Church Council:
The Council is the primary decision-making, evaluating, and forward-looking body of the church. Council members perform four essential leadership functions to support and strengthen the church. The key leadership functions of the Council include:
1) helping discover the current reality;
2) creating a shared vision;
3) developing plans; and
4) monitoring the work of the church as the congregation moves with God's guidance toward its vision.
The Council is composed of a chairperson, secretary, the chairperson from each administrative committee including finance, trustees, education, lay leadership, and SPRC, as well as several members at large.
Lay Leadership:
According to the Book of Discipline , the pastor is named the chair of the Committee on Lay Leadership and represents this group at Council. Lay Leadership is responsible for recruiting and providing candidates for church office from among the congregation to Council. It has the critical responsibility of seeking candidates that possess the spiritual gifts and attributes needed to perform leadership within the church. Once candidates are elected, Lay Leadership is responsible for training-to-office each individual and is supported in this role by Council.
Board of Trustees:
The Board of Trustees is vested the authority for the property and facilities of the congregation. This includes the routine maintenance of buildings and grounds, including making it a safe and barrier free environment. Along with Council, the Board of Trustees has the legal responsibility to make sure the congregation operates within local codes and state laws, including the insurance requirements for theft, fire, public liability, and fidelity. The Board of Trustees, through its Chairperson, must submit an annual report to the charge conference.
Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC):
SPRC has the responsibility of maintaining, for the congregation, amiable working relationships with pastors and other staff. SPRC evaluates the staff's performance, counsels them within their role, makes recommendations for training and education to improve their skills. SPRC recommends the salaries and other support such as housing and benefits, establishes job descriptions, and iinterviews prospective employees.
Stewardship Commitee:
The Finance Committee is responsible for raising funds to support the congregation's needs, both routine and special, through financial campaigns. It is also responsible for developing the annual budget, which is subsequently acted upon by Church Council and charge conference. Income is recorded by a financial secretary, while disbursements are made and recorded by the treasurer. The treasurer is responsible for preparing and submitting financial reports to the Church Council. The Finance Committee serves as consultant to the Council on financial matters.
Education:
The Education Committee is responsible for overseeing Sunday School operations . The Education Committee recommends the curriculum that will be taught, insures adequate supplies and materials are available, and establishes the general structure of Sunday School . The Education Committee is also responsible for recruiting and training teachers for each classroom. The Education Committee also leads and coordinates key events including Summer Bible Camp, the annual Christmas pageant, and mission-work of Sunday School children.
