CONSISTORY: OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT



C O N S I S T O R Y

The Consistory is what our governing body (and the governing body of every RCA congregation) is called. It is made up of Elders and Deacons. They meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month, and whenever the need arises they can be called to order. Active church members 18yrs. or older are eligible for nomination as an Elder or Deacon to Consistory. They are duly elected by the members of the congregation at our Annual Congregational meeting. Presently, five elders and two deacons makeup the Consistory. The persons chosen may only serve 2 consecutive 3-year terms. The members of consistory are each assigned a particular area of church life and together with the pastor are responsible for the spiritual oversight and governing of the congregation.

CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS:

        Consistory President - The Pastor
        Vice-President - Senior Elder, appointed annually
        Classis Representative - Next Senior Elder, appointed annually
        Clerk - Elected by consistory annually
        Treasurer - Elected to 3-year term by consistory, may only serve 2 consecutive terms.

CLERK & TREASURER RESPONSIBILITIES

   Clerk

• Attends all Consistory meetings, may comment may not vote
• Takes meeting minutes and provides copies to members
• Creates special letters requested by pastor or consistory
• Signs documents required by Church Law

• Keeps church financial records in order
• Pays bills
• Pays pastor's salary and all other employee salaries
• Records weekly contribution deposits
• Completes tax forms & submits any payments due
• Provides monthly financial reports to consistory
• Provides year end report to Finance Chairman
• Participates in yearly audit

CHURCH COMMITTEES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

   BUILDING & GROUNDS

• Coordinates lawn mowing schedule
• Coordinates major inside & outside cleaning
• Organizes any needed workdays, painting, etc.
• Oversees major maintenance or improvements needed
• Maintains an inventory of church property
• Reviews insurance policies for adequate protection
• Keeps a Church Use Calendar
• Assures that cleaning and maintenance supplies are adequate

• Assigns person to assure nursery coverage during worship
• Oversees and/or coordinates:
  • Adult education
  • Confirmation classes
  • Sunday School
  • Women's Fellowship
  • Teacher enlistment
  • Youth Group

• Assures coverage for Fellowship Time after worship
• Assures that supplies needed for Fellowship Time are on hand.
• Assists with plans for all age category events and outings
• Oversees all church luncheons, dinners, etc.
• Assures that cakes for special annual occasions are supplied
• Helps plan special outings during the year

• Monitors the handling of all church receipts, and distribution of funds
• Reports financial status to consistory
• Offers financial advice to consistory
• Secures adequate insurance coverage
• Audits the counting and deposit procedure
• Schedules an annual list of persons to count & deposit contributions
• Supervises the Treasurer
• Assures that a monthly treasurer's report is presented to consistory

• Keeps congregation informed monthly of current mission
• Assures that monthly budgeted mission funds are distributed
• Assures representation of our congregation at Christian Community in Action
• Seeks out areas where our congregation may help by sharing time, talent, & funding
• Supervises our participation in the following:
• Meals on Wheels
• Cary's Food Closet
• CROP Walk
• Red Cross Blood Mobile
• The Carying Place

• Assures that letters are sent to visitors & guests
• Looks for ways to attract new people, and looks for ways to have members become active again.
• Approaches friends to consider membership, arrange for class and elder meeting.
• Enlist people to greet everyone coming to Sunday Worship & special services
• Place news items, and paid ads about the church in newspapers and telephone books
• Assures that the Church Herald mailing list is update
• Place articles and pictures in the Church Herald regarding special events
• Assure that Memorial Book is up to date
• Assure that Prayer Chain is functioning well
• Assures that photos of congregation are updated as needed
• Has photo of current consistory taken and placed on bulletin board
• Assures that the large bulletin board has pleasing and current information
• Assures that the church newsletter, the Family Times is published distributed monthly
• Assures that there is communication to the sick, bereaved, and home bound

• Plans & presents our yearly Stewardship Program to the congregation
• Plans for the recording of gifts and offerings
• Distributes quarterly donation reports to the congregation
• Distributes & receives our "Planning to Give" cards
• Orders, prepares and distributes offering envelopes

• Assures Celebration Room is prepared for worship
• Assures that Communion elements are prepared
• Assures that pulpit cloths and wall banners are changed according to the seasons of the church year
• Secures supply ministers and supply organists when needed
• Supervises work of Minister of Music
• Works with Pastor and Minister of Music in preparation of special services
• Provides for care and upkeep of the piano, organ, bells and chimes
• Provides for cleaning of choir robes and church vestments
• Assures that ushers are provided for all services
• Assures that flowers are provided for services
• Coordinates special floral displays at Easter & Christmas