HANDBOOK

on

  RESTRUCTURING:

as it affects
The Congregations:  Councils, Committees, Meetings,
their Agenda and Functions.

prepared for use in

May Pen Methodist Circuit, Jamaica District Conference, MCCA.

  adapted by

Rev. Lindsay Richardson


 
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THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
 
 

  1. Meetings


     
     

    1. The Congregational Meeting is a meeting of all the confirmed members of the congregation.
    2. The Congregational Meeting shall be called at least once each year, in October or as soon as possible after the September Meeting of the Congregational Council for the purposes indicated below in section 2.
    3. The Minister in charge in consultation with the Congregational Council may call other meetings when they are deemed necessary.


       
       

  1. Functions


     
     

    1. To Receive and discuss communication from the District Conference including the Pastoral Address of the Conference to the Congregations.
    2. To Receive the appointments of the Congregational stewards, Property Stewards, Care Fund Stewards, Class Leaders and Assistant Class Leaders and standing committees.
    3. To Receive reports from the Standing Committees and endorse their plans for the ensuing year.
    4. To Receive the Annual Congregational report.
    5. To Receive and discuss the Annual Statement of Accounts and the Annual budget.
    6. Appoint 1 - 8 representatives to the Congregational Council
    7. Appoint 1 - 8 representatives to the Circuit Council.


       
       
       
       

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THE CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
 
 

  1. Meetings


     
     

    1. The Congregational Council shall be the Executive and co-ordinating Body of the Congregation and shall be constituted in accordance with this Standing Order.
    2. The Congregational Council shall meet TWO times each year, on some date in September and March, under the Chairmanship of the Superintendent Minister or the Minister or Probationer having pastoral charge. The meetings shall be held prior to the corresponding Circuit Council meetings.
    3. The Congregational Council, may also meet on such other occasions as may be desirable for the proper dispatch of its business and the effective execution of its responsibilities.


       
       

  2. Constitution


     
     

    1. The Presbyters, Deacons and Probationers serving the Congregation.
    2. The Congregational Stewards.
    3. The Chairperson and the Secretary of each Standing Committee.
    4. The Congregational representatives.
    5. Commissioned Lay Workers (where applicable).


       
       

  3. Functions


     
     

    1. Act on behalf of the Congregation to ensure its effectiveness as the Body of Christ.
    2. Appoint, coordinate and enable the effective functioning of the Standing Committees.
    3. Appoint the Nominations Committee in March and To Receive its report.
    4. Prepare the congregation's annual programme based upon the decisions of the Circuit Council, the decisions of the congregational meeting, and the recommendations of the Standing Committees, and its own decisions.
    5. To Receive the half yearly and annual reports of the Standing Committees.
    6. Approve the Annual report of the Congregation.
    7. Appoint the Congregational Stewards, CARE Fund Stewards, Property Stewards, Class Leaders and Assistant Class Leaders.
    8. Perform any other duty similar to the above within its purview.


       
       

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THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

 
 

  1. The Nominations Committee shall consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 12 persons, appointed by the Congregational Council at its March meeting.


     
     

  2. The Nominations Committee shall be chaired by the minister or Probationer in pastoral charge.


     
     

  3. Functions:


     
     

    1. To Receive names of persons nominated for appointment as Congregational Stewards, CARE Fund Stewards, Property Stewards, Class Leaders and Assistant Class Leaders.
    2. To Receive names of persons nominated to become members of the Standing Committees.
    3. To Receive names of persons nominated to become congregational representatives on the Congregational Council and Circuit Council.
    4. To prepare a recommended list of persons nominated for appointment to the various offices and committees for the ensuing year.
    5. To submit to the Congregational Council its recommendations for appointment at the Congregational Meeting.


       

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THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

 
 

  1. Meetings


     
     

    1. The pastoral Council as constituted under this Standing Order shall meet TWO times a year on some date in September, and March.
    2. The Pastoral Council may also meet on such other occasions as may be desirable for the proper dispatch of its business and the effective execution of its duties.
    3. The Pastoral Council shall be chaired by the Superintendent Minister or by the Minister or Probationer having Pastoral charge of the Congregation. Probationers or Deacons shall not preside when disciplinary cases are being discussed.


       
       

  2. Constitution


     
     

    1. The Ministers and Probationers appointed to the Circuit.
    2. The Congregational Stewards and Stewards of the CARE Fund.
    3. The Accredited Preachers who are members of the Congregation.
    4. The Class Leaders and Assistant Class Leaders.
    5. Leaders of Members in Training Classes.
    6. The Cradle Roll Secretary.


       
       

  3. Functions


     
     

    1. To Review the Membership Roll and provide for the Spiritual nurture of members.
    2. To maintain oversight of baptized infants and young children.
    3. To Approve Members in Training, form Training classes and appoint their Leaders.
    4. To Approve Members on Trial, arrange for preparation/Confirmation Classes, and Reception into membership.
    5. To Care for the Sick and needy, and those experiencing particular difficulties.
    6. To deal with disciplinary matters and to provide special care to members under discipline.
    7. To Arrange for the Annual Covenant Service, Anniversaries and other special occasions.
    8. To review the standard of worship in general and in particular the observance of and participation in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
    9. To recommend to the Preachers Meeting candidates to come on Note.
    10. To provide special Ministry to adherents and Lapsed members.
    11. To Receive and review applications for the transfer of members in and out of the Congregation.
    12. To review the annual statistical returns and membership profile.


       
       

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THE ORGANIZATIONS AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 
 

  1. Meetings


     
     

    1. The Organizations and Education Committee shall meet TWO times a year on a date in October and April.
    2. The Organizations and Education Committee may also meet on such other occasions as may be desirable for the proper dispatch of its business and the effective execution of its duties.
    3. The Organizations and Education Committee shall elect its own Chairperson and Secretary at the October meeting and they shall hold office for one year forthwith.


       
       

  2. Constitution


     
     

    1. The Congregational Stewards.
    2. The General Superintendent of the Church School or his/her representative.
    3. One representative from each Organization approved by the Congregation Council.
    4. Not less than three and not more than twelve members with special skills appointed by the Congregational Council.


       
       

  3. Functions


     
     

    1. To form and encourage the formation of new organizations and groups for training, fellowship and education among children, youth, young adults, men and women.
    2. To PLAN AND IMPLEMENT programmes of Leadership Development and training.
    3. To Ensure that each organization has a meaningful programme of activities for its members, and that each has adequate leadership.
    4. To devise, implement and Monitor suitable educational programmes for the Congregation.
    5. To Promote and extend Church Schools attached to the Congregation in areas remote from the Congregation.
    6. To Prepare annually a report of its work, and plans for the ensuing year.
    7. To Appoint sub-secretaries for the various aspects of the work within the purview of the committee.


       
       
       
       

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THE MISSION AND EVANGELISM COMMITTEE

 
 

  1. Meetings


     
     

    1. The Mission and Evangelism Committee shall meet TWO times each year, on a date in January, and July.
    2. The Mission and Evangelism Committee may also meet on such other occasions as is desirable for the proper dispatch of its business and effective execution of its duties.
    3. The Mission and Evangelism Committee shall elect its own Chairperson and Secretary at its January meeting and they shall hold office forthwith for one year.


       
       

  2. Constitution

 

    1. The Minister in pastoral Charge, fully accredited Preachers who are members of the Congregation. (All preachers may attend meetings)
    2. One Congregational Steward.
    3. Not less than three and not more than twelve members appointed by the Congregational Council.


       
       

  2. Functions


     
     

    1. To appoint sub-secretaries for:
      1. Christian Social Witness,
      2. Christian Stewardship,
      3. New ventures in Evangelism,
      4. Home and Family Life,
      5. Any other area of Mission.
    2. To plan and carry out programmes of evangelization and outreach.
    3. To ensure the ongoing preparation and training of members for Mission, evangelization and discipleship.
    4. To make appropriate response to community concerns in light of the Gospel of Christ.

 

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THE RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 
 

  1. Meetings


     
     

    1. The Resources and development Committee shall meet TWO times each year on some date in September and March prior to the corresponding Congregational Council Meetings.
    2. The Resources and development Committee may also meet on such other occasions as may be desirable for the proper dispatch of its business and the effective execution of its responsibilities.
    3. The Resources and development Committee shall be chaired by a Congregational Steward, and it shall appoint its own Secretary.


       
       

  2. Constitution


     
     

    1. The Congregational Stewards.
    2. The Property Stewards
    3. The Care Fund Stewards.
    4. Not less than three and not more than twelve members appointed by the Congregational Council based on needed skills and expertise.


       
       

  3. Functions


     
     

    1. To Prepare an adequate Budget for the Congregation.
    2. To ensure the payment of Circuit assessments and other funds due.
    3. To ensure the payment of all financial obligations related to the efficient running of the Congregation.
    4. To Receive at each meeting a report from the Congregational Stewards, CARE Fund Stewards and any other funds operated by the congregation are any group within the congregation.
    5. To carry out all acts of care and repairs to the property used by the Congregation.
    6. To Identify and develop the material and human resources of the Congregation.
    7. To Employ and supervise secretaries, custodians, and other workers.
    8. To review Property Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.
    9. To monitor the use of property by external parties.
    10. Any other duty of similar nature to the above.

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