Text of: 1262-262.01

The Committee recommends concurrence as amended as follows:

Amend 262.1:

262.1 [Delete current text.] There shall be elected annually, by the charge conference in each local church, a committee on lay leadership that is composed of professing full members of the local church. The charge of this committee is to identify, develop, deploy, evaluate, and monitor Christian spiritual leadership for the local congregation. Members of the committee shall engage in and be attentive to developing and enhancing their own Christian spiritual life in light of the mission of the Church (Part V, Chapter One, Section 1).

In conducting its work, the committee shall engage in biblical and theological reflections on the mission of the church, the primary task, and ministries of the local church. It shall provide a means of identifying thespiritual gifts and talents abilities of the membership. The committee shall work with the church council, or alternative administrative bodies, to ascertain determine the diverse ministry tasks and communicate to of the congregation and the competencies skills needed for leadership,. including Bible study, education and training experiences, and skills in the criteria of the particular ministries.

a) The committee on lay leadership shall serve throughout the year to guide the church council, or alternative structure, on matters regarding the leadership (other than employed staff) of the congregation so as to focus on mission and ministry as the context for service; guide the development and training of spiritual leaders; recruit, nurture, and support spiritual leaders; and assist the church council, or alternative structure, in assessing the changing leadership needs.

cb) The committee shall recommend to the charge conference, at its annual session, the names of people to serve as officers and leaders of designated ministries of the church council, administrative board, council on ministries, administrative council, and/or other such structures or alternative administrative body required for the work of the church and as the law of the church requires or as the charge conference deems necessary to its work.

c b) This committee is to be composed of not more than nine persons, in addition to the pastor and the lay leader. At least one young adult elected by the charge conferrence shall serve as a member of the committee. One or more members elected by the charge conference may be youth.The pastor shall be the chairperson. A layperson elected by the committee on lay leadership shall serve as the vice chairperson of the committee.

d) In order to secure experience and stability, the membership shall be divided into three classes, one of which shall be elected each year for a three-year term. (The lay member of the annual conference is exempt from the three year term.) To begin the process of rotation where such has not been in place, in the first year, one class shall be elected for one year, one class for two years, and one class for three years. Each year's new class, and vacancies as they occur at the time of charge conference, shall be elected from nominees, either from the floor of the charge conference and/or through the recommendation of the Committee on Lay Leadership. Retiring members of the committee shall not succeed themselves. Only one person from an immediate family residing in the same household shall serve on the committee. When vacancies occur during the year, nominees shall be elected at by the church council, or alternative church structure, with the permission of the district superintendent.

e) At least one young adult elected by the charge conference shall serve as a member of the committee. One or more members elected by the charge conference may be youth.

f e) In the identification and selection process, care shall be given that the leadership of ministries reflects the inclusivity of membership and diversity. so as to deploy people reflecting a diversity of abilities and disabilities, ages, genders, cultures, races, and ethnicities, as well as economic, social and theological orientations. The committee is urged to recruit baptized children and youth for service on all committees and ministries not reserved for professing membership, in which case they may be members with voice but not vote.

g) The committee shall monitor and assess the status of the ministries of the congregation on a quarterly basis and report findings to the church council or alternative administrative body amenable to the charge conference. The report is to include recommendations for continuing, improving, or eliminating ministry activity and/or changes in leadership if warranted.

h) It is the responsibility of the committee on lay leadership, working collaboratively with the church council or alternative administrative body, to provide training and continuing learning opportunities for all officers and leaders of designated ministries.

 

 

 

 

Info About Calendar Item 1262-262.01

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