How to be  . . . a church council member

Just what IS a church council?

The church council is made up of adult members of the church who have been elected by (lie congregation to guide the parish for the year, and make plans for the future.

Ours is a "Parish Planning Council"

What does the council DO?

The council is guided by our constitution and is responsible for specific areas of church life ‑‑ such as Worship, Education, Evangelism, Fellowship, Property, Public Relations, Social Concerns, Stewardship and Youth. The members deliberate, make decisions about the policies, practices and plans for the future of our church.

What qualifications do council members have?

Council members are male or female baptized Christians instructed in the Christian faith and committed to being disciples of Jesus Christ. They are men and women of prayer, students of the Bible and active members of their church in good standing, regular in worship, supporting their congregation, willing to give of their time and talent for the mission of the church. They are elected by their fellow church members to serve for two years,

What arc council members expected to do?

Once elected to it specific position on the council, they are invited to attend a regular council meeting as observers. They accept training in the meaning arid work of the council. The Parish Planning Council meets once a month, usually the first Tuesday.

The council also arranges for its own planning retreat to appraise the present state of the church and clarify their near and long range future plans.

Each council member is the director of' his or her area of responsibility as described in the by‑laws of the constitution. Each director has a board of interested and willing members. Once a month the individual boards meet to evaluate, plan and work to carry on and improve their assigned responsibility.

Members of the Parish Planning Council, and their officers (the executive committee) and all Board members are elected by the congregation.

Board members plan but are not required to do all the work of carrying out their plans. They are encouraged to seek other church members to serve on committees and task forces assisting in on‑going or special projects. Some boards are directly involved in the work for which they are responsible, such as boards of Fellowship, Properties and Youth. Other boards are indirectly involved in their charge, such as Education, Stewardship or Worship.

The council is responsible for the quarterly meetings of the congregation. It is here that church members elect the council members, hear the state of their church, the council's plans for the future and vote on the proposed programs and budget for the coming year.

Who could or should consider being a candidate for the Parish Planning Council?

Church members who have a genuine love for Jesus Christ and his church, who are concerned about God's will ‑ the mission and direction of their church, who are willing to speak up and work for the betterment of this community, the family of faith called East Side Lutheran Church.

The council needs the leadership of members who are willing, not only to give time and money, but are willing, to make, at times, difficult decisions and even risk a little criticism from other members. (It is a fact of life that many church members offer criticism for more frequently than they offer thanks or praise.)

Prospective council members need not have experience in church leadership. (Here is where you get that experience.) There is no sex or age requirement (other than being confirmed and with mature judgment). There is no education, career or financial qualification. Genuine faith and willingness to speak and work is what we need and ask.

Should I consider being a candidate?

The honest answer is ‑ yes, if you arc reading this and the above terms seem to fit you. Talk with a pastor or a member of the Parish Planning Council. And.... bless you!