Church Leadership
"All ministry in the Church is a gift from Jesus Christ. members and officers alike serve mutually under the mandate of Christ who is the chief minister of all. His ministry is the basis of all ministries; the standard for all offices is the pattern of the one who came "not to be served but to serve." (Matthew 20:28)" Book of Order G-6.0101
The government of the church is representative and the members of our boards are elected by the membership of the church.
Each of the three boards, Session, Trustees, and Deacons, contain between 9 and 12 members elected to no more than 2 three-year terms. Each member is eligible to seek office to the same board after a respite of not less than one year.
Men and women are eligible to hold church offices.
The government of the church is representative and the members of our boards are elected by the membership of the church.
Each of the three boards, Session, Trustees, and Deacons, contain between 9 and 12 members elected to no more than 2 three-year terms. Each member is eligible to seek office to the same board after a respite of not less than one year.
Men and women are eligible to hold church offices.
Boards
Our church has a triune board system comprised of the Session, Trustees, and Deacons. Each board contains between 9 and 12 members elected to a term of three years by the church membership.
Session
The Session, which consists of the pastor and the board members (called Ruling Elders) in active service, is the governing body of the church. "Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church..." (Book of Order, -6.0300)
Board of Deacons
Though the Board of Deacons works under its own board structure, it is under the jurisdiction of the Session.
"It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith." (Book of Order, G-6.0402a)
Board of Trustees
The Trustees also work under its own board structure, and is also under the jurisdiction of the Session. The officers of the Trustees form the corporation of the church.
The Trustees are charged with the power "...to receive, hold, encumber, manage, and transfer property, real or personal, for the church; to accept and execute the deeds of such property; to hold and defend title to such property; to manage any permanent special funds for the furtherance of the purposes of the church, all subject to the authority of the Session and under the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)..." (Book of Order, G-7.0402)
The boards meet once a month to discuss the overall business of the church.
Committees
A church has a wide variety of responsibilities and duties to see to in the performance of its mission.To accomplish the necessary tasks, it is essential to delegate the duties to smaller groups of individuals. These smaller groups are known as committees. Members of the boards actively serve on various committees during their tenure. There are sometimes members from the congregation that are not serving on boards who act as committee members to help in the completion of the work. Committees meet on an as needed basis according to their function.
Session
The Session, which consists of the pastor and the board members (called Ruling Elders) in active service, is the governing body of the church. "Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church..." (Book of Order, -6.0300)
Board of Deacons
Though the Board of Deacons works under its own board structure, it is under the jurisdiction of the Session.
"It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith." (Book of Order, G-6.0402a)
Board of Trustees
The Trustees also work under its own board structure, and is also under the jurisdiction of the Session. The officers of the Trustees form the corporation of the church.
The Trustees are charged with the power "...to receive, hold, encumber, manage, and transfer property, real or personal, for the church; to accept and execute the deeds of such property; to hold and defend title to such property; to manage any permanent special funds for the furtherance of the purposes of the church, all subject to the authority of the Session and under the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)..." (Book of Order, G-7.0402)
The boards meet once a month to discuss the overall business of the church.
Committees
A church has a wide variety of responsibilities and duties to see to in the performance of its mission.To accomplish the necessary tasks, it is essential to delegate the duties to smaller groups of individuals. These smaller groups are known as committees. Members of the boards actively serve on various committees during their tenure. There are sometimes members from the congregation that are not serving on boards who act as committee members to help in the completion of the work. Committees meet on an as needed basis according to their function.