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DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OF
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
BOARD OF ELDERS
The purpose of the Board of Elders is to constitute the Board of Directors of the corporation and to generally be responsible for the total ministry of God's Word to persons within and without the congregation.
To fulfill the purposes assigned to it by the congregation the Board of Elders will:
1. Meet at least once a month to consider and discuss all matters pertaining to the general welfare of the congregation;
2. Be responsible for seeing that the various officers and committees carry out the duties assigned to them;
3. Appoint the Standing Committees of the congregation;
4. Appoint an audit committee;
5. Appoint four men to serve as election judges;
6. Participate with the pastor (s) in church discipline as necessary;
7. Make recommendations and give advise to committees in carrying out their respective ministrie. Elders are voting members of the committees they are assigned to;
8. Act as a sounding board for the called staff of the congregation in carrying out their ministries;
9. Assign the duties of the Standing Committees of the congregation in a Committee Manual to be reviewed annually;
10. Review, approve and/or recommend changes in the actions of committees; (Should time be a factor, the Board of Elders may make changes in accordance with the policies and practices of the congregation.)
11. The Board of Elders will determine matters of policy and practice under the guidelines of the voters assembly and with the advise and recommendation of committees.
BOARD OF DEACONS
The purpose of the Board of Deacons is to provide assistance to the pastors of the congregation in the spiritual care of the members. In their work the deacons are distinguished from the Board of Elders which serves as the Board of Directors of the congregation. The Board of Deacons is advisory to the Board of Elders in matters pertaining to the spiritual life of our members, but generally does its work independent of the Board of Elders.
More specifically, the work of the Board of Deacons is:
1. To generally encourage all congregational workers by word and prayer, being concerned about the total health and welfare of both the workers and their families,
2. To assist the pastor (s) in finding peaceful and God-pleasing solutions to relationship problems within the congregation,
3. To be concerned for orderliness of ministry and that our ministry is carried on in accordance with Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Constitution and By-laws of this congregation,
4. To assist the pastor (s) in the exercise of church discipline and in particular assisting in a continual review of our members at worship, Holy Communion, Bible study and fellowship,
5. To carry on continual training and development of skills needed for more effective ministry of the deacons,
6. To oversee the worship of the congregation together with the pastor (s), giving particular oversight to the staffing and work of the ushers, the Altar Guild, and the acolytes. A subcommittee will be formed to decorate the church for seasonal and special festival occasions,
7. To show especially warm hospitality toward visitors, new members and returnees from inactivity,
8. To hear the concerns of members of the congregation about the programs and workers of the congregation, and finally;
9. To supervise the broadcast of the Sunday morning worship service.
THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
The purpose of the committee chairman is to guide a committee of the Board of Elders in fulfilling its responsibilities. Each committee will elect its own chairman from among its members subject to ratification by the Board of Elders. In carrying out his/her duties the committee chairman will form a team with an Elder liaison and/or staff advisor assigned by the Board of Elders through which they will mutually guide the committee in its work. The committee chairman is responsible to the chairman of the Board of Elders for his/her work. More specifically, the work of the committee chairman is:
1. To assist the Board of Elders in the appointment of sufficient members of the committee to do its work,
2. To serve as chairman of the meetings of a committee toward fulfillment of a significant part of the congregation's total ministry,
3. To plan the agenda for the meetings of the committee together with the staff advisor,
4. To conduct meetings at their appointed time and place, or to inform the chairman of the elders of inability to do so,
5. To provide a report of actions at committee meetings in the church office within 48 hours of the conclusion of the meeting,
6. To present recommendations of the committee to the Board of Elders either in writing through the meeting report, the Elder liaison, or in person should that seem advisable,
7. To see that decisions of the committee are carried out by the persons assigned to them, and finally;
8. To authorize budgeted expenditures for the committee's budget line items through the signing of purchase requisitions.
STANDING COMMITTEES
PART I - NAMES OF COMMITTEES
The following Standing Committees shall be appointed annually for one-year terms by the Board of Elders:
A. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
B. CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL
C. YOUTH
D. EVANGELISM
E. FINANCE
F. PROPERTY
G. STEWARDSHIP
PART II - COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES
Members of Committees will be appointed by the Board of Elders annually. Each committee shall have a minimum of four and a maximum of ten members. Committee members will begin their term of service on May 1 of each year. Committees will select their own secretary. No person shall normally serve for more than three consecutive years on a committee. However, at the sole discretion of the Board of Elders, the same person may be authorized to serve on the same committee for more than three consecutive years.[E99-034]
In addition to the listed duties, the committee shall assist the Board of Elders and the congregation in special tasks as requested. The committees shall have authority to carry out the specified or assigned duties. In other matters they shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Elders and the congregation.
PART III. - DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
A. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Christian Education Committee is to foster spiritual growth in the life of the individual Christian by providing learning opportunities through the Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and weekday adult Bible classes and encourage participation.
In order to accomplish its purpose this committee will:
1. Supervise the Sunday School (all age levels) by:
a. Appointing a superintendent and assisting him in recruiting staff,
b. Periodically reviewing curriculum materials.
c. Recommending policies as needed, and
d. Enhancing communication with the staff and providing training as necessary;
2. Supervise the Vacation Bible School by:
a. Appointing a superintendent and assisting them in recruiting staff, selecting curriculum materials and in publicity,
b. Recommending policies as needed, and
c. Providing training as necessary.
3. Supervise the adult and family life education efforts by:
a. Recruiting, training and supporting class leaders,
b. Selecting appropriate curriculum materials,
c. Developing and promoting a variety of spiritual enrichment opportunities.
4. Provide leadership, guidance and support for scouting programs of the congregation,
5. Provide support for a broad program of Christian Education for all congregation members, and;
6. Work in close cooperation with the appropriate Circuit and/or District Committee.
B. CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Day School Committee is to assist the principal in all phases of the Day School ministry.
In order to accomplish its purpose this committee will:
1. Develop and recommend policies for the operation of the school to the Board of Elders,
2. Study present and future day school educational needs of the congregation and recommend the necessary action to fill those needs,
3. Support and promote the Day School in congregational meetings, assemblies, and whenever opportunities to do so present themselves,
4. Report on day school issues to the Board of Elders and congregation,
5. Encourage professional growth by the staff,
6. Review the facility capacities and equipment needs of the school and make recommendations to the elders for necessary improvements,
7. Oversee the financial transactions of the school fund, the before-and-after school care fund and the school lunch fund,
8. Meet annually with the faculty to share needs and ideas concerning the operation of the school,
9. Approve annual report to Accreditation Commission and renew the school's accreditation when necessary, and;
10. Work in close cooperation with the appropriate Circuit and/or District Committee.
11. Recommend to the Board of Elders faculty teaching assignments by grade and classroom for the next school year as a result of their April Committee meeting.
12. Recommend to the Board of Elders budget requirements for the operation of the day school and a tuition schedule for inclusion in the next Work Program as a result of their April Committee meeting.
C. YOUTH COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Youth Committee is to actively support the Director of Youth Ministries and guide the Salem Lutheran Youth Group in their activities and to assist in the furthering of their faith.
In order to accomplish its purpose this committee will:
1. Together with the youth representatives and the Director of Youth adopt a program of activities as voted upon by the youth group (s),
2. Supervise the planned activities of the Youth Group,
3. Offer opportunities in enhancing the faith of the youth,
4. Assist the youth in setting yearly goals,
5. Guide and supervise youth representative appointments,
6. Evaluate completed events, successful and unsuccessful, and;
7. Work in close cooperation with the appropriate Circuit and/or District Committee.
D. EVANGELISM COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Evangelism Committee is to lead the congregation in fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord.
In order to full its responsibilities the Evangelism Committee will:
1. Plan, promote and carry out an evangelism (mission) program in the congregation and in the community,
2. Arrange for the maintenance of record files in order to keep an evangelism program alive,
3. Enlist aid in visiting prospective members of the church,
4. Assist the pastor in training the laity to bring the unchurched to the pastor's instruction classes, and
5. Work in close cooperation with the Circuit and/or District evangelism committees.
E. FINANCE COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Finance Committee is to guide the congregation in the stewardship of her thank-offerings and other income so that the interests of the Kingdom of God at large and within the congregation are met.
In order to fulfill its purpose this committee will:
1. Give attention to all financial questions related to the work of the congregation and make recommendations to the Board of Elders in areas not specifically assigned,
2. Solicit recommendations from all committees for the Annual Budget for the following year. Assemble all recommendations into a budget proposal and submit it to the Board of Elders no later than their April meeting. Such proposal shall include no alterations by the Finance Committee but should include any supporting details necessary to explain a committee's recommendation as well as a comparison to current year's actual experience to date,
3. Recommend sound and biblical practices and policies with regard to the stewardship of money for the congregation,
4. Give guidance and counsel regarding accountability of money to all persons who are given authority to spend the congregation's monies, and;
5. Assign tellers and supervise counting and deposits of the income of the congregation.
F. PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Property Committee is to maintain all real property of the congregation so that it is ready for ministry.
In order to fulfill its purpose the Property Committee will:
1. Regularly inspect all real property and faithfully maintain it,
2. Outline the duties and responsibilities of the custodian (s) and periodically check to see that such duties are being carried out,
3. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of church property,
4. See that adequate insurance coverage is maintained,
5. Supervise the security of the church and school buildings, (Key Man Program, etc.)
6. Supervise the removal of snow and ice from steps, walks and parking lots, especially on Sunday mornings,
7. Establish guidelines for the heating, cooling and lighting of the church and school,
8. Review actual charges for purchases by the congregation and establish guidelines for payment of such charges, and;
9. Plan, obtain bids and make recommendations to the Board of Elders on major maintenance and improvement needs.
G. STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Stewardship committee is to lead the people of God to grow in their total life response to the grace of God in and through Jesus Christ.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities the Stewardship Committee will:
1. Integrate new members into the life and work of the church,
2. Plan will clinics and financial management workshops,
3. Lead the congregation in an annual stewardship growth programs,
4. Conduct workshops and Bible studies which motivate and teach the life of serving God and neighbor,
5. Promote investments in the Church Extension Fund of the Central Illinois District,
6. Encourage bequests and other inclusions of the ministries of the church in wills,
7. Conduct seminars toward discovering gifts and abilities for serving the Lord and His Church,
8. Provide coordination and order in the congregation for special gifts throughout the year,
9. Organize and supervise the distribution of offering envelopes, and;
10. Work in close cooperation with the appropriate Circuit and/or District Committee.
11. Communicate to the congregation world missions opportunities and how the congregation can be involved.
12. Communicate to the congregation world relief opportunities and how the congregation can be involved.
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