Definition and Function
The church board is composed of the principal officers
of the church. It has a number of important responsibilities,
but its chief concern is the spiritual nurture of the
church and the work of planning and fostering evangelism
in all of its phases.
Ministry Description
Church
Board Member [PDF]
The San Francisco Central Church Board is
made up of:
*or designated representative
Meetings
The San Francsico Central Church Board meets monthly
on the first Tuesday night of the month, unless otherwise
designated.
Responsibilities of the Church Board
Included in church board responsibilities are:
- Spiritual nurture.
- Evangelism in all of its phases.
- Maintenance of doctrinal purity.
- Upholding Christian standards.
- Recommending changes in church membership.
- Church finances.
- Protection and care of church properties.
- Coordination of church departments.
Work of the Board
1. Planning evangelism in all of
its phases. Since evangelism is the primary work of
the church, the first item on the agenda of each church
board meeting is to relate directly to the evangelization
of the outreach (missionary) territory of the church.
In addition, once each quarter of the year the entire
church board meeting can well be devoted to plans for
evangelism. The board will study local field committee
recommendations for evangelistic programs and methods.
It will determine how these can best be implemented by
the church. The pastor and the church board will initiate
and develop plans for public evangelistic campaigns.
2. Coordinating outreach programs
of departments. The church board is responsible for
coordinating the work of all church departments. This
includes the outreach programs of Personal Ministries,
Sabbath School, Children's Ministries, Youth, Health Ministries,
and Education. Each of these departments develops its
plans for outreach within its own sphere. To avoid conflict
in timing and competition in securing volunteer helpers,
and to achieve maximum beneficial results, coordination
is essential. Before completing and announcing plans for
any program, each department should submit its plans to
the church board for approval. The departments also report
to the church board on the progress and results of their
outreach programs. The church board may suggest to the
departments how their programs can contribute to the preparation,
conduct, and follow-up of a public evangelistic campaign.
3. Encouraging and helping the Personal
Ministries Department of the church to enlist all
church members and children in some form of personal outreach
(missionary) service. Training classes should be conducted
in various lines of outreach ministry.
4. Cooperating with the Interest
coordinator of the church to ensure that every reported
interest in the message, aroused through whatever source,
is personally and promptly followed up by an assigned
layperson.
5. Encouraging each department to
report at least quarterly to the church board and
to the church membership at business meetings and/or in
Sabbath day meetings.
6. The details of church business should
be considered by the board, and the treasurer should report
the state of church finance on a regular basis. The church
roll should be studied, and inquiry should be made into
the spiritual standing of all members, and provision made
for visiting the sick, discouraged, and any backslidden
member. The other officers should report concerning the
work for which they are responsible.
Committees of the Board
The church board should permit no other
business to interfere with planning for evangelism. Should
other business be too time-consuming, the board may appoint
committees to care for specific areas of church business
such as finance or church building projects. Such committees
will then make recommendations to the church board. In
this way the resources of the board are conserved for
its primary task evangelism.
Board Reports
Reports may comprise the following
activities:
a. A report from the clerk showing
the present membership of the church and the number
of members received and those transferred to other churches.
Note also should be made, giving the number but not
necessarily the names, of those who may have had to
be removed from fellowship during the year, as well
as those who have died. A brief statement of the decisions
of the church board in its meetings would naturally
be of interest to all members of the church.
b. A report from the Personal Ministries
leader, giving a statement of outreach (missionary)
activities, including Community Services activities,
together with any plans for future work. This should
be followed by a report from the Personal Ministries
secretary.
c. A report from the treasurer, showing
the amount of tithe received and sent to the conference/mission/field
treasurer; also a full statement of mission offerings
received and forwarded; and a statement showing local
church funds received and disbursed.
d. A report from the deacons and
deaconesses concerning visits to the members, their
activities in behalf of the poor, and any other features
that come under their supervision.
e. A report from the secretary of
the young people's society outlining the activities
in outreach (missionary) and other lines by the youth
of the church.
f. A report from the Sabbath School
secretary, giving the membership and other matters pertaining
to the Sabbath School.
g. A report from the treasurer as
to the financial status of the church school, with details
as to its needs in equipment and other matters.
h. A report from the principal or
teacher of the church school, covering such matters
as enrollment, the educational progress of the school,
baptisms among the school children, and the results
of the children's efforts in denominational endeavors.
i. A report from the Home and School
Association leader, covering the activities and needs
of that organization.
j. A report from the Communication
Secretary covering press, radio, television, and other
related activities involving church and community.
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