Boards and Committees

The Church Council consists of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer of the congregation, as well as the chairpersons of the elected and appointed boards (Christian Education, Church Properties, Elders, Evangelism, Stewardship, and Youth).  The Council meets monthly, makes decisions regarding operation of the church, makes recommendations to the Voters’ Assembly, and implements policies adopted by the Voters’ Assembly.  In addition, the Council makes appointments to various boards and committees of the congregation (Boards: Church Properties, Evangelism, Youth; Committees: Budget, Financial Review, Music and Worship, Nominating, and Personnel).  Lastly, the Council appoints the Sunday School Superintendent and the Usher Chairmen. 

For specific duties, click here to read the Perpetual Calendar.

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Doug Tenhouse, Chairperson                       Phone: 

The Board of Elders consists of at least six male voting members who assist the Pastor in performing his duties, such as helping distribute Holy Communion, making shut-in calls, making calls on members in general, and making calls on the wayward and the errant.  This group also renders confidential assistance for any and all situations that confront the Pastor, assists in the visitation of new members and helps lead them to active participation in the congregation.   Each Elder is assigned a family group to assist in spiritual care.  This assignment is based on the last name of the family. 

            LINK:  Who is my Elder?  Click Here!   

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Lynda Keller, Chairperson                  E-mail: 

The Board of Education is responsible for the development, implementation, and supervision of programs which nurture the Christian growth of the members of St. John’s.  Activities include Adult Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, Midweek School for youth, and Sunday School.

In addition, the Board of Education provides study materials as well as personnel to staff and support these endeavors.  Furthermore, the Board of Education along with the Sunday School Superintendent plans the Youth Christmas program and also designates mission projects funded by Sunday School offerings.  The Board also helps to serve as liaison between St. John and the parochial school at St. James.  This Board consists of at least 3 members, one of which is the Sunday School Superintendent 

Sunday School & Mid-Week School Teachers

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Nancy Bluhm, Chairperson                    E-mail:    

The Board of Stewardship has the responsibility to promote and encourage all types of stewardship in the congregation, i.e. offerings of time, talents and treasures.  They oversee the counting of monetary offerings, keep records of contributions, acknowledge memorial gifts and make deposits.  The board members are elected and call on other volunteer members of the church to assist with projects as needed.  In calendar year 2001 the Board of Stewardship conducted its second major stewardship drive to encourage all of our active members to better use their time, talents and treasures for the work of Christ’s kingdom.  The information received on time and talents was forwarded to the appropriate committees and boards and is stored in the church database for future reference. 

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Craid Haming, Chairperson              Phone: 228-2939

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 Bill Keller, Chairperson             E-mail:     

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Rhonda Johnson, Chairperson                   E-mail: 

The Board of Youth seeks to develop programs of Bible study, fellowship and service for the junior high and high school youth of the congregation

The TEEN LYF high school group has a variety of monthly activities, led by an adult leader and an elected group of officers, with the active participation of the Pastor.  Each year is highlighted by a major event – the Synod’s National Youth Gathering, a weeklong house boating trip or an out of town service project.

The Junior High Youth plan to have one event organized for each month.  These events are for fun, fellowship and/or service.  This group has participated for the last several years in the annual Central IL District’s overnight lock-in at the University of Illinois in Champaign.  The Junior High youth are led by adult volunteers, with the support of the Pastor and Vicar. 

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Wilma Tieman, President             Phone:  656-3815

The Ladies Aid meets the first Wednesday of the month, September through June.  There is a dessert luncheon at 1 PM and a business meeting at 2 PM.  There are devotions and a topic followed by the business meeting.  Our objectives are to promote Christian knowledge, service, and fellowship.  Service projects are to provide baptismal napkins, send baptismal letters, donate to missions and charities, develop projects for nursing homes (especially Sycamore Health Care Center), as well as projects designated by the Zone, District, and National Lutheran Women Missionary League (LWML).  Collections are taken at each meeting for mites.  In December, we have a bake sale in conjunction with the Men’s Club Turkey Supper, and a Christmas party.  In June, we have a picnic.  All ladies of the congregation are welcome to join us either as guests or members.  

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  Jo Bender, President                 

Mary Martha Guild welcomes all women of St. John to join together on the 1^st Tuesday of each month for Bible study and mission endeavors.  The guild supports the food bank at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, collects used stamps for missions, and collects “mites” which are sent to LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) to support mission projects in the Central Illinois District as well as International mission projects.  Members also participate in serving funeral luncheons held at our church, provide cookies for the Board of Evangelism’s visitor outreach program and are currently compiling a cookbook of congregational favorites.  Proceeds are designated for future mission projects. 

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Virgil Allen, Secretary                       E-mail: 

The Men’s Club was organized in the Fall of 1946 and affiliated with the International Lutheran  Laymen’s League in March of 1947.  Reverend Edwin Hahn was instrumental in organizing the Club. 

Club objectives:  To aid the local church, LLL Zone, and District LLL in Word and Deed. 

Club projects:  Assisting the local church in providing volunteers for maintaining the church, financially aiding the Lutheran Child and Family Service agency, financially aiding the local church, sponsoring Lutheran Hour ministries through the Sponsorship Plan, maintaining the “Project Connect” tract ministry, and encouraging others to join the International Lutheran Laymen’s League.  Our local LLL group also provides one year of free LLL membership to all Junior and Adult Confirmands, financially aids Seminary and Synodical College Students, and hosts the annual Turkey Dinner and Easter Breakfast.  All confirmed male members are welcome to join.  

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Kirk Duesdieker, President                   Phone:  223-2824 

LEAP’s purpose is to foster fellowship and service among the parents of students who attend St. James Lutheran School.  The group engages in fundraising activities to give a “Thank You” gift to the congregation.   Since the congregation pays the tuition at St. James Lutheran School for any of its members, we strive to give back to the church a gift of $2,000.  LEAP also organizes social events so that members who have children at St. James can become acquainted.  Some of the social events held in 2001 were:  our first progressive dinner for the parents, a family bowling afternoon, a camping/boating day at Mark Twain lake, a Quincy Gems game and barbecue, and a planning barbecue in August.

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