First United Methodist Church - Cary
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Connect with God, People, and Service

Church Council

News

 
 
 

Church Council Update 

The Church Council met on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in room 118.  Susan Barrier, our Lay Leader, opened our meeting with the lighting of the Christ candle and worship reminding all of us to be on fire for Christ.  We spent time celebrating our accomplishments of Connecting with God, Connecting with People, and Connecting with Service since the last time we met in November.  Some of our celebrations included, a wonderful Advent season, Moravian Love Feast, Table Talk/ Small Talk, Pathway to Discipleship workshops, Outreach to the Hispanic Community – Mighty Mondays, Hospital Visitation, and Congregational Care workshops.  Ralph Gordon, our Church Council chair, led us in prayer thanking God for all that he has done in and through our congregation over the past two months.

We then spent some time evaluating our first six months together as a Church Council.  We discussed what had gone well and areas for improvement.  The Council began using a spiritual discernment/consensus model in July 2011.  Spiritual discernment actively places God at the center of all areas of discussion and reflects on What is the higher good?, What will be the fruits if we take this step?,  and Will this strengthen or dilute our church family?.  The consensus process begins with the Council receiving material and information prior to each meeting and for each Council member to review all material ahead of time and to come prepared for each meeting.  Another important aspect of consensus is for everyone to speak his or her mind at least once.  Ralph Gordon concluded this time of reflection with a prayer of thankfulness and petition for God to continue to lead and direct the Council.

Bob Warner, our Treasurer, presented a revision of the FUMCC policy and procedures that he had updated.  Most of the changes in the policy and procedures were updating names to align with our current Church Council structure.  The Council thanked Bob for his service and for completing this important project!

Carl Frazier placed before the Council the Nominations and Lay Leadership Committee’s recommendation of Mac McNair to be our Evangelism Chair.  The Church Council enthusiastically affirmed his nomination and welcomed Mac to the Church Council!  

Ralph Gordon closed our meeting with prayer.  The Church Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 12th at 7:00 p.m. in room 118. 


The church council serves to guide the church’s missions and ministries.  All meetings are open to the congregation.  Please contact Ralph Gordon at gordonsnug@aol.com or Christine Hildebrand at childebrand@fumc-cary.org or at 467-1861 if you have any questions about the church council and the items discussed.

 

Meet the Church Council

FAQ on the Church Council

 
 
 
 
What will the Church Council do?
The Church Council will be charged with the overseeing and evaluating the strategic direction of the church, as well as approving the annual budget and elected leaders. The Council is comprised of the Pastoral and representatives from Church Staff and 23 Lay Leaders representing 20 different ministry areas.
 
  • Facilitate the four areas of ministry: Stewardship, Outreach, Christian Formation and Leadership Development to implement the mission and ministry goals, to provide an administrative infrastructure; to align the plan with the mission of the church and to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and act as the administrative agency of the Charge Conference. The groups set their objective to accomplish the Goals within the defined mission of the church.
 
What is the greatest benefit of this change?
The new structure should provide improved communication, streamlined decision making and an environment of trust and accountability.
 
 
When will the Church Council Model take effect?
July 1, 2011
 
 
How will the Church Council make decisions?
The Church Council will move to a Consensus Model based in Prayer and Spiritual Discernment. 
 
 
How will members of the Church Council be selected?
First United Methodist Church Cary follows the Book of Discipline. The Nominating and Lay Leadership Committee seeks input from current team and committee members, staff and other congregation members. In addition, interested congregation members will be encouraged to self-refer. The Committee undergoes a careful discernment process to prepare a slate of nominations for consideration by the Charge Conference. The Charge Conference, at the annual meeting, makes the final decision regarding leadership. The Lead Pastor, with the approval of the Superintendent, may call a Charge Conference as needed. Elected leaders will participate in various leadership development opportunities.
 
Through the GPS Model (Connecting with God, Connecting with People and Connecting through Service), all are invited to serve in mission and ministry together. To be considered for the Church Council you must be:
 
  • A full member of FUMCC
  • Actively fulfilling membership expectations through prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness
  • Prior involvement and/or leadership within church ministries is needed for a leadership role on the Council
  • Alignment with the church’s mission statement
  • Ability to bring balance and/or diversity to the committee
  • Appropriate talents or skills
  • Ability to attend meetings and fulfill requirements
  • In order to secure experience and stability, the ministry area members are divided into three classes, one of which is elected each year for a three-year term
 
If I would like to learn more about the Church Council or am possibly interested in serving in a leadership role at FUMC-Cary, whom should I contact?
Please contact Christine Hildebrand, Leadership Development Director at (919)467-1861 or childebrand@fumc-cary.org.
 
 
How often will the Church Council meet?
According to the Book of Discipline, the Council will meet quarterly. The Council Chair or Lead Pastor may call additional meetings as needed.
 
 
What will implementation of the Church Council model mean to committees and chairs?
The role of the committees and chairs, will essentially, remain the same; however, there may be fewer leadership meetings to attend and decisions can be expected in a shorter time period. It will hopefully allow more direct involvement for participants in the grassroots issues of mission and ministry and enjoy more autonomy within the boundaries of the overall mission focus for the church.
                For Example, The Worship Committee meets to determine the needs for Worship such as Communion,  Acolytes, Seasonal Decorating, etc. They would come to the Council for new/additional budget issues that can’t be met by redistributing within their allotted funds.
 
 
How do I get a program idea approved?
Mission and Ministry Toolkits are available on-line and by request from the church office. Toolkits should be submitted to the appropriate Ministry Area Director for assistance with implementation.
                For Example, If you would like to start a new “mission outreach”, you would work with the Director of Outreach Ministries. If you would like to lead a small group, you would work with the Director of  Christian Formation.
 
 
How long will Church Council members serve?
Currently, there are no changes to the length of service for nominated positions; however, further review may indicate changes. For now, there will still be three classes each serving for three years.
 
 
Whom should I contact if I have questions about the Church Council?
Members can always contact church leadership on items of concern or interest. The Church Council Meetings are open to church members. Contact Rev. Carl Frazier at (919) 467-1861 or cfrazier@fumc-cary.org.
 

 

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