Governance Committees
Governance Committees are specified by the UMC Book of Discipline and responsible for governing the core administrative functions of the church.
Church Council
- Sets strategic direction for the church
- Oversees the church’s governance and administration
- Ensures that LAUMC’s ministries are accomplishing our purpose, vision, and mission
Nominations and Leadership Development Committee
- Oversees the identification and development of volunteer leadership
- Invites, connects, equips, and sustains volunteer leaders
Finance Committee
- Manages and safeguards the financial assets of the congregation, excluding land and buildings (managed by the Board of Trustees)
- Provides financial direction (e.g., budget) and controls (e.g., audit)
- Communicates the church’s financial condition to the Church Council
- Develops and administers a coordinated plan of fiscal and administrative policies and procedures for the church
Staff Parish Relations Committee
- Acts as a liaison between staff, clergy, and the congregation
- Ensures that the church is a fulfilling place to work
- Reflects on the roles and responsibilities of ministry and administrative staff; takes ownership for church staff organizational design
Board of Trustees
- Provides for care and maintenance of church property (real, personal, intellectual)
- Holds title to church property, buildings, and equipment
- Manages and receives property for the church
Practice Committees
Practice Committees provide strategic ministry leadership in six core practices of faith and sponsor and guide various ministry teams related to each practice.
Radical Hospitality
- Invites, welcomes, and cares for all who enter LAUMC’s community of faith
- Supports the welcoming ministries of LAUMC
- Ensures that all LAUMC activity, ministry, and support teams understand how to extend the welcome of Christ to newcomers
Passionate Worship
- Provides a vision and framework for the worship life of LAUMC
- Empowers worship leaders to bring passion to every aspect of worship
- Encourages the congregation to be passionate worshippers
- Encourages worship in all aspects of church life, including worship that occurs in places other than the LAUMC campus
Deepening Faith
- Supports opportunities for people to grow in their faith and deepen their personal relationships with God
- Guides and facilitates a range of programs, classes, and small groups intended to support the spiritual growth and development of all age groups and constituencies
Bold Service and Social Justice
- Provides a vision and framework for LAUMC’s service and social justice activities
- Maintains LAUMC’s connections with UMC mission organizations (e.g., UMVIM, UMCOR)
- Maintains LAUMC’s relationships with community service/aid organizations
- Provides guidance and support for LAUMC hands-on mission and service teams
Extravagant Generosity
- Creates a compelling vision of how money and generous giving enable the fulfillment of LAUMC’s mission and purpose
- Encourages joyous, generous, and consistent giving as an essential practice of Christian discipleship that strengthens the ministries of the church
Vision Team
The Vision Team is a subcommittee of the LAUMC Church Council with responsibility for leadership of visioning and strategic planning for the congregation. The role of this team is to ensure that LAUMC’s vision for the future remains vital and relevant. Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring that responsibility for 2020 Vision initiatives is assigned.
- Monitoring and reporting the results of 2020 Vision projects vs. expectations.
- Staying in touch with the priorities of the congregation.
- Considering the impact of shifts in demographics and economic/political/social change on the future of LAUMC.
- Conducting a formal bi-annual vision update.
The members of the Vision Team are:
- Chairs of the Church Council Practice Committees:
Radical Hospitality, Deepening Faith, Passionate Worship, Bold Mission & Service, Extravagant Generosity, and Foundation for Growth - Clergy and Ministry Leaders:
Senior Pastor, Minister of Music & Worship Arts, Associate Pastors, Director of Children’s Ministry, Director of Ministry and Music for Youth, and Directors of the Children’s Center Preschool - Chair of the Church Council