Witness

The witness ministries give attention to developing and strengthening evangelistic efforts of sharing personal and congregational stories of Christian experience, faith, and service; communications; lay speaking ministries; and other means which give expressions of witness for Jesus Christ.

 Witness Team – It is the calling and work of every Christian to reach out and share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and the Good News of the love and grace of God. This team plans and implements Christ Church’s efforts to reach those who haven’t heard the Good News as well as encouraging the membership in their own responsibilities as evangelists. Team responsibilities include organizing Fellowship Friends, Visitation Teams, Ushers/Greeters, Alpha classes, special community events (Christmas parade, etc), Lay Witness Weekends.   

Christ Love Preschool Board – Christ Love Preschool, in its fourth year, provides a safe, stimulating developmental atmosphere for two to five year-olds with a Christian Pre-K curriculum. The board, made up of the Preschool Director, pastor(s), preschool students’ parents, and various Christ Church member representatives, provides planning support, fundraising, and administrative guidance for Christ Love Preschool. Members serve three years.

 Outreach

The outreach ministries give attention to the local and larger community ministries of compassion, justice and advocacy. These ministries include church and society, global ministries, higher education and campus ministry, health and welfare, Christian unity and interreligious concerns, religion and race, and the status and role of women.

 Mission/Outreach Team – This team leads the congregation out of the church to spread the gospel through witness and service in the community and the world. Responsibilities include coordinating the monthly Change for Christ, monthly Mission Emphasis, planning/leading mission trips near and far, organizing local service opportunities, missionary support, special mission projects/offerings (Hurricane Response, Shoebox Ministry, etc). Click here for more details on Mission and Outreach!

 Nurture

Nurture and fellowship focus largely on the internal needs of a congregation and prepare the people of that church for ministry outside their congregation within the context of their community and world.

Children’s Ministry Team – This team’s goal is to build and maintain a strong, active Children’s Program of education, fellowship, spiritual growth and service in the church. The team’s responsibilities include coordinating childcare needs, nursery through 5^th grade Sunday School, Wednesday night classes, VBS, Harvest Party, Easter Egg Hunt, and supporting the Jammin’ Lambs. All teachers and leaders of children’s activities are part of this team.

 Youth Ministry Team – The Youth Team is responsible for planning and implementing activities for 6^th through 12^th grade teens which will nurture their spiritual growth and discipleship of Jesus Christ through Bible study, fellowship, and service. This team is responsible for youth Sunday School, Wednesday night activities, mission/outreach projects, retreats/trips, integrating youth into the life of the church. All teachers and leaders of youth activities are part of this team.

 Membership Care Team – This team coordinates the congregation’s actions in meeting the needs of the church family including meals/other support for families during illness, Wednesday night suppers, special meals/events, prayer chain/request box, visiting shut-ins and hospitalized members.

Worship Team – The goal of this team is to offer honor and praise to God in the presence of the Holy Spirit as the story of Jesus Christ is told and retold in the presence of believers and seekers searching for belief. The team, made up of staff members, congregation members and the pastor(s), works together to plan and implement worship experiences that include the entire church family and outreach to other potential members.

CUMC Women – A representative of this group attends Church Council to integrate the activities of this group with the life of the church. This group serves to promote women’s spiritual growth, provide service opportunities in the church and community, and nurture members of the church family (Secret Sisters, showers, meals for new moms, Mother’s Day Celebration, Father’s Day Breakfast, etc). All women of the church family are members of this group.

Safe Sanctuaries Administrator – This individual oversees the implementation of Safe Sanctuaries policies at Christ Church. These policies are intended to keep all members of our church family safe in a secure, loving environment. Responsibilities include chairing a Task Force as needed, providing training to all volunteers with and teachers of children and youth, background checks on volunteers and staff, maintaining first aid boxes, addressing safety issues with appropriate individuals/teams. 

 Resource Ministries

Witness, outreach and nurture ministries depend on organized resource ministries in the local church. Resource ministries support the functioning of the other ministries by administration of the church’s organizational and temporal life.

Board of Trustees - The Trustees are responsible for oversight and maintenance of all church property. This includes making sure the church facilities are adequate for the ministry needs of the church; reviewing the accessibility of the facilities for those with disabilities; reviewing and maintaining insurance coverage; implementing guidelines for the use of the church facility for non-church groups and events; safety inspections; overseeing church van maintenance and use. Members serve a three year term.

Parsonage Committee – This committee works closely with the Trustees to provide proper maintenance and improvements of the parsonage. An annual review of the parsonage is done by this committee to assess needs and make improvements.

Finance Committee – This committee sets the annual church budget recommended to the Church Council and Charge Conference. It is responsible for oversight of the collection of the church offerings and proper recording of contributions and distributions. It provides for an annual audit and is responsible for communication to the members of the church on how contributions of the church family are used for missions, ministry, maintenance, and other areas.

Stewardship Chairperson – This member of the Finance Committee is responsible for the education of the church family in understanding the meaning of stewardship and God’s expectations for the practice of it in all areas of life. This individual is a member of Church Council.

Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) – This committee acts as a link between the pastor, staff and congregation. Duties of the committee include support of pastor and staff, annual evaluations of and recommendations for staff compensation, preparation and updating of job descriptions, evaluating the pastor(s) ministry and developing a ministry covenant for the year, communicating with the District Superintendent the ministerial needs for the congregation. Members serve a three year term.

Lay Leadership Committee - This committee, chaired by the pastor, is responsible for seeking God’s guidance in filling positions of church leadership. Once known as the Nominations Committee, this group desires to use the gifts and talents of the entire church family to provide Spirit-led leadership and direction for the life and mission of Christ Church. Members serve a three year term.