Church Lay Leadership

Leadership Council

Members include committee chairs and staff plus any additional members as elected by the church conference to plan and implement strategic plans for the congregation.  

Responsibilities include:

1. to plan, implement, and evaluate future programs of nurture, outreach, and witness for the congregation
2. to align church programs with mission of the congregation
3. to provide an administrative infrastructure
4. and to be the administrative agency for the church conference

Finance Committee

Elected by the church conference to identify, perfect, and manage the financial system of the congregation. The financial system is the process of raising, managing, and dispersing the finances so that the mission and vision of the congregation can be achieved.

Committee Membership: Chair; Pastor(s); Lay member of annual conference; Chair of Leadership Council; Chair or representative of Staff Parish Relations; Representative of Trustees; Chair of Stewardship Committee; Lay Leader; Others elected by the church conference

Responsibilities include:

1. to provide financial direction
2. to provide the program budget
3. to provide financial communications
4. to provide for financial reports and substantiation

Board of Trustees

Elected by the church conference to supervise and maintain all property, equipment, and investments belonging to First UMC Jackson and to support the vision and mission of this congregation.

 Responsibilities Include:

1. to oversee, maintain, and supervise all local church property and equipment
2. to report annually to the church on the state of the church’s property, equipment, investments, and resources
3. to receive and administer all monetary gifts made to the congregation
4. to make certain that all trust funds of the congregation are invested properly
5. to ensure that the articles of incorporation of the congregation are kept up-to-date
6. to be responsible, in conjunction with the pastor(s), for all use of the church buildings and grounds
7. to maintain adequate insurance coverage on all church property and to develop appropriate risk-management policies
8. to submit to the committee on finance annual budget requests for insurance, property maintenance, improvements, and new property purchases
9. to be accountable to the church conference and to the Leadership Council of the church

Stewardship Committee

Elected by the church conference to provide for the funding of the church’s mission and ministry; to develop, nurture, and grow the congregation’s knowledge and response with regards to major giving and planned giving through estates. 

Responsibilities include:

1. to design a plan whereby the annual budget is funded
2. to increase knowledge of the congregation’s ministry and mission
3. to increase the congregation’s stewardship in regards to all of life
4. to provide the infrastructure for donors to receive the assistance they may require in planning their long-term contributions
5. to assist members in planning for their own financial futures
6. to offer recognition when significant gifts are received
7. to be willing to ask for gifts from potential donors

Staff Parish Relations Committee

Elected by the church conference to function as a human resources committee for the church. The primary responsibility of this committee is to advocate for the church staff so that the mission of the church is realized.

Responsibilities Include:

1. to explain the nature and function of ministry to the staff and the congregation
2. to confer with the congregation and the staff/pastor about ministry direction
3. to assess the ministry of the congregation and the staff/pastor at least annually
4. to confer and consult with the district superintendent in regards to pastoral appointments and the church’s ministry and direction
5. to support lifelong learning (continuing education) for all staff
6. to identify and support individuals from the congregation whom God seems to be calling to ordained ministry

Mission Committee

Elected by the church conference to remind everyone that missions is a natural aspect of the Christian lifestyle and needs to be incorporated into the ongoing life of the congregation. We are called as Christians to love the whole world for which Christ died and was raised to new life. The global ministries of the church are the processes and methods by which we attempt to be with God in mission among all peoples and in all places at all times.

Responsibilities include:

1. to promote outreach to meet human needs
2. to connect the church in missions efforts
3. to equip God’s people for mission
4. to promote the funding of God’s mission

Worship Committee

Elected by the church conference to help provide vital worship opportunities for the congregation, to enhance each person's relationship with God, and to help the congregation live more faithfully as a Christian community.

 Responsibilities include:

1. to learn about worship and about the people of this congregation and community so as to help plan worship that is appropriate to their needs
2. to plan worship in conjunction with the pastors and music leaders
3. to develop and support effective musical leadership in the church
4. to promote and foster regular individual and family spiritual formation
5. to consider other opportunities for strengthening worship