Committees of the Session
Evangelism
Mission: Evangelism is the activity of Christians, in word and deed, of communicating Jesus Christ to others, with the purpose of drawing them to saving faith in Him.
To that end, the Faith Church Evangelism Committee will:
1. Help participants in our church family to know how to share their faith in Jesus with others, and keep before them the importance of doing so.
2. Follow up persons who have visited at worship at Faith Church with the intent of letting them know they are welcome, inviting them to return, being ready to answer questions they have about Faith Church and about their Christian faith.
3. Provide appealing advertisements in the local media and road signs informing the community where we are and when our services are held.
4. Engage in regular outreach into neighboring residential areas to inform people living in these areas of our interest in them, of the variety of opportunities for worship and fellowship here, of the availability of our facilities and people to serve.
Composition: One or two members of the Session of Faith Church will serve as chairperson(s) of the Evangelism Committee. Others from the congregation may be asked to serve for a term of one year.
Responsibility: In addition to developing opportunities for members of our congregation to articulate their faith, and to the planning and oversight of at least one "Inquirers'" class each year, the Evangelism Committee will oversee the ministries listed below, some of which may be under the direct jurisdiction of another body within the church (i.e. Deacons, Faith Women's Fellowship). This will include the selection, training and support of the ministry team leaders.
Ministries
Hospitality
*Greeters : Warmly welcome all who come to worship, distribute bulletins, offer information and directions to nursery, etc. Encourage newcomers to sign the Guest Book and whenever possible, introduce them to other church member(s), especially Deacons and Elders. (*Currently, responsibility delegated to Deacons)
Cookie Patrol
Bakers: Have plates/platters of cookies available each Sunday to be taken to morning worship newcomers.
Screendoor Visitors: Take cookies and church information (i.e. bookmark, letter) to newcomers' home the afternoon of their visit. Limit visit to very brief conversation indicating how welcome they are at Faith Church.
Lay Visitors: Available to pastor for visits to newcomers' home(s) in order to provide general information about Faith Church.
Public Relations and Publicity
Advertising: Explore and evaluate opportunities to inform the community about Faith Church. Create on-going advertisements in local media, develop material (flyers, posters, etc.) for special events.
Publications:Oversee development of various church publications including newsletter, brochures, pamphlets, special announcements. Receive input from all people involved, provide consistency in quality and style through careful editing. Work closely with church administrator to produce final publications.
Narthex Book Rack: Make certain that church and other material are available and displayed appropriately.
Neighborhood Outreach Events: Plan and develop activities/events designed to encourage our neighbors to see us as their community church.
Ambassadors: Meet individually with new members and friends of the congregation for the purpose of helping to integrate them into the ministry work of the church. Feel comfortable helping others to determine where their spiritual gifts may be most effectively used within our church ministries.
Inquirers' Class(es): Organize and implement at least one "New Member" class each year. Be willing to participate in various discussions, provide materials, and/or bring and serve refreshments.
Worship and Music
Mission: The reverent and joyful celebration of God's grace and care on Sunday mornings and other special services.
Composition: One or two members of the Session of Faith Church will serve as chairperson(s) of the Worship and Music Committee. The adult choir director and the organist will be permanent members of this committee. In addition, one or two members selected by Session and drawn from the general congregation may be asked to serve for a term of one year.
Responsibility: Planning and preparation for regular and special worship services constitute the prime responsibility of this committee. The bulletins to be distributed to worshippers will be developed by this committee with the help of the Office Administrator. In conjunction with the Clerk of Session, it shall make whatever arrangements may be necessary for baptisms, new member and new communicant recognition, ordination of Deacons and Elders, and other unique aspects of a service. This committee will also oversee the ministries listed below. This will include the selection, training and support of the ministry team leaders.
Ministries
Adult Choir: Open to anyone, this group sings at Sunday morning worship services approximately three times each month during the school year and for several special services. Rehearsals occur on Wednesday evenings and just prior to the service on Sundays.
Joyful Noise:
All children from kindergarten through sixth grades are welcome in this
choir that is active throughout the school year. It frequently participates
in Sunday morning worship services and on other special occasions.
Rehearsals take place on Sundays prior to Sunday School. Adult members
of the congregation are needed to help with this lively group.
Special Music: During the summer and on occasion throughout the year, persons with special musical talent are encouraged to participate in the worship services at Faith Church. These may be soloists, instrumentalists and/or members of ensembles.
Sanctuary Organization: Make certain that hymnals, Bibles, envelopes, visitor address cards, pencils and brochures are available and neatly arranged in all pews. Pick up discarded items after worship services and utilize recycling box whenever appropriate.
*Nursing Home Services: Accompany the pastor to local nursing homes once or twice each month to offer short worship services to residents. Friendly interaction, sharing of hymnals, singing, communion and prayer are part of this greatly appreciated ministry.
*Communion Preparation: Participate in the schedule to bake bread for communion Sundays and other special services; prepare wine trays and communion table prior to service; clean up after service. Purchase supplies as needed.
Sanctuary Flowers and Special Decorations: Work with other members of the congregation interested in donating and/or arranging flower vases for each worship service. During special seasons of the year, arrange for sanctuary decorations to be created and installed.
*Ushering/Offering Collection: Make certain that people are available to take collection during the worship service and perform other ushering duties as requested.
Readers/Lectors: With the help of the Office Administrator, schedule Psalter Readers and Lectors for each worship service.
Pulpit Supply: With approval of Session, this committee recommends and arranges for person(s) to substitute for our pastor at occasional worship services.
Christian Education
Mission: To give oversight, counsel and aid to the teaching ministry of the church and to ensure that Scripture be the basis of all subjects of study.
Composition: One or two members of the Session of Faith Church will serve as chairperson(s) of the Christian Education Committee. All teachers are part of this committee, meeting as a whole three to four times per year. Subcommittees, i.e. DVBS, meet when necessary.
Responsibility: The primary responsibility of this committee is to plan and provide for the Christian education of all members of the congregation. Curriculum development, equipment and facilities for teaching will also be the responsibility of this committee along with the oversight and evaluation of the ministries listed below. This will include the selection, training and support of the ministry team leaders.
Ministries
Sunday School Teaching:
Pre-school (3 yrs) - 12:
Integrate crafts, Bible stories and Scripture into all classes.
College/Career
Adults
Daily Vacation Bible School: Plan and execute plans for a summer program for children age entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. Incorporate Bible stories, crafts, games, music and memory work.
Library: Maintain the church library and related materials in such a way that all members of the congregation are encouraged to make us of this important resource.
Bible Study Groups: Continue the development of small Bible study groups so that any interested members of the congregation may find one convenient to their schedule.
Confirmation Class: Offer teaching, mentoring and general support for all persons interested in this class.
Bethel Classes: Offer this series of Bible study sessions when interest is evident.
Youth Groups: Give oversight to the youth ministry. This will include providing counsel to the pastor and Session in calling a special minister to youth who will, with the support of the congregation, develop a comprehensive ministry to our youth, with special attention to high and junior high school aged young people. This will involve developing ministries to the younger children as well.
Finance and Facilities
Mission: To assure prudent financial operation of Faith Church within constraints imposed by prospective income, legal documents (contracts, mortgages, loan agreements, etc.), higher level authority within the Presbyterian Church USA, and applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.
Composition: One or two members of the Session will serve as chairpersons(s) of the Finance and Facilities Committee. It is expected that these members will be knowledgeable and experienced in the areas of finance, budgeting and contracting. This committee will work with the Clerk, the Treasurer, the chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, and the moderator of the Board of Deacons, assisted as feasible by qualified members of the Congregation.
Responsibilities: Develop a realistic annual budget for adoption by the Session and, for the Pastor's remuneration, the Congregation. Maintain liaison with the Deacons concerning the timely availability of funds allocated to the Deacons in the budget.
Authorize expenditures for all non-emergency expenses that are not within the budget allocations of other committees established by the Session. Before such expenditures are authorized, a plan for paying costs of the work and/or equipment will have been devised, and submitted to the Session for approval.
Buildings and Grounds
Mission: To oversee the maintenance of existing properties of Faith Church in a manner that will keep them available to the mission of the church and at the most reasonable cost appropriate for the task.
Composition: One or two members of the Session of Faith Church will serve as chairperson(s) of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Two or three members of the congregation at large may be asked to serve for a term of one year.
Responsibility: The Buildings and Grounds Committee is generally responsible for maintaining the church buildings and grounds. It may authorize expenditures from its budget for routine repair and maintenance, and to meet emergencies. Major non-emergency expenditures and substantial new purchases should be authorized by the Finance and Facilities Committee, This committee will make recommendations to the Session about requests for use of the facilities and will oversee the ministries listed below. This will include the selection, training and support of the ministry team members.
Ministries:
Work Crews: Involve
members of the congregation with appropriate skills and interests in
cleaning, maintenance and internal and external painting of facilities.
Landscape/Garden: Encourage members of the congregation with the appropriate
talents and interests to participate in the development and maintenance
of plantings around the grounds.
Mowing & Snow Removal: Organize members or outside help as appropriate, to keep buildings accessible through snow and ice removal in the winter and keep lawns and athletic fields groomed.
Cleaning: Arrange for, monitor and evaluate professional services for regular cleaning of the building. Encourage and supervise groups of members to clean and paint as appropriate to increase fellowship and a sense of participation as well as reduce maintenance costs.
Congregational Life
Composition: One or two members of the Session of Faith Church will serve as chairperson(s) of the Congregational Life Committee. Two to three members selected by Session and drawn from the general congregation may be asked to serve for a term of one year.
Responsibility: This committee will have primary responsibility for creating an atmosphere within the church whereby members feel themselves to be a significant part of the congregation. It will seek to provide opportunities for fellowship in the congregation at large and in smaller groups. Our church's response to the interests and needs of each person will be a significant factor in any decisions made by this committee. In order for parents of infants to enjoy worship and fellowship activities, the Congregational Life Committee is responsible for staffing the Infant and Toddler nurseries.* The Congregational Life Committee will oversee the ministries listed below. This will include selection, training and support of the ministry team leaders.
The committee holds specific responsibility for five major functions
each year: Easter Brunch, Reception for Graduates, Picnic following
4th of July "Worship in the Woods", Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas
Eve.
Ministries
*Sunday Morning Fellowship Hour: Schedule congregational members to help with this on-going effort. Make certain that beverages are ready to be served after the worship service on Sunday mornings, lay out cups, etc., clean up after the Fellowship Hour.
Recreation Programs: In conjunction with the Youth Director and other members of the congregation, plan, oversee, participate in various recreational activities for church members and for the community as a whole. Specific programs will depend upon the interests expressed.
Bulletin Board/Congregational Photographs: Provide opportunities for photographs to be taken of congregational members, special events, etc., for the purpose of maintaining a scrapbook and/or bulletin board display of church activities.
Special Fellowship Groups:
Faith Women's Fellowship
Men's Fellowship
Youth Groups
College and Career Fellowship
Care-Giving Small Groups
This description of the Session committees were reviewed and approved by Session on August 8, 1995. Since this is the first time such a document has been developed, we want to encourage comments from any members of the congregation about its content. Each year, we hope to review and make appropriate changes so that it truly represents a clear picture of how our committees are organized.
Feel free to talk with any member of the Session and share your
thoughts. We will welcome your suggestions.
