8. The Role of the Church Board

1. It is the responsibility of the church board to appoint the members of the Stewardship and Finance Committee. 2. Because the Stewardship and Finance Committee is appointed by the church board, it is understood that this board has the authority to entrust the committee the implementation of the stewardship plan found in this Instructive. At the same time it has the authority to request periodic reports to the committee in order to verify that the general and specific objectives for which it was created are being achieved. “Leaders of other board-appointed committees should periodically report.“ (Church Manual p. 178).

3. Due to its authority and responsibility of the administration of the local church, the Church Board plays a strategic and crucial role for the integral growth of each church member. For example, the main emphasis of the CGP courses is to achieve the implantation of personal devotional habits with the purpose of developing a spiritual nature. On page 120 of the Church Manual, referring to the roles of the church board, says: “Its chief concern is the spiritual nurture of the church and the work of programming and fostering evangelism in all of its places."

But then, on page 120, the Church Manual summarizes “the church board responsibilities”, among which stands out, in first place: “Spiritual nurture.“ (Already mentioned on page 120) In second ploace: “Evangelism in all of it phases“ (That also had already been mentioned) And in sixth place: “Church finances“ (That until now is mentioned in said manual) Thus, spirituality, evangelism, and finances, are three of the eight responsibilities of the church board mentioned on page 120.

Meaning that there is complete coincidence between the main task of the church board and the stewardship plan contained in this Instructive. In fact, this plan has been conceived so that the Stewardship and Finance Committee can be an instrument through which the church board seeks to comply with “its chief concern”, which is the spiritual nurture of the church and evangelism, plus the area of finances.

To confirm what has been said, let us see the titles and subtitles of some of the CGP courses that are part of the series Habits Forged in Fire: THE HABIT OF PRAYER IN THE LIVES OF GREAT MEN. Subtitle: Biblical strategies to seize the benefits of prayer. THE HABIT OF STUDYING THE BIBLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTELECT AND SOUL. Subtitle: Biblical foundations for successful life management THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN MADE A HABIT. Subtitle: How to have mental and spiritual peace by praticing the simple strategies to share Christ. THE HABIT OF SYSTEMATIC FAITHFULNESS: Subtitle: How to be righteous, blameless, God- fearing and separated from evil. THE HABIT OF LIVING UNDER A FINANCIAL PLAN. Subtitle: How to manage family and church finances with a positive balance.

The content of these five CGP courses are enough to show that the main task of the Stewardship and Finance Committee is the same as the church board, namely: The spiritual development of the believer. The fulfillment of the great gospel commission. The financial care of the church and the believer.

Note the relationship between the spiritual and the financial. “By faithfully returning the tithe, elders do much to encourage other members to return a faithful tithe.” and also because, “As spiritual leaders, elders are responsible for encouraging members to develop a personal relationship with Jesus but strengthening their habits of personal Bible study and prayer." (Church Manual, p. 67). 4. Finally, due to the nature of its duties, we must mention the four types of leaders that comprise the church board, that by the nature of their duties a special commitment is expected from them to the Stewardship and Finance Committee.

“The treasurer can greatly encourage faithfulness in the returning of tithe and deepen the spirit of liberality”. (Church Manual, p. 74). b. The church treasurer. Why? “The stewardship ministries leader should practive the principles of Christian stewardship and should have an understanding of the spiritual and financial. ( Church Manual, p. 93). Once again take note of the spiritual and financial dimension. c. The stewardship director of the local church. Why? They are the first custodians of the financial resources that are collected Sabbath to Sabbath in the local church for the financing of the mission of the church. The deacons. Why?