Elk River United Methodist Church Ministry Council Handbook

Transcription

1 2013 Elk River United Methodist Church Ministry Council Handbook Strengthening God's Family Through Christ June 2013

2 Contents Contents...1 Ministry Council...2 Ministry Council Leadership...3 Communications...3 Faith Formation Team / Sunday School Superintendent...4 Hospitality Team...5 Men s Group...6 Missions/Outreach Team...6 Caring Ministries Team / Parish Nurse...6 Women s Group...7 Worship Team...7 1

3 Ministry Council The Ministry Council plans, sets goals, implements and evaluates the ministries of the congregation. Most members are team leaders or representatives from the various ministry teams. In order to encourage the development of new ministries, team leaders and individuals do not need to obtain the approval of the Ministry Council when starting new ministries or scheduling new events or activities. However, they may bring ideas to the Ministry Council for discussion, if desired. Team leaders are encouraged to use the information in this handbook and the current Ministry Plan to guide in planning new ministries and events, to help ensure the ministries and events fit with the team s ministry area and fit well with the overall ministry plan of the church. Team leaders should also ensure that new ministries do not duplicate or conflict with any existing ministries. Team leaders are asked to keep the Ministry Council leadership informed of new ministries and upcoming events and activities. Teams are also encouraged to work jointly on ministries, if appropriate. Team leaders for teams with a budget are responsible for preparing a budget request at the end of each year for the following year and submitting it to the Ministry Council leadership, who will then forward the budget requests to the Finance Committee. The Ministry Council meets once a month. Position Co-Leaders Caring Ministries Team / Parish Nurse Communications Sunday School Superintendent Faith Formation Hospitality Team Lay Leader Men s Group Missions/Outreach Team Women s Group Worship Team Name Jean Beyer and Dan Wisniewski Diane Keyport Chris Maahs Tonia Maahs Andy Barnes and Cheryl Anderson Jeff and Dana Bartheld Jeneyene Sitts Lee Dziuk Keith and Debbie Johnson Pam Dziuk Bobbi Wallace 2

4 Ministry Council Leadership Lead the vision and strategic planning process for ministries within the church. Individual team leaders are responsible for the management of current plans. The Ministry Council leader s task is to focus the group beyond the immediate work to where potential new ministries exist. UNLESS THE MINISTRY COUNCIL STAYS FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO ONLY WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST. The most effective Ministry Council deals with both the now and the not yet. Maintain a close and intentional working relationship with key church leaders. Ministry Vision and strategic planning Close working relationships with church leaders Guide the council s work Leadership development for the council members Council leaders must be intentional in establishing close communication with the pastor and other key leaders of the congregation. The Ministry Council leaders must know what is going on in the church and be familiar with upcoming plans. Ministry Council leaders are members of the Administrative Council and will attend and participate in meetings of the Administrative Council. Guide the council s work by conducting meetings, communicating with members, monitoring ministry efforts, and evaluating efforts. Ministry Council leaders will plan the agenda and lead the Ministry Council meetings. They will work with the various ministry leaders to help keep them accountable to their plans and goals and will work with the ministry leaders to follow up on planned events and activities to evaluate their effectiveness. Identify and develop learning and training experiences for the council. An effective plan for discipleship depends on spiritual leadership. Ministry Council leaders will identify and/or implement leadership and other spiritual training for Ministry Council members on an ongoing basis. Communications Internal and external communication Coordinate and organize the communications regarding church ministries to the congregation and the community. The key role of the communications team is to ensure good, timely and accurate communication to both internal (within the church) and external (within the community) audiences using a variety of media. This includes, but is not limited to, the newsletter, web site, posters, newspapers, videos and other emerging media. 3

5 The communications team will work closely with the other ministry areas to ensure that all key ministry events are adequately communicated to the proper audiences. Faith Formation Team / Sunday School Superintendent of the Faith Formation Team Lead the effort to develop and plan for faith formation from cradle to grave. The Faith Formation team will lead the effort to create a plan for developing faithful followers of Jesus Christ by developing milestones of faith. Each person has special gifts and the Faith Formation team will develop a plan to help each person know their God given gifts and discover their opportunities for building God s kingdom. Faith formation will include, but not be limited to, spiritual gift assessments, mentoring, education and connecting. The team will work to identify and implement a variety of ways to help the congregation grow and be accountable to each other in their faith. Develop and plan for Christian education for all age groups and all levels of Christian maturity. Faith formation involves more than just knowing about Jesus, it involves the development of disciples who learn, value and apply the Word of God. This team will help establish adult small study groups and work closely with the pastor, Sunday School superintendent, VBS and youth and other leaders in determining the curriculums for these various groups. Develop standards for Christian formation and discipleship. It is important to identify what key scriptures, creeds and information students should know at various stages of their faith education and to ensure that this information is taught and learned by the students. These standards will be communicated to the parents so they can be involved in their children s Christian education. Promote Sunday School involvement. It is important to continually promote involvement in Sunday School by both students, teachers and helpers. of the Sunday School Superintendent Lead the effort to develop and plan for faith formation Develop and plan for Christian education Develop standards Promote Sunday School involvement Be a member of the Faith Formation Team to ensure that the Sunday School curriculum is consistent with the plans and goals of that team. The Sunday School Superintendent is a member of the Faith Formation Team and should attend all regular meetings. 4

6 Member of Faith Formation Team Manage Sunday School teachers Direct and manage the Sunday School teachers. Ensure that Sunday School teachers have the curriculum and resources needed for teaching Sunday school classes. The Sunday School Superintendent will communicate any changes to the schedule or class rooms to the congregation. Periodic training of teachers is necessary to ensure all teachers understand the standards of what should be taught at the age groups of their students. Meet with teachers in groups or individual on a periodic basis to discuss any issues or questions the teachers may have. Ensure that all teachers and helpers are familiar with the church s policies pertaining to safety of the children. Hospitality Team Ensure that the church is welcoming and attractive to guests. Although welcoming people into our church community is the responsibility of everyone, the Hospitality Team will intentionally seek ways to make the church a welcoming and attractive place for guests. Seek ways to instruct the congregation to be more welcoming. Strive to ensure that guests are warmly welcomed. Ensure that the visitor center has up to date information about the church for guests to take. Manage the fellowship time between services. Encourage groups to help in the kitchen serving refreshments between services. Encourage members of the congregation to talk with those they don t know. Follow up with visitors. Develop a plan for following up with visitors and ensure that the plan is followed. of Hospitality Subgroups Ensure the church is welcoming and attractive Manage the fellowship time Follow up with visitors Greeters. Greet worshipers as they arrive at all main entrances to the church building before worship services, helping them to feel welcome. Assist guests in locating various rooms such as the sanctuary, nursery or bathrooms. Ushers. Pass out bulletins. If necessary, help worshipers find a seat and a friend. Make sure the appropriate candles are lit at the beginning of the service and put out at the end of the service. Pass the offering plates and ensure the money is placed in a secure location after the service. Manage the door for latecomers and at the close of the service. Assist with special needs. Count the number of worshipers at the services. 5

7 Men s Group Encourage involvement, spiritual growth and accountability Encourage and provide opportunities for men to be involved Encourage involvement, spiritual growth and accountability for all men. Identify and engage in opportunities for men to get involved in being disciples. Encourage other men to walk their faith journey wherever they may be. Encourage and provide opportunities for men to be involved in the church. The Men s Group will look for ways to have men engage the congregation and community in spreading the word of Jesus through our actions, words and attitude. Missions/Outreach Team Encourage financial, spiritual and relational support for the selected missions and missionaries. Identify mission oriented organizations that the congregation will support with financial and other resources. Communicate information about these organizations to the congregation on a regular basis. Encourage, promote and provide opportunities for personal involvement in missions and outreach. Look for ways to involve people of all ages in missions and outreach. Look for opportunities to send teams on short term mission trips to either local or international destinations. Partner with existing organizations. Caring Ministries Team / Parish Nurse of the Caring Ministries Team Support missions and missionaries Promote opportunities for personal involvement in missions and outreach Identify and provide ways of helping members with short term support. The Caring Ministries team will seek various opportunities for and provide for short-term support to meet the needs of 6

8 members of the congregation. The team will encourage members of the congregation to assist in providing care in various ways. of the Parish Nurse Be a member of Caring Ministries team Direct and coordinate health and wellness ministries Be a member of the Caring Ministries Team. Provide guidance and direction to the various caring ministries of the church. Direct and coordinate health and wellness ministries within the congregation. Educate and counsel the congregation on various health and wellness issues. The parish nurse does not provide hands on patient care, but may direct members of the congregation to an appropriate health care provider. Women s Group The Women s Group will help women to mature as disciples of Jesus Christ as they encourage and provide accountability for spiritual growth, foster relationships between women of the congregation and empower women to further the ministry of Christ through outreach efforts. Worship Team of the Worship Team Oversee the decorations of the sanctuary and altar. Be familiar with the church calendar and ensure that the proper color paraments are displayed in the sanctuary. Work with the pastor and Worship Dream Team to decorate the church for special occasions, such as Easter, Pentecost and Advent. 7