Team Based Ministry
Handbook
Values and Goals
Every member a minister
(Ephesians 4:11-16)
People serving together accomplish more (Synergy; Ecclesiastes 4:9)
Serve together and learn together
(Proverbs 27:17)
Longevity in leadership and service can enhance ministry
Releasing people to minister in their areas of giftedness and passion
Ministry Teams
The structure below, by God’s grace, will help facilitate the fulfillment of Allensville Mennonite Church's purpose of bringing honor to our Heavenly Father and furthering His Kingdom by being a people of Community, Discipleship, Missions, Stewardship and Worship (Act 2:42-47). It is helpful to remember that structure exists to fulfill ministry, structure is not an end in and of itself.
Community
Staff Oversight: Care Ministry Pastor
Community Elder
Community Ministry Director
Discipleship
Staff Oversight: Teaching Pastor
Discipleship Elder
Children’s Ministry Director
Youth Ministry Director
Adult Ministry Director
Missions
Staff Oversight: Administrative Pastor
Missions Elder
Global/National/Local/Regional Ministry Director
Stewardship
Staff Oversight: Administrative Pastor
Stewardship Elder
Stewardship Ministry Director
Worship
Staff Oversight: Teaching Pastor
Worship Elder
Prayer Ministry Director
Worship Ministry Director
Leadership Team
Ministry Summary:
The elders shall consist of the pastors and three elected elders, nominated and affirmed by the congregation.
1. Provide spiritual leadership for the congregation.
2. Be involved in the ministries of the congregation.
3. Relate to the ministry teams: An elder of Community, Discipleship, Missions, Stewardship & Worship.
Help facilitate communication between ministry teams and the leadership team.
4. Role in the evaluation of ministry directors:
5. Point person for yearly reviews of the ministry directors.
6. If needed, seek input from a staff person in the review process.
7. Membership processing and transfer decisions.
8. Generate goals and vision for the congregation.
9. Responsible for the evaluation of pastors and any pastoral transitions in cooperation with the overseer.
Working Relationships:
Responsible for giving general oversight to the church’s life
Responsible to the Congregation
Qualifications for Elders:
Elders shall be chosen in accordance with the requirements laid out in Scripture in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
Length of Service for Elders:
Three years, with the opportunity to serve two terms consecutively.
The elders shall consist of the pastors and three elected elders, nominated and affirmed by the congregation.
1. Provide spiritual leadership for the congregation.
2. Be involved in the ministries of the congregation.
3. Relate to the ministry teams: An elder of Community, Discipleship, Missions, Stewardship & Worship.
Help facilitate communication between ministry teams and the leadership team.
4. Role in the evaluation of ministry directors:
5. Point person for yearly reviews of the ministry directors.
6. If needed, seek input from a staff person in the review process.
7. Membership processing and transfer decisions.
8. Generate goals and vision for the congregation.
9. Responsible for the evaluation of pastors and any pastoral transitions in cooperation with the overseer.
Working Relationships:
Responsible for giving general oversight to the church’s life
Responsible to the Congregation
Qualifications for Elders:
Elders shall be chosen in accordance with the requirements laid out in Scripture in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
Length of Service for Elders:
Three years, with the opportunity to serve two terms consecutively.
Selection & Expectations
Selection of Ministry Directors
1. Pastors are the point people for making sure ministry director positions are filled.
2. Ministry team members help identify potential ministry directors.
3. Approved by the Leadership Team.
Selection of Ministry Team Leaders
1. Ministry Director is the point person for making sure team leader positions are filled.
2. Ministry team members help identify potential team leaders.
Selection of Ministry Team Members
Varies depending on the team. Can include bulletin announcements, sign-up sheets, recruiting by team leaders or team members.
Note: some ministry teams are limitless like the local outreach team while other teams need a smaller, limited number of members.
Terms
No terms but an opportunity is given yearly to continue or discontinue ministry service for ministry directors, team leaders and team members recognizing longevity in service and leadership is often healthy. Terms provide accountability to a degree, so other ways of accountability need to be put in place. Therefore, the appointed elder over a ministry area will help provide accountability through at least yearly verbal communication with each ministry director.
Ministry Directors and Ministry Team Leader Expectations
1. Continue to grow in godliness, leadership skills and ministry skills.
2. Empower individuals serving on the team.
3. Provide training opportunities, encouragement, prayer, etc.
4. Provide direction for the team, keeping in mind the overall purpose/vision of the congregation.
5. Facilitate communication within the team and broader body.
6. Plan meetings as needed.
7. Be in communication with appropriate staff members.
8. Maintain individualized ministry description for each Ministry Director
9. Propose vision and financial needs each year to the Leadership Team through the appropriate elder.
1. Pastors are the point people for making sure ministry director positions are filled.
2. Ministry team members help identify potential ministry directors.
3. Approved by the Leadership Team.
Selection of Ministry Team Leaders
1. Ministry Director is the point person for making sure team leader positions are filled.
2. Ministry team members help identify potential team leaders.
Selection of Ministry Team Members
Varies depending on the team. Can include bulletin announcements, sign-up sheets, recruiting by team leaders or team members.
Note: some ministry teams are limitless like the local outreach team while other teams need a smaller, limited number of members.
Terms
No terms but an opportunity is given yearly to continue or discontinue ministry service for ministry directors, team leaders and team members recognizing longevity in service and leadership is often healthy. Terms provide accountability to a degree, so other ways of accountability need to be put in place. Therefore, the appointed elder over a ministry area will help provide accountability through at least yearly verbal communication with each ministry director.
Ministry Directors and Ministry Team Leader Expectations
1. Continue to grow in godliness, leadership skills and ministry skills.
2. Empower individuals serving on the team.
3. Provide training opportunities, encouragement, prayer, etc.
4. Provide direction for the team, keeping in mind the overall purpose/vision of the congregation.
5. Facilitate communication within the team and broader body.
6. Plan meetings as needed.
7. Be in communication with appropriate staff members.
8. Maintain individualized ministry description for each Ministry Director
9. Propose vision and financial needs each year to the Leadership Team through the appropriate elder.
Pastoral Team
Team Focused
The Administrative, Care Ministry and Teaching Pastors must understand that they are just one member of a team of pastors and will submit themselves under the authority and accountability of the team and will serve in conjunction with the other members.
Operational Covenant
While the Pastoral Team values the trust given to them by the congregation and will seek to maintain that trust, they will freely share with each other information about congregational members that may be helpful in their work of shepherding the flock. However, information shared in individual counseling sessions will not be shared with others on the Pastoral Team without prior consent from the counselee.
Congregational members are encouraged to bring their thoughts to the pastor having responsibility over that area. If this is not possible or followed, the appropriate pastor will be informed and invited to respond accordingly.
Definition of a key word as we are using it below
Lead- (using this as a verb form as opposed to the commonly used form as a noun) - “be a route or means of access… to a particular direction” -Oxford Dictionaries
Responsibilities that involve all three pastors
1. Help the congregation set short and long term goals collectively as a body.
2. Keep up-to-date direction statements for the congregation and remind people of vision.
3. Make sure opportunities for growth and service exist for aspiring and current leaders in the congregation (leadership development).
4. Give priority to connecting with the congregation before and after Sunday services.
5. Build relationships with people outside of the typical church setting.
6. In the event of absence or unavailability of a pastor, the other pastors will be available to fill in as needed. Congregants using the church phone number as a way of contacting the pastors is one way that will help connect them to the available pastor.
Other Time Requirements
Attend weekly Pastoral Team meetings
Attend monthly Leadership Team meetings
Attend meetings with appropriate Ministry Directors
Attend annual Multiply Conference, Pastors Conference and other local meetings
Personal and Spiritual Growth
Strive to be growing spiritually and in leadership and ministry skills through:
1. The practice of the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, etc.
2. Continual growth in church related issues such as readings, seminars, etc.
3. Make prayer a priority as an individual.
4. Pursue further education and growth, especially in the individual’s areas of responsibility.
Administrative Pastor
Purpose:
The purpose of this role is to initiate and oversee the administrative aspects of the church. A key component of this role is to work in conjunction with the Care Ministry Pastor and Teaching Pastor to facilitate healthy communication and cooperation of the Pastoral Team, Leadership Team, and Ministry Teams within the body at Allensville Mennonite Church.
Responsibilities:
1. Lead Ministry Director, Leadership Team and Pastoral Team meetings.
2. Lead Congregational meetings.
3. Lead mission/vision and goal setting discussions.
4. Work with/supervise the Secretary.
5. Serve as the point person for AMC in our church conference - Rosedale Network of Churches (RNOC) - and in the broader church family.
6. Where feasible and time permits, participate in the Kish Valley Mennonite Ministerium Fellowship (KVMMF) and other local ministerium meetings.
7. Urge congregational support and representation in RNOC.
8. Be available to preach once a quarter.
9. Be a resource person to the Missions and Stewardship Ministry Directors.
10. Work with elder representatives for Missions and Stewardship.
11. Encourage congregational support and involvement in local, national, and global outreach ministries/missions.
Care Ministry Pastor
Purpose:
Care Ministry’s purpose is rooted in the Great Commandment in which Jesus said: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Care Ministry is the fulfillment of the second part of the Great Commandment - You shall love your neighbor as yourself. This commandment is the responsibility of every follower of Jesus Christ as we carry out the “one anothers” that are listed in the New Testament. The Care Ministry Pastor serves the congregation in carrying out the above purpose as an example of being “a royal priesthood” (I Peter 2:9). In doing so, the Care Ministry Pastor leads in the development of a culture of care of “acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with one another” (Micah 6:8).
Responsibilities:
1. Work along with the Community Ministry Teams, Community Ministry Director and Community Ministry Elder for the care ministry of the congregation.
2. Be available to each of the Community Ministry Teams as a resource and encouragement.
3. Lead the pastoral care ministry such as funerals, weddings, visitation, and counseling alongside the Community Ministry Teams, Sunday School classes, and other pastors.
4. Be an advocate for new ways that release the congregation to care for one another.
5. Be available to preach once a month.
Teaching Pastor
Purpose:
The primary role of the Teaching Pastor will be to preach the gospel to the whole congregation and to facilitate discipleship of believers to grow in maturity. The Teaching Pastor will also be committed to making prayer a priority in his life and the life of the church.
Responsibilities:
1. Preach at least 2 times per month.
2. Maintain a speaker schedule for formal worship services.
3. Be responsible for planning sermon themes for Sunday morning services.
4. Be involved in teaching in small group settings like Bible studies, Sunday School, discipleship classes, etc.
5. Serve as the lead for baptisms and communion.
6. Work with the Discipleship and Worship Ministry Teams to facilitate opportunities for growth and maturity in the lives of believers through corporate gatherings, Sunday School, prayer ministry, Bible studies, small groups, etc.
The Administrative, Care Ministry and Teaching Pastors must understand that they are just one member of a team of pastors and will submit themselves under the authority and accountability of the team and will serve in conjunction with the other members.
Operational Covenant
While the Pastoral Team values the trust given to them by the congregation and will seek to maintain that trust, they will freely share with each other information about congregational members that may be helpful in their work of shepherding the flock. However, information shared in individual counseling sessions will not be shared with others on the Pastoral Team without prior consent from the counselee.
Congregational members are encouraged to bring their thoughts to the pastor having responsibility over that area. If this is not possible or followed, the appropriate pastor will be informed and invited to respond accordingly.
Definition of a key word as we are using it below
Lead- (using this as a verb form as opposed to the commonly used form as a noun) - “be a route or means of access… to a particular direction” -Oxford Dictionaries
Responsibilities that involve all three pastors
1. Help the congregation set short and long term goals collectively as a body.
2. Keep up-to-date direction statements for the congregation and remind people of vision.
3. Make sure opportunities for growth and service exist for aspiring and current leaders in the congregation (leadership development).
4. Give priority to connecting with the congregation before and after Sunday services.
5. Build relationships with people outside of the typical church setting.
6. In the event of absence or unavailability of a pastor, the other pastors will be available to fill in as needed. Congregants using the church phone number as a way of contacting the pastors is one way that will help connect them to the available pastor.
Other Time Requirements
Attend weekly Pastoral Team meetings
Attend monthly Leadership Team meetings
Attend meetings with appropriate Ministry Directors
Attend annual Multiply Conference, Pastors Conference and other local meetings
Personal and Spiritual Growth
Strive to be growing spiritually and in leadership and ministry skills through:
1. The practice of the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, etc.
2. Continual growth in church related issues such as readings, seminars, etc.
3. Make prayer a priority as an individual.
4. Pursue further education and growth, especially in the individual’s areas of responsibility.
Administrative Pastor
Purpose:
The purpose of this role is to initiate and oversee the administrative aspects of the church. A key component of this role is to work in conjunction with the Care Ministry Pastor and Teaching Pastor to facilitate healthy communication and cooperation of the Pastoral Team, Leadership Team, and Ministry Teams within the body at Allensville Mennonite Church.
Responsibilities:
1. Lead Ministry Director, Leadership Team and Pastoral Team meetings.
2. Lead Congregational meetings.
3. Lead mission/vision and goal setting discussions.
4. Work with/supervise the Secretary.
5. Serve as the point person for AMC in our church conference - Rosedale Network of Churches (RNOC) - and in the broader church family.
6. Where feasible and time permits, participate in the Kish Valley Mennonite Ministerium Fellowship (KVMMF) and other local ministerium meetings.
7. Urge congregational support and representation in RNOC.
8. Be available to preach once a quarter.
9. Be a resource person to the Missions and Stewardship Ministry Directors.
10. Work with elder representatives for Missions and Stewardship.
11. Encourage congregational support and involvement in local, national, and global outreach ministries/missions.
Care Ministry Pastor
Purpose:
Care Ministry’s purpose is rooted in the Great Commandment in which Jesus said: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Care Ministry is the fulfillment of the second part of the Great Commandment - You shall love your neighbor as yourself. This commandment is the responsibility of every follower of Jesus Christ as we carry out the “one anothers” that are listed in the New Testament. The Care Ministry Pastor serves the congregation in carrying out the above purpose as an example of being “a royal priesthood” (I Peter 2:9). In doing so, the Care Ministry Pastor leads in the development of a culture of care of “acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with one another” (Micah 6:8).
Responsibilities:
1. Work along with the Community Ministry Teams, Community Ministry Director and Community Ministry Elder for the care ministry of the congregation.
2. Be available to each of the Community Ministry Teams as a resource and encouragement.
3. Lead the pastoral care ministry such as funerals, weddings, visitation, and counseling alongside the Community Ministry Teams, Sunday School classes, and other pastors.
4. Be an advocate for new ways that release the congregation to care for one another.
5. Be available to preach once a month.
Teaching Pastor
Purpose:
The primary role of the Teaching Pastor will be to preach the gospel to the whole congregation and to facilitate discipleship of believers to grow in maturity. The Teaching Pastor will also be committed to making prayer a priority in his life and the life of the church.
Responsibilities:
1. Preach at least 2 times per month.
2. Maintain a speaker schedule for formal worship services.
3. Be responsible for planning sermon themes for Sunday morning services.
4. Be involved in teaching in small group settings like Bible studies, Sunday School, discipleship classes, etc.
5. Serve as the lead for baptisms and communion.
6. Work with the Discipleship and Worship Ministry Teams to facilitate opportunities for growth and maturity in the lives of believers through corporate gatherings, Sunday School, prayer ministry, Bible studies, small groups, etc.
Elder Team
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Community Ministry Team
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Discipleship Ministry Team
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Missions Ministry Team
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Stewardship Ministry Team
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Worship Ministry Team
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