Nomination for Church Officers 2011-2014 A basic principle of the Presbyterian government provides church members with the rightto choose those who govern. New officers for all boards of St. JamesPresbyterian Church will be elected at a Special Congregational Meeting. The Nominating Committee is seeking your recommendations for the individuals youfeel have particular gifts to share in the ministry and governing of ourchurch. Recommendations are requested for Church Officers for 2011-2014. A basic principle of the Presbyterian government provides church member withthe right to choose those who govern. The Nominating Committee is seekingyour recommendations for the individuals you feel have particular gifts to share in the ministry and governing of our church. Nomination Forms · Nomination form for Elder · Nomination form for Deacon · Nomination form for Trustee Nominating forms may be submitted as follows:
Gifts and Responsibilities of St. James Presbyterian Church Officers The full term for all officers is three years. Incumbents may be elected to a second three year term. Youth Officers are elected to a term of one year. View the full information sheet for officers in the Saint James Officer Information Sheet. ELDERS
It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge. Together with the pastor, they should encourage the people in the worship and service of God; equip and renew them for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world; visit and comfort, and care for the people, with special attention to the poor, the sick, the lonely and those who are oppressed. They should inform the pastor and the session of those persons and structures that may need special attention. They should cultivate their ability to teach the Bible. Those duties which all Christians are bound to perform by the law of love are especially incumbent upon elders because of their calling to office and are to be fulfilled by them as official responsibilities (Book of Order). Elders have liaison responsibilities and work within one of several ministry areas including Worship, Fellowship, Evangelism, Administration, and Ministry. Elders are assigned chairmanship of committees that fall within each area. Elders are responsible for coordinating various aspects of the Morning Worship Services, such as liturgists, reading of scriptures, morning prayer, etc. Additionally, elders periodically serve as commissioners to Presbytery meetings. DEACONS The office of deacon, as set forth in the Scriptures, is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies and sound judgement should be chosen for this office. It is the primary duty of deacons to minister to those who are in need (the sick, the friendless, and to any who may be in distress). They shall also assume such other duties as may be delegated to them by the Session (Book of Order) G-6.0402. Deacons are divided into three teams, which serve the church on rotating weeks. On Sundays, they arrive at the church at 7:30 AM in order to prepare the church for the day's services. They are on call from Sunday through the following Saturday. They are responsible for serving for any special services, i.e. funerals and revivals, which may occur during their rotation. In addition, it is the responsibility of deacons to usher, collect offerings, count offerings, attend monthly meetings and meetings called by the Moderator, visit the sick and shut-in at least quarterly, perform service projects, extend courtesies to the congregation, reserve pews when necessary, prepare the church for worship services, welcome and seat worshippers. The Session and board of Deacons meet together at least once a year, as required by the Book of Order (G-6.0404 TRUSTEES The power and duties of trustees shall not infringe upon the powers and duties of the Session or of the Board of Deacons. Trustees shall have the following powers: to receive, hold, encumber, manage and transfer property (real or personal) for the church; to accept and execute deeds of title to such property; to hold and defend title to such property; to manage any permanent special funds for the furtherance of the purposes of the church, all subject to the authority of the Session and under the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., provided further that in buying, selling and mortgaging real property, the trustees shall act only after the approval of the congregation granted in a duly constituted meeting (Book of Order). The Trustee Board has a variety of care taking responsibilities, i.e. grounds, equipment, office equipment (copiers, computers, telephones), bus upkeep, inspection and repair, furniture and furnishings, contacts, keys, inventory, security, insurance, etc. Members of the Trustee Board are also responsible for opening and closing the church building for planned activities on Sunday afternoons and evenings. The responsibilities are often handled by subcommittees formed by the Trustees so that careful and thorough attention can be given to these diverse duties. |