One of the least known but most important committees in the congregation is the Lay Leadership Committee.  This committee has had many different names through the years from Nominating to, most recently, Lay Leadership Selection and Development.  The name change was to emphasize the fact that the committee has a continual responsibility to not only nominate leadership (other than paid staff with is the responsibility of the Staff/Pastor Parish Committee) for the church but also to help train leaders and nurture leadership skills within the congregation.

The primary responsibilities of this committee are:

·         Get to know members of the congregation and identify (and help them discern) their skills, gifts, knowledge and level of commitment

·         Identify leadership and service opportunities

·         Prepare job descriptions for leadership positions

·         Match potential leaders with leadership positions and invite persons to serve in those positions, making sure that these persons represent the makeup of the congregation

·         Present recommendations (nominations) to the Charge Conference

·         Equip leaders through training and support.

The Committee is composed of no more than 9 members elected by the Charge Conference and is chaired by the pastor.  The Lay Leader also serves on the committee.  Our committee currently consists of the following people:

Pastor: Sherill Clontz

Lay Leader:  Charlie Ayers

Class of 2008          Class of 2009           Class of 2010

Susan Sibley           Rocky Harnen           Denise Acker

Janie Franks           Wendy Self              Melinda Dixon

Susan and Janie will rotate off the committee after December and we will elect five more members at our charge conference this fall.

                Our Lay Leadership Committee is currently hard at work identifying leaders to present to the Church Council on October 26^th.  One common question about the work of the committee is whether or not non-church members can serve on church committees.  The answer is:  sometimes.  Some committees, such as the Lay Leadership Committee, the Church Council, and the Staff Pastor/Parish Relations Committee MUST be members of the church.  A non-member can be a member of the Board of Trustees as long as the Board consists of 2/3 members.  Non-members can participate and even chair all other committees.   

The committee will continue to be at work as we enter into the new year as we provide training for new church leaders.  In addition, this winter we will have a special Spiritual Gifts retreat that will be open to all members of the congregation.  Look for more information on “Serving from the Heart” to come in the next month.

                If you have any questions about the work and role of the SPRC, please feel free to ask! And please keep this important committee in your prayers as we continue our work identifying leaders for 2009.