling (Executive Pastor) and Paul Eddy (Teaching Pastor) have each been part of the Board of Overseers since the early days of the church’s structural organization, when this board was known as the “Steering Committee.” The other five members are volunteers who share a long history with the church and range from two to four years in this particular ministry.
Each person on the board brings unique gifts, insights and passions that help to shape the direction of the church body. Jean Koecher brings a wealth of business experience, godly discernment and “an ability to focus on the big picture.” The board also benefits from the “basic volunteer perspective” offered by Greg Foote, who has a very practical understanding of the various ministries of the church. Greg Boyd sees himself as a “catalyst for visionary thinking” and seeks to “motivate us to dream dreams and strategize to make them a reality.”
One of the beauties of the “body within the Body” of Woodland Hills is the diversity of our interests and passions. This variety is reflected in the overseers as well. Of all the current ministries of the church, Abe McCarty is most excited about the worship and prayer ministries. Alan Ames is especially enthusiastic about the youth ministry and moving forward in reconciliation, which he believes is “the ministry this church is called to.” Paul Eddy’s work at Woodland Hills and Bethel College shapes his excitement about what God is doing in the St. Paul Theological Institute and other elements of the teaching and discipleship ministries.
When it comes to the Growing in the Spirit (GITS) campaign, the overseers express collective enthusiasm and commitment. Greg Boyd and Jean Koecher share a passion to see reconciliation further fulfilled within our congregation and beyond. The pilot class on racial reconciliation is a great start in this direction and will hopefully be a part of the bridging piece of GITS, as the class may eventually be used as a tool for other churches with which we have a networking relationship.
Greg also expressed great passion for the youth center that will open within the next several months. “Youth must be the heart of our missions,” agreed Greg and Greg Foote. The vision is that this place would be a magnet for the youth of our congregation, the surrounding neighborhoods, and the Twin Cities and that countless lives would be transformed for Christ.
Alan Ames and Paul Eddy both communicated their support of the debt reduction part of the GITS campaign. Alan noted that making this a priority is not exactly the “American way” of doing things, but it is very important for financial responsibility and godly stewardship of our resources.
The overseers were in consensus over the “Becoming” piece of GITS. Individual and corporate discipleship is viewed by these leaders as being essential to ensure the effectiveness of the other parts of Growing In The Spirit. It is far more than a building campaign. Paul calls the focus on discipleship “a robust vision of growth that God is calling us all to in many areas of our lives.”
Although shepherding, motivating, equipping and supporting the congregation requires dedication and time, the overseers occasionally find time for themselves and their loved ones. Alan and his family of 12 have taken several cross-country road trips, which are some of his favorite times with his wife and children. Abe McCarty's favorite pastime is spending time with his new grandson (he admits to spoiling…sounds like a seasoned grandpa already!) Greg Foote and Jean Koecher share a love of riding bikes, but Greg usually rides farther on his Harley than Jean traverses on her usual 20-mile bicycle rides. Greg has been instrumental in the Sturgis ministry over the past several summers and is eager to welcome the warmer weather with a long Harley ride.
Reading is a favorite pastime of several overseers with Paul Eddy calling himself “fanatical” in this regard. When not engrossed in books, Greg Boyd, Janice Rohling and Paul Eddy all like to spend time with their families and close friends. A woman of many talents, Janice is a natural with a fishing pole and has been known to assist Greg Boyd in baiting his hook and cleaning his fish from time to time!
The individual overseers have remarkable dedication and passion for the vision and mission of Woodland Hills. The  church Constitution grants this group a significant role in setting the course for the church’s priorities and values. Janice used the following analogy to explain the relationship of the overseers to the rest of the church: The overseers are like the architects who bring the big picture and provide the blueprint. The pastors are like the foremen who lead, equip and support the builders. The people in the Woodland Hills congregation are like the builders – they are the ones who make it happen. Each role is essential to the others and collectively serves Christ as the source and cornerstone of the Woodland Hills ministry. Please remember to pray for these “architects” as they continue to serve our church body.
article by Erica Hunt
email her about this piece at dananderica@prodigy.net | 
