As per the Constitution of New Community, Church Council along with its role, responsibilities and its make up are referred to in items 6.1 to 6.9
The Church Council is responsible for the oversight and governance of the Church. These responsibilities include the following, with power to delegate where it deems appropriate:
•Giving prayerful and spiritual oversight of the church;
•Address pastoral matters and grievance issues;
•Support the advancement of the Church’s mission, vision, values and culture;
•Engaging in strategic planning;
•Oversee the process for selection, presentation and approval of a Senior Pastor;
•Reviewing the Senior Pastor’s performance and hold accountable to delivery of strategy;
•Legal compliance;
•Producing written governing policies and processes;
•Presentation of annual budget as prepared by Finance Committee for approval by partners;
•Approve expenditure above the threshold given to Senior Pastor;
•Monitoring of compliance with budget and risk management;
•Annual audit of accounts;
•Establishing and reviewing short term task force teams, longer term committees, and other such bodies to best suit the fulfilment of the Church’s mission;
•Appointment of delegates to the Assembly of the Baptist Union of Victoria
•Approving the appointment of those reporting directly to the Senior Pastor
•Encouraging and developing potential council members so that the future leadership of the Church is assured;
The Church Council consists of no less than seven and no more than nine members at any one time with the balance in favor of non staff. It shall include the following:
•Two official lay offices
•Church Council Chairperson
•Finance Chairperson
•Senior Pastor
•Up to two other members of the Staff Team nominated by the Senior Pastor
•Two to four other appointed lay members
Council will nominate a person to undertake administrative tasks who may or may not be a serving Council member.
Appointed members must have been covenanting partners for no less than twelve months prior.
Church Council members shall be appointed for two year terms. As nearly as possible, one half of the number will be eligible for re-election each year. Should a casual vacancy occur, Church Council may appoint a new member to fulfill the duties of the office until the next Annual General Meeting. Members will be eligible for re-election at the expiry of their term.
6.6.1 Appointments shall be made at the Annual General Meeting.
6.6.2 Nominations shall be communicated and invited by the Chair of Church Council no less than one month prior to the Annual General Meeting or special church meeting. Church Council have the authority to nominate candidates for appointment.
6.6.3 Church council shall consider the nominations and approve potential candidates via consensus or where a consensus is not achieved, by simple majority. Subsequently, the Council will approach approved nominees and invite them to consider appointment. This procedure shall continue until sufficient approved candidates are received.
6.6.4 At least two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting or special church meeting, the names of approved candidates shall be made known to the wider church family to seek their discernment.
6.6.5 At the Annual General Meeting or special church meeting new members shall be affirmed whilst retiring members will be thanked.
N.B. We would ask that you consult the person you are nominating prior to submitting this form, also please ensure they meet the above criteria.
