2026 CHURCH LEADERSHIP
2026 Church Council

Church Council Descriptions

The Church Council is part of the church's decision-making, evaluation, and forward-looking body. The Church Council's primary work is one of accountability rather than management. The key criterion for nomination to this Board is that the nominee has leadership experience in other ministries or ministry organizations of St. James Methodist Church. This committee meets quarterly.

 

 

PRIMARY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL

  1. Provides for ministries of nurture, outreach, and witness through adoption of the church budget and assurance that the financial needs of the church are met; oversight of the organization for the ministry of the congregation; and seeing to the congregation’s involvement in ministry.

  2. Is the administrative agency of the Charge Conference. Led by our Presiding Elder, the annual Charge Conference elects the officers of the church, evaluates the effectiveness of mission and ministry within the church, sees to matters of membership, and sets support for pastor(s) and staff. 

  3. Acts as a consultative group for issues that the Executive Committee deems should be reviewed by a wider authority.

The Board of Trustees supervises and maintains all property belonging to the congregation. Good stewardship, common sense, and prudence dictate that the church property be properly kept as a way to honor God and to facilitate the ministry of the church. This committee meets quarterly.

The job of the Committee on Finance is to oversee the finance system for the congregation. The finance system is the processes of raising, managing and dispersing the funds so that the purpose of the church can be achieved. Sub-committees of the Finance Committee include the Audit and Stewardship committees. This committee meets in early January and quarterly thereafter.

The Nomination Committee determines the diverse ministry tasks and the skills needed for leadership on various committees. The Committee recommends to the Charge Conference the names of people to serve on church committees. This committee meets for several weeks in late summer/fall.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee functions much like the personnel department in other organizations. The committee's primary responsibility is to build an organization that can fulfill the church's purpose, including working with our Presiding Elder and Bishop on clergy appointments and with the staff on human resources matters. This committee meets monthly.