Board of Administration
"Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances." (Proverbs 11:14)
The local Board of Administration is composed of the pastor and six ministry leaders as determined by the society. One of the member is our Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference. With the exception of the pastor, no board member will serve for more than six consecutive years.
Board members shall be representative members of the society, faithful in worship attendance, involved in the local church ministry, and should also be supportive financially at least to the level of the tithe
Only adult members of the society may serve on the local Board of Administration, except that members of an annual conference may serve on the Board if the society elects them.
Whenever practicable, the Board shall meet once a month.
The pastor shall be chair of the Board, except as provided in and when absent, a chair shall be elected. Annually, the pastor may designate a layperson as presiding officer of the local Board of Administration, from among those elected to serve on this Board, upon mutual agreement and confirmation by the Board. (The pastor is an ex-officio member of all boards and committees.)
The local Board of Administration shall work in partnership with the pastor to implement the vision, for the church and to promote and support the church’s mission. It shall seek to be guided by and strive to model the scriptural admonitions found in Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 22:37-39; Ephesians 4:11- 16; Matthew 20:25-28; John 17:20-21; that we may be presented to Christ in accordance with Ephesians 1:22-23; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Galatians 5:22-23; James 3:17; and Hebrews 12:14.
The pastor, in partnership with the Board, is responsible for making provision to accomplish the mission of the church including Christian education, evangelism, missions, church growth and the work of stewards.
The Board shall elect a secretary, an adult member of the Free Methodist Church, who shall also serve as the secretary of the society. The secretary shall keep minutes of the proceedings of the local Board of Administration and of the society meetings, and shall record all marriages and baptisms.
The treasurer of the society shall keep a record of all monies raised and of the manner in which they are expended. The treasurer shall provide a detailed monthly financial statement in writing to the Finance Committee and the local Board of Administration, with a full report to the annual society meeting. (To safeguard the treasurer, the Board elects tellers who shall count each offering and provide the necessary documentation for the financial review or audit.)
The pastor and the treasurer shall be ex-officio (non-voting) members. The Finance Board reports regularly to the local Board of Administration
The Board keeps a permanent record is kept of all baptisms, weddings and funerals; a list of the names and addresses of all members, with time and method of reception, date of birth and baptism, completion of pastoral instruction classes of each, and time and reason for termination of membership.
Each year the pastor will oversee the completion of the society’s annual report.
The Board shall provide for a Membership Care Committee consisting of the pastor(s) of the church and up to five additional members of the church who shall be chosen on the basis of demonstrated Christian maturity, and with representation of both women and men. Where a separate Membership Care Committee is not feasible, these duties may be assigned to an existing committee such as the pastor’s cabinet
The Board licenses local ministerial candidates according to the guidelines provided in the 2019 Book of Discipline.
Robert’s Rules of Order in the latest edition shall be the standard of parliamentary procedure in the sessions of the local Board of Administration. Q. A suggested order of business may be found in the Pastors and Church Leaders Manual.
