Church Officers List of Duties

Church Officers list of Duties

The pastor is the spiritual leader of the local Church and Chairman of the Church Board. The pastor is not elected by the local Church, but is appointed by, and under the direction of, the Conference Executive Committee and Conference President. The pastor is an ex-officio member of all Church Committees. If it ever becomes prudent, the pastor has the authority to call any Committee of the Church at any time. Only the pastor, or an elder acting on behalf of the pastor, can convene a Church Board or Business meeting.

A leader should demonstrate the following qualities: he (or she) must be helpful, kindly, tactful, confidential and flexible. As a leader in the local church he (or she) should act as an agent for growth and change, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and to train others. As a religious leader he (or she) acts in the capacity of an under-shepherd and should lead by precept and example, be an encourager of the downhearted and have a good reputation among the “unchurched”.

A Profile of a Caring and Healthy Church  Reaches out into the Community; Wins people to Christ; Nurtures the members; has: empowering leadership; inspiring worship; gift-oriented ministry; passionate spirituality; functional structures; holistic small groups; need-oriented evangelism; loving relationships

Duties of the Office of Elder / Leader

Member of Church Board; Bible Instructor; Preacher; enthusiastic for the mission of the church; Assists in pastoral responsibilities; visiting Church members & visitors; foster local and world-wide mission; responsible, under the pastor, for fostering all departments & activities of the Church; foster tithing / Gift Aid; Duty elder leads out in Worship; Organises platform party; Makes announcements

Duties of Church Clerk

Member of the Church Board; One of the most important church offices; Serves as secretary of all board and business meetings; Handles correspondence for membership transfers; Endeavour to keep in touch with absent members by correspondence; All records and account books are the property of the Church: to be surrendered to newly elected Clerk or At request of pastor or elder

Duties of Local Treasurer

Member of the Church Board; to ensure local church funds are banked correctly, to ensure book keeping of funds, receipts and spend are kept up to date, and accurate; to manage the local church bank account; to pay invoices and receipts; to highlight any budgetary concerns; to report to the board and business meeting

Duties of Conference Treasurer

Member of the Church Board; to ensure Conference funds (tithe, gift aid, Sabbath school, Conference wide funds) are banked correctly, to receipt all tithe returns; to ensure book keeping of funds, receipts and spend are kept up to date, and accurate; to report to the board and business meeting

Duties of Stewardship Leader

Member of the Church Board; seek to encourage members to respond to God’s grace by dedicating all they have to Him; to promote the proper care and use of the body, mind, time, abilities, spiritual gifts, relationships, influence, language, the environment, and material possessions (including finances); to promote the Church’s mission through the proper utilization of all of gifts and resources (including, time, talent, finances.

Duties of Deacon Head Deacon is a member of the Church Board; Teacher of the faith; assists at services & meetings: Preparing for Baptismal services Preparing for Ordinance of Humility; Preparing Communion; Distribution of symbols; Co-ordinate use and availability of equipment; Visitation of members (Pastor & elders to be kept informed of needs); Care of the sick; Care for the Poor; Care & maintenance of Church property; Ensure buildings kept safe and in good state of repair; Ensure Church opened and locked as appropriate

Duties of Deaconess

Head Deaconess is a member of the Church Board; Teacher of the faith; assists at services & meetings: Preparing for Baptismal services Preparing for Ordinance of Humility; Preparing Communion; Visitation of members (Pastor & elders to be kept informed of needs); Care of the sick; Care for the Poor;

Duties of Prayer Ministries

To promote prayer life in the church; to coordinate special prayer events (such as 10 Days of Prayer, etc); to coordinate the running of Prayer and Fasting days, in association with elders and pastor; to coordinate Sabbath Church at Prayer / pastoral prayer, in association with the head elder

Duties of Personal Ministries Leader

Member of the Church Board; Chairs PM Council; co-ordinate ministry and outreach in the church; lead in training & directing Church in active outreach; Co-ordinates the presentation of missionary reports to the Church

Duties of Personal Ministries Secretary

Member of the Church Board; Sits on PM Council; ABC representative; Assists PM Leader in developing outreach programmes

Duties of Community Support Leader

Member of Church Board; PM department has primary responsibility for Community Services; Sits on PM Council; Prepares clothing, food, and other supplies for the poor, needy and unfortunate; Community adult education; Community visiting; assists in promotion and use of the GCC

Duties of Women’s Ministries

Member of the Church Board; foster spiritual growth and renewal among Adventist women; Create paths for women’s involvement in the church as they reach for their potential in Christ; Encourage women to use their gifts to complement the talents of others; foster a sense of mission among the women

Duties of Family Life Ministries

Member of Church Board; strengthen marriage and the family; uphold the biblical teaching related to the family and lifts up God’s ideals for family living; family life education and enrichment

Duties of Health Ministries Leader

Member of Church Board; Promotes optimal levels of physical, mental, and spiritual health; encourages members to follow a primarily vegetarian diet; promotes the Adventist Health Message in the community Duties of Children’s Ministries (CM) Co-ordinator

Member of the Church Board; Plans and co-ordinates the Children’s Sabbath Service Programmes; ensures safe working practices are followed; ensures Children’s Consumable Stocks are maintained; track Children’s attendance in SS; follow Up Missing Children; build Relationship with Parents; nominally responsible for VBS and Community Children outreach.

Duties of Youth Leader

Member of the Church Board; seek to foster spiritual growth and renewal among the youth in the church; foster a sense of mission among the youth; arrange Bible studies for the youth; arrange small group gatherings for the youth; support students where applicable; arrange topic presentations for AYS

Duties of Sabbath School Leader

Member of Church Board; Supports the plans and emphasis of the Conference SS Department; Study and follow counsel and guidelines found in Sabbath School Work by Ellen G White / Sabbath School Handbook; Call and chairs the SS council; in general charge of the teachers’ meeting; Plans the work of the Sabbath School department; plans for teachers of the various classes; promotes attendance at Sabbath School

Duties of Sabbath School Secretary

Sabbath School offerings; sits on the SS council; keeper of all records called for on the official Conference report; distributes supplies to the teachers; gathers class records; orders SS supplies through the PM Secretary

Duties of Praise Team Leader

Seek to encourage members to use their musical and / or singing talents in church, through special items on Sabbath mornings, AYS (in association with AYS leader), and special occasions; to coordinate the choristers rota for Sabbath morning; AYS (in association with AYS leader), and special occasions

Duties of Music Leader

Seek to encourage members to use their musical talents in church, encouraging them to play on Sabbath mornings, AYS (in association with AYS leader), and special occasions

Duties of Communications / Public Relations Secretary

Member of the Church Board; prepare weekly bulletins; prepare newsletter for community; oversee the church signage; send articles, with photographs, to the Messenger; promote positive relationships with local media; send articles to newspapers and local radio

Duties of Children’s Safety Officer

Registers all young people’s leaders with the Conference; ensures that appropriate forms and DBS applications are completed by people working with young people, including all elders

Duties of Church Compliance

To ensure that the church is complying with environmental health requirements in the kitchen, and that the church meets health and safety requirements, in association with Deacons and the BMC

Duties of Social Leader To promote the social life in church, recognising that fellowship forms part of the everlasting gospel; arrange social at regular intervals that involve all ages; arrange church trip