The Process of Our Church
The ultimate authority in our church is vested within the Congregation, meeting a number of times each year to make decisions that come in front of the assembly. In between those meetings the Church Council and the five Boards -- Deacons, Education, Outreach, Trustees, and Worship -- serve as the congregational meeting ad interim. Representatives from each of the boards along with the officers of the church (Moderator, Vice Moderator, Treasurer, Clerk), and a few others, make up the Church Council. The pastors of the congregation serve on the Council with voice but no vote. Generally, we make decisions by consensus, choosing to follow what we discern to be the bold movement of the Holy Spirit in our place.
“Congregational” means a type of church organization, not affiliation. We are a congregational church because of our process, though affiliated freely with the United Church of Christ denomination. (Two of the three other types of church organization do often share their name with those church’s wider affiliation -- i.e. Presbyterian, Episcopal. The remaining type is connectional.)
Our process requires the involvement, at some level, of every member and friend of our church. This is a type of engaged practice where everyone has a stake in the outcome. For those who like a determined, streamlined method -- congregational process may very much be troubling. But for those who want to actively participate in the governance of their faith community, who want to be involved in decision-making as big as facility construction or pastoral employment (or as small as individual budget line items for office supplies), congregational polity may be the organization you’ve been dreaming of.
“Congregational” means a type of church organization, not affiliation. We are a congregational church because of our process, though affiliated freely with the United Church of Christ denomination. (Two of the three other types of church organization do often share their name with those church’s wider affiliation -- i.e. Presbyterian, Episcopal. The remaining type is connectional.)
Our process requires the involvement, at some level, of every member and friend of our church. This is a type of engaged practice where everyone has a stake in the outcome. For those who like a determined, streamlined method -- congregational process may very much be troubling. But for those who want to actively participate in the governance of their faith community, who want to be involved in decision-making as big as facility construction or pastoral employment (or as small as individual budget line items for office supplies), congregational polity may be the organization you’ve been dreaming of.
To review the proposed changes to our church by-laws, to be voted on at our Annual Meeting on June 6, 2021, go to this link.