Committee Member B-9 Page 1 of 2 People are on committees because the work of all churches is done by taking pertinent materials. skills, color sense, cooking church has tasks to be done and committee members. Some • Listening carefully to other experience, plumbing expertise, a decisions to be made. They are also committees continue from year to committee members, and clarify to measure of reality or a hint of vision. there because serving on a committee year. Others are ad hoc committees or be sure you understand them (using A committee working to support a can fill personal needs. Contrary to task forces set up to deal with a short- active listening). bond issue could value members with popular sayings like “a camel is a term project, problem or need. • Preparing for meetings by reading specific knowledge, with experience horse designed by a committee,” People agree to be on committees advance materials and doing at lobbying, with writing skills or people working together can be more for personal reasons. They may feel assigned tasks. with organizational skills. There are effective than people working alone. they can do the job well or, at least, • Listening to suggestions from opportunities for people to use “better than they did it last year.” members of the church who are not different skills within the committee: Sometimes they just want the fun of on the committee. as chairperson or secretary, as doer or History and working with other members of the • In conversations with others in the dreamer. On any committee, you’ll Background committee, or to deepen their church, represent the ideas of the find it helpful to: relationships in the church. Often entire committee (while respecting • Be committed to the mission of the There is no doubt that the early doing something helpful makes individuals’ confidentiality) and church. church found the need for people feel good and fulfilled. Some not just your own views. • Have an interest in the particular committees. In Acts 6, when people people volunteer to be on committees • Communicating your own ideas work of the committee. were muttering against the Hebrews to deepen their faith through study and feelings clearly. • Be enthusiastic. for not taking care of their widows, a and action. • Encouraging other committee • Be able to work within a structure committee of seven was appointed to Committees are finding that in members to express their ideas. and cooperate with other people. do this work, so that the disciples addition to the time designated for • Asking questions when you don’t • Understand basic parliamentary could get on with preaching. This their specific tasks, they need to set understand what’s going on. procedure. division of labor worked, for we are aside time for group building and • Maintaining confidentiality. • Know how decisions are made. tsoplrde a“dT;h teh ew nourdm obfe rG oofd t hceo ndtiisncuipelde sto wheolrpssh kipe eapt ethaec hv imsieoent ionfg t. hWe ochrsuhricph • Agreeing to take on only the tasks • Know how groups function. increased greatly in Jerusalem ...” before the members, and their focus you are able to do and doing them. • Be willing to listen to others and to (Acts 6:7). on God’s will for the church’s life. • Asking questions that are caring help others express their opinions. Martin Luther called for the Group building makes it easier for and, at times, tough, about the • Understanding of your own and “priesthood of all believers.” It people to work together by deepening value and purpose of the committee others’ attitudes toward wasn’t enough for clergy to minister, relationships and trust. Both worship and its actions. disagreement and conflict. he said. Ministry is the work of all the and group building are necessary for • Being willing to lead group people. Committees are one way that a committee’s work. building or worship when asked. Ways to Increase the members of a church share in its ministry. The American concept of Skills, Knowledge and Skills and Attributes democracy enhanced the idea of Responsibilities Effectiveness committees, but the ministry of the Specific responsibilities related to the Needed church involves more than simple tasks of the committee vary, but all If you have a solid background in the All committee members don’t have to “majority rule”. committee members share the respon- matters with which your committee is have the same skills and attributes. A sibility for: dealing, you may want to increase committee to renovate the church Common Practices • Understanding the purpose of the kitchen might have members with skills related to meetings. If you’ve been on dozens of committees, you committee. different skills, such as meeting While practices vary, much of the • Attending committee meetings and may need some specific information Committee Member B-9 Page 2 of 2 about the task at hand. It may help if Issues Facing the • Is there any responsibility upon you: which you need to work? • Find out what your church’s Church • What do you find easiest about constitution and bylaws say about For a number of reasons, many being a member of a committee? the committee. churches have found that there are not • Ask for a position description as many volunteers available as there outlining responsibilities, once were, and that committees are expectations and accountability. increasingly unpopular ways to serve. • Have a schedule of meetings and How does this phenomenon affect the make plans to attend. way the church works? What are the • Participate in an orientation to implications for the way the church review history and clarify the task. works with other community agencies Learn the relationship of this which also use volunteers? committee to others in the church. • How do environmental concerns • Ask questions. (use of electricity, disposable cups, • Talk to the pastor, previous excess paper, etc.) affect where, members of the committee or when and how committees and current committee members. their members function? • Attend workshops or seminars • How can the needs of the church be (sponsored by your conference or balanced with the needs of association, ecumenical group, committee members? colleges and universities, or • Conflict is a recurrent pattern in community group) on topics related church life. How can committees to the committee’s task or on work to recognize disagreements parliamentary procedure, and encourage open discussion and leadership, etc. resolution of everyday issues? How • Use materials prepared by the can larger conflicts be recognized association, conference or national and addressed? bodies of the United Church of Christ. Questions • Learn about group process from books or seminars which describe • What are your particular © 2005, Parish Life and Leadership Ministry churches (or non-profit responsibilities related to your Team of Local Church Ministries, a organizations in which volunteers committee? Covenanted Ministry of the United Church of participate in leadership decisions). Christ