CHURCH COUNCIL MINISTRY DESCRIPTION

Summary

The church council position provides the ministry opportunity for members of the church body to work in partnership with the chaplain and become more involved in the administration of the church. It is a gift of ministry for someone who has the spiritual well-being of the church and its members on his or her heart and is willing to give of his or her time in prayerful and bible based reflection and a monthly meeting. The individual needs a willingness to seek the common good of the church over personal preferences. A council member is expected to consider the views of the church body in carrying out his/her responsibilities. Each council member brings different gifting to the council and in this way helps to represent the total church body.

It is desired that a church council member be

• a mature and practising Christian and a member of the English Speaking Church of Grenoble
• has been baptised in the name of Jesus Christ
• is at least 18 years of age
• is in agreement with Apostles’ & Nicene Creeds

A council member may serve on council without an interruption i.e. there is no term limit

The church council member’s role and responsibilities

A council member acting as part of the council is responsible with the Chaplain(s) for :

• Maintaining and promoting the mission of the Church
• Setting the policies and establishing goals of the Church
• Monitoring progress of the goals,
• Overseeing administrative aspects of the Church including its finances and its resources

A council member needs to be a regular attendee and participant at the monthly council meeting (typically lasting 2 hours on the second Wednesday evening of the month). Often the council will be required to spend this time on the mundane aspects of Church life

A council member is expected to keep the church body informed of the church programs, events, policy changes and other council activities

A council member is expected to hold in the strictest confidences any item of a personnel nature and any other items so indicated as confidential during council meetings. Generally, such items will not be included in the minutes due to their confidential nature

A council member is expected to pray for the chaplain(s), the churchwardens and church body.

The role of church council can be changed and amended as approved by the council.

History

The church council position was created in 1919 by an Act of Parliament to allow church members have more voice in the church. Although the position is a requirement of the Church of England to which the English Speaking Church of Grenoble is affiliated having been established by the Intercontinental Church Society, the overriding intent behind the position is allow church members to be more involved. This position description allows for the legal requirements of the Church of England and has been adapted for the needs of our congregation