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Help with Nominating Committee

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Thinkingstuff, Jun 18, 2010.

  1. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    I was asked to serve on the Nominating Committee for my church and we don't have "policy and procedures" established for the committee. I'm not sure why. Certainly, our church has been around long enough to had such a document. But, unfortunately we don't. So, it falls on our session to write one up. As it stands our immediate goals is to get away from "calling" members to ask if they will serve and provide some formal letter that can be e-mailed or sent snail. And the other goal is to ensure members have at least a 60% attendance record for the service.

    I was wondering if any of you have suggestions or idea's that we can mull over and maybe even implement. I'm new to this committee so I haven't developed a vison or picked up on a vision for it yet. What other issues should I be aware of?

    Thanks for the help.
     
  2. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    The first thing we have done for a number of years is to make a list of all the jobs that need to be done. Then we distribute the list to all our members asking which job they are willing to do. We gather the forms and note the person and jobs marked. This fills most of our jobs without our having to approach individuals. It is, for us, much more time efficient. Every member and serious attendee is expected to volunteer for a job and/or be on one or more ministry groups.

     
    #2 Crabtownboy, Jun 18, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 18, 2010
  3. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    How large is your church? We have about 350 members.
     
  4. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    We have done something in the past and I have seen a mega church do the same thing with some good results. Sorta similar to what the previous poster said, but the committee is not responsible for ensuring every slot is filled. As the Pastor would note, "If a slot is not filled, we are assuming God has not called someone there. We may need to rethink how we do ministry in that area."

    As well, they would ask for suggestions for changes in ministry that you would like to head up. This did a couple of things.

    1. Some ministries would die.
    2. Some ministries would begin.
    3. If there were no volunteers, we trusted God to either provide or believed God may want to kill off that ministry.

    This is radical and some people in our church did not like this, but it also allowed for people who desired to begin ministries a hearing.
     
  5. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    No kidding its radical. I'm not sure how this would fly in our church. I must admit it has some appeal. But I wonder if there are ministries that are needed that people just don't wan't like the Infant and toddler care would be dropped and then the Chruch would have a conundrum.
     
  6. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    We are small, but I do not see why it would not be beneficial in a church of any size.
     
  7. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    Sometimes I get the impression people are put off by asking to serve in some function. It could be just me. But its the impression I get. Also what do you do if you get 10 people wanting one position? What do you think?
     
  8. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    That is an interesting question. We've never had that problem.

    If it were ten people wanting on a ministry group we would say, GREAT, Welcome.

    If it were ten people all saying they would be the treasurer I don't know what we would do ... though I cannot imagine this happening. :laugh:
     
  9. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    We also have the problem of over using some people. And once they finish out their term we ask them for another position elsewhere for another term.
     
  10. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    This theory flies. It has worked in the last few churches and is very freeing.
     
  11. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    We'll see I'll try to sell it to the Pastor and the committee and see what happens.
     
  12. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    The church I was last in was transitioning this thought in. How can you push a ministry when no one is willing to lead? Well, God WILL rise up leaders if that is what He chooses to do in that church.

    The church I am currently in uses it well. If there is no willing leader, close it down, change it, work it. Why beat a horse that won't live?
     
  13. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    A former pastor from 30 years ago proposed a variation of this idea. Try to identify the spiritual gifts of each member and create ministries for them.

    The idea didn't go anywhere because (1) we weren't sure what were spiritual gifts and what were talents and what was the difference; thus (2) what spiritual gift is involved in serving on the Kitchen Committee; and (3) Jobs like driving the church van needed filling and our main criteria were a driver's licence and a willingness.

    Still, I like the principle involved.
     
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