RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL

3.1.2

  • The Church Council shall give priority in its life to building up the Congregation in faith and love, sustaining members in hope, and leading the Congregation to a fuller participation in Christ’s mission in the world. This priority shall be reflected in the agenda of its ordinary meetings.
  • The responsibilities of the Church Council include:
    • sharing with the Minister(s) in mission and in the pastoral care and spiritual oversight of the Congregation;
    • nurturing the members and adherents in their growth in grace;
    • making decisions in accordance with the Regulations concerning baptism, confirmation and membership, and the keeping and reviewing of the rolls of the Congregation; (See Part 1 of these Regulations)
    • assisting the Minister(s) in the conduct of worship and in the administration of the sacraments;
    • determining the time and place of services of public worship;
    • carrying out its functions in accordance with the Regulations concerning applicants for the specified ministries;
    • (managing the financial affairs and the general administration of the Congregation including the reception, preparation and presentation of all necessary budgets, statements and reports;
    • arranging for audit, presentation and examination of the accounts of all the funds of the Congregation; (See Reg. 3.8.7)
    • managing and controlling property in accordance with the Regulations; (See Reg. 4.4.1)
    • (preparing and presenting to a meeting of the Congregation an annual report concerning the life and work of the Congregation including its worship, mission and service, and making recommendations with regard to the program for the ensuing year;
    • exercising oversight of the appointment of officers and leaders of Congregational organisations;
    • referral of matters to Presbytery as prescribed;
    • discipline of members (See Reg. 5.1.2 – 5.2.5);
    • carrying out its functions in relation to Ministers-in-Association (See Reg. 2.11.1).

MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL

3.5.2 The Church Council shall meet at least quarterly on dates to be determined by the Council to deal with all matters relating to the responsibilities of the Council having particular regard to any matters referred to the Council by the Congregation. Additional meetings shall be held when convened by the chairperson or at the direction of a Congregational meeting, Presbytery, Synod or Assembly.

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL

3.5.3 The chairperson shall convene a special meeting of the Church Council within fourteen days of being so requested by five or more members of the Council or by no fewer than half in number of the membership of the Council, whichever is the less. The business of the special meeting shall be restricted to the matters listed in the notice convening the meeting.

OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL

3.6.1 Chairperson

  • The Church Council shall elect annually one of its members as chairperson.
  • If the elected Chairperson is not present at a meeting, the Church Council may appoint another of its members to act as Chairperson of that meeting.

    Secretary

  • The Church Council shall appoint annually from among its members a secretary who shall:
    • (i)keep minutes of meetings of the Church Council,
    • (ii)take care of all records and papers of the Congregation, except such as are within the specific responsibility of any other body or officer, and
    • (iii)carry out other duties as the Church Council may require.

    Treasurer

  • The Church Council shall appoint annually from among its members a treasurer;
  • The treasurer shall receive all moneys on behalf of the Church Council and pay them into a bank account of an approved financial institution (See Reg. 3.8.7), keep proper books of account and furnish financial statements to the Church Council and Congregation at the end of each year and at such other times as the Church Council or Congregation may require.

CHURCH COUNCIL COMMITTEES

3.7.1

  • The Church Council may appoint an Executive and other committees or task groups to assist the Church Council in any of its responsibilities.

  • Membership of the committees and task groups of the Church Council shall not be restricted to members of the Church Council but at least one member of each of such committees and/or task groups shall be appointed from among the members of the Church Council.
  • Any Executive, committee or task group shall have only an advisory role, unless it has been given a specific power to act, and shall report to the Church Council on a regular basis.