Ministry & Committee Descriptions
ADMINISTRATION BOARD has general oversight of the administration and program of the local church. It has responsibility for establishing policy for the church, initiating and approving statements of vision and mission, and proposed budgets as well as planning, It establishes objectives, adopts goals, authorizes action, determines policy, receives reports, evaluates the church’s ministries, and reviews the mission and ministry of the church (Par. 247). Members are committee chairs and some at-large members. It is the official decision-making body of the church. The Board meets the first Monday of every other month.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Leadership, Setting Policy, Oversight, Vision
Regular Commitment: A bi-monthly meeting; as-needed meeting/discussions
Under the Administrative Board:
THE MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY is responsible for adding new member information, auditing the membership roles for inactive members and providing an opportunity for further contact and to reactivate inactive members.
STAFF PARISH RELATIONS works with the pastor as advisers on how to best handle issues of the mission and ministry of the church. They encourage the clergy in the areas of continued education, renewal time, and through submission of ideas. They receive recommendations on staff issues providing the decisive word. SPR annually evaluates clergy for the district and conference. In new appointment situations, the SPR works with the District Superintendent and Bishop on placement of new clergy.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: People, Discernment, Wisdom, Encouragement, Administration
Regular Commitment: A monthly meeting
BOARD OF TRUSTEES is the legal branch of the church, overseeing the maintenance and repair of all church property, equipment, buildings, and vehicles. The Board of Trustees handles the church’s insurance policy, mortgages, purchase and sale of real property. Trustees need not be members of TSUMC. Membership must be laymen and laywomen and all members must be of legal age (Par. 2524-2526).
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Facility Administration, Oversight, Hands-On Ministry, Giving
Regular Commitment: A monthly meeting with the possibility of special projects.
Under the Board of Trustees:
BUILDING TASK FORCE works in conjunction with both the Finance Ministry and the Board of Trustees. They meet and propose future growth plans for the church taking into consideration the needs and wants of the congregation.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Faith, Giving, Leadership, Oversight, Stewardship, and Wisdom.
Regular Commitment: A monthly meeting
FINANCE/STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY oversees the financial work handled by the treasurer, reviewing monthly reports to monitor income and expense trends that may require action, offering advice on the type of reports needed to provide the most valuable information, and to insure that financial matters are being handled as required by The Book of Discipline and GAAP. Finance Committee defines the procedures for handling money/offerings and reviews them regularly. Finance Committee analyzes the budget submitted by staff and recommends a bottom line prior to taking the budget to the Administrative Board.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Faith, Giving, Leadership, Stewardship, and Wisdom.
Regular Commitment: A monthly meeting
Under the Finance Ministry:
FUND RAISING TASK FORCE falls under the Finance Committee. They will plan the year’s activities and propose a schedule to the board. They will get Chairmen for the events.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Faith, Giving, Leadership, Stewardship, and Wisdom.
Regular Commitment: Meetings as needed
Building Task Force works in conjunction with both the Finance Ministry and the Board of Trustees. They meet and propose future growth plans for the church taking into consideration the needs and wants of the congregation.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Faith, Giving, Leadership, Oversight, Stewardship, and Wisdom.
WORSHIP MINISTRY aids the congregation in becoming increasingly aware of the meaning, purpose, and practice of worship and works closely with the pastor, director of music, organist, and others to prepare for worship. The work of this committee includes arrangements, decorations, special preparations, communion preparation and training of those assisting in worship.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Artistry, Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Hospitality, Intercession, Knowledge, Leadership, Music, Shepherding, Service, Teaching, Wisdom, Writing.
Regular Commitment: A monthly meeting
Under the Worship Ministry:
ACOLYTES is a group of children, ages 8-13, who assist the clergy during the principal services. Training is provided for this important ministry as needed. Older Youth and Adults may serve as Acolytes if needed.
Spiritual Gifts: Giving, Hospitality, Leadership, Service
Regular Commitment: Scheduled by the Leader
USERS AND GREETERS perform a ministry of hospitality and ensure that many of the mechanics of worship run smoothly.
Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Giving, Hospitality, Shepherding, Service
Regular Commitment: Scheduled by the Leader
COMMUNION is responsible for preparing Communion.
Spiritual Gifts: Giving, Hospitality, Shepherding, Service
Regular Commitment: Scheduled by the Leader
LITURGISTS assist the pastor with the worship service. The Lay Leader will sign up Liturgists at least one month ahead of time.
Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Giving, Hospitality, Shepherding, Service
MUSIC MINISTRY oversees musical presentations and musical opportunities. It works with the Worship Ministry. It assists in keeping the congregation informed about the music needs of people and the goals of the music program. It develops an adequate music budget for the regular upkeep of musical instruments and monies for new music.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Music- Vocal or Instrumental
Commitment: Meet as needed
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY shall insure that persons of all ages are provided with opportunities to study the Bible and grow in Christian faith and life. This committee provides organization, volunteer staffing, and oversight to the educational activities of the church such as Sunday School and other courses..
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Hospitality, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy, Shepherding, Service, Teaching. Wisdom.
Commitment: Monthly meeting
Under Christian Education:
SUNDAY SCHOOL MINISTRY plans for Sunday school, ensures proper leadership and assists with classes and special activities.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy, Shepherding, Service, Teaching. Wisdom.
Commitment: Meeting as needed
YOUTH MINISTRIES plan and direct activities for our youth.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy, Shepherding, Service, Teaching. Wisdom.
Commitment: Meeting as needed
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL This special week in mid summer is devoted to fun and activities that teach our children the Biblical heritage of our faith. Adults and teenagers are encouraged to offer their skills for this important and rewarding summer week.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Artistry, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Hospitality, Leadership, Mercy, Pastoring, Service, Teaching.
Commitment: Meet as needed and 1 week in June
LAITY MINISTRY is led by the Lay Leader who is the primary representative of the laity of the local church. Duties are defined in Par. 250.1 and include informing the Board and Council of opportunities for ministry within the community, informing the laity of opportunities for training and service in the mission of the church, and counseling with the pastor concerning the state of the church and needs for ministry. The Lay Leader also serves as the Lay Delegate to the Annual Conferencerepresenting the local charge to the Annual Conference and serving as an interpreter to the local church of the actions of the Annual Conference. The Lay Delegate reports to the Administrative Board not more than three months after Annual Conference. There shall be an alternate to this position.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Intercession, Knowledge, Leadership, Shepherding, Service
Regular Commitment: Annual Conference
Under the Laity Ministry:
Lay Speakers are a committed group of lay persons, both certified and uncertified
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Intercession, Knowledge, Leadership, Shepherding, Service
LAY LEADERSHIP SELECTION (Nominating Committee) has these areas of responsibility: It encourages members to discover their spiritual gifts and to be led by those gifts into ministry. It makes sure there are various opportunities for members to develop these gifts through training and equipping. It assists members in finding and being commissioned into the specific ministries where God has been hoping they would be sent. It invites members to serve in specific capacities and church ministries. (Par. 258)
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Leadership Development, Training, Encouragement
Regular Commitment: A monthly meeting
OUTREACH MINISTRY works to make evangelism an ongoing priority of TSUMC. It is responsible for developing plans to share the love of Christ by 1) making the church known and visible in the community, 2) training church members to be open and inviting to those they meet in the community, and 3) responding to new residents and visitors in person with love and the good news of Jesus Christ.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Discernment, Faith, Giving, Intercession, Mercy, Service. Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Discernment, Faith, Giving, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy, Service
Commitment: Monthly meeting
MISSION MINISTRY seeks to understand and communicate community, national needs, as well as world missions. They plan and implement a program that addresses these needs.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Faith, Hospitality, Leadership, Service
Commitment: A monthly meeting
NURTURING MINISTRY is responsible for working to ensure that visitors and new members feel welcomed. This committee seeks to understand and communicate our congregation’s needs. They plan programs addressing these needs.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Faith, Hospitality, Leadership, Service
Commitment: A monthly meeting
NURSERY
During regular Sunday services and other events requiring childcare, parent volunteers provide care for young children and babies in a cheerful nursery setting. Parents of children using the nursery are expected to sign up as volunteers during the year. There must be at least 1 adult in the Nursery. The chairman signs volunteers up for this duty.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Hospitality, Knowledge, Mercy, Shepherding, Service.
Commitment: Meet as needed
CHURCH LIBRARY organizes, maintains, and receives contributions to the church library. The committee also establishes and implements policies for the use of library resources.
The church librarian chairs this committee.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Knowledge, Hospitality, Service
CHURCH HISTORIAN is responsible for maintaining the continuing history of the church in our scrapbooks.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Service, Teaching.
UNITED METHODIST MEN provides fellowship, information, and inspiration to the men of the church and community. The United Methodist Men meet every second Saturday at 8:00 A.M. for fellowship, breakfast, and a program.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, Faith, Hospitality, Knowledge, Leadership, Service
Commitment: A monthly meeting
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. The United Methodist Women have a general meeting every first Monday. The membership is divided into circles that meet monthly.
Passion/Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Evangelism, Faith, Hospitality, Knowledge, Leadership, Service,
Commitment: A monthly meeting
PRAYER MINISTRY seeks to provide confidential prayer support for members and others for whom prayer is requested. This group also supports a prayer e-mail chain. As part of this ministry, the group meets weekly to pray for those in need.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Discernment, Faith, Intercession, Mercy, Pastoring.
Commitment: Weekly
COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY is responsible for serving the communication and promotional needs of the church.
FACILITY LIAISON coordinates the booking and use of our facilities with interested individuals or groups. (see Events page)
WEDDING FACILITATOR coordinates the booking and use of our facilities with the wedding party.
KITCHEN MINISTRY maintains adequate supplies in the kitchen for church functions, establishes kitchen use policies and oversees the use of the kitchen by other groups. Other church committees planning use of the kitchen should work with the kitchen committee to determine availability of the facility prior to scheduling events. The kitchen committee is not expected to cook for events of other committees. The chairman does the purchasing for staples in the kitchen.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Giving, Hospitality, Leadership
Commitment: Meet as needed