|
|
|
| CHAPTER I | THE DENOMINATION OF FRIENDS |
| CHAPTER II | THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH |
CHAPTER II - THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH
SECTION II - AREAS
Purpose and Mission | Formation
| Membership
Nominating Committee | Elders
Board | Area Superintendent | Rallies
General Vision and Responsibility | Recording
of Ministers
ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS
1) Purpose and Mission. Each Area will have the freedom to determine its own mission and purpose according to the needs of the Area within the framework of Evangelical Friends.
2) Formation. The Yearly Meeting, through a selected agency or upon its recommendation, groups the existing local churches with their sponsored extension churches and mission points into administrative entities know as Areas. Division is made, normally, on the basis of geographical proximity or accessibility, provided that the reasonable request of any local church is to be given due consideration. A new local church is assigned by the Yearly Meeting to a specific Area, with the understanding that the church may express its preferences for such assignment. For a current listing of Areas and churches, consult the most recent edition of the Evangelical Friends Church - Mid America Yearly Meeting Minutes.
3) Membership. An Area consists of all of the local and new churches, with all of their listed members, both individually and collectively, which are located within its limits.
4) Nominating Committee. This committee is composed of all Yearly Meeting representatives from local churches within the Area. Their duties are to nominate the superintendent, assistant superintendent(s) (if needed), treasurer, and recording clerk. The committee shall also nominate three caretakers for the Yearly Meeting sessions for a one-year term. The caretakers shall not be representatives. Upon approval by the Area Elders Board, these officers begin service on January 1 of each year.
5) Elders Board. The Elders Board is charged with overseeing the mission and ministry efforts of the Area. It also appoints one elder, with spiritual gifts, to serve on the Yearly Meeting Elders Board for a three year term, who becomes a member of the Area Elders Board. Areas are encouraged to appoint persons who are not active pastors for the Yearly Meeting Elders Board. They also appoint one person to serve on each of the Yearly Meeting Boards— World Missions Board, Home and Cross-Cultural Missions Board, Stewards Board, and Camp Board for three year terms. The Elders Board is comprised of the Area superintendent, all Area pastors, the member of the Yearly Meeting Elders Board, and recording clerk. Other individuals may be appointed as needed. The Elders Board should be involved in vision-casting both for the Area and the local churches. They should facilitate training and ministry of local churches by prayerful support and resource supply. They should plan and prepare for Area rallies.
6) Area Superintendent. The Area Superintendent should make regular contacts with churches and pastors of the Area for mentoring and encouragement. The Area superintendent is responsible and accountable to the Area Elders Board, and is to keep the general superintendent informed of the activities of the Area. He/she should attend and participate in all Area Elders Board meetings.
7) Rallies. Each Area should determine the number and type of Area rallies which will be held. This schedule is to be reported to the Yearly Meeting office so that the schedule may be published in the EFC-MAYM Minutes.
8) General Vision and Responsibility. Each Area should design a functional structure, using ministry teams and task forces, that best meets the needs and mission of the Area. The following are some of the responsibilities of the Area:
A. Develop and manage the Area budget.
B. Provide a link between the local churches and the Yearly
Meeting.
C. Provide mentors for individuals in the recording process and
recommend candidates to the Yearly Meeting Elders Board for final recording of
gifts and celebration. (See Part III, Chapter VI, 1.,
A.).
D. Facilitate fellowship, leadership retreats, inspirational
gatherings, and workshops to train local church leaders such as: clerks,
pastors, stewards, treasurers, youth workers, worship leaders, and Sunday school
teachers.
E. Provide leadership for the following areas of ministry:
spiritual life, youth ministry, Christian education, missions, church planting,
stewardship, leadership development, support of Camp Quaker Haven, evangelism,
and compassionate ministries.
F. Areas are encouraged to network with other Areas or churches
in neighboring Areas when it would facilitate ministry, training, and
fellowship.
9) Recording of Ministers. The Area Elders Board will have the responsibility for the recording of ministers, under the guidance of the Yearly Meeting Elders Board. The following are guidelines in this process: (Procedures are detailed on page 76-77, Part III, Chapter IV, 1., A.).
A. The local church will recommend a candidate to the Area
Elders Board.
B. The candidate and the Area Elders Board will meet to agree
upon a qualified mentor who will meet with the candidate on a regular basis, to
give instruction and guidance, and shepherd him/her through the recording
process.
C. With the mentor’s help and supervision, the candidate will
work to define or refine his/her statement of faith and philosophy of ministry.
D. The candidate may be asked to undergo psychological
evaluations.
E. At the end of a two year period, the candidate will be
interviewed by the Area Elders Board, which will also solicit input from the
mentor.
F. The Area Elders Board may ask the candidate to continue the
mentoring relationship for additional observation, development, and training.
G. If the Area Elders Board agrees the candidate is ready for
recording, they will send the candidate’s name to the Yearly Meeting Elders
Board for approval.
H. If the Yearly Meeting Elders Board approves, the candidate’s
name is presented to the Yearly Meeting representatives for final approval.
I. The celebration and recording of gifts will take place during the Yearly
Meeting sessions.
|
|
