Description
The
education board oversees educational programs at Good Shepherd,
for example: Sunday school and its teacher enrichment program,
Pre-School, Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, Bible Classes,
etc.
Our goal
is to serve the members of the congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church in all their educational needs. Also, to provide a strong
Lutheran-Christian based educational program for all members at
all levels of their Christian walk or age.
Responsibilities
"
Oversee the Sunday School Program, Vacation Bible School, Pre-School,
Youth Group, Adult Bible Studies, and any other Christian Education
programs at Good Shepherd.
" To seek out teachers for each of these programs
" To help in selection of resources used for each of these
programs
" To provide a Christian treat/gift for the Sunday school
students
Note:
Confirmation Instruction is excluded from the responsibilities
of the Board of Christian Education as it falls under the Board
of Elders.
Organization
and History
The board
was organized in January 2000 as a board of six or seven members.
Each member serves a 3-year term elected at the December voters
meeting. The congregation to the board elects each year two to
three new members. Members of the board elect a chairman, vice-chairman
and secretary for one-year terms. The Pastor and Pre-School instructor
serve as non-voting members of the board.
Contacts
The first
contact should be the Chairman of the Board of Christian Education.
Each board member should be able to address questions or know
who will have the appropriate answers.
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Goals
1)
The evangelism board looks for ways to improve the conditions
that will encourage fellowship among our members. Examples include:
offering coffee between services, improving the physical appearance
of the church.
2)
We organize outreach programs such as: Teacher to Teacher, which
collects school supplies for teachers in Madagascar and sending
thank you cards to visitors, thanking them for attending our church.
3)
We also promote the activities of this church to the community
by newspaper, radio, website, etc.
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Description
and Goals
To
oversee the physical well being of the church building, both inside
and out; as well as any out buildings, the surrounding property
and parking lot.
Responsibilities
The
Property Board maintains all aspects of the church building, including
weekly cleaning, general maintenance, and major repairs. They
plan for and assign parties to remove snow from the parking lot
and sidewalks and assign parties to mow the lawn in season. The
board organizes the annual spring-cleaning project. All equipment
motorized or otherwise, is maintained in good working order.
Organization
All
legal papers, deeds, etc. are stored in the safety deposit box.
All other paperwork regarding the Property Board is stored in
the file cabinet labeled "property" in the conference
room.
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Description
and Goals
1.
Encourage church stewardship through attendance, volunteerism,
talents and giving
2. Welcome and orient new members into the life of the congregation
3. Use talent sheet results to encourage active involvement
4. Promote special funds for major improvements
Responsibilities
1.
Revise special funds efforts as needed
2. Draft attendance and giving articles
3. Print stewardship materials to add to the member handbook
4. Print and distribute pledge cards before year-end
5. Update and review talent surveys in the 4th quarter - forward
to proper committees
6. Host Stewardship Sunday in mid November each year
7. Offer stewardship awards for the most active members (recognition)
8. Promote stewardship by placing posters, flyers and materials
in the church
Organization and history
The
stewardship board consists of 4-10 church members plus the pastor
when his schedule allows. All church members are welcome to attend
the monthly stewardship meetings and offer input about stewardship related topics.
Topics include:
Communicating - sharing stewardship messages with the church membership
Planning & implementing - looking for new ways to explore
our role in God's plan
Working - finding ways to assist other church boards in matters
that relate to stewardship
Coordinating - helping members meet other members that have similar
talents and ideas
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Description
The
Board of Worship is responsible for the worship life of the congregation.
This begins by holding high the wondrous gifts that the Triune
God gives through His Holy Word and Sacraments. Through the Pastor
the board seeks to provide an atmosphere in which our members
may develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran
heritage in Christian worship. Worship materials are sought and
provided which incorporate both the riches of the past with that
which is faithful from the present so that in our worship our
voices are joined with fellow believers of every time and place.
Responsibilities
1.
The Church has always recognized the vital role that worship plays
in passing on the faith. That is why we insist that our worship
reflect faithfully the truth of sacred scripture. As the word
of God is proclaimed, prayed and sung, it will shape and form
the faith of all who participate. Therefore, our initial duty
is to make sure that we call a pastor who understands the theological
implications that are inherent in our worship.
2.
All worship services are scheduled through this board. Special
services for seasons such as Lent and Advent and special days
such as Easter, Christmas, Holy week, etc. are scheduled through
the auspices of this board. We need to provide services at times
that will allow easy access to all members that want and need
the word of God in their lives. These schedules and times must
be changed on the outdoor church sign and in local publications
and news media. The Church Secretary takes responsibility for
changing the times in the newspaper.
3.
The music ministry of the church is also a major concern of this
board as this is a major part of the worship service. Proper instrumentation,
organ and keyboards, and those willing and able to operate the
instruments are vital to the worship of the congregation. Adult
choir, guitar choir, children's choirs and soloists all come under
the jurisdiction of the board. The primary function of music in
worship is not to entertain those who have gathered or to establish
a mood. Rather, proceeding from the dual contexts of church year
and lectionary, music takes on the special function of theological
proclamation. Its function is to proclaim the word of God to the
people of God.
4.
All ancillary teams such as altar Guild, Ushers, acolytes, and
greeters are scheduled and supported by the board of worship,
as these areas are important in the worship life of the church.
Worshipers should be able to enter the sanctuary in a reverent
and serene manner and expect to be treated in a manner that will
support and elevate their time with the word of God. Flowers,
banners, and other altar decorations are not dealt with directly
but are taken care of by appropriate groups and committees such
as altar Guild and Special Banner committees. Attention is paid
by the board to insure proper handling.
Organization
and history
According
to the constitution and by-laws of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
16.4.5, the Board of Worship shall consist of at least four (4)
members. The choir director, organists and other music directors
shall serve as advisory members.
A.
Assist the Pastor in supervising the worship service, altar guild,
ushers, acolytes, Hymnals and other devotional materials, music,
(including choirs, organist and other musical participation) and
other worship atmosphere.
B. Prepare an annual budget for its area of responsibility.
The
worship commission, presently known as the board of worship, was
begun as the church was started. Also the Missouri Synod has a
commission on worship to help congregations in their worship life.
In
an article put out by the Worship Commission of the Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod, worship was likened to an external conversation.
Some
excerpts follow:
1.
The Art of Conversation
When we gather together around God's Word and Sacraments, we join
in that external conversation of thanksgiving and praise. Consider
these lofty words from the liturgy of the Lord's Supper.
Therefore, with angels and archangels and with all the company
of heaven, we laud and magnify Your glorious Name, evermore praising
you and saying …
When we respond by singing the Holy, Holy, Holy of the Sanctus,
we are not singing alone. The grand chorus of heaven has been
singing that hymn of praise ever since the dawning of creation.
2.
God speaks … we listen
For Lutherans, worship begins not with us and what we have to
offer God; it begins with God. It really is akin to a conversation,
one that God initiates as He speaks words of life to lost, and
dying people.
For Lutherans, worship is the context in which God comes in His
Holy Word and Sacraments to grant forgiveness, life and salvation.
These blessings, which are gifts of God, are received by faith.
This faith most certainly expresses itself in thanksgiving and
praise.
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