Leader Training Church CouncilAdministrative Council Church Council Governing

Leader Training Church Council/Administrative Council

Church Council Governing Body of the Church Final Decisions are made there n Administrative n Program You are the Chief Servant Leader SERVANT LEADER NOT King or Queen NOT Dictator

Church Council Your style of leadership will determine how successful the Council will be Collegial NOT Top Down Work together NOT For me All are servants of Jesus Christ Bringing God’s kingdom to this world

Church Council Devotional Biblical Grounding John 5: 1 -15 (handout) Do you want to be made well? n

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 n After this there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 In Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate in the north city wall is a pool with the Aramaic name Bethsaida. It had five covered porches, 3 and a crowd of people who were sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed sat there.

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 n 5 A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, knowing that he had already been there a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well? ”

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 n 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I don’t have anyone who can put me in the water when it is stirred up. When I’m trying to get to it, someone else has gotten in ahead of me. ”

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 n 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. ” 9 Immediately the man was well, and he picked up his mat and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. n 10 The Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It’s the Sabbath; you aren’t allowed to carry your mat. ”

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 n 11 He answered, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk. ’” n 12 They inquired, “Who is this man who said to you, ‘Pick it up and walk’? ” 13 The man who had been cured didn’t know who it was, because Jesus had slipped away from the crowd gathered there.

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 n 14 Later Jesus found him in the temple and said, “See! You have been made well. Don’t sin anymore in case something worse happens to you. ” 15 The man went and proclaimed to the Jewish leaders that Jesus was the man who had made him well.

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 Churches, like people, can be disabled Disabled by: fear structures that don’t work conflict

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 Can be healthy by: - constantly seeking God will - keep the vine fertilized (spiritual growth) - growing new ministries that help people

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 (Autopsy of a Deceased Church) Why churches are unhealthy & die - Inward focused not Outward - Great Commission becomes Great Omission - church money focused on us rather than them

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 Do you want to be made well? A change of heart Transformation is the key Members to Disciples Serving the Community

Church Council John 5: 1 -15 Do you want to be made well? Prayer

Church Council Our Time Together 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Understanding our Call & Mission Primary task of the church 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader Grounding for the Council Role of the Chairperson How to Get Started A New Way to view Small Church Vitality Resources Ideas Sharing

Church Council What is the purpose of the church? Make Disciples for the transformation of the world How do we make disciples?

Church Council Our Call and Mission To Do Ministry N E E D S ╬ GIFTS

Church Council Primary Task of the Church To make disciples for the transformation of the world - Reach out and receive people as they are - Introduce them to Jesus Christ - Nurture them as Disciples - Send them out to change the world

Church Council Primary Task of the Church To make disciples for the transformation of the world - Reach out and receive people as they are - What are ways you reach out to reach the unchurched in your community?

Church Council Primary Task of the Church To make disciples for the transformation of the world - Introduce them to Jesus Christ - Do you help people know and follow Jesus Christ? How?

Church Council Primary Task of the Church To make disciples for the transformation of the world - Nurture them as Disciples - How are you growing Disciples? - Do you have a plan where you are growing people wherever they are in their walk with God?

Church Council Primary Task of the Church To make disciples for the transformation of the world - Send them out to change the world - How are you encouraging your members to carry their faith to the places where they work and live?

Church Council The Harvest is plentiful. 70% of people in South Carolina are unchurched

Church Council The Harvest is plentiful. 97% of people believe in God The GAP

Church Council The Church has to return to its roots. If the Church is not making disciples they are not a church!

Church Council Essential Leadership Functions n Be a Spiritual Leader (practice spiritual disciplines) n Discover Current Reality (how are things done? ) n Name Shared Vision

Church Council Essential Leadership Functions n Develop Action Plans (goals & objectives) n n Goals Include Guide for Action Plans Monitor the Journey n n Evaluation (Honest Look @ Church Programs

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 1) Relationships Leaders build strong relationships Leaders gain influence from people they have a relationship with

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 2) Knowledge Leaders are competent They know what their job is They know about the church

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 3) Trust Leaders are Trustworthy (Worthy of Trust) They do what they say They get things done

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 4) Honesty Leaders tell the truth If they don’t know they say so (but will find out) They lead people toward a common goal

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 5) Investing in Others Leaders take time to know and work with people Leaders know the hopes and dreams of the people they work

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 6) A Clear Direction A clear direction is essential A direction people own A direction derived by and for the people

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 7) Flexibility Rigid leaders fail Wishy-Washy leaders fail Flexibility means willingness to pursue options for vitality after doing due dillengence

Church Council 8 Factors That Make You A More Influential Leader 8) Inspiration Leaders are inspired by the Holy Spirit The go to the trouble of seeking to grow in God They encourage others to grow closer to God also

Church Council Purpose of the Council Include Ministries of Nurture (Matthew 22: 37 -40) Outreach (Matthew 25: 34 -40) Witness (Matthew 28: 18 -20) Communications Leader Development

Church Council Purpose of the Council Work together as John Wesley said: Discipleship - Piety (Nurture) Growing closer to God - Mercy (Outreach & Witness) Growing closer to others

Church Council Purpose of the Council Work together Cannot do just one of these Must do acts of PIETY to give us the courage and power to do MERCY

Church Council Purpose of the Council Work together Cannot neglect MERCY (Outreach and Witness) because that is where the church finds life. If we only practice PIETY (Nurture) we have a shallow faith.

Church Council Purpose of the Council n Provide an Administrative Infrastructure n Evaluate the Plan n Act as the Administrative Agency of the Congregation Pastor-Parrish Relations Committee Finance Building maintenance Committee on Lay Leadership

Church Council Structure that fits the Church The Discipline allows churches to develop a structure that allows them to do Ministry in the most effective way. As long as they have the approval of the Church Council It must be approved by the District Superintendent Church committees can serve multiple roles

Church Council Purpose of the Council n Inviting Leaders to Serve Invited to do ministry A sacred task Invite from strength rather that panic Have job descriptions Support your leaders

Church Council Role of the Chairperson n Be a Spiritual Leader n Stay Focused on the Primary Task n Actively Guide the Work of the Council n Lead the Planning Process n Develop Learning and Training Experiences n Develop Working Relationships n Provide Accountable Leadership n Understand Polity and doctrine

Church Council How to get Started Getting Started Activities Prepare Orient the Council Seek the Voice of Experience Check out the Church Structure Let ministry happen People to work doing ministry Accountable

Church Council How to get Started Learn as Much as You Can Hone Extra Skills Take advantage of training opportunities Read Do planning in your church (attend)

Church Council How to get Started Evaluate your ministry every year Strengths Areas of improvement Who participated? How much did it cost (money & time)? What could be better? Should we do it again next year?

Church Council A New Way to view Small Church Vitality n The congregation maintains vital worship of God n The congregation is a surrogate family n The congregation is a blessing to the community where it finds itself n The congregation maintains its building for holy space and mission n The congregation passes the faith to the coming generations

Church Council A New Way to view Small Church Vitality n The congregation maintains vital worship of God People need excellent worship that feeds them spiritually - Quality music - Excellent preaching - Fellowship - Gives opportunity for praise and prayer - The sacraments are essential

Church Council A New Way to view Small Church Vitality n The congregation is a surrogate family - A family to all God’s children - Where people are known by name - Where people find affirmation

Church Council A New Way to view Small Church Vitality n The congregation is a blessing to the community where it finds itself What are the demographics in a three mile radius of your church? - Meet the needs of those people - Do things to improve your community and the lives of the people in your community

Church Council A New Way to view Small Church Vitality n The congregation maintains its building for holy space and mission The house of God should be maintained as a representation of God Your building is a witness to the community

Church Council A New Way to view Small Church Vitality n The congregation passes the faith to the coming generations How will our children/grand children and future generations know God if we don’t tell them - We have to teach out children - We teach people of every generation

Church Council Resources SC CCM Book of Discipline Bible Your Congregational Specialist Millie Nelson Smith mnelsonsmith@umcsc. org My email - jarant@umcsc. org

Church Council Idea Mart Share ideas that work for you in your congregation….