This is just a fancy word for “How do
things get decided and done around here?”
Lincoln Road Chapel is governed by a
Leadership Team of elders who are appointed by the existing elders after
congregational affirmation. Affirmation of existing elders occurs every two
years. We expect elders to measure up to the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3
and Titus1. Currently half of the Leadership Team are paid pastoral staff and
half are not. We have a constitution and are incorporated federally. All members
of the Leadership Team are members of the corporation. Members of the
Leadership Team who are not financially remunerated by the church are Directors
of the corporation.
The Leadership Team meets at least nine
times a year to:
Establish
direction and goals for the congregation
Approve and
review policies and position papers
Hire
and hold paid staff accountable
Approve
budgets for the church
Approve
financial support and accountability for missionaries
Monitor delivery
of and report on pastoral care
Pray for the
ministries and people of the church and contacts outside the church
Share
information, insights, experiences which will help the church move ahead
Identify,
develop, train and empower others to achieve the goals
The Leadership Team has established the
Senior Management Team (SMT) consisting of the three senior staff (Lead Pastor,
the Executive Pastor and the Pastor for Spiritual Development) to handle
day-to-day operations and decisions on their behalf.
The Leadership Team also appoints ministry
leaders who meet at least once a year with the Leadership Team to report
progress, describe their plans and suggest support needed for the coming period
and to pray together. Each ministry leader has a staff member or Leadership
Team member with whom they are in frequent contact for support and
accountability.
Congregational input is crucial to the
unity of and commitment to the church. It occurs in a number of ways: through ministry
leaders and their ministry partners, periodic focus groups discussing major
directional issues, and an annual Congregational Meeting usually held in
February or March to affirm the annual budget and ministry direction.
Our leadership
principle is “Groups guide and govern, individuals
lead”.
“Let all things
be done decently and in order.1 Corinthians 14:40
