
The Church Council will be elected by the Church Conference after hearing the recommendations of the Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development. The Church Conference may authorize the Church Council to fill vacancies during the year after hearing the recommendation of the Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development.
In shifting from a multi-board to single board governance model, the Church Council of Grace United Methodist Church of Los Angeles shall be established in the following manner:
THE CHURCH COUNCIL
The Church Council will be the Corporate Body of the Congregation. Its chair shall be the president of the corporation. The Church Council is responsible (and has authority) to keep the entire ministry of the congregation focused on the mission.
Its chief function shall be to work with the congregation to establish a guiding vision for the mission of the church. It will then translate the vision into measurable strategies and over-all goals for accomplishing the vision. It will be responsible for planning for and allocating the resources (financial, personnel and facilities) to accomplish the vision. It will be responsible for setting the policies, ethical standards and adequate processes to set the boundaries for ministry in and by the church. It will evaluate the progress of the church in accomplishing the vision and hold the pastors and the congregation accountable to the vision and report regularly to the congregation.
When not hired staff, the Council shall elect a Church Treasurer and Financial Secretary to annual terms. Upon recommendation of the Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development may elect people to fill offices and Council positions which become vacant during the year as authorized by the Church Conference.
The council shall meet at least quarterly. The chairperson or the pastor may call special meetings. (Book of Discipline, ¶ 252.3.). All church members are welcome to attend Church Council meetings.
The Council’s voting members consist of the appointed pastor(s) & 13 elected officers to include:
- The Lay Leader who is Council Chair/Chair of Church Leadership Team
- Lay Members of Annual Conference (who also serves as recording secretary)
- Team Leader for Care of Property & Grounds (formerly Trustee Chair)
- Team Leader for Care of Finance & Stewardship (formerly the Finance Chair)
- Team Leader for Care of Human Resources & Staff (formerly SPRC Chair)
The Council will also consist of:
- Team Leaders for Nurture, Outreach and Witness/Worship Ministries
- Team Leader (Laity) for Nominations and Leadership Development
- The President of United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women)
- The President of United Methodist Men
- Young Adult Representative*
- Youth Representative*.
Council Chairperson / Lay Leader | ¶ 252.1. Purpose – The church council shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. It shall also provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life. The council shall meet at least quarterly. The chairperson or the pastor may call special meetings. |
Lay Member(s) to Annual Conference | informs the congregation about The United Methodist Church in the conference and around the world. This person attends annual conference sessions as a member from the congregation and interprets the actions to the congregation. Grace UMC elects two (2) lay members to annual conference and one alternate. A representative of this group also votes on Church Council and serves as recording secretary for Church Council meetings. |
Team Leader for Care of Property & Grounds (formerly Trustee Chair) | They are responsible for the supervision, oversight, care and maintenance of the real property of the church and all property and equipment acquired by any organization connected to the church. This shall include proper care of the church’s legal records and regular inventory of its property, making recommendations for vote by the Leadership Team/Church Council.. |
Team Leader for Care of Finance & Stewardship (formerly the Finance Chair) | This team shall be responsible for any of the tasks listed under the Finance section of the Church Council in the Book of Discipline, making recommendations for vote by the Leadership Team/Church Council. The team shall include the election of a Church Treasurer and Financial Secretary. |
Team Leader for Care of Human Resources & Staff (formerly SPRC Chair) | An effective committee builds a strong positive relationship between staff and congregation so that the congregation makes disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This committee will work with the lead pastor and other staff to fulfill legal and ethical responsibilities related to staff. Detailed description here. This team makes recommendations for vote by the Leadership Team/Church Council. |
Team Leader for Nurture Ministries | The nurture team coordinates, plans, carries out, and evaluates the congregation’s ministry in the areas of member care, worship, and educational experiences, including the church school, small groups, regular and special worship services, stewardship formation, and member visitation. |
Team Leader for Outreach Ministries | The outreach team coordinates, plans, carries out, and evaluates the congregation’s outreach ministries, including missions, health and welfare, Christian unity and interreligious concerns, church and society issues, religion and race, and status and role of women. |
Team Leader for Witness/Worship Ministries | The witness team coordinates, plans, carries out, and evaluates the congregation’s witness ministries, helping all know and respond to the love of God in Christ. This includes planning evangelistic outreach, communications and worship. |
Team Leader (Laity) for Nominations & Leadership | The charge of this committee is to identify, develop, deploy, evaluate, and monitor Christian spiritual leadership for the local congregation. Members of the committee shall engage in and be attentive to developing and enhancing their own Christian spiritual life in light of the mission of the Church. |
The President of United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) | Elected by Local Unit |
The President of United Methodist Men | Elected by Local Unit |
Young Adult Representative* | 18-35 years old |
Youth Representative* | 12-18 years old |