The Primary Task of the
Council on Ministries

To lead in developing goals and programs to fulfill the ministry of your congregation--supporting individuals in their daily discipleship through church programs and projects in partnership with other organizations and the connectional church--to make your community more loving and just.

Responsibilities of the Council on Ministries

1. To study the hopes and concerns of people in your community so that you may determine how your congregation might serve them and how they might serve one another as Christian disciples and good neighbors.

2. To propose to the administrative board plans for the congregation's ministry; to support the various ministry groups (work areas) and committees as they carry out these plans.

3. To become familiar with, and use appropriately; the resources for ministry provided by the district, annual conference, jurisdiction, the General Council on Ministries, and the general boards and agencies.

4. To ensure that ministry group (work area) and committee tasks are carried out.

5. To elect teachers, counselors, and officers for the church school, upon the recommendation of the education ministry group (work area).

6. To make recommendations to the pastor-parish relations committee (in consultation with the pastor) regarding professional and other staff positions needed to carry out programs of ministry.

7. To request of the committee on finance the funds needed to carry out programs of ministry.

8. To be accountable to the administrative board and the charge conference.

The Primary Task of the
Committee on Lay Leadership

To ensure that your congregation has a process for discovering, inviting, nominating, and supporting people for Christian spiritual leadership positions essential to the ministries of nurture and outreach in your local congregation and community.

Responsibilities of the Committee

1. To become familiar with as many persons in your congregation as possible. List their gifts, skills, interests, knowledge, and commitment. Be sure to consider people of various ages (including youth, young adults, and older adults) and life situations (married, single, retired). Develop a system for keeping this list up-to-date.

2. To list the leadership positions established in your congregation (other than paid staff).

3. To work cooperatively with committees, ministry groups (work areas), and other groups or individuals in preparing job descriptions that are adapted to the needs and organizational style of your church.

4. To study the responsibilities for each leadership position.

5. To match potential leaders with particular leadership positions.

6. To invite people to serve in leadership positions, receive their responses, and present those nominated to the charge conference.

7. To plan for programs throughout the year to ensure that people are adequately trained and supported for their work.

8. To elect a lay co-chairperson-the pastor is the chairperson-to represent the committee on the church council.

9. To be accountable to the charge conference through the church council.