Last week I introduced a proposal from the Church Council
and Elders to change our governance structures.
This proposal has been prayed about and discussed for a number of
months. In doing this the Church Council
and Elders believe it is the right way to go to better allow our congregation
to participate in the mission of God and fulfil our purpose. An information sheet is available on the
information desk or on the church’s website.
During the week I was asked what the current Church Council
and Elders do.
The Emmanuel Church
Council exists to serve the congregation and its community by providing
leadership through:
·
Waiting
upon God, discerning and acting on his leading into the future
·
Facilitating
the achievement of the congregation’s purpose
·
Developing,
monitoring and oversighting the policies by which the congregation operates
·
Managing
the congregation’s property, finances, and exposure to risk
·
Fulfilling
the requirements imposed by the Regulations, or seeing that they are
appropriately delegated
·
Continuing
to develop the Council as an effective Team
The Elders exist to:
·
be a
group who intentionally give time to listening to God, each other and the
members of the congregation as we actively seek God’s future direction for this
congregation. We would listen through
prayer, study of scripture, through talking with each other when meeting
together, and through being attentive to the members of the congregation. This is not about short term “management”
issues, but rather about the long term question of what are the areas of growth
and future potential that God has for us.
This listening would be fed back to the Church Council and congregation
for their action.
·
be a
group who monitor the life and health of the congregation. Specifically, we would be looking to
celebrate the growth and positive steps that the congregation is making and
identify where the congregation is slipping from its purpose and values.
·
be
modellers of positive behaviour and attitudes of a Christ centred life,
embodying the congregation’s purpose and core values.
·
fulfil
spiritual leadership roles by assisting with sacraments, praying with and for
members of the congregation and taking home communions.
As you can see there is significant overlap between these groups. This is one reason why the current arrangements are not totally effective. The proposal will see one Council that will provide spiritual oversight that encompasses the work of these two groups. Because of the overlap this will not produce an unwieldy amount of work for the one Church Council. Please remember, if you have questions or comments put them in writing and place them in the box on the information desk or email them to me.
Grace and peace
David Fender
