1. LICENSING COURSE CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Vietnamese National Caucus
The United Methodist Church
&
Vietnamese Theological College
Union University of California
August 6-10, 2012
Westminster, California
Rev. Dr. Bau Dang District Superintendent, East District
California-Pacific Annual Conference

2. THE UNITED METHODIST LOCAL CHURCH STRUCTURE
Session 2
UNDERSTANDING
THE UNITED METHODIST LOCAL CHURCH STRUCTURE

3. How Do We Organize At The Local Church?
Basic Structure
Church Council
Board of Trustees
Committee on Finance
Staff and Parish Relations Committee
Committee on Nominations & Leadership Development
Lay Leader
Lay Member of Annual Conference
Lay Leadership Team (Council On Ministries)
Lay Leadership Team
(Council On Ministries)
Sunday School
Communications
Missions
UM Women
UM Men
UM Young Couples
Older Adults
UM Youth Fellowship
Children Ministries
Social Services
Evangelism & Outreach
Caring Committee
Small Group Ministries
Worship Committee
Welcoming Committee
Foods Services
Etc.

4. CHARGE/CHURCH CONFERENCE
BASIC ORGANIZATION OF A LOCAL UMC
CHARGE/CHURCH CONFERENCE
Pastor
Nominations
& Leadership
Church Council
Lay Leader
Lay Member of
Annual Conference
SPRC
Finance
Trustees
LLT
(Programs)

5. Our Mission
The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
(General Conference 2008)

6. CHURCH COUNCIL PURPOSE
To provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church.
To provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life.
To envision, plan, implement, and evaluate annually the mission and ministry of the church.

7. CHURCH COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with the pastor to build a shared vision for discipleship
Plan ministries of nurture, outreach, and witness that help the congregation live its God-given vision
Ensure that these ministries are aligned with the mission of disciple making
Allocate the human and material resources for implementing the ministry plan
Provide and administrative infrastructure
Evaluate the effectiveness of the ministry plan
Act as the administrative agency of the charge conference

8. THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON
Strive to be a spiritual leader – focus on ministry rather than on administration
Maintain a close and intentional working relationship with the pastor(s) and lay leadership of the congregation
Stay focused on the primary task and vision of the congregation
Lead the visioning and strategic planning process within the church
Actively guide the work of the council such as preparing agendas, conducting meetings, communicating with members, and monitoring the progress of the members
Actively participate in developing learning/training experiences for the coulncil
Understand the polity and doctrine of The United Methodist Church and become familiar with its resources and organization

9. THE PARTNERS IN MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON
Pastor(s)
Lay Leader(s)
Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee
Trustees
Finance
District, Annual Conference, and Denominational Leaders

10. Parliamentary Procedure The Robert’s Rules of Order
The Chair calls the meeting to order
There is always a Secretary to record the minutes. If not, elect one.
Formally make a motion: “I move that..”
Someone must second so the motion may be discussed: “I second the motion.”
Terms to be familiarized with: table, call for question, amend the motion, friendly amendment, carried, for, against, Aye, adjourn, convene, reconvene, withdrawal of motion, suspense the rule, etc..

11. Pastor’s Reponsibilities
Spritual leader
Worship leader, preacher, and teacher
Trainer of laity
Administrative leader and steward of the vision
Custodian of institutional integrity
Participant in the UMC connection
Community minister

12. Lay Leader Lay Member of Annual Conference
Charge Conference
Church Council
Finance Committee
SPRC
Nomination Com.
(Lay Leadership & Nomination Committee)
LAY MEMBER AC
- Charge Conference
Church Council
Finance Committee
SPRC

13. Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC or PPRC)
SPRC works with
The lead pastor
All ordained leaders appointed by the bishop
The lay staff, full-time and part-time
The congregation (individually & corporately)
Candidates for licensed & ordained ministry
Community outside of the church
District Superintendent
Conference staff and general church staff

14. Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee SPRC or PPRC
Conference parsonage standards
Conference requirements for continuing education and spiritual formation
Recruit, nurture, and support candidates for certification and ordained ministry
Conference policy related to sexual harrasment and safe sanctuary
Conference policies for ministerial evaluation
Conference policies apply to lay employees

15. Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee SPRC or PPRC
Review salary of clergy and staff members
Working conditions, working space, office volunteers, equipment, working hours
Travel expenses, allowance for attending conference session, continuing education for clergy and staff, moving expenses, etc.
Fringe benefits for employees, SS, Worker’s Compensation, insurance, pension, vacation, etc.

16. Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee SPRC/PPRC & Appointed Staff
Interpretation
Assessing effectiveness and providing feedback
Conducting annual assessment of staff
Consulting with the District Superintendent
When an Appointment Changes
Saying Goobye to clergy and staff
Welcoming to new pastor

17. Checklist Relating to Lay Staff
__ Job description
__ Recruiting, advertizing process
__ Training qualifications & certifcation standards
__ Hiring (resume, references, background check, interviews)
__ Statement regarding sexual harrasment and misconduct
__ Evaluation procedures
__ Promotion procedures
__ Tremination procedures
__ Grievance procedures
__ Affirmative action procedures
__ Health and life insurance
__ Pension benefits
__ Relationship between employee, supervisor, and the SPRC

18. Finance Committee Stewardship Finance Committee Nurturing generosity
Financial Campaigns
Finance Committee
Raising Money
Managing Money
Dispersing Money

19. Membership of the Finance Committee
Chairperson
Pastor(s)
Lay member of annual conference
Chairperson of Church Council
Chair or Representative of SPRC
Chair or Representative of Trustees
Lay Leader
Treasurer
Chair of Stewardship Committee (if has one)
Financial Secretary
Church business administrator
Others as determined by charge conference

20. Role of Finance Committee
Budget
Financial Reports & Substantiation
Annual Audit

21. Role of Financial Secretary
Receive, record, deposit, and report to treasurer
Record keeping
Offering envelopes

22. Role of Church Treasurer
Keep accurate and detailed records
Dispurse funds to the causes for which they have been contributed
Make monthly remittances to the conference treasurer
Be certain that reserve funds are not to be used for current expenses

23. Role of Trustees
Oversee, maintain, and supervise all local church property
Report annually to the charge conference on the state of the church’s property, equipment, investments, and resouces
Receive and administer all gifts made to the church
Make certain that all trust funds are invested properly
Ensure that the Articles of Incorporation of the church are kept up-to-date
Be responsible, in conjunction with the pastor, for all use of the church buildings and grounds
Maintain adequate insurance coverage on all church property
Submit to Finance Committee annual budget requests for insurance, property maintenance and improvement, and new property purchases
Be accountable to the charge conference and to the church council

24. Nominations and Lay Leadership Development Committee
Discernment of spiritual gifts
To nominate lay leaders to various leadership positions of the church
Areas of consideration: male and female, young and old, ethnicity,

25. Q&A