St. Luke CME Church

Church Officers & Responsibilities

| Stewards | Recording Steward | Stewardesses | Church Treasurer | Trustees |
| Local Board of Christian Education | General Superintendent | Choirs and Personnel |
| Board of Ushers | Department of Lay Ministry | The Women’s Missionary Society |
| Commission on Membership and Evangelism |

Stewards

The responsibilities and duties of Stewards consist of the following:

1. To make, in conjunction with the Stewardesses, an estimate of appropriation for the pastor. The appropriations where practicable shall include salary, pension, travel allowance for automobile, travel expenses for meetings. Also they shall include housing and medical hospitalization.

2. To keep an accurate account of the money collected or other provisions made for the support of the ministry.

3. To keep an accurate record of money spent by the Church, for all purposes.

4. To share their ministries with the needy and the distressed by seeking them out and by providing for them.

5. To seek out the sick and to inform the pastor of those who are sick.

6. To inform the pastor of the members who are disorderly, both as to who they are and what the charges are concerning them.

7. To attend all official meetings of the church.

8. To give advice, if asked, in planning the work of the church.

9. To attend committee meetings for the application of money to churches.

10. To give counsel in matters of arbitration.

11. To provide elements for the Lord’s Supper.

12. To appoint, in cases of necessity, persons to receive contributions for the support of the church, and to receive whatever amounts of money have been collected in order to report it to the appropriate Conference or Board of the church.

13. To solicit and receive money quarterly, if necessary, and as a means for encouraging members to contribute, the Stewards may write letters to the members.

14. To make a financial report to the Quarterly Conferences so as to keep the members informed about the finances of the charge.

15. To be a Standing Committee, where there is no parsonage, to provide housing for the pastor or to assist the pastor in locating houses personally.

16. To provide for an educational paid leave for a full-time pastor in conjunction with the Stewardesses and in consultation with the pastor. A recommendation will be made to the Church Conference that it authorize and provide appropriate financial provisions for the same, which includes workshops, seminars, etc.

17. To elect their own chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Recording Steward

The responsibilities and duties of the Recording Steward consist of the following:

1. The Pastor shall nominate in the Quarterly Conference for Recording Steward one of the persons confirmed as a steward by the Quarterly Conference. Election shall require a majority vote of the Quarterly Conference in session.

2. The Recording Steward shall preserve the records of the Quarterly Conference, where there is no office and/or storage for same.

3. The Recording Steward shall make a quarterly financial report to the Quarterly Conference and an annual financial report of the income and expenditures of the charge of which he or she is a member. The annual financial report shall be made to the Joint Board of Finance of the Annual Conference.

4. The Recording Steward shall apprise the pastor of the financial state of the church and provide him/her with written information or reports relative to the financial state when the pastor requests the same.

5. The Recording Steward shall receive from the Treasurer copies of receipts and bank deposit slips and other related informational materials.

Stewardesses

The responsibilities and duties of the Stewardesses consist of the following:

1. To serve the table of the Lord.

2. To serve the table of the poor.

3. To serve the table of the ministry.

4. To assist in collecting the General Funds.

5. To assist in collecting the salaries of the Presiding Elder and the Pastor.

6. To make, in conjunction with the Board of Stewards, an estimate of appropriations for the pastor. The appropriations, where practicable, shall include salary, pension, travel allowance for automobile, and travel expenses for meetings. Also, they shall include housing and medical-hospitalization.

7. To provide for an educational paid leave for full-time pastor in conjunction with the stewards and in consultation with the pastor. A recommendation will be made to the Church Conference that it authorize and provide appropriate financial provisions for the same, which includes workshops, seminars, etc.

8. To do other work as may be assigned to them by the pastor or Board of Stewards.

9. To elect their own chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Church Treasurer

The responsibilities and duties of the Treasurer consist of the following:

1. To receive all funds or monies collected by the local congregation through offerings, tithes, rallies, gifts, donations, conferences and bequests which are turned over to the treasurer.

2. To receive all funds or monies collected by local church organizations that are turned over to the treasurer.

3. To receipt from a receipt book all sources of all monies received.

4. To deposit all monies received in a bank or savings and loan institution selected by the church.

5. To provide the Recording Steward with copies of receipts and deposit slips.

6. To perform other duties normally related and associated with the office provided they do not conflict with the duties of other offices, nor with the Discipline of the CME Church, and such other duties as may be assigned by the Quarterly or Church Conference, the Official Board, or the pastor.

Trustees

The responsibilities and duties of the Trustees consist of the following:

1. The Trustees, as a board shall, hold all property, real, personal and mixed, owned by the charge; and other such property as may be committed to their keeping.

2. The Trustees shall make the property of the church to which they are trustees available and accessible to the pastor and other duly authorized ministers of the CME Church. Trustees shall neither prevent nor interfere with the pastor in the use of the property for religious services or other proper meetings which are recognized by the law and usage of the CME Church.
3. The Trustees shall be responsible to the Quarterly Conference which shall have the power to dismiss them or to remove them as individuals or as a Board, when dismissal or removal will serve the best interest of the C.M.E. Church.

4. The Trustees shall not obligate the Church financially without the consent of the Official Board, Church Conference and/or the Quarterly Conference subject to state law.

5. No person who is a Trustee shall be dismissed or removed while in joint security for money, unless such relief is given him/her as is demanded, or the creditor will accept.

6. Failure to obey the orders of the Official Board, Church Conference, or Quarterly Conference shall mean automatic dismissal of an individual Trustee or individuals or the whole Board of Trustees.

7. The members of the Board of Trustees who are not re-elected by the Fourth Quarterly Conference are automatically removed from the Board and from acting further in such a capacity, except where state or territorial laws provide statutes to the contrary.

8. The Trustees shall present the following information to each Quarterly Conference:
a. The number of churches and parsonages.
b. The value of the churches and parsonages.
c. The other property or properties held by the charge.
d. The title(s) by which all of the above properties is/are held.
e. The amount of income that is derived from properties; and the funds reported and turned over to the Church Conference.
f. The debts and how they were contracted.
g. The amount of insurance on each piece of property and whether the insurance is limited or co-insured; the expiration date(s) of all insurance premiums and the name of the company carrying the insurance.

9. The Board of Trustees shall faithfully require, by vote of Quarterly Conference and through the Presiding Elder, that all new property, purchased for use by and for the CME Church, contain the Trust Clause in all titles of deed and that all deeds clearly show that property is held IN TRUST by the local church, if incorporated, or, if unincorporated by the local Board of Trustees who are elected from time to time for use by the Connection: also, it shall require, by vote, that the local Board of Trustees shall have all existing deeds redrawn or rewritten where necessary to include the Trust Clause and clear wording showing that the property is held IN TRUST for the CME Connection by the local Board of Trustees who are duly elected from time to time according to the Discipline of the CME Church or by the local church if incorporated.

10. The Trustees shall elect their own chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Local Board of Christian Education

The responsibilities and duties of the Local Board of Christian Education consist of the following:

1. To develop and promote the program of Christian nurture of the church according to the needs of the local congregation and community, and in conjunction with the programs and policies of the General Department of Christian Education.

2. To organize and administer the educational ministry and activities of the church including the Sunday Church School, Christian Youth Fellowship, Youth Adult Council, Vacation Bible School, week-day schools, training classes for new members, continuing education classes and institutes for church officers, boards and auxiliaries, etc.

3. To develop educational programs about the CME Church, its history, doctrine and policies.

4. To organize and supervise the educational ministry of the church in four (4) age levels: Children’s Division (ages 1 to 11), Youth Division (ages 12 to 17), Young Adult Division (ages 18 to 35) and Adult Division (ages 36 and above).

5. To see that the Sunday Church School, Weekday Church School, Christian Youth Fellowship and other departments of the church utilize literature and curriculum materials issued or approved by the Department of Christian Education.

6. To conduct, during the summer vacation period, a Vacation Bible School to provide Christian education programs for the children and youth of the church and community. A Superintendent, appointed by the Director, approved by the pastor and confirmed by the Board, shall be in charge.

7. To sponsor Promotion Day in accordance with the plans of the General Department of Christian Education.

8. To see that an effective ministry to the children of the church (ages 1-11) is provided.

9. To be a resource for the educational ministry of Adult Work, provided by various groups, auxiliaries, organizations, and boards of the church.

10. To see that National Youth and Young Adult Week (beginning the last Sunday in January and ending the first Sunday in February) is observed.

11. To see that special days outlined in the Discipline are observed by the Sunday Church School.

12. To organize a Committee on Scouting and, with the approval of the pastor, appoint a Scouting Coordinator.

13. To prepare an appropriate budget for the educational ministry of the church in accordance with the total stewardship program of the church developed by the pastor and officers of the church.

14. To see that the Sunday School and Christian Youth Fellowship observe the fourth Sunday in each month as Education Sunday, at which time the offering shall be taken for education. The offering should be sent to the General Department of Christian Education to be used for scholarship aid for CME college students according to the provisions of the Discipline and the Standing Committee on Christian Education.

15. The Board shall have authority to fill any office that may become vacant; and upon the recommendation of the Director and/or pastor to whom the Board has given responsibility within the educational program of the church.

General Superintendent

The responsibilities and duties of the General Superintendent consist of the following:

1. The Superintendent shall hold meetings of teachers, committees, and other groups in the interest of the Sunday Church School.

2. The Superintendent shall report to the Board on the work of the Sunday Church School and carry out the decisions of the Board that affect and relate to the Sunday Church School.

3. The Superintendent, in consultation with the pastor, shall nominate to the Quarterly Conference for confirmation Departmental Superintendents.

4. The Superintendent shall report to the Director the personnel, curriculum, facility, and material needs of the Sunday Church School as determined by the Departmental Superintendents.

Choirs and Personnel

The responsibilities and duties of the Choirs consist of the following:

1. There shall be one or more choirs in every church as far as possible.

2. There shall be a president of each choir who shall be a member of the CME Church.

3. Each president of a choir elected by the choir must be presented by the pastor to the Quarterly Conference for confirmation or rejection.

4. There shall be a church organist who shall be chosen from among the members of the CME Church. However, if a member of the CME Church cannot be obtained as organist, the pastor and officers may choose a person from any orthodox Christian church.

5. In the event that the pastor and officers cannot agree on a person to serve as church organist, the pastor shall have the right to make the final decision regarding the employment of the organist.

6. The chorister (Director of Music) must be chosen from among the members of the CME Church.

7. The chorister must be a person of good character and must have knowledge of church music and the ability to direct the choir so as to get desired results.

8. The chorister shall be presented by the pastor to the Quarterly Conference for confirmation or rejection.

Board of Ushers

The responsibilities and duties of the Board of Ushers consist of the following:

1. There shall be organized in each church one or more Board(s) of Ushers.

2. They shall elect their own officers. The president of the Board of Ushers shall be a member of the Quarterly Conference.

3. The duties of the ushers shall be to admit people to the house of worship, attend to their comfort while they are therein, and perform any other duties assigned to them by the pastor and/or Official Board.

Department of Lay Ministry

The responsibilities and duties of the Department of Lay Ministry consist of the following:

1. This department shall be responsible for the program of lay ministry in the church in accordance with the objectives and structure outlined by the General Department of Lay Ministry.

2. Any member of the local CME Church who indicates a desire to do so may join the Department of Lay Ministry. Upon joining, such persons will be given a membership card.

3. The department shall be under the direction of a Lay Leader elected by the Lay Department membership. The Local Lay Leader shall be a member of and subject to the Quarterly Conference. The Lay Leader shall preside at department meetings.

4. The department membership shall elect the other officers.

5. The department shall establish the local chapter of the Christian Methodist Men’s Fellowship.

6. The department shall submit a written report to the District Lay Department.

7. The department must observe National Lay Day.

8. The membership of the Lay Department shall elect delegates to the National Lay
Institute.

The Women’s Missionary Society

The responsibilities and duties of the Women’s Missionary Society consist of the following:

1. To discover the mission and unity of the Christian Church in Christ Jesus.

2. To make that mission and unity known at home and abroad.

3. To encourage cooperation, fellowship, and mutual counsel concerning the spiritual life and religious activities of the Christian Church.

4. To encourage the study of the Bible and to assist in spreading the Gospel.

5. To study the needs of society in order to aid in the development of programs, people, processes, and resources that will enable the Local Church Women’s Missionary Society to fulfill its mission. Such studies shall enable the Society to react cooperatively to the moral, ethical, and spiritual issues inherent in spreading the Gospel.

6. To work closely with private and public institutions and agencies in the fulfillment of common goals, insofar as such cooperation is consistent with the Constitution of the Women’s Missionary Council.

Commission on Membership and Evangelism

The responsibilities and duties of the Commission on Membership and Evangelism consist of the following:

1. The Commission shall be composed of representatives of the various organizations of the church, including youth and young adults.

2. The Commission should meet at least once per month.

3. Officers to be elected are: chairperson, vice chairperson, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer.

4. The Commission Chairperson, in consultation with the pastor, shall appoint the following committee chairpersons:
a. Prayer Committee
b. Prospect Committee
c. Visitation Evangelism Committee
d. Membership Preparation and Assimilation Committee
e. Attendance Committee
f. Records Committee

5. Where more feasible, the six committees may be combined into three, and chairpersons be appointed accordingly.

6. Committees should meet monthly, and the chairperson should report to the Commission the activities of the committee.

7. The Commission shall plan its work at least one year in advance by establishing goals and special projects to be undertaken by the committees.

(Source: The Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church)



St. Luke CME Church
Church Officers & Responsibilities \| Stewards \| Recording Steward \| Stewardesses \| Church Treasurer \| Trustees \| \| Local Board of Christian Education \| General Superintendent \| Choirs and Personnel \| \| Board of Ushers \| Department of Lay Ministry \| The Women’s Missionary Society \| \| Commission on Membership and Evangelism \| Stewards The responsibilities and duties of Stewards consist of the following: 1. To make, in conjunction with the Stewardesses, an estimate of appropriation for the pastor. The appropriations where practicable shall include salary, pension, travel allowance for automobile, travel expenses for meetings. Also they shall include housing and medical hospitalization. 2. To keep an accurate account of the money collected or other provisions made for the support of the ministry. 3. To keep an accurate record of money spent by the Church, for all purposes. 4. To share their ministries with the needy and the distressed by seeking them out and by providing for them. 5. To seek out the sick and to inform the pastor of those who are sick. 6. To inform the pastor of the members who are disorderly, both as to who they are and what the charges are concerning them. 7. To attend all official meetings of the church. 8. To give advice, if asked, in planning the work of the church. 9. To attend committee meetings for the application of money to churches. 10. To give counsel in matters of arbitration. 11. To provide elements for the Lord’s Supper. 12. To appoint, in cases of necessity, persons to receive contributions for the support of the church, and to receive whatever amounts of money have been collected in order to report it to the appropriate Conference or Board of the church. 13. To solicit and receive money quarterly, if necessary, and as a means for encouraging members to contribute, the Stewards may write letters to the members. 14. To make a financial report to the Quarterly Conferences so as to keep the members informed about the finances of the charge. 15. To be a Standing Committee, where there is no parsonage, to provide housing for the pastor or to assist the pastor in locating houses personally. 16. To provide for an educational paid leave for a full-time pastor in conjunction with the Stewardesses and in consultation with the pastor. A recommendation will be made to the Church Conference that it authorize and provide appropriate financial provisions for the same, which includes workshops, seminars, etc. 17. To elect their own chairperson, secretary and treasurer. Back to Top Recording Steward The responsibilities and duties of the Recording Steward consist of the following: 1. The Pastor shall nominate in the Quarterly Conference for Recording Steward one of the persons confirmed as a steward by the Quarterly Conference. Election shall require a majority vote of the Quarterly Conference in session. 2. The Recording Steward shall preserve the records of the Quarterly Conference, where there is no office and/or storage for same. 3. The Recording Steward shall make a quarterly financial report to the Quarterly Conference and an annual financial report of the income and expenditures of the charge of which he or she is a member. The annual financial report shall be made to the Joint Board of Finance of the Annual Conference. 4. The Recording Steward shall apprise the pastor of the financial state of the church and provide him/her with written information or reports relative to the financial state when the pastor requests the same. 5. The Recording Steward shall receive from the Treasurer copies of receipts and bank deposit slips and other related informational materials. Back to Top Stewardesses The responsibilities and duties of the Stewardesses consist of the following: 1. To serve the table of the Lord. 2. To serve the table of the poor. 3. To serve the table of the ministry. 4. To assist in collecting the General Funds. 5. To assist in collecting the salaries of the Presiding Elder and the Pastor. 6. To make, in conjunction with the Board of Stewards, an estimate of appropriations for the pastor. The appropriations, where practicable, shall include salary, pension, travel allowance for automobile, and travel expenses for meetings. Also, they shall include housing and medical-hospitalization. 7. To provide for an educational paid leave for full-time pastor in conjunction with the stewards and in consultation with the pastor. A recommendation will be made to the Church Conference that it authorize and provide appropriate financial provisions for the same, which includes workshops, seminars, etc. 8. To do other work as may be assigned to them by the pastor or Board of Stewards. 9. To elect their own chairperson, secretary and treasurer. Back to Top Church Treasurer The responsibilities and duties of the Treasurer consist of the following: 1. To receive all funds or monies collected by the local congregation through offerings, tithes, rallies, gifts, donations, conferences and bequests which are turned over to the treasurer. 2. To receive all funds or monies collected by local church organizations that are turned over to the treasurer. 3. To receipt from a receipt book all sources of all monies received. 4. To deposit all monies received in a bank or savings and loan institution selected by the church. 5. To provide the Recording Steward with copies of receipts and deposit slips. 6. To perform other duties normally related and associated with the office provided they do not conflict with the duties of other offices, nor with the Discipline of the CME Church, and such other duties as may be assigned by the Quarterly or Church Conference, the Official Board, or the pastor. Back to Top Trustees The responsibilities and duties of the Trustees consist of the following: 1. The Trustees, as a board shall, hold all property, real, personal and mixed, owned by the charge; and other such property as may be committed to their keeping. 2. The Trustees shall make the property of the church to which they are trustees available and accessible to the pastor and other duly authorized ministers of the CME Church. Trustees shall neither prevent nor interfere with the pastor in the use of the property for religious services or other proper meetings which are recognized by the law and usage of the CME Church. 3. The Trustees shall be responsible to the Quarterly Conference which shall have the power to dismiss them or to remove them as individuals or as a Board, when dismissal or removal will serve the best interest of the C.M.E. Church. 4. The Trustees shall not obligate the Church financially without the consent of the Official Board, Church Conference and/or the Quarterly Conference subject to state law. 5. No person who is a Trustee shall be dismissed or removed while in joint security for money, unless such relief is given him/her as is demanded, or the creditor will accept. 6. Failure to obey the orders of the Official Board, Church Conference, or Quarterly Conference shall mean automatic dismissal of an individual Trustee or individuals or the whole Board of Trustees. 7. The members of the Board of Trustees who are not re-elected by the Fourth Quarterly Conference are automatically removed from the Board and from acting further in such a capacity, except where state or territorial laws provide statutes to the contrary. 8. The Trustees shall present the following information to each Quarterly Conference: a. The number of churches and parsonages. b. The value of the churches and parsonages. c. The other property or properties held by the charge. d. The title(s) by which all of the above properties is/are held. e. The amount of income that is derived from properties; and the funds reported and turned over to the Church Conference. f. The debts and how they were contracted. g. The amount of insurance on each piece of property and whether the insurance is limited or co-insured; the expiration date(s) of all insurance premiums and the name of the company carrying the insurance. 9. The Board of Trustees shall faithfully require, by vote of Quarterly Conference and through the Presiding Elder, that all new property, purchased for use by and for the CME Church, contain the Trust Clause in all titles of deed and that all deeds clearly show that property is held IN TRUST by the local church, if incorporated, or, if unincorporated by the local Board of Trustees who are elected from time to time for use by the Connection: also, it shall require, by vote, that the local Board of Trustees shall have all existing deeds redrawn or rewritten where necessary to include the Trust Clause and clear wording showing that the property is held IN TRUST for the CME Connection by the local Board of Trustees who are duly elected from time to time according to the Discipline of the CME Church or by the local church if incorporated. 10. The Trustees shall elect their own chairperson, secretary and treasurer. Back to Top Local Board of Christian Education The responsibilities and duties of the Local Board of Christian Education consist of the following: 1. To develop and promote the program of Christian nurture of the church according to the needs of the local congregation and community, and in conjunction with the programs and policies of the General Department of Christian Education. 2. To organize and administer the educational ministry and activities of the church including the Sunday Church School, Christian Youth Fellowship, Youth Adult Council, Vacation Bible School, week-day schools, training classes for new members, continuing education classes and institutes for church officers, boards and auxiliaries, etc. 3. To develop educational programs about the CME Church, its history, doctrine and policies. 4. To organize and supervise the educational ministry of the church in four (4) age levels: Children’s Division (ages 1 to 11), Youth Division (ages 12 to 17), Young Adult Division (ages 18 to 35) and Adult Division (ages 36 and above). 5. To see that the Sunday Church School, Weekday Church School, Christian Youth Fellowship and other departments of the church utilize literature and curriculum materials issued or approved by the Department of Christian Education. 6. To conduct, during the summer vacation period, a Vacation Bible School to provide Christian education programs for the children and youth of the church and community. A Superintendent, appointed by the Director, approved by the pastor and confirmed by the Board, shall be in charge. 7. To sponsor Promotion Day in accordance with the plans of the General Department of Christian Education. 8. To see that an effective ministry to the children of the church (ages 1-11) is provided. 9. To be a resource for the educational ministry of Adult Work, provided by various groups, auxiliaries, organizations, and boards of the church. 10. To see that National Youth and Young Adult Week (beginning the last Sunday in January and ending the first Sunday in February) is observed. 11. To see that special days outlined in the Discipline are observed by the Sunday Church School. 12. To organize a Committee on Scouting and, with the approval of the pastor, appoint a Scouting Coordinator. 13. To prepare an appropriate budget for the educational ministry of the church in accordance with the total stewardship program of the church developed by the pastor and officers of the church. 14. To see that the Sunday School and Christian Youth Fellowship observe the fourth Sunday in each month as Education Sunday, at which time the offering shall be taken for education. The offering should be sent to the General Department of Christian Education to be used for scholarship aid for CME college students according to the provisions of the Discipline and the Standing Committee on Christian Education. 15. The Board shall have authority to fill any office that may become vacant; and upon the recommendation of the Director and/or pastor to whom the Board has given responsibility within the educational program of the church. Back to Top General Superintendent The responsibilities and duties of the General Superintendent consist of the following: 1. The Superintendent shall hold meetings of teachers, committees, and other groups in the interest of the Sunday Church School. 2. The Superintendent shall report to the Board on the work of the Sunday Church School and carry out the decisions of the Board that affect and relate to the Sunday Church School. 3. The Superintendent, in consultation with the pastor, shall nominate to the Quarterly Conference for confirmation Departmental Superintendents. 4. The Superintendent shall report to the Director the personnel, curriculum, facility, and material needs of the Sunday Church School as determined by the Departmental Superintendents. Back to Top Choirs and Personnel The responsibilities and duties of the Choirs consist of the following: 1. There shall be one or more choirs in every church as far as possible. 2. There shall be a president of each choir who shall be a member of the CME Church. 3. Each president of a choir elected by the choir must be presented by the pastor to the Quarterly Conference for confirmation or rejection. 4. There shall be a church organist who shall be chosen from among the members of the CME Church. However, if a member of the CME Church cannot be obtained as organist, the pastor and officers may choose a person from any orthodox Christian church. 5. In the event that the pastor and officers cannot agree on a person to serve as church organist, the pastor shall have the right to make the final decision regarding the employment of the organist. 6. The chorister (Director of Music) must be chosen from among the members of the CME Church. 7. The chorister must be a person of good character and must have knowledge of church music and the ability to direct the choir so as to get desired results. 8. The chorister shall be presented by the pastor to the Quarterly Conference for confirmation or rejection. Back to Top Board of Ushers The responsibilities and duties of the Board of Ushers consist of the following: 1. There shall be organized in each church one or more Board(s) of Ushers. 2. They shall elect their own officers. The president of the Board of Ushers shall be a member of the Quarterly Conference. 3. The duties of the ushers shall be to admit people to the house of worship, attend to their comfort while they are therein, and perform any other duties assigned to them by the pastor and/or Official Board. Back to Top Department of Lay Ministry The responsibilities and duties of the Department of Lay Ministry consist of the following: 1. This department shall be responsible for the program of lay ministry in the church in accordance with the objectives and structure outlined by the General Department of Lay Ministry. 2. Any member of the local CME Church who indicates a desire to do so may join the Department of Lay Ministry. Upon joining, such persons will be given a membership card. 3. The department shall be under the direction of a Lay Leader elected by the Lay Department membership. The Local Lay Leader shall be a member of and subject to the Quarterly Conference. The Lay Leader shall preside at department meetings. 4. The department membership shall elect the other officers. 5. The department shall establish the local chapter of the Christian Methodist Men’s Fellowship. 6. The department shall submit a written report to the District Lay Department. 7. The department must observe National Lay Day. 8. The membership of the Lay Department shall elect delegates to the National Lay Institute. Back to Top The Women’s Missionary Society The responsibilities and duties of the Women’s Missionary Society consist of the following: 1. To discover the mission and unity of the Christian Church in Christ Jesus. 2. To make that mission and unity known at home and abroad. 3. To encourage cooperation, fellowship, and mutual counsel concerning the spiritual life and religious activities of the Christian Church. 4. To encourage the study of the Bible and to assist in spreading the Gospel. 5. To study the needs of society in order to aid in the development of programs, people, processes, and resources that will enable the Local Church Women’s Missionary Society to fulfill its mission. Such studies shall enable the Society to react cooperatively to the moral, ethical, and spiritual issues inherent in spreading the Gospel. 6. To work closely with private and public institutions and agencies in the fulfillment of common goals, insofar as such cooperation is consistent with the Constitution of the Women’s Missionary Council. Back to Top Commission on Membership and Evangelism The responsibilities and duties of the Commission on Membership and Evangelism consist of the following: 1. The Commission shall be composed of representatives of the various organizations of the church, including youth and young adults. 2. The Commission should meet at least once per month. 3. Officers to be elected are: chairperson, vice chairperson, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer. 4. The Commission Chairperson, in consultation with the pastor, shall appoint the following committee chairpersons: a. Prayer Committee b. Prospect Committee c. Visitation Evangelism Committee d. Membership Preparation and Assimilation Committee e. Attendance Committee f. Records Committee 5. Where more feasible, the six committees may be combined into three, and chairpersons be appointed accordingly. 6. Committees should meet monthly, and the chairperson should report to the Commission the activities of the committee. 7. The Commission shall plan its work at least one year in advance by establishing goals and special projects to be undertaken by the committees. (Source: The Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church)
St. Luke CME Church 462 Markham Road Post Office Box 1137 Tryon, NC Church Phone: (828) 859-5376 Parsonage Telephone Number: (828) 859-9903 Email: stlukechurch@alltel.net