Healthy Church Councils

Acknowledgement to Country

We acknowledge the Barramattagalpeople of the Dharug nation as custodial

owners of this land.We pay our respects to their elders - past,

present and emerging.

Today:• Basis of Union defines

our purpose• Heathy Relationships• Good Governance• Regulatory

responsibilities• Vision, Mission and

Values – why what and how

Basis of Union # 3

BUILT UPON THE ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST

….In Jesus Christ "God was reconciling the world to himself"

(2 Corinthians 5:19 RSV)….God in Christ has given to all

people in the Church the Holy Spirit as a pledge and

foretaste of that coming reconciliation and renewal which

is the end in view for the whole creation.

The Church's call is to serve that end:

to be a fellowship of reconciliation,

a body within which the diverse gifts

of its members are used for the building

up of the whole, an instrument through

which Christ may work and bear witness

to himself.

RelationshipHealthy vs. Unhealthy• Has trust and can see potential• Is supportive

• Isn’t controlling or manipulative

• Listens well but also speaks• Respects differences

• Wants the best for all concerned

• Isn’t afraid of conflict or robust discussion

• Fuels fear and is mostly negative• Is obsessive in getting own way

• Manipulates and self-justifies

• Dominates conversation without listening

• Sees discussion as a threat

What is Governance?

A system of rules, practices and processes used by an organisation to direct and control its work

How this is done shapes whether it is good or poor in effect

Good governance grows from healthy relationships…

Discussion for your Council:Why are we each on this particular council or committee. What value do we each bring?

Healthy Meeting Practice in

Church CouncilsWhat does your

meeting look like?

Good governance involves robust debate followed by strong solidarity

The Macquarie Dictionary says the verb "to white- ant" means "to subvert or undermine from within".The term is derived from the action of termites (white ants) eating the inside of wooden building foundations, often leaving no outward evidence, until the structure crumbles.

The Basis of Union says in #3The Church’s call is to… be a fellowship of reconciliation, a body within which the diverse gifts of its members are used for the building up of the whole…

Which one describes your context?

Responsibilities of Church Council

• Hear God’s Word

• Celebrate the sacraments

• Encourage one another in love

• Share wider responsibilities of the Church

• Serve the world

Congregation

• Spiritual Oversight over congregation

• Building the congregation in faith and love

• Discerning the Spirit of Gd

• Embodying the Spirit together

• Engaging in Spiritual Leadership

How does your church council agenda reflect these responsibilities?

Church Council

• Oversight of Congregations/Groups

• Stimulate and encourage mission

• Oversee placement of Ministers

• Accountability responsibilities

Presbytery

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The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing

Dr. Stephen R. Covey: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

What Are Your Congregation’s

Vision, Mission and Values?

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Presentation 2013 23

Presentation 2013 24

Sydney Presbytery

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Resources• Governance Workbook

https://healthychurches.kinsta.cloud/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/church-council-governance-resource-book-ver-2.2-hce-2017-11-04.pdf

• Church Councils Role Description

• Conversation Starters for Church Councils: Basis of Union and the Regulations

• Living Our Values (online modules)

Thank youfor more information please contact

Rev Ben Gilmour: Head of Vital Leadership at UME BenG@nswact.uca.org.au

Rev Raymond Joso: Head of Mission Enablement at UMERaymondJ@nswact.uca.org.au