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Church Governance

Church Governance. Is there a need for a change?. Areas where change is needed. Elders: We are not getting visits done? We are dealing with official matters (Profession of Faith interviews; baptism; meetings (6); accountability meetings (FC-8 and Congregation-2)

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Church Governance

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  1. Church Governance Is there a need for a change?

  2. Areas where change is needed • Elders: We are not getting visits done? We are dealing with official matters (Profession of Faith interviews; baptism; meetings (6); accountability meetings (FC-8 and Congregation-2) • Admin: Too time consuming for both elders (3) and deacon (1). (An additional 12 meetings). • Note: Total meetings for Admin elders: 28/yr

  3. Are we still committed to our family and singles visitation? • Yes: Demonstrates a commitment to serving the Body of Christ • No: Family and work commitments make visits too time consuming. (Track record is poor) • Would like to but ………. • Feel inadequate: Single female, marriage issues? • Burn out. • Too many other matters to deal with in church.

  4. Recommendations: • Six person admin council: 4 elders and 2 deacons. No District visitation responsibilities. • Eight person elders board: (Current mandate except drop expectation of family visitation. Only special event visits.) • New: Nine person pastoral visitor team made up of men and women trained in visits and providing supports. Meet with elders bi-monthly.

  5. Positions: Administration • Chair of Council: Oversight, Pastor, Ad. Assist, sets FC and Admin agenda • First Vice-chair (elder): Personnel, Worship Committee, Classis • Clerk (elder):Minutes, Committee Mandates, Correspondence • 2nd Vice-chair: Districts/Care Groups/ Elders/Pastoral Care. • Deacon Chair: Oversight of Deacon’s work • Deacon Treasurer: Finance Oversight/Budget

  6. Elders Board (8 + 4 Admin): • Attend 6 Full Council meetings • Attend 6 elders meetings • Attend 2 Congregation Meetings • One all day workshop-seminar • Coffee Provision once every 8 months. • Visits: Special events (Baptism, funeral, illness, special need) • Shared responsibility for pastoral visits with Pastoral Workers. • Other: See website for other …..

  7. Deacons Board (4 + 2 Admin) • No change needed except with the addition of two additional administrative deacons. • Deacons also included into the coffee serving schedule for Sunday mornings. • More accountability-oversight with Adult and Youth Mexico Trips. • Admin Deacon #1: Budget oversight planning and implementation. Keeps track of where the money goes. • Admin Deacon #2: Oversight of deacon services. • Meet 8 times a year as deacons Board • Attend 6 Full Council Meetings and 2 Congregational Meetings

  8. Pastoral Care Workers (9) • Identified for their gifting in hospitality, pastoral sensitivities. • May be able to draw in those with special skills and training. • Play a supportive role for the elders and deacons in providing care to those who are in the church and community. • Meet regularly with elders (4 times per year) and deacons (2 times) to consider how to handle challenges • Will require time to prepare for this ministry by having a workshop. (Perhaps LDN can help here)

  9. Structural Changes Needed • Create 8 Districts. (25 max. per district) • Each District gets one elder and one pastoral visitor. (Admin Deacons will assign deacons to special cases as needs arise.) • Affirmation vote needed for all names solicited. Including pastoral workers. • Admin elders and Admin deacons will be selected as a separate group. • Give a closer look at how we assemble districts. • Less meetings

  10. Planning for Change: • Full Council discussed the plan. (January 27, 2014) • Full Council formulated a Motion to adopt (Feb. 24, 2014) • Introduce the change to the congregation for their support on April 14, 2014 • Commence Implementation as soon as possible. • Require letters for openings with job description and time lines. • Aim for at least three pastoral visitors. (Phase in over 3 years.) • Affirmation required for 4 Admin Elder positions; 2 Admin Deacons; Eight Elders; 4 Deacons. This followed up with drawing of lots and installation. • Affirmation required for up to nine pastoral visitors. No need for drawing of lots. May want a special induction ceremony. • Will need some training for Pastoral Visitors

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