Council
At Christ Community Church, the council is composed of the minister, the elders, and the deacons. Those tasks which belong to the common administration of the church, such as promoting its mission, calling a pastor, approving nominations for church office, mutual censure, meeting with church visitors, and other matters of common concern, are the responsibility of the council. The council meets together quarterly on the 3rd Wednesdays of February, May, August, & November.
Elders
Purpose: Serve by governing the church in Christ's name, shepherd the congregation, encourage the aged and bear up God’s people in their pain and weakness, are friends and Christ-like examples to
children, know the Scriptures, pray continually for the church (Matt. 16:19).
Areas of Responsibility: Support and strengthen the pastor and ensure true preaching of the Word. Arrange for Guest and Interim Pastors and their accommodations. Provide for regular celebration of
the sacraments. Provide faithful counsel and discipline for all members of the church.
children, know the Scriptures, pray continually for the church (Matt. 16:19).
Areas of Responsibility: Support and strengthen the pastor and ensure true preaching of the Word. Arrange for Guest and Interim Pastors and their accommodations. Provide for regular celebration of
the sacraments. Provide faithful counsel and discipline for all members of the church.
Deacons
Purpose: Serve by showing mercy to members of the congregation and to all people (Acts 6 & II Cor. 8-9)
Areas of Responsibility: Assess the needs of the church and its members, weigh the needs of additional causes and use the church's resources discerningly. Minister to rich and poor alike, both within and outside the church. Collect and disburse resources for benevolence. Inspire hospitality and stewardship of wealth, time and ability. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request.
Areas of Responsibility: Assess the needs of the church and its members, weigh the needs of additional causes and use the church's resources discerningly. Minister to rich and poor alike, both within and outside the church. Collect and disburse resources for benevolence. Inspire hospitality and stewardship of wealth, time and ability. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request.
Meetings
Meetings to ensure the efficient regular attention to these purposes and responsibilities: Elders and Deacons meet separately on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Elders and Deacons meet together quarterly as the Council on the 3rd Wednesday of February, May, August, & November to receive recommendations from all Council Teams and to consider Old and New Business.
Executive Team
Purpose: To function as an interim team between Council meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Membership: Council President, Council Clerk, Chair of Deacons, Chair of Elders (who also serves as Council Vice President), Pastor, General Fund Treasurer, (unless the Treasurer is an Elder; then the Deacon Secretary will serve on the Executive Team in place of the Treasurer)
Areas of Responsibility: Make decisions as necessary between Council meetings. Appoint Council team members and chairpersons. Supervise all paid church staff not supervised by another team.
Membership: Council President, Council Clerk, Chair of Deacons, Chair of Elders (who also serves as Council Vice President), Pastor, General Fund Treasurer, (unless the Treasurer is an Elder; then the Deacon Secretary will serve on the Executive Team in place of the Treasurer)
Areas of Responsibility: Make decisions as necessary between Council meetings. Appoint Council team members and chairpersons. Supervise all paid church staff not supervised by another team.
Council Teams
Purpose: To aid the Council in its work. (Church Order Article 33A)
Selection of Members: In March, congregational members will be invited to serve on one of the Council teams. This will be done through church LIFE newsletter articles, bulletin announcements, by team chairpersons and Shepherd Elder contacts. In April, the Executive Team--with appropriate input-- will make tentative Elder, Deacon, team chairperson, and team member appointments. These
appointments will need final Council approval. Team member terms begin May 1.
Membership: Each Elder and Deacon will serve on a Council team. Members of the congregation will be appointed to a 3-year term (may be extended with consent of Council). Team Chairperson may or may not be a Council member. Members of the Executive Team are ex officio members of all teams and have the right to attend and speak but not vote. Ad-Hoc Teams: May be appointed by Council
as needed.
Meetings & Reports: Council teams will meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month. They will first all meet together for devotions and encouragement and to provide opportunity to discuss items of mutual interest. They will then meet individually as teams. The minutes of each team’s meeting will be given to the church secretary immediately after the meeting, for typing and distribution. All teams report to Council or Executive Team.
Selection of Members: In March, congregational members will be invited to serve on one of the Council teams. This will be done through church LIFE newsletter articles, bulletin announcements, by team chairpersons and Shepherd Elder contacts. In April, the Executive Team--with appropriate input-- will make tentative Elder, Deacon, team chairperson, and team member appointments. These
appointments will need final Council approval. Team member terms begin May 1.
Membership: Each Elder and Deacon will serve on a Council team. Members of the congregation will be appointed to a 3-year term (may be extended with consent of Council). Team Chairperson may or may not be a Council member. Members of the Executive Team are ex officio members of all teams and have the right to attend and speak but not vote. Ad-Hoc Teams: May be appointed by Council
as needed.
Meetings & Reports: Council teams will meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month. They will first all meet together for devotions and encouragement and to provide opportunity to discuss items of mutual interest. They will then meet individually as teams. The minutes of each team’s meeting will be given to the church secretary immediately after the meeting, for typing and distribution. All teams report to Council or Executive Team.
Adult Ministries & Outreach Team
Purpose: Foster spiritual growth of the congregation by supporting Biblical literacy and education among the adult members through Bible study and classes. We encourage members to join in fellowship and bring a friend to grow in God's Word. We welcome visitors and promote opportunities for service, outreach, and prayer. We actively sponsor world missionaries with finances, prayer, communication, and in person contact with our congregation.
Buildings & Properties Team
Purpose: Maintain the church properties; oversee the use of church buildings and contents.
Areas of Responsibility: Provide for proper maintenance of all church buildings and properties. Handle requests for use of all church buildings, properties, and equipment. Provide and supervise all janitorial/grounds keeping staff. Be responsible for supplies for kitchen, janitorial, buildings, and grounds. Keep an up-to-date inventory of equipment and furnishings for insurance. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request information.
Areas of Responsibility: Provide for proper maintenance of all church buildings and properties. Handle requests for use of all church buildings, properties, and equipment. Provide and supervise all janitorial/grounds keeping staff. Be responsible for supplies for kitchen, janitorial, buildings, and grounds. Keep an up-to-date inventory of equipment and furnishings for insurance. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request information.
Finance Team
Purpose: Serve the congregation by overseeing the finances of the church.
Areas of Responsibility: Disburse financial resources. Report monthly on the status of church finances. Prepare the General Fund Budget with Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Chair of the Finance Team presents the General Fund Budget for approval at the annual Congregational Meeting.
Areas of Responsibility: Disburse financial resources. Report monthly on the status of church finances. Prepare the General Fund Budget with Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Chair of the Finance Team presents the General Fund Budget for approval at the annual Congregational Meeting.
Safety Security Team
Purpose: Provide a safe and secure environment, to help the congregation be ready for various things that can happen, such as: fires, inclement weather, unwanted intruders, and medical emergencies.
Areas of Responsibility: Oversee morning services by locking the east side doors 10 minutes after the start of services; be a presence in and around the church; being present for Children’s Church transition times; be outside directing the Police or Ambulance in case of emergencies; know locations of First Aid equipment and medical staff available in church; monitor weather situations; be visible and available to help/assist other congregational members’ safety needs.
Supervise and encourage existing ministries: Safe Church Program for working with youth, security and safety of nursery care and children’s classes, Vacation Bible School
Areas of Responsibility: Oversee morning services by locking the east side doors 10 minutes after the start of services; be a presence in and around the church; being present for Children’s Church transition times; be outside directing the Police or Ambulance in case of emergencies; know locations of First Aid equipment and medical staff available in church; monitor weather situations; be visible and available to help/assist other congregational members’ safety needs.
Supervise and encourage existing ministries: Safe Church Program for working with youth, security and safety of nursery care and children’s classes, Vacation Bible School
Worship Team
Purpose: Work with the pastor to organize and oversee all elements of the worship services so that each service is well ordered and edifying through the preaching of the Word, music and prayer. Study the principles of Christian worship and examine our worship with the goal of seeking clarity and building consensus about worship within the congregation. Reports to and is accountable to Elders.
Areas of Responsibility: Coordinate music as part of the worship service. Provide and supervise worship service accompanists and choir directors. Arrange for special weekday/holiday worship services. Provide for the upkeep of music materials, hymnals, Bibles etc. Provide for ushers for worship services. Oversee “Coffee Time” after the Sunday morning service. Provide for proper care of the church-owned musical instruments. Be responsible for the décor of the sanctuary and narthex. For events associated with worship services, provide meals or refreshments as needed. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request information.
Supervise and encourage existing ministries: Choirs, Praise Team, Multi-Media staff.
Areas of Responsibility: Coordinate music as part of the worship service. Provide and supervise worship service accompanists and choir directors. Arrange for special weekday/holiday worship services. Provide for the upkeep of music materials, hymnals, Bibles etc. Provide for ushers for worship services. Oversee “Coffee Time” after the Sunday morning service. Provide for proper care of the church-owned musical instruments. Be responsible for the décor of the sanctuary and narthex. For events associated with worship services, provide meals or refreshments as needed. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request information.
Supervise and encourage existing ministries: Choirs, Praise Team, Multi-Media staff.
Youth Ministries Team
Purpose: Promote discipleship, spiritual growth, education, and fellowship among our children & youth.
Areas of Responsibility: Provide leaders and materials for Church School (K-6th, 7-12th). Provide staffing and equipment for Church Nursery. Ensure background checks for volunteers and compliance with Safe Church policy keeping them current for all those working/volunteering with youth and confidentially keep results in church office files. Oversee registration and van/bus transportation for Camp Calvin in June. Provide leaders, materials, and promotion for VBS Mega Sports Camp in August. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request information.
Supervise and encourage existing Ministries: Children’s Church (3y-4K), LIMITLESS Youth Group (Gr. 6-12th), College Care packs
Areas of Responsibility: Provide leaders and materials for Church School (K-6th, 7-12th). Provide staffing and equipment for Church Nursery. Ensure background checks for volunteers and compliance with Safe Church policy keeping them current for all those working/volunteering with youth and confidentially keep results in church office files. Oversee registration and van/bus transportation for Camp Calvin in June. Provide leaders, materials, and promotion for VBS Mega Sports Camp in August. Provide General Fund Treasurer with annual budget request information.
Supervise and encourage existing Ministries: Children’s Church (3y-4K), LIMITLESS Youth Group (Gr. 6-12th), College Care packs