FORMING A MINISTERS COUNCIL

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In forming a new Ministers Council, customize it. Make it fit the needs of the church leaders of the area being served. Remember that form follows function.

 

What is a Ministers Council?

• An organization of, by, and for the church leaders of an area.
• An organization with at least a minimal structure of President, Secretary/Treasurer, and a Senator (representative to the national Governing Board), and whatever else fits.
• An organization in cooperation and communication with other Ministers Councils in the ABC.

 

What is the mission and purpose of the Ministers Council? (from the Bylaws)

"The Ministers Council is an autonomous, professional, multi-cultural organization of ordained, commissioned and lay Christian leaders within the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. We are women and men who advocate for and covenant with each other to deepen our spiritual journey and to increase our effectiveness, as persons who are accepting the call of God and church for the advancement of the Gospel mission of the church of Jesus Christ."

"The purpose of this body is to build up the Church of Jesus Christ by sustaining and improving the professional church leadership of the American Baptist Churches in the USA.

"To achieve this purpose this body shall:

• establish and maintain professional and ethical standards of the Christian ministry;
• give support to the members of this body and be an advocate for them in their professional associations;
• interpret the appropriate roles of professional church leadership to the constituent parts of our denomination and to the local American Baptist churches;
• encourage the recruitment and nurture of candidates for the various church vocations;
• provide a means for expression and debate by members of this body on issues that affect the professional leadership of the American Baptist Churches in the USA;
• cooperate with the appropriate units of the American Baptist Churches in the USA in matters of mutual interest and concern, including: 1) recruit­ment, 2) placement, 3) compensation, 4) continuing education, and 5) counseling."

 How would a Council be formed?

1. Interested church leaders from a coordinating group.
2. Consult with the national Director of the Ministers Council and the Executive Minister of the Region. (Even though the decision belongs to the clergy themselves, it is good to be in communication with both the national Ministers Council and the Executive Minister.)
3. Where relationships with an existing Council might be involved, the President of that Council should be consulted, too.
4. Draft a proposal, focussing on the purpose/direction for a Council.
5. Meet with all interested church leaders with the purpose/direction as the primary focus.
6. Appoint a small task group to draft a structure paper or ByLaws.
7. Hold an organizing meeting to adopt the structure, elect officers and request recognition of the constituent Council.
8.  

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