Church Council

259.4 There shall be a committee on finance, elected annually by the charge conference upon recommendation by the committee on lay leadership or from the floor, composed of the chairperson; the pastor(s); lay member of the annual conference; the chairperson of the church council; the chair person or representative of the trustees to be selected by the trustees; the chairperson of the ministry group on stewardship; the lay leader; the financial secretary; the treasurer; the church business administrator; and other members to be added as the charge conference may determine. It is recommended that the chairperson of the committee on finance shall be a member of the church council. The financial secretary, treasurer, and church business administrator, if paid employees, shall be members without vote.

256.1. The Church School and Small-Group Ministries- In each local church there shall be a variety of small-group ministries, including the church school, for supporting the formation of Christian disciples focused on the transformation of the world. These small groups may concentrate on teaching and learning, fellowship, support, community ministries, and accountability.

256.1d. Support Groups- Where needed, the local church may organize small groups to support particular needs of congregation and community members, including but not limited to care and prayer groups, divorce recovery, grief recovery, parenting groups, and support for people who are suffering from chronic illness, including persons with mental illnesses and their families.

256.2 Children’s Ministries- Children’s ministries- for, with, and by children- include all ministries involving children within the life of the congressional community, including but not limited to Sunday school, vacation Bible school, nursery ministries, children’s choir and music ministries, fellowship groups, support groups, short-term study groups, children’s worship experiences, mission education experiences, intergenerational activities, and all weekday programs for children of all ages.

256.3 The youth ministry of The United Methodist Church shall include all persons from approximately twelve though eighteen years of age (generally persons in the seventh though twelfth grade, taking into account the grouping of youth in the public schools), who are currently or potentially associated with the church or any of its activities. Youth who are professing members of the church have all rights and responsibilities of church membership except voting matters prohibited by state of law (see 226.5).