Concordia
Lutheran Church has many boards and ministries available. Listed under
each heading is their description. They are all governed by the Parish
Planning Council. If you are interested in assisting in any of these,
please contact the listed chair or the church for more information.
Education Board
Fellowship Board
Lay Ministry Board
LSF Campus Ministry
Nurturing My Spirit Ministry
Properties Board
Service Ministry Board
Stephen Ministry
Stewardship Board
Youth Ministry
Education Board
Mission statement: This Board is responsible for the Christian nurture of children,
youth and adults in the congregation and, through them,
in the community and beyond.
The
Education Board is a group of church members who work together to
coordinate activities involved in teaching students of all ages the
Word of God. It is a rewarding opportunity to serve, and have fun at
the same time. We meet approximately two hours a month. Some members
may spend more time depending on the activity (usually during special
events). Some benefits of serving on the Education Board are:
- Being involved with the management of the church.
- The opportunity to work with other members of the church, and get to know them.
- Teaching children the Word of God.
- Sharing your unique talents.
- Working on special programs.
- Making a difference in the church.
The
basic objectives of this Board are to plan and administer the total
educational program of the church; to determine policies; to select
personnel for the various responsibilities and tasks; to provide the
necessary means and facilities for the educational process; and to
direct and supervise the entire education program of the church. That
the objectives of this Board may be carried out, the Board, either
cooperatively or through specifically designated individuals, shall:
- Be responsible for the Christian nurture of children, youth, and adults in the congregation.
- Establish
objectives, set policies for, and supervise the total education program
for each education agency in the congregation, including the personnel
(i.e., Sunday School, confirmation classes, vacation bible school,
bible classes, and other educational opportunities).
- Provide for active expression of Christian love and concern as an integral part of the total education program.
- Continually
review current programs to determine whether all age groups are being
served, and recommend revisions and additions as necessary.
- Work with other Boards and Committees to coordinate educational activities within the congregation.
- Encourage increased participation of every member in bible study, privately and in formal groups.
- Establish and maintain a permanent file of all children and youth in the congregation.
- Recruit new students from those families that have visited the church.
- Study
and adopt or adapt materials suggested by the Education Departments of
District and Synod. Preview other materials from other educational
sources and evaluate its potential usage.
- Exercise
leadership in gathering teachers for Sunday School. Seek those with
special talents for teaching certain grade levels and a heart for the
spiritual growth of children.
- Provide training for educators on all levels.
- Annually
examine the education facilities and equipment, and make
recommendations to the Properties Board as to upkeep, repairs, and
replacements as needed, as well as new equipment needed.
- Prepare and submit an annual budget request to the Parish Planning Council.
Fellowship Board
Mission Statement: To promote a closer relationship among the
members of our congregation through an atmosphere of Christian Fellowship.
The
Fellowship Board sponsors many activities throughout the year. Here is
a list of some of the activities we presently coordinate or have done
in the past. We are always looking for new ideas and would welcome your
input at any time, or you can join the fun and become a member of this
Board:
- Advent night
- Christmas dinner
- Dinners for eight program
- Easter breakfast
- Family game night
- Family movie night
- Lenten dinners
- Potluck lunches or dinners
- Provides coffee, drink mix, cups, etc. for Sunday coffee hour
- Reformation party
- Student send-off at end of school year
- Student welcome-back at start of school year
- Summer picnics
- Talent show
Lay Ministry Board
Mission Statement: To supervise and assist the professional staff
of the church, promote outreach and missions, and help plan and
supervise arrangements for the worship services.
Commitments of the Lay Ministry Board:
- Assistance to the Pastor. The Board will assist the pastor in resolving
problems in the ministry of the congregation, keeping him informed of
individual and collective spiritual needs of the congregation.
- Assistance
to the Coordinator of Campus Ministry. The Board will supervise and
assist in the work of the Coordinator of Campus Ministry to plan and
conduct a Christ-centered program of spiritual ministry to students at
Washington State University and the University of Idaho.
- Budget.
The Board will propose the portion of the church's budget, including
employees' compensation, plus the needs of other areas of ministry for
which the Board has responsibility.
- Missions
and evangelism. The Board will actively promote the outreach of
Lutheran missions and evangelism, directed both inwardly to the local
community and the world.
- Worship.
The Board will help plan and supervise physical arrangements for
conducting worship services. This will include coordinating identifying
musicians, child care workers, ushers, acolytes and communion
assistants.
- Areas of service
under the Lay Ministry Board are lesson reader, greeter, usher,
acolyte, communion set-up and clean-up, altar and parament care,
provide flowers for Sunday Service, worship planning/hymn selection,
make banners, serve under the Lay Ministry Board, sing in the choir,
soloist, organist, pianist, and accompanist.
Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) Campus Ministry
The
Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) Campus Ministry works primarily with
students from Washington State University and the University of Idaho,
both undergraduate and graduate. Click here for more information on this ministry.
Nurturing My Spirit Ministry
This
ministry focuses mainly on the modern woman who juggles her schedule
and responsibilities between work, home, children and their multiple
activities, yet ALL women of the church are encouraged to come along on
this spiritual journey.
- The mentors/mentees commit themselves to a 6 month relationship to another woman in the church.
- We
will suggest various ways to stay in contact, but the place and
frequency for getting together will be determined by the Mentee.
- To
encourage closer contact with the Trinity, we will suggest a modern way
of doing a bible study together without meeting at an appointed time.
Properties Board
Commitments of the Properties Board:
- Care of trees, shrubs, and lawn area
- Carpenter
- Painter
- Plumber
- Publicity/advertising
- Snow removal from parking lot and sidewalk
- Such other duties as may be warranted
Service Ministry Board
Mission Statement: It is the mission of this board
to provide service opportunities to our congregation and community.
This
is the board to be contacted for any members in need of physical,
emotional, and sometimes financial help. Commitments of the Service
Ministry Board:
- Card
ministry. Seeing that a card is sent from the church to members in
remembrance of birthday, anniversaries, illness, and bereavement.
- Crop Walk. Coordinate our members to join this community project.
- Food
Bank. Assessing the needs of the community food bank and relating these
to the congregation, and transporting donations to the food bank.
- Meals for shut-ins. Arrange meals for members who are experiencing short-term needs for a few nourishing meals.
- Meals on Wheels. Coordinate our members to fill a yearly two-week commitment of our congregation to this community project.
- Prayer chain. Keep a current prayer chain listing, and act as first contact for prayer chain requests.
- Retreats. On occasion, this board arranges women's retreats.
- Transportation. Arranging drivers for people needing transportation to and from church services.
- Visitation.
Providing persons to accompany the pastor when he visits our home bound
members and other visitation on an as-needed basis.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen
Ministry is a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to
provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are
experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our
congregation and community. Stephen Ministers are committed Christian
people who work together with our pastor to reach more people with
Christian care than pastors can reach by themselves. Each Stephen
Leader is a pastor, church staff, and/or lay person who has completed a
seven-day Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and is commissioned
to lead the Stephen Ministry of our congregation. Please click here for
more information.
Stewardship Board
Mission Statement: To develop a nurturing network within our
congregation that encourages Christian love and service in
every individual who worships at Concordia Lutheran Church.
Commitments of the Stewardship Board:
- Nurture
the spiritual life of the church. We seek to encourage Christian
spiritual growth not only in the individual but in the church body as
well.
- Appeal to the
God-given talents in each member and adherent. Since authentic ministry
is rooted spirituality, we encourage each person to practice their
talents in the context of Agape love received from and given back to
Jesus. All of God's children are endowed and as talents are shared, the
entire church body is enriched.
- Shepherd
every member and adherent. Each board member is a "shepherd" who will
stay in touch with assigned members and adherents. When you need to be
absent, we can contact you and send you the worship bulletin. Also,
should you have a special need served by other Boards in our church, we
will contact them on your behalf.
- Make
a concerted effort to meet all visitors and help assimilate those
seeking a home into the Concordia family. Visitors are encouraged to
complete the visitor insert found in the bulletin and sign the visitor
book in the narthex. Our team of board members will contact them in the
days to follow to help assimilate those seeking a church home. Also,
social coffee and dessert evenings will be planned often so that we may
share in Christian fellowship.
- Keep
you informed of Lutheran missionary work throughout the world. We know
that there are thousands of missionaries throughout the world. We will
contact those who are on leave here and invite them to Concordia so
that we may learn of their work. There is also a need in our local area
for us to share the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We will encourage
action as we still have the responsibility as God's representatives to
share the Gospel with people of other faiths.
- Give
an opportunity to the congregation once a year to pledge monetary
support to the church. Because our church home has many expenses to
meet on a weekly basis, our treasurer will keep you informed throughout
the year concerning our financial health. Shortly before Covenant
Sunday, we will present every family or member the opportunity to make
a financial commitment for the coming year.
- Encourage
giving to the needy. At times there are national and international
disasters which will need donations or help. We are a blessed
congregation so we want to be merciful to those in need. Ways of
helping will be highlighted so that you will have the opportunity to
contribute.
- Facilitate all church
boards. As society changes, our approach to ministry may require new
methods to minister to people. Although our philosophy and purpose of
the boards remain the same, fresh ideas and techniques will need to be
updated. We will stay aware of these changes so that suggestions can be
made.
Youth Ministry
Commitments of Youth Ministry:
- Jr. High/High School: Assist with youth activities (food, games, etc.); drive to youth events; lead youth activities; serve on Youth Board.
- University: be a guest speaker; housing for special events; provide meals for Tuesday LSF meetings.
