First Presby: Committee: Info

1 Corinthians 12:12

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."

Our church body has a strong history of tradition in the way we are governed and seek to do God's work. The Presbyterian church answers to Presbytery. Further information about the Presbyterian Church USA can be found at: http://www.pcusa.org

The operations and functions of our church are governed by a committee system. All committees are made up of members of our Church body and led by a church Elder. Each committee has specific roles in fulfilling the goals of our church. Below is a list of all of our committees and the responsibilities they seek to fulfill:

Christian Education

Christian Education - Children
The Committee seeks to provide Christian nurture for all of our children, nursery through 5th Grade. Sunday School, Wacky Games, Junior Church, nursery and child-care, Wednesday Night Family Time, Vacation Bible School reflect the concerns of the committee.

Goals:
To teach the Scriptures to our children, beginning with the nursery, in order that they may know Jesus Christ, the Word of God, as Savior and Lord.

To encourage our children to begin forming caring, supportive relationships with other believers (children and adults, in order that they may learn to be nurtured by others, as well as to nurture others in following Christ.

To so nurture our children that they learn that following Christ is a matter of lifestyle, and that He calls all believers to minister in the world.

Christian Education - Youth
The Committee seeks to invite our Jr. High and Sr. High youth into a deeper, maturing relationship with Jesus Christ. Sunday School, Youth Group, retreats and lock-ins, Confirmation Class, camp experiences and/or mission projects, and Wednesday Night Family Time reflect the concerns of this committee.

Goals:
To present the claims of Christ to the youth, and their friends, of the church.

To encourage the youth of our church to form meaningful, mutually supportive, Christ-centered relationships with one another, as well as with their youth leaders.

To encourage the youth of the church in the disciplines of the faith, namely, prayer, Scripture, worship and evangelism.

Christian Education - Adult
Adult, Christian maturation, encouragement and challenge are of great importance to the working of this committee. Sunday morning studies, Wednesday morning and evening study groups, special workshops and seminars, and Wednesday Night Family Time reflect the concerns of this committee.

Goals:
To present the call of Jesus Christ, the call of discipleship, to every adult of the church.

To provide every adult member and friend of First Presbyterian, at whatever stage in life and at whatever level of maturity in Christ, the resources and encouragement to growth in Christ.

To encourage the formation of meaningful, supportive relationships in Christ, so that the ministry of Christ in the church and in the world is advanced.

Membership

This committee seeks to encourage the growth in membership of First Presbyterian Church, both by informing the local community of our life and ministry, and by sharing the Gospel of Christ. Keeping contact with visitors, friends of the church, and inactive members, as well as providing new members' classes, fellowship events and opportunities to share the Gospel reflect the concerns of this committee.

Goals:
To inform visitors, friends and members of the church regarding the on-going life and ministry of First Presbyterian, as well as to invite them to special events or ministries.

To provide opportunities for the un-churched, or for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to learn about and experience the Gospel.

To encourage times of fellowship for friends and members of the church, so that relational bonds in Christ might be deepened and strengthened.

Missions

The purpose of the committee is to direct First Presbyterian to the ministry of Christ around the world and across the street. Actively and personally supporting "our missionaries," as well as equipping and sending our own members to serve Christ wherever He might lead, is the focus of this committee.

Goals:
To help advance the reign of Christ throughout the world, by directing the church's financial and prayer support to specific missionaries and their ministries.

To inform and educate First Presbyterians regarding the needs and opportunities for ministry in New England, North America and the world.

To encourage and equip members to respond to Christ's call to disciple all nations in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Nominating

This Book-of-Order mandated committee, through prayer, observation and advice seeks annually to provide a slate of nominees for elder, deacon, president of the corporation, financial secretary and treasurer. The committee is chaired by an elder, and its five members, along with three alternates, are chosen at each year's annual meeting of the congregation.

Goals:
To provide the congregation annually a slate of nominees, who are capable and willing to serve, and who believe God is calling them to the office for which they are being nominated.

To prayerfully consider who might be suitable for nomination, and in a timely manner, invite such person to also consider serving as an officer.

To adequately and realistically inform possible nominees of the duties to which they might be called.

Personnel

The purview of this committee is to help with the staffing and leadership needs of First Presbyterian Church. Attention to long-range planning, and a good, working relationship with Stewardship and Property are important to this committee.

Goals:
To help staff understand their calling to ministry within First Presbyterian, and to encourage them in that calling.

To provide a safe haven of confidentiality for staff, so that they can share their joys and sorrows, struggles and successes in ministry.

To provide staff semi-annual ministry reviews, and annual compensation reviews.

To be actively engaged in the process of securing staff or staff replacements.

Property

This Committee seeks to oversee and steward the gifts of grounds, building and equipment, which facilitate the ministry of First Presbyterian. Maintenance, cleaning, refurbishing, and replacement and repair are the very essential work of this committee.

Goals:
To provide the best physical environment, i.e. an inviting, attractive and functional facility, for the many ministries which occur within the church building.

To have a maintenance plan, including a plan to anticipate the eventual replacement of necessary parts, systems and structures.

To provide for the necessary cleaning of the building, as well as to provide the sexton with all needed supplies and equipment.

Stewardship

Although budgetary matters are a concern of this committee, its primary concern is to encourage all friends and members of First Presbyterian to wisely use all the God-given gifts of time, talent and treasure. Stewardship is not so much a monetary issue as it is a lifestyle issue: people over programs, priorities over purses, promises over pensions.

Goals:
To regularly encourage friends and members of First Presbyterian to give of their time, talents and treasure for the cause of Christ.

To work closely with the committees of the church, helping them to be prayerfully realistic concerning their goals and financial needs.

To communicate effectively to the congregation regarding stewardship needs and realities.

Worship

In order that First Presbyterian might grow in their personal and corporate relationship with Jesus Christ, this committee seeks to oversee Sunday morning worship, as well as other, special worship experiences. The order of worship, ushering and greeting, worship leadership, the choir, music and the sound system fall within the purview of this committee.

Goals:
To provide a weekly opportunity for friends and members of First Presbyterian to respond in love, thanksgiving and obedience to Jesus Christ.

To provide opportunity for friends and members of First Presbyterian to hear the Good News of salvation in Christ, and to hear of His claim upon their lives.

To provide opportunity for friends and members of First Presbyterian to receive encouragement in the living of the Christian life.