THE ROLE OF MISSIONARIES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

THE ROLE OF MISSIONARIES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

How well do you know the function of the local Missionary Society? 1. 2. 3. 4. There shall be one or more local Missionary societies in a local church? The Pastor is apart of the Executive Committee of the local society with a vote? The society can elect its own officers? The local Missionary society shall secure and administer their own funds for the support of all work under its charge? 5. The Local Board of Christian Education shall assume the responsibility for supervision of the Missionary work of children, youth and young adults? 6. The Missionary society is only open to the women of the church? 7. The Local Church Women’s Missionary Society shall be responsible for the training of its officers and members? 8. The president of the Local Church Women’s Missionary Society shall be appointed by the Pastor in charge and confirmed by the Quarterly Conference? 9. The One Hundred Dollar March money is reported to the Region Missionary Society and is used for expansion. 10. The Local Missionary Society is not apart of the Book of Discipline.

There shall be one or more local Missionary societies in a local church? FALSE – There is only ONE local Missionary Society in a local church. If you have a larger society, you can have circles which function under the Society. The Pastor is apart of the Executive Committee of the local society with a vote? FALSE – The Pastor is apart of the Executive Committee but does not have a vote. The society can elect its own officers? TRUE The local Missionary society shall secure and administer their own funds for the support of all work under its charge? TRUE – The Missionary Society has the right per the CME Discipline and our Constitution and Bylaws to bank their own money and disburse it on the signed order of the President. The Local Board of Christian Education shall assume the responsibility for supervision of the Missionary work of children, youth and young adults? FALSE , The local Missionary Society shall assume the responsibility for supervision of the Missionary work of children, youth, young adults and its auxiliaries BUT we are to work with the Board of Christian Education.

The Missionary society is only open to the women of the church? FALSE – The Missionary Society is open to any member of the CME Church who indicates a desire to belong to and participate in the mission of the Church. The Local Church Women’s Missionary Society shall be responsible for the training of its officers and members? TRUE The president of the Local Church Women’s Missionary Society shall be appointed by the Pastor in charge and confirmed by the Quarterly Conference? FALSE – The President shall be elected by ballot by the members of Local Missionary Society and confirmed by the Quarterly Conference. The One Hundred Dollar March money is reported to the Region Missionary Society and is used for expansion. FALSE – The Lena Jones Rice March money is reported to the Joint Board of Finance and is used for expansion. The Local Missionary Society is not apart of the Book of Discipline. FALSE – The Local Missionary Society is located on pages 157 -159 in the CME Discipline 2006

What is the Purpose of the Local Missionary Society? • To implement the mission and unity of the Christian Church in Christ Jesus. • To make the mission and unity known at home and abroad. • To encourage cooperation, fellowship, and mutual counsel concerning the spiritual life and religious activities of the Christian Church. • To encourage the study of the bible and to assist in spreading the Gospel. • To study the needs of the society in order to aid in the development of programs, people, processes and resources that will enable the Missionary Society to fulfill its mission. • To work closely with private and public institutions in fulfillment of common goals.

How is the Local Society governed? Organized and governed by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Women’s Missionary Council and the Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Organizational Structure Executive Committee President Vice President Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Pastor-In-Charge, ex-officio, without vote

PRESIDENT • Actively support and engage in the Missionary work and functions on all levels • Preside over all meetings • Member of the Official Board, Board of Christian Education and the Quarterly Conference. • Cooperate with the Pastor-in- Charge in carrying out total program of the church • Report to the Church Conference and Quarterly Conferences and the District President

VICE PRESIDENT • Serve in the absence of the President • Aid in planning and promoting the entire program of the Society • Chairperson of Helena B. Cobb Scholarship Fund Day – held no later than 2 nd Sunday in January. • Submit scholarship applications to Region Vice President.

SECRETARY • Responsible for keeping minutes • Prepare reports • Sign with the President and Treasurer all official papers

ASSISTANT SECRETARY • Serve in absence of Secretary • Communicate messages of condolence, congratulations or thanks.

TREASURER • Receive the funds of the Local Society • Keep an itemized record of all income and disbursements. • Bank money as ordered by the Local Society • Disburse money on the signed order of the President.

What do WE do with the Money? Funds collected in local society ---mailed to District President ------- mailed to Region Treasurer ------ mailed to the Council Overseas Missions Meals for Million Save our Sons Helena B. Cobb Scholarship Hope Network Arts and Crafts

LENA JONES RICE MARCH Funds collected in Local Church Reported to Presiding Elder Reported to Joint Board of Finance Region President reports the financial amount to the WMC in Annual Report Funds are used in the Region for expansion of ministry

Standing Committees Finance Committee Nominating Committee Resolutions Committee

Special Committees Compilation and Statistics – compile and have printed all reports for the Local Society Eula W. F. Harris Life Membership – generates funds in support of gift fund for past Council Presidents, Treasurers and Editors. Credentials Committee – verify the members of the local society.

Circles In large societies, the body may be divided into circles. Circle Leader is NOMINATED by the circle members and elected by the Society.

WHO ARE WE? Division of Structure Rossie T. Hollis Department – Training of Children - ages cradle to 11 years old. Mattie E. Coleman – Training of youth – ages 12 -17 years old Phyllis H. Bedford Young Adult Department – Engaging young adults in experiences of learning, worship, fellowship and service – ages 18 -35 years old. Organization and Promotion – Promotes growth (membership) and development of the Missionary Society Pauline B. Grant Status of Women Department – Seeks opportunities for women in the local church. Study the status of women in the local church and community.

WHAT WE DO? DIVISION OF PROGRAM Fine Arts Department • develop a desire to express the mission of the church through creativity. Literature and Publication Department • Create and publish news concerning the Missionary society • responsible for distribution of literature • encourage members to subscribe to the Missionary Messenger. Thelma J. Dudley Education Department • Use the prescribed course of study from the WMC • express a continual educational growth of Christ’s teaching ministry. Spiritual Life and Message Department • Develop programs through which the Gospel can be spread • Help members grow in spiritual life and Christian activities • Develop and implement special prayer activities • Promote activities in Evangelism and Christian Stewardship

HOW DO WE SERVE? DIVISION OF SERVICE AND OUTREACH Overseas Missions Department • Share in meaningful ministry in our foreign work Hunger and Meals for Million • Sacrificial giving to alleviate hunger at home an abroad • Raise the awareness of the social issues of hunger and educate regarding the global needs. Commission on Christian Social Relations • Be informed on the social problems in the community • Work cooperatively with social institutions • Commission members – American Bible, Church Women United, World Federation of Methodist and United Church Women and National Council of Negro Women

Missionary Society and the Local Board of Christian Education Training of our children To see that an effective ministry to the children of the church (ages 1 -11) is provided Rossie T Hollis Department CYF vs Mattie E. Coleman Same Children=Same Goal Young Adult Work vs Phyllis H. Bedford

Did you know? The Rossie T. Hollis and Mattie E. Coleman Secretaries are to serve as Sunday School Teachers, share in planning Vacation Bible School and work with the Christian Youth Fellowship.

Board of Membership and Evangelism Secretary for Spiritual Life and Message and the Local President of the Missionary Society shall work with the Pastor on promoting activities for evangelism. Organization and Promotion Secretary Encourage cooperation with Church Women United and participation in World Day of Prayer (March) May Fellowship Day World Community Day (November) Develop and implement special prayer activities

Ministry to Men Princess Ann Pegues Save our Sons Scholarship Funding of education for young men Support of Historically Black Schools

Commission on Health Initiative To train educate and serve as an advocacy for African American women to be aware of life threatening health issues. Partnership with the Balm of Gilead Sister to Sister Legacy Award

CONNECTIONAL DAYS AND OBSERVANCES Children’s Day Rossie T. Hollis American Bible Society Day Commission on Christian Social Relations Christian Youth Fellowship Day Mattie E. Coleman Social Concerns Day Commission on Christian Social Relations Missions Beyond the USA Sunday Overseas Missions Student Recognition Day Mattie E. Coleman/Phyllis H. Bedford/ Rossie T. Hollis NAACP Sunday Commission on Christian Social Relations

COMMISSION ON HISTORY

HOPE NETWORK The purpose of the H. O. P. E. Network is to raise funds for the building and maintenance of the Elnora P. Hamb Women’s Missionary Council Library and Conference Center. The aim of the H. O. P. E. Network is to lift our families out of poverty by education; sharing their gifts, talents and skills to become self-sufficient; to help train our ministers for greater service; and provide computers labs and a library to service the community

PERSONAL SACRIFICES BY MISSIONARIES Life Membership $100. 00 Meals for Million $7. 30 Organization and Promotion $10 for region and $25 for Council Lena Jones Rice March $100. 00

ACCOUNTABILITY ON ALL LEVELS “If it doesn’t happen on the local level, it does not happen” Dr. Sylvia Faulk Council Region District Local Church

QUESTIONS Ask your Missionary President