Serving on Church Council I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12.11 Could our agenda be put together differently? Could our Council table be considered in a whole new way? Would Council meetings be inspiring? Could not the Council be inspired and in turn provide inspiration for the whole congregation?
Called in the waters of baptism. Gift d ffor ministry. Gifted i i t Children of God sent to serve. Let your light so shine.
I APPEAL.. Our congregations are in a state of reformulation/renewal. We want our service on council to be life giving. When church councils are revitalized congregations are revitalized. Congregation and council and intertwined; WE RE IN THIS TOGETHER. We are called to hear and that means listening.
To you, therefore brothers and sisters.. You are named and claimed, called and empowered with gifts, sent to serve. You are a community of spiritual leaders. You are the people of God in community, which is more than a coordinating or advisory committee. This is a calling; this is vital ministry to which you are called. This is about more than your agenda. It is about working toward God s agenda and to God s glory.
By the mercies of God. This invites councils into gracious space. It is never about deserving to be there. God calls us into mission, gifts us for it, and entrusts us with it. It is God s mercy that transforms us and all we are into an offering. If God is really in this place, as we know God is, we can t be in too much trouble now, can we? -Thomas Merton
To present.. This is servant leadership. It is releasing, letting go, surrendering. We gain by losing; we discover this when we surrender. It is difficult to let go.
Your bodies.. This is all that defines you; all that you are. Every council has its own body; historical, relational composition that is always taking shape. Our stories are an integral of who we are. Synergistic nature of the council makes it community; the body of Christ.
As a living sacrifice.. Just as the altar is sacred space, so too is the council table. We are called to worshipful work. Prayer is more than bookends to begin and end a meeting. At this sacred table (the council table) our offerings are both individual and corporate. Our stories of faith need to be told at the table to further empower us to live God s mission.
Holy and acceptable to God.. God is involved in the transformation of life. God calls us to authentic risk-taking. God enters into the real world via the Holy Spirit: We gather for council meetings in God s name; God s presence is invoked. God is recognized as the meeting host. The agenda is God s. We share our personal faith journeys where God is recognized as an active player. We pause for prayer throughout the meeting. We conclude with reflections of the meeting, able to name differences and unfinished work. There may be a need for mending and care.
Whichh is your spiritual it worship. Prayerfully consider all information that is gathered. Ask each person to pray alone, considering the information given. When there is disagreement, spend more time soul searching. Coming to consensus on a matter is about discerning the will of God. Honor those who dissent. When engaged in this worshipful work, build on one another s strengths and insights rather than looking for weakness in the position of others. Always integrate worship with business business. Trust God s power. Remember that we can t take ourselves too seriously. A playful spirit can be an important part of discernment. Be willing to take risks.
Questions/Thoughts Council meetings as worshipful work? How do you see that unfolding where you serve? Are there ways that you already see what you as a council do as worshipful work? Why is it that in so many congregations serving on council becomes just one more duty to be fulfilled? What makes it so burdensome? What are the joys for you as you serve on council? How could you help the congregation see that how the council serves is worshipful work?
Liturgy (Agenda) for Council Meetings) We gather in God s name devotions/prayers/lighting of the candle Kyries and Glorias sharing our joys and concerns We celebrate our past, our history as God s people the litanies minutes from the last meeting and other communications; offering a prayer of confession, hearing the Good News. We look to the future. We study the word of God. We pray. We proclaim the Word. We present our Offering Mission and Outreach, Children and Family, Commitment and Stewardship, Worship and Music, Administrative Support, Disciple Care, Planning and Evaluation all the various ministries of the congregation. We offer up our concerns of the past (old business). We offer up our concerns for the future (new business). We offer our prayers our thanksgiving for God s presence in our ministry, God s calling and equipping us for ministry and sending us out to live the ministry to which we have been called. It is also a time to remember our fellow council members (prayer partners). We go out in God s name. We share the peace with one another. We adjourn to serve.