CHURCH INFORMATION FORM

LEADERSHIP REFERRAL SERVICES

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

1978 Union Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38104-4134

CHURCH INFORMATION FORM

(See the Instruction Guide for Completing this Form)

PART ICCHURCH/COMMUNITY PROFILE

Date Forms Completed:

A. THE CHURCH

Name and Address of Church: Church Number: 6301

Burns Flat Cumberland Presbyterian Church

P.O. Box 8

Burns Flat, OK 73624

Year Organized: Phone Number: 580-562-4706

08/13/1899

Presbytery: Red River

Attendance/Services

Average weekly attendance for AM worship: 128

Church School: 60

Other regular services (list/describe): 30 First Light Contemporary Worship Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Church School

Grades/Ages: Nursery (0-4)

Pre-K & K (5-7) Young Adults (19-30)

Grade School (Grades 3-6) Adults (31-60)

Jr./Sr. High School (Grades 7-12) Older Adults (60 +)

Enrollment: Nursery – 6

Pre-K & K - 6 Young Adults – 10

Grade School – 12 Adults- 15

Jr./Sr. High School – 15 Older Adults - 10

Resources/Curriculum Used:

Nursery –David C. Cook

Pre-K & K – Heart Shapers Young Adults –David C. Cook

Grade School – David C. Cook Adults – Union Gospel Press

Jr./Sr. High School – David C. Cook Older Adults – David C. Cook

Financial Statement for the last complete fiscal year (give year):

Income from: Expenses:

Pledges: 0 Operating Expenses: $80,166

Offerings/Gifts: $99,891 Debt Payment: $24,000

Other: Benevolences (OUO,

Total Income: $99,891 Presbytery, Synod,

Second Mile): $9,620

Other:

Total Expenses: $104,166

Approved Budget for the Current Fiscal Year: $117,160

Current Active Membership: 115

Active Membership 5 years ago: 88

Organizations in the church (CPW, Youth, Men=s Fellowship, etc.):

F-4 (Faith-Fellowship-Fun-Food) on Wednesday nights

Men’s Bible Study, Women’s Bible Study, Youth Group and Children’s classes meet on Wednesday nights.

Charter Organization for Boy Scouts meet at church.

Active Session of 7 members. Five men, two women.

B. THE COMMUNITY

Total population of the city, town, or rural area in which the church is located:

This church serves a community or neighborhood that encompasses an area within how many miles of the church?

Indicate the kind of service area by checking any of the following that apply.

Inner City Urban (Downtown) Urban (Residential) Suburban XTown XRural College XRetirement Recreational/Resort X Agricultural

The city/town/rural area in which the church is located is (check one):

XGrowing Declining Static

The immediate community/neighborhood/parish served by the church is (check one):

XGrowing Declining Static

PART IICPOSITION DESCRIPTION

A. Title of Position (see instructions): PASTOR

B. Purpose/Responsibilities/Working Relationships): Leading worship services. Keep regular office hours. Oversite youth directors. Meeting with the session on a monthly basis. Working with the five active standing committees – Worship, Fellowship, Missions, Education and Building and Grounds. Visit with members and shut-ins. Maintain active presence in ministerial alliance. Please refer to page three Part III Skills, Interests and Experience Inventory for the areas with highest emphasis.

C. List all other full or part-time staff: NONE

(Name, title, full-time [FT] or part-time [PT])

D. Date position became, or will become, vacant: June 3, 2007

By whom was the position last filled? Duawn Mearns Phone: 501-252-6111

Current address and telephone: 550 Files, Apt. K143

Hot Springs, AR 71913

E. Is this a full-time position? YES

If not, how much time will be required per week/month? What other employment opportunities exist for a person filling this position?

F. Compensation

1. Salary

a. Minimum annual cash salary: Negotiable

b. Manse? Yes - Four bedroom, two bath, refurbished two years ago.

If no, manse allowance:

c. Utility allowance: Negotiable

2. Benefits

a. Church=s contribution to minister=s retirement fund: 0

b. Health Insurance: Red River Presbytery pays health insurance.

c. Other benefits (explain):

3. Total compensation: Negotiable

G. Professional Expense Reimbursements and Allowances

1. Automobile Expense: No

2. Expenses to General Assembly/Conferences: Yes, to Presbytery

3. Continuing Education: Negotiable

4. Other expenses (explain):

Total Professional Expense Reimbursement or Allowances: negotiable

H. Other Consideratioins

Length of vacation: Two weeks

Amount of time allowed for preaching missions/revivals/continuing education/conferences, etc.: negotiable

PART IIICSKILLS, INTERESTS, AND EXPERIENCE INVENTORY

(See Instruction Guide for directions. Mistakes are often made in this section.)

A. PASTORAL SKILLS. It is assumed all skills listed below are used by every pastor. However, each person has certain special gifts and particular interests. The ministry of this position in our congregation would be most satisfying if pastoral activities are emphasized as follows: (When your selections are completed, you should have ONLY EIGHT items circled A1" (highest emphasis) with remaining activities circled either 2, 3, or 4). Please use black ink.

HIGH LOW

Evangelism (Relating the gospel to people outside

the church and enabling the laity to bear personal

witness.) *1 2 3 4

Personal and Spiritual Development (Providing

resources and guidance for individuals in their

devotional life and for prayer groups, retreats, and

other small group experiences.) *1 2 3 4

Leading Worship (Planning and conducting worship

services.) *1 2 3 4

Preaching (Communicating the gospel through sermons

and relating it to life.) *1 2 3 4

Administration (Managing the affairs of the congregation

and its organizatioins.) 1 *2 3 4

Program Development (Establishing goals and organizing

to create and implement programs in church and community.) *1 2 3 4

Stewardship (Leading in the development and use of individual

and congregational resources.) 1 *2 3 4

Counseling (In a formal setting, assisting people who face

problems or decisions.) *1 2 3 4

Visiting Homes (Calling in homes on a regular basis) 1 *2 3 4

Crisis Visiting (Serving people in the midst of crises, e.g.,

illness, death, trauma...) *1 2 3 4

Community Leadership (Organizing to meet needs such

as drug problems, schools, fair housing, etc.) 1 *2 3 4

Inter-Church Cooperation (Working in interdenominational

programs or activities.) 1 *2 3 4

Denominational Service (Serving in the work and on the

committees of the church outside the local congregation.) 1 2 *3 4

Christian Education (Leading the congregation in its

ministry of Christian education.) *1 2 3 4

Youth Ministry (Developing and leading a program of

education with youth.) 1 *2 3 4

Music and the Arts (Using the arts as a resource in

worship and ministry.) 1 *2 3 4

Recreation (Leading the congregation in a creative use

of leisure time.) 1 *2 3 4

PART IVCNARRATIVE INFORMATION

(Attach your narrative information, using the outline below. If your church or committee has recently done a Mission Study and/or written a Mission Design with goals and objectives, you may use information from that in place of sections B and C below. Do not use more than five (5) pages of narrative information. The statements/questions in the outline below are only suggestive of the kinds of information you might wish to include in this narrative section.)

A. THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

1. The Church

Our members have a unique sense of harmony and willingness to pitch in and help. We are made up of individuals from several various denominational backgrounds that share an agreement in the areas essential to salvation with tolerance in the areas not essential to salvation. We agree on the truth that salvation is through God’s sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ and is between the person and God. Our church motto: “God’s Love in Action” is carried out through several ministries within the church and applied to our daily living.

The membership’s occupations are mostly oilfield, agricultural and school related. The average member is white with a high school education and some college. We are fortunate to have three men in our congregation to serve as lay speakers while we are without a pastor. Men and women alike serve actively on the session and on various committees in the church. Both men and women are active in teaching positions. The women have an ongoing Bible Study that meets on a regular basis though out the year. We have active young families in the church which bring life and activity to our worship services and fellowship times.

The church property is located on Highway 44 in Burns Flat, Ok. The building is 11,000 sq. ft. and seats approximately 250 people. Our current property was purchased and completely renovated four years ago. The church has eight classrooms, a fellowship hall that will seat about 120 people, a well equipped kitchen, pastor’s office, workroom and two large bathrooms with showers. In March we had to knock a wall out to make room for our growing youth. The job was completely done by members in one weekend.

2. The Community

Burns Flat came into being in the 1920’s when a cotton gin was built at the intersection of two country roads. Soon after several one and two room schools consolidated to establish the Burns Flat School System. A few houses and businesses followed but the town remained “a wide spot in the road” until the start of WWII. At that time, U.S. Naval Air Station was built on the outskirts of Burns Flat for the purpose of training pilots. The base was closed at the end of the war and then reopened in the 1950’s as Clinton Sherman Air Force Base controlled by Strategic Air Command with a full compliment of B-52 Bombers, KC-135 tankers and fighter jets.

After the closing of Clinton Sherman Air Force Base in 1970 two organizations were created to make use of the various facilities. Southwestern Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) and Midwestern Oklahoma Development Authority (MODA) handled the properties. Virtually all had been abandoned. Results of their efforts included the establishment of Western Oklahoma Area Vocational Technical Center, now know as Western Technology Center. The main campus is located in Burns Flat with a daytime enrollment of around 550 students from 14 partner high schools and approximately 800 night time part time enrollees from surrounding communities. Western Technology Center has three satellite campuses, one each in Sayre, Weatherford and Hobart.

The Burns Flat-Dill City school district is located in Burns Flat. The two schools consolidated approximately 14 years ago. The current enrollment is 425 K through 6^th, 95 7^th and 8^th Grade, 159 9^th through 12^th. There is also an all day Early Childhood program for 4 year olds.

The cost of living is considered low in this area. Most of the duplexes in Burns Flat rent from $300 to $400 per month. The average annual income in rural Oklahoma is approximately $25,000.00. The average house sells for $65,000. The average month utility and gas bill is around $200.00 – $400.00.

The Clinton-Sherman Industrial Air Park in Burns Flat is home to OSIDA (Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority) which has recently been licensed as an inland launch site. The Air Park has a three mile concrete runway.

The town has a Junior Olympic size swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course with a park located nearby and a Senior Citizen/Community Center located by the swimming pool. Other recreation facilities include Foss Lake, an 8,000 acre lake located 15 miles north of Burns Flat. The lake provides fishing, camping and all water related sports. There are a number of baseball and softball fields in the area and are kept busy in the summer months by the youth leagues. The youth also have access to the gymnasium in Dill City for basketball and other activities.

Some of the other industries, business and organizations in Burns Flat at this time include:

Halliburton – a worldwide provider of oil field services Regional Air – for private aircraft service

FAA – for training of airport operations Laundromat

Clinton-Sherman Crash Rescue – airport fire and rescue Video rental store

Volunteer Fire Department Computer Service Business

Volunteer EMT and Ambulance Service Two banks

Three restaurants Two hair salons

One auto service/parts/mechanic Three gift shops

Hardware store Chamber of Commerce

Several relators P.T.A.

Farmer’s Coop /Cotton Gin Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts/Cub Scouts

Two convenience stores Two tan and tone businesses

At this time, we do not have a grocery store in the town of Burns Flat but within a 20-30 mile radius there are 10 grocery stores, 3 Wal-Marts, 1 K-Mart, 8 discount dollar stores, 2 Atwoods, Sears, Stage Dept Stores and numerous speciaity clothing and gift shops in the neighboring communities of Elk City, Clinton and Weatherford. Within the year two Wal-Mart Super Centers should be constructed within 25 to 35 miles from Burns Flat.

Churches serving Burns Flat include the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Assembly of God, First Baptist and the Chruch of Christ. There are two Baptist churches and two Churches of Christ in Dill City. We have an active Ministerial Alliance.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Weatherford, approximately 40 minutes east of Burns Flat. There is also a satellite campus for SWOSU in Sayre which is also about 40 minutes west of our town.

The community and surrounding areas continue to grow due to the oil industry.

B. PROGRAM AREAS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

Our church offers two worship services and a Sunday School hour. The first service, named First Light, begins at 9:00 a.m. and has contemporary music. The pastor preaches in both worship services. The Sunday School hour begins at 10:00 a.m. and the second service begins at 11:00 a.m. Our F-4 meets every Wednesday evening at 6:00 for a meal and 7:00 p.m. for Bible Study. A program is prepared for all age groups. F-4 stands for FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, FOOD AND FUN.

We have Vacation Bible School, Christmas Programs which include all ages, special Easter programs. The church has a willing group of youth and adults to help with these special times.

Through the Ministerial Alliance, our church offers food baskets and clothing to families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We join the alliance in providing gifts through the Angel Tree Program. This is in addition to our Missions committee which provides food and resources to needy families throughout the year. We participate with the community in the Baccalaureate Service at the local high school at graduation time.

Our church joins the Ministerial Alliance in community worship and communion services at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

We have five active standing committees which meet once a month and make written recommendations to the session:

Worship Committee – worship services and special programs

Fellowship Committee – dinners and kitchen duties -

Missions Committee – food pantry, Angel Tree and community needs

Christian Education Committee – Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and curriculum

Building and Grounds – maintenance, repair, remodeling and construction

Each committee has a chairperson and 4 to 6 active members.

C. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, VIEWPOINTS

Our church’s number one goal is to show “God’s Love in Action” to our church family and the community. We endeavor to be good stewards of God’s people, property and finances. The session meets once a month and starts with a passage of scripture to meditate on alone then as the members of the session come back together each person shares what God has spoken to them personally and to the church through His Word. The session then conducts the business meeting and at the close of the business portion they go to the sanctuary for prayer at the alter. We endeavor to “equip the saints” and meet the needs of the community.

D. BENEVOLENCE SUPPORT

OUO and Presbytery: $9,620

Ministerial Alliance 500

Youth Camp 2,500

Youth Ministry 2,160

Angel Tree 100 Children’s gifts over and above giving by the congregation

Food Baskets 50 Families over and above giving by the congregation

Adventure Program Donations of special snacks – made and delivered regularly

(resident juvenile offender program)

PART VCCONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

The information on this page is confidential and will not be shared with those whom you have under consideration but will be used by the Leadership Referral Services to inform the decision as to whose dossiers to forward to the search committee.

2. Preferred years of experience: (If this is not a factor for consideration, please check here (X ). If it is a factor, check the appropriate category(ies) below. If you wish to check more than one blank, do so in priority order by numbering the blanks 1, 2, 3, etc., with 1 being your first choice.)

____ Recent seminary graduate with no full-time experience ____ At least four to ten years' experience

____ At least one to three years' experience ____ More than ten years' experience

3. Types of communities in which it is preferred the person has had some training and/or experience: (If this is not a factor for consideration, please check here ( ). If it is a factor, select three of the categories below and number in order of importance with "1" being the first choice.)

____ Retirement Community ____ Resort/Recreational __X_ Other: Agriculture and Oil Field

4. Special Qualifications: What additional qualifications, if any, are required or desired for this position, e.g., Foreign language fluency, special educational or particular life experience? Note whether any listed are required or merely desired.

History is the recording of past events and experiences. This history was originally compiled by Elmo Guthrie in the early 1990's. While there may be a few gaps in this history and some accounts less precise than desired, the story it tells is clearly one of faithfulness. This is a church with humble beginnings that grew to its present size based on faith alone and one that believes that we are just getting started to do God's work in our community and beyond.

The Boggy Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized August 13^th, 1899. Beginning with only 13 members and a supply pastor, Reverend T. S. Cosey, the church met in the Boggy Schoolhouse, which at that time was a half-dugout. Cosey left the church two months after it was started and Reverend J. L. Joyner, a local farmer, became the church's second pastor. His starting salary was $82.50 per year. After a few years, the church met in a school building two and one-half miles east of Burns Flat.

Reverend Joyner served through 1911 and the following year the church was without a pastor but added 23 new members following a revival. Reverend M.C. McCullough and Reverend B. P. Butler served as pastor in 1915. There is no record of the church having a pastor from 1916 through 1922. Reverend M. C. Scrudder served the church from 1923-1924. Reverend Elmer Kelly then served as pastor from 1925 through 1949.

In March 1929, the Boggy, Novice, and North Burns School Districts consolidated and began building a school in Burns Flat. The Boggy Cumberland Church found themselves without a meeting place and purchased one acre of land near the present day high school. In six weeks, the church had completed a 34' X 40' basement, furnished it with pews, and began services in the new location. This project began with only $20 in the treasury.

Following a revival in late September 1930, the church decided to erect a church building over the basement. Lumber was ordered on October 1^st, 1930 and six weeks later the building was completed all through donated labor from the Methodist, Baptist, Church of Christ, Catholic, and Presbyterian churches. Reverend Kelly reported as many as 38 men and boys from these churches gave their labor and the sanctuary was completed with only $400 of debt.

In the 1940's, the church purchased a manse near the church. This manse was sold in 1977 and another property was purchased. In early 1949, the church began an expansion project of both the basement and sanctuary. The project began with only $100 in the treasury and the cost of building and seating above the donated labor was $1,776 which was paid for by year's end.

The following ministers served the church after 1949: W. R. Reid, D. G. Francis, J. C. Willet, C. A. Thompson, Houston Dixon, Fed Canada, Jack Freeman, Gerald Thomas, Melvin Orr, Courtney Fooks, Kermit Neal, Kenneth Williams, Sam Pinnell, and Walter Russell who began his service with our church in 1986.

During Reverend Freeman's ministry, which began in 1958, the church saw a need for more room because of the growth aboard the base. February's Sunday School attendance was 44, but by May it had grown to 89. The church decided to build a 2400 square foot educational unit on the west side of the church. As usual, the church had no money, but a building fund drive raised $2,100 and a $4,000 bank loan were enough to begin work. The church addition was finished in September of that same year and the loan paid off shortly thereafter. A revival and dedication service conducted by Reverend Loyce S. Estes to commemorate the event.

Many men and women have served the church since its beginning. Beauna Brown was elected church treasurer in 1927 for an indefinite term. Matt Warren served as a treasurer from the late 1930's until 1941 when W. M. Sullivan was elected and subsequently served 24 years. In October1966, Junior Delp succeeded Sullivan and is our current treasurer.

Church clerks were G. B. Joyner, Mrs. Luna Haws (substitute), Beauna Brown (1927-1954), Virgil Dawson (temporary), Elmo Guthrie (1954-1981), and Gene Reeves (1981 to present).

In the 1980's, the front entrance and steps were constructed. Beneath these concrete steps lie the original steps to the Boggy School where the church first met. In the 1990's, the church considered a new building program but opted for remodeling of the church to include a ramp and rails on the north entrance to the building and remodeling of the basement and educational unit. The church borrowed $20,000 for the project and quickly repaid the loan. A dedication of the work and open house was held on March 22^nd 1992.

By 1999, the church again experienced growth and arrived in a new century considering its options for expansion. Our pastor was Jim Fisk. The first area of growth addressed was in the area of supporting our ministries with the purchase of a church van. A $10,000 loan was taken from the bank and repaid 8 months later. The van has been instrumental in supporting our youth and in other church activities. In the summer of 2000, the van hauled members of our church and the Living Waters, Assembly of God church on a home-building mission to Mexico. The fund raising for this trip was supported by the entire community.

While church growth is often charted in terms of attendance, buildings, and vehicles; another sort of growth was concurrently taking root--small group ministries. On a Saturday afternoon in the Spring of 2000, Jim Fisk led a brainstorming session of about 50 members--adult and youth alike--searching for areas where we could better do the work of the church. Evening Bible Study and Women's Bible Study joined an already strong youth program that have sustained themselves. Participation in gathering food and gifts during the holiday season increased and other small group ministries were tried for shorter periods. In 2001, a series of training sessions were conducted for the church elders. Concurrently with these small group ministries, committees were revitalized and among them, the building committee began exploring options for expansion or new site development. During this time, the church adopted its motto, "God's Love in Action."

As we considered our own future, we received assistance and support from the Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Missions. This consisted of periodic visits and consults by Reverend George Estes and some monetary grants to accelerate our revitalization.

In late 2000, the church session met to consider purchasing Don's Grocery Store but felt that the asking price for the property was more than the church could afford. The property became available at auction in 2001 and the church purchased it with what had been set-aside in the building fund and a $37,000 loan. The church also sold the manse a few months later and used the funds to pay off the loan. Workdays to clean up debris and remove some interior walls were conducted once the purchase was finalized. The church held a lawn chair service a few weeks after the purchase and a September 11^th prayer service in the somewhat austere conditions of the building.

Having done yeoman's service in producing building plans by the year's end, the building committee encountered the first of several external obstacles--a revised building code. Revising and obtaining final approval of the plans compliant with the new code would take almost another year, but the time was not lost as subcommittees began exploring options for furniture, appliances, carpeting, and numerous other details required to make the transition complete. Also during this time, the church purchased several used pews from a church in Tuttle and transported them to Burns Flat.

In the middle of the building project, the session reluctantly accepted the resignation of Jim Fisk so that he could return to Arkansas and be closer to his family. Services and ministries continued with church members of all ages stepping forward to lead services or help wherever help was needed. A pastoral search committee was formed and the church was blessed to find Duawn Mearns after only a few months. Duawn and his wife Honey accepted the call to minister in Burns Flat in the Summer of 2003.

By 2003, workdays had resumed and contracts were finalized. Construction and remodeling continued through the Spring of 2004. Pews were recovered and seating arrangements revised for the new sanctuary. A drive through awning was added in front of the church, a steeple was placed atop the roof, and a cross donated from the Methodist Church building was lighted and placed next to our church name. What had been a store building only months before was unmistakably a church. On June 20^th, 2004 the church held its first service in the newly remodeled building. A few weeks later, a dedication service was conducted on the evening of July 11^th, 2004.

By 2005, we were a church that averaged 60 on the Sunday School rolls and 100 in morning Worship Services. Our Wednesday evening program, F-4, got off to a great start averaging 55 people each meeting for food, fun, fellowship, and faith. The F-4 program incorporated the existing bible study groups and youth groups and added a meal for fellowship, classes for the very young, singing, and even a talent show. The year also included an overnight Women's retreat hosted in our church. The theme was preparing your heart for the holidays.

On 29 April 2006, we served as host for the Red River Presbytery. Many of the attendees enjoyed getting to see our new building of which they had heard reports and praises over the past two years. Following the service all were treated to Burns Flat hospitality with a delicious meal and fellowship.

During the summer of this year, the session began evening meetings with more time dedicated to the spiritual growth and leadership of the church.

Landscaping efforts continued on the West side of the building and will continue into next year. On 10 September 2006, the church began First Light, a contemporary service conducted prior to Sunday School. This same date, all church committees began meeting monthly on the same day. Revitalized with old and new committee members, the work of the church was turned over to many more hands and hearts. Several ladies from our church and community attended the Women of Faith conference in Oklahoman City.

The church had always been active in the Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas Baskets, and Angel Tree Gift programs; however, this year saw an addition to our outreach--a community meal was offered with an open invitation to the community during the Christmas break. While the turn out was light, the dining fare was hardy and all that came were well fed.

The year began in typical western Oklahoma fashion with ice storms and power outages. Committees were operating in full force, the ministerial alliance was becoming more involved in helping needy families on a year-round basis, and more people were showing God's Love in Action in more ways than ever before. One new outreach was providing snacks for the Adventure Program at Foss Lake. This is a resident program for at-risk youth managed by Southwestern Oklahoman State University.

In April, Duawn Mearns submitted his resignation after accepting a call to a church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The session accepted the resignation and formed a pastoral search committee headed by Rick Reeves and Rodney Chilton.

We remain a church without pretense, accepting people not judging them, and asking that each use their gifts and talents as he or she is called in service to our Lord Jesus.