Administration
Purpose: To provide monitoring and oversight of all financial affairs and financial conditions of the church in conjunction with the Stewardship committee.
Duties:
a. Establish and maintain all financial accounts and the signatory authority of these accounts.
b. Establish and maintain the chart of accounts and provide monthly financial statements to the Session.
c. Review monthly reconciliation of all financial accounts.
d. Establish and maintain systems and procedures for recording, handling, and reporting the Sunday offering and all other revenues.
e. Establish and maintain a voucher system for expenditures.
f. Advise the Session of the availability of funds and, when necessary, recommend the priority for expenditures.
g. Identify and employ a certifies public accountant and review the performance of this firm.
h. Provide for an annual audit, and, when necessary, identify and employ an independent auditing firm mutually acceptable to the Session and our creditors.
I. Establish and maintain a liaison with the Board of Trustees and the Stewardship committee, and other Boards, committees, and organizations as directed by the Session.
j. Other responsibilities that may be deemed necessary by the Session.
Building and Grounds
Purpose: To oversee and care for the church and manse properties regarding the inside and outside physical needs.
Overall Committee Duties:
a. Maintain the property of the church and the manse;
b. Have repairs and improvements made on the property as necessary and approve purchases of equipment and materials within the limits of the approved budget;
c. Be responsible for proper use of church equipment and grounds as needed.
d. Through suitable information programs, develop an awareness and interest by the membership in the buildings and grounds, encouraging their upkeep, growth, maintenance and necessary replacement.
e. Attend to other matters pertaining to the buildings and grounds.
f. Work with trustees on matters that overlap.
Operations Sub-committee:
a. Responsible for grounds maintenance supervision plus special projects;
b. Responsible for heating, air-conditioning, and plumbing.
c. Responsible for buildings, fences, roads and parking lots.
d. Other areas of responsibility included: painting and decorating; lighting and electrical; roof; equipment and furniture, housekeeping and security.
Planning sub-committee:
a. Review project list, amending and adding as required.
b. Prioritize projects based upon safety, security, containment of damage, eminence of failure (to minimize unplanned "crisis" efforts), and importance to church mission.
c. Establish planning budget for projects.
d. Recommend to Session the budget needs for projects for out-years (projects to be completed and monies required for three-year horizon) and revisions to current year budget and plans if required.
e. Adjust plans based upon availability of funds and direction of Session.
f. Prepare presentations, bulletin notices, and/or other materials as appropriate to inform church members of church needs and to solicit recommendations and involvement.
Buildings and Grounds staff:
a. Document the duties and tasks of the church staff relative to buildings and grounds. Locate and update, or prepare, written job descriptions to include duties.
b. Provide procedures, as separate document or as part of job description, which will formalize those items which will enhance staff productivity.
c. Provide frequent "presence" and availability of counsel as needed by staff.
d. Exercise oversight of staff activities; monitor execution of committee plans and directions.
Christian Education
Purpose: To provide a comprehensive Christian education program for the congregation where all ages will grow vitally in their Christian faith.
Duties:
a. Recruit, prepare, and supervise committed teachers and leaders for the following education programs:
1. Sunday Church School
2. Vacation Church School
3. Youth Fellowship
4. Confirmation class
5. College student activities
6. Adult Sunday School
b. Identify educational needs and develop programs to meet those needs through new directions in Christian education within the Church, e.g. mid-week Bible studies, special adult study series, small groups, parenting programs, inter-generational events, camps, conferences, retreats, etc.
c. Set standards for and approve biblically and methodologically sound resources for use throughout the Christian education program, e.g. curricula, books, filmstrips, films, tapes, speakers, outside leaders, etc. This includes oversight of the Church Library.
d. Develop policies relating to child care, attendance, offerings, audio/visual supplies, building use, emergency and disciplinary procedures.
e. Work with Evangelism and New Member committee in implementation of spiritual and faith development resources.
Club Covenant
Purpose: Work with the director and staff of the Latchkey after school care program in planning and carrying out the program and the budget.
Duties:
a. Serve as liaison between the Session and the Latchkey staff.
b. Report at regular intervals to the Session as to operation and financial status.
c. Bring before the Session matters involving major changes in school policy of finances.
d. Oversee building and playground maintenance problems.
e. Keep the congregation informed through newsletter and bulletin of the school's progress and ministry.
f. Work toward integration of Latchkey school and Church.
Congregational Life
Purpose: To provide Christian nurture for the congregation with particular concern for Christian fellowship (KOINONIA)
Duties:
a. Recognize needs for and organize fellowship groups that foster mutual growth, support and service together within the life of the Church. Provide liaison for such groups and assure that new members are invited and encouraged to participate.
b. Plan and supervise gatherings that focus on matters of interest or concern to the whole congregation and promote a spirit of vital Christian fellowship.
c. Coordinate child care needs for events that are held at the church.
d. Help coordinate the church-wide retreat.
e. Supervise and coordinate summer church-wide picnic.
f. Coordinate receptions for music events sponsored by the Worship Committee.
Mission
Purpose: To develop an effective mission that identifies pressing human needs, locally, nationally, and worldwide, and finds ways for church members to respond in Christian concern through financial and volunteer commitments.
Duties:
a. The Community Outreach Committee explores the needs of the community that are presently unmet and not being addressed by community agencies and determines whether the church can contribute to the solution or resolution of these needs.
b. The committee acquaints itself with service opportunities that can be offered by individuals and responds to requests for assistance that come to the church.
c. It recommends to the Session potential mission opportunities in which it believes the church should participate in the community.
d. The committee prepares a budget to reflect the costs of communications and sponsored missions and presents it to the Stewardship Committee for inclusion in the annual budget.
e. Maintains relationship with Mission statements and programs of PC USA.
f. Helps each member discern their gifts for service in the world and the church.
New Members
Purpose: To develop an effective evangelism program that will bring others in the community into a new or deeper relationship with Christ through the Church and result in spiritual and numerical growth.
Duties:
a. To help spread the good news of the gospel.
b. To thank visitors for joining us in worship by a visit, phone call, or card.
c. To secure the names of prospective church members and arrange for personal contact with these persons.
d. To remain in contact with these prospects for a reasonable amount of time or until a church home is found.
e. To arrange for a social get-together that would serve for an informational meeting for prospective new members.
f. To assist new members in becoming familiar with the church life at Covenant Church.
g. To coordinate with the Stewardship Committee the familiarization of the new member's stewardship responsibilities - including pledges of finance, time, and talent.
Parish Care Groups
Purpose: To develop and support pastoral care groups within the congregation based on geographical neighborhoods. Each care group will have a coordinator who will be a member of the Parish Care Groups Committee.Duties:
a. Develop a system of communication within their assigned care group.
b. Coordinate pastoral care (such as arranging dinner, sending a card, visiting shut-ins, hospital visitation, and providing transportation) for members of their assigned care group.
c. Meet with the Parish Care Group Committee Chairs for training and meetings as needed.
d. Incorporate new church members into the appropriate Parish Care Groups.
Personnel
Purpose: To oversee the Session's responsibilities for persons employed by the Church, handling all matters pertaining to the professional and non-professional Church Staff.
Duties:
a. Establish and have on file a job description for each Staff member that contains clear guidelines as to purpose of the job, lines of accountability, specific work responsibilities, evaluation of job performance, adequacy of compensation, and time off for vacation, holidays, or study leave.
b. Interview each Staff member annually, evaluating work responsibilities, job performance, and adequacy of compensation; making appropriate recommendations to the Session for approval prior to the formation of the budget and the annual Congregational Meeting.
c. Develop personnel guidelines and policies subject to the approval of the Session.
d. Meet with and provide confidential counsel, guidance, and support to Staff members whenever necessary to promote good Staff relationships and the smooth functioning of the Church.
e. Recognize the need for additional professional or non-professional Staff, developing job descriptions, interviewing candidates, and making recommendations to the Session for final approval.
Publicity
(1) Improve overall visibility on Peachtree Road and increase awareness of Covenant's activities and programs.
(2) Increase visitor attendance through direct mail and hand distribution of flyers in the community.
(3) Assess advertising cost/benefit and membership in neighborhood associations.
(4) Promote access to Covenant website in all materials and ensure it is current / relevant.
Spirituality
Purpose: To provide opportunities and support for the personal spiritual development of members of the congregation.
Duties:
a. Provide the congregation with materials to use in one's personal spiritual practice.
b. Maintain a "lending library" with books on spirituality.
c. Organize periodic spiritual retreats outside of the church grounds for instruction and practice of spiritual disciplines.
d. Encourage and support the formation of small spiritual growth groups within the congregation.
e. Oversee the Women's Spirituality Group - presently called the Second Thursday Women.
f. Plan periodic special worship services for Healing and Wholeness, Blessings, prayer and meditation.
g. Look for other ways to integrate the spiritual life into the life of the whole congregation.
Stewardship
Purpose: To develop an effective stewardship program, making the members of the congregation regularly aware of the needs and opportunities for commitment, financial and otherwise, and encouraging their response through investment of time, talent, personal resource, or leadership ability.
Duties:
a. To develop the stewardship and mission responsibilities of all members through year-round emphasis on the total mission of the church;
b. To have jurisdiction over all financial matters;
c. To conduct the Every Member Canvass (Response);
d. To prepare with the Finance Committee, the Annual Budget;
e. To receive, count, record and deposit church offerings;
f. To review quarterly the status of pledges to determine what action, if any, should be taken;
g. To coordinate with Evangelism and New Member Committee in acquainting new members with stewardship responsibilities;
h. To distribute offering envelopes, if needed.
Worship
Purpose: To facilitate worship that glorifies God and gives inspirational guidance to the members of the congregation for their daily Christian living.
Duties:
Pastor:
a. To work under the direction of the Pastors in implementing the worship program of the church;
b. To consult with the Pastors about suggested changes in the Order of Worship;
c. To study continuously the meaning of worship and to provide opportunities for the congregation to share in these meanings;
d. To supply the pulpit in the Pastor's absence;
e. To make recommendations to the Session when requested by the Pastor regarding his or the Associate Pastor's acceptance of invitations requiring extended absences from the church.
Communion:
a. To notify the congregation of stated times for celebrating the Lord's Supper; to notify and instruct the Elders in the serving of the elements.
b. To purchase and prepare the elements and communion linens; to clean and store the trays, chalice, flagon and linens after each Communion Service.
Special Services (funerals, weddings, etc):
a. To notify the Session when the death of a church member occurs;
b. To secure ushers for the Funeral Services;
c. To offer assistance to family members as well as guests at the Funeral Service;
d. To ensure that the Sanctuary is prepared at this time.
e. To ascertain that weddings are conducted within the policy of the church;
f. To assist with the wedding under the direction of the Pastor;
g. To assist the wedding party.
Visual appearances:
a. To arrange for flowers for all Services of Worship as needed.
b. To be responsible for the appearance of the Sanctuary, Church Parlor and environs; to approve any changes, additions or deletions in the decor.
c. To be responsible for these items under the jurisdiction of the committee: bulletin covers, banners, paraments, pictures or other art work to be used in these areas, decorations, including flowers used at Christmas and Easter.
Music/Sound:
a. To consult with the Organist and Choir Director about any recommended changes in the music;
b. To guide the supply Organist whom the Organist will secure during absences or vacation;
c. To provide a member from the Choir to act as liaison between the Choir and the Worship Committee;
d. To be responsible for the replacement of choir robes as needed;
e. To be in charge of Hymnal selection.
f. To determine the best use of lighting, amplification system in the Sanctuary;
g. To tape the Worship;
h. To supply cassette tapes of the Services for use in the tape library.
Administration:
a. To prepare the Worship Budget requests annually;
b. To control the expenditures for the Worship functions.
c. Meet monthly to ensure that the Worship runs smoothly without interruptions, distractions, or intrusions;
d. To enable the whole Service to build toward the teaching and the hearing of the Word.