2007 Ministries:

Ministry of a Common Vision, Direction, and Purpose (Church Council)

Provides for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. Also provides for the administration of its organization and temporal life. It shall envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of the church. The Council is amenable to and functions as the administrative agency of the charge conference.

1. Nurturing ministries – education, worship, Christian formation, membership care, small groups, stewardship, with attention to families and individuals of all ages.

2. Outreach – local and larger community ministries of compassion, justice, and advocacy.

3. Witness – developing and strengthening evangelistic efforts of sharing of personal stories of the Christian experience, faith, and service; communications; Lay Speaking Ministries; and other means that give witness to Christ.

4. Preparation and development of lay and clergy leaders for ministry of the church

5. In addition the Council:

1. Reviews the membership of the local church

2. Fills interim vacancies

3. Establishes the budget on recommendation of the Finance Committee

4. Recommends to the charge conference clergy compensation and salary of other pastors and staff after receiving such recommendations from Staff-Parish Relations Committee

5. Reviews SPRC recommendation for provision of adequate housing for clergy

Membership is as indicated on the local church flow chart

Ministry of Property Legal Administration (Trustees)

1. Meet at the beginning of each calendar year and elect officers within the trustees

2. Trustees have the supervision, oversight and care of real property owned by the church

3. They annually review insurance coverage of all church property, buildings and equipment

4. Grant permission for use of the facility within the guidelines of the Social Principles

5. Make annual review of the church owned parsonage

6. Receive and administer all bequests made to, trusts, & trust funds of the local church

7. Conduct an annual accessibility audit of buildings, grounds, and facilities

 Ministry of Stewardship (Finance)

1. The committee shall designate at least two persons not of the immediate family residing in the same household to count the offering, and a record given to the financial secretary and treasurer.

2. The church treasurer disburses money contributed to causes represented in the local church budget and other contributions as the church council determines

3. Makes provision for annual audit of the financial records

4. Recommends to church council proper depositories for church funds

5. Make sure that designated contributions are used in the manner designated

6. Make sure that the church council approves changes in the budget

7. Prepare an annual report to church council of all designated accounts

 Ministry of Volunteer Human Resources (Lay Leadership)

1. Identifies, develops, deploys, evaluates, and monitors Christian spiritual leadership for the local congregation.

2. Guide and direct the Council on matters of leadership (other than employed staff) – especially regarding the mission and ministry of the church, training of spiritual leaders, recruitment, nurture and support of spiritual leaders; assist church council in assessing the changing leadership needs

3. Recommend to charge conference people to serve as officers and leaders for the ensuing year

4. No more than 9 persons, in addition to the pastor and lay leader; includes one young adult; may include one youth. The pastor is chair of the committee; the vice chair is a layperson elected by the committee

Focuses on inclusivity and diversity in leadership

 Ministry of Staff Human Resources (Staff-Parish Relations Committee)

1. Confer with pastor(s) & staff regarding the effectiveness of ministry & relationships; use of gifts, skills, time & priorities for mission & ministry within congregation

2. Encourage, strengthen, nurture, support and respect the pastor(s) and staff and their family(s)

3. Promote unity in the church

4. Confer with & counsel the pastor(s) and staff on matters pertaining to the effectiveness of ministry; relationships with the congregation; conditions that may impede the effectiveness of ministry; and to interpret the nature and function of the ministry

5. Confer with, consult, and counsel the pastor(s) and staff on matters pertaining to priorities in the use of gifts, skills, and time and priorities for the demands and effectiveness of the mission & ministry of the congregation

6. To provide evaluation at least annually for the use of the pastor(s) and staff in an ongoing effective ministry and for identifying continuing educational needs and plans

7. To communicate and interpret to the congregation the nature and function of ministry in the United Methodist Church regarding open itinerancy, the preparation for ordained ministry, and the Ministerial Education Fund.

8. To develop and approve written job descriptions and titles for associate pastors and other staff members in cooperation with the senior pastor.

9. To consult with the pastor and staff concerning continuing education and spiritual renewal, to arrange with the church council for the necessary time and financial assistance for the attendance of the pastor and / or staff at such continuing education and spiritual renewal events

10. Enlist, interview, evaluate, review & recommend to charge conference lay preachers and persons for candidacy for ordained ministry

11. Confer with pastor & / or other appointed staff if it should be evident that the best interests of the charge and pastors will be served by a change of pastor(s)

12. Recommend to church council after consultation with the pastor, the professional and other staff positions to carry out the work of the church

13. Recommend to charge conference (where applicable) the establishment of a personnel committee

14. Educate the church on the value of diversity in the selection of clergy and lay staff

Ministry of Long Range Planning (J-29)

The J29 Committee (from Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”)  The charter of the J29 Committee is to think big and think long term – to look beyond today and tomorrow to what God intends for Alliance UMC in the future.  J29 was formed in late 2006 and will begin sharing their thoughts and ideas with the Church Council and the congregation early in 2007.

Ministry of Adult Education and Spiritual Life

The Adult Council is made up of representatives from the various adult Sunday school classes as well as those who teach Bible studies. It works to plan and coordinate adult educational opportunities and special events. Our Prayer Ministry, adult Bible studies, and Walk to Emmaus are also incorporated in this group.

Ministries for Children (Children’s Council)

The Children’s Council coordinates and plans all areas of ministry to children (from birth thru 6^th grade) – Christian education, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School (VBS) and any other children’s activities. Representatives from the Children’s choirs, Sunday school teachers, Nursery, VBS and all areas of children’s ministries participate in this     Council.

Ministry of Inviting In (Evangelism)

The Evangelism Committee develops and staffs plans and processes for: reaching into the community, welcoming     visitors and guests, maintaining a vibrant corps of greeters, new member assimilation, electronic communications (church Web site and e-newsletter), and external communications (flyers, newspaper ads, etc.).  Internal communications (bulletins, newsletters, etc.) are handled by the office staff.

Ministry of Family Life and Fellowship (Family & Fellowship)

The Family & Fellowship Committee is the body responsible for hosting special celebrations and fellowship opportunities. This ministry team may also work to organize several family activities per year – for example, church picnics, outings to baseball games or other family events, and activities such as ice cream socials.  Membership care (bereavement meals, etc), Mom-to-Mom and Stephen Ministries are also part of Family & Fellowship.

Ministry of Outreach & Missions (Outreach & Mission)

Mission & Outreach ministries work to organize regular programs such as involvement with Habitat for Humanity, church involvement with local food pantries such as the Keller Community Storehouse, and critical needs like the    Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief efforts. The Mission Ministry supports both the young adult and youth mission trips through prayer and assistance with organization.   A representative of the AUMC-chartered Boy Scout troop and Cub Scout pack is also a member of this committee.  New this year, we are asking the United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women to be part of Mission & Outreach to better coordinate the mission activities of those two organizations.

Ministry of Our Common Worship Life (Worship)

The Worship Committee is responsible for creating an environment for worship that allows the people to experience God.  This includes special worship services such as those during Holy Week and Advent; creating musical, visual, and dramatic enhancements of the worship setting (including special altar treatments) and organizing and providing ushers for all worship services.  All musical groups in the church are represented on the Worship Committee, as is the Women’s Altar Guild, which takes care of the paraments (altar cloth), altar candles, Communion elements, and altar flowers.

Ministries for Youth (Youth Council)

The Youth Council works to plan and coordinate activities for youth Sunday school, Sunday evening youth fellowship and worship, as well as youth mission trips and special activities.