Leader Selection & Development

Adapted from Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation – 2001-2004

This Team serves throughout the year to guide the Church Council on matters regarding the leadership (other than employed staff) of the congregation. Team members are elected to serve on this committee because the Charge Conference considered them to be the kind of person who is sensitive to the leadership needs of the congregation and who know the capabilities of the persons in the congregation. The task of each Team member is crucial to the ongoing ministry of TUMC and to the Church as a whole. This Team has no more than 11 members, of which the Charge Conference elects no more than 9. In addition the Pastor and Lay Leader(s) are members. Of the 9 elected members one must be a young adult (age 18-30 years) and a youth (age 12-18 years). The Pastor serves as the Chairperson of this Team with a layperson as the Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair represents this Team on the Church Council. This Team is responsible to the Charge Conference and the Church Council. The Charge Conference elects team members for a term of 3 years. Retiring Team members may not succeed themselves.

This Team is responsible for -

• Assisting persons in the congregation to identify their gifts and skills for service
• Assisting in the nurture and development of Christian spiritual leadership
• Identifying and recommending persons for service in the various ministry areas
• Equipping those leaders by training and supporting them
• Deploying persons for effective witness and service in ministry tasks
• Identifying competencies needed for a variety of tasks.

Every person in this church has something to offer – a gift to share with others! As a member of the Body of Christ we are called to use our gifts in ways that fulfill God’s purpose. This Team is charged with linking persons who have gifts to share with opportunities to meet specific needs. It requires hard work and a strong commitment, but can also be very rewarding. This Team also needs to be attentive to its own spiritual development and growth thus modeling spiritual leadership. Basic Responsibilities include -

• Engage in Biblical and theological reflections
• Be active and attentive in developing their own spiritual life
• Intentionally become familiar with as many members of our congregation as possible
• List the leadership positions established at TUMC (non-paid staff)
• Study the responsibilities for each leadership position and identify the gifts and competencies needed to effectively function in that position
• Work cooperatively with leadership of work areas, ministry teams, and other groups or individuals to prepare job descriptions (when individuals have clear expectations about the task they will be asked to do it is easier for them to respond with a sense of confidence – by understanding the impact of the particular ministry they are being asked to perform, they will respond with increased commitment).
• Prayerfully match potential leaders with particular leadership positions and guide the development and training of spiritual leaders
• Invite persons to serve in leadership positions (leadership positions required by the Book of Discipline include Pastor-Staff Relations; Lay Leader; Board of Trustees; & Finance must be filled).
• Be accountable to the Charge Conference through the Church Council