Woodmancote Free Church - Handbook

How we operate

The Church Meeting.

We acknowledge that;

Christ is the head of the church
He calls, enables and equips individuals of a local congregation for roles of leadership and service.

Those appointed as leaders must be given the opportunity to discharge the responsibilities described below. However they also have a commitment to listen to the whole congregation and to involve them the ongoing life and ministry of the congregation.

To achieve these objectives:-

A Church Meeting shall be held at least 4 times a year. Details of the meeting must be announced on at least two consecutive Sundays before the date planned for the meeting.
All regular worshippers* are entitled to attend and to vote.
A quorum for a Church Meeting shall be one-third of the regular worshippers.
Any matter(s) that a regular worshipper(s) wishes to be included on the agenda of the Church Meeting must be submitted to the Church Secretary for prior consideration by the Leadership Team.
Any motion before the Church Meeting will be carried if two-thirds of those present vote in favour.
A Special Church Meeting may be convened if one-third of the regular worshippers make a written application to the Church Secretary. Details of the meeting must be announced on at least two consecutive Sundays before the date planned for the meeting. No other business will be transacted at a Special Church Meeting other than that specified in the notice convening the Meeting.

* Regular worshippers are those whose names appear on the Congregation List. The Leadership Team will ensure that the list is updated prior to the Annual General Meeting and as necessary at any other time during the year. Only those who are over 18 years of age will be expected to vote at meetings and for the appointment of Leadership Team members.

An Annual General Meeting shall be held as soon as possible after the close of the Church's Financial Year, when:-

The audited Annual Financial Statement will be presented.
Reports for the work of the Church for the previous year approved.
Leadership team members will be appointed or re-appointed.

The Minister (Pastor) The "calling" of a Minister (Pastor) requires the involvement of the Trustees of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion - who in principle are required by The Scheme (The Connexion's Trust Document) to approve the appointment a Minister to a local congregation. The minister (pastor) with the help and support of the other Leadership members, will be responsible for:

Ensuring that the Word of God is preached and taught.
Ensuring that the church meets regularly to pray.
The exercise of pastoral oversight.
The observance of the ordinances of Holy Communion and Baptism.
Leading the church - as guided by the Holy Spirit - into new areas of ministry and service.

The Appointment Process The appointment of a Minister (Pastor) shall take place at a specially convened Church meeting which normally will be chaired by a member of the Trustees. At least three quarters of the regular worshippers must vote in favour of the nominee being called to the Pastorate.

Notes:

i. This meeting will only be arranged after the issue of the pastorate has been fully discussed at previous Church meeting(s).

ii. An election procedure similar to that described below for appointment of a Leadership Team will be adopted for the appointing and re-appointing of a Minister.

The Leadership Team The size of the team will be commensurate with the number of suitably gifted regular worshippers. However, in practice it is unlikely that leadership team members will be greater than 10-15% of regular worshippers. The leadership team will be responsible for appointing from within their number a Church Secretary and Treasurer. Details of these appointments will be announced as necessary during a Sunday service.

Appointment Process

Prior to the Annual General Meeting (when necessary) the church secretary will ask for nominees for new leadership team members.
All nominees must be sponsored by at least four other regular worshippers.
All regular worshippers will be advised in writing, at least three weeks before the Annual General Meeting, of the name(s) of all nominees. A voting paper will be attached to the communication with instructions that it must be returned by the Sunday prior to the date arranged for the Annual General Meeting. It is essential that all voting paper are returned therefore, one who does not return their voting paper will be contacted by one of the two persons appointed to count the voting papers and arrangements made for their vote(s) to be included in the final count.
At least two-thirds of regular worshippers must to vote in favour of any nominee if they are to be recognised as a leadership team member.

Notes:

a. A method of recording returned voting papers will be adopted that preserves the concept of a secret ballot.

b. If the number of nominees cannot reasonably accommodated within the membership team then the vote conducted will ask regular worshippers to express a preference for individual nominees.

c. Members of the Leadership Team will normally serve for a period of three years. The above process will also be used to re-appoint any existing Leadership Team member.

d. Any leadership team member who has served for two consecutive three periods will be asked to prayerfully consider whether they should serve for a further term.

Leadership Team - Areas of Responsibility

General issues:

To give a positive lead in discerning God's will for the Church.
To seek God's guidance concerning the particular steps and actions for every aspect of Church life.
To lead the congregation by example, encouragement and exhortation.

Promotion of spiritual growth of the congregation through:

Worship and prayer and fellowship.
Applying God's Word to all areas of church life both individual and corporate.
Sharing of Christian experience.
Recognising, developing and using the gifts Christ has given his people.
Involvement in the wider mission of the church, locally, nationally and internationally.

Caring for the congregation by:

Being alert to situations and problems that from time to time confront individuals and families within congregation.
Regularly visiting every member of the congregation.
Seeing that practical help is given to members of the congregation and local community.
Encouraging and counselling the backslider.
Praying over the sick.

Administration and Finance:

The keeping financial records, authorising expenditure and allocating Donations.
The maintenance of records as required by statute and the Trustees.
The production of publicity and promotional material.

Management of Premises and Equipment:

The maintenance of the church buildings and grounds.
The maintenance of the heating and lighting systems.
The purchase and upkeep of equipment.
Notes:
a. In order that the Leadership Team can carry out their responsibilities effectively, they should meet at least bimonthly.
b. To help them the Leadership Team wish to set up small working groups who would have responsibility for a specific area or aspect of church life. Any members of the congregation who has a special gift or interest in the topic should be invited to join these groups.

Leadership of Church Groups

All Church groups shall submit their rules, if appropriate, and names of leaders to the Leadership Team for confirmation before being made public.

Notes:

a. All leaders who are working with children and young people would be subject to scrutiny and subject to all relevant legislation and guidelines.

Use of Premises

Requests to use the Church premises for all special and occasional meetings must be made to the Church Secretary.

No group or individual can use the premises for a private function or activity without written permission from the Church Secretary.

Alteration of Rules

Any proposed alteration of, or addition to, the church rules, shall be circulated to all Regular Worshippers for consideration prior to a Church Meeting.