“ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”
January 2018 is almost gone! Where did the month go? Before we get too deep into the year, I wanted to share with y’all an emphasis for this year at Centennial: committees. Oftentimes, jokes can be made about Presbyterians making committees, getting bogged down in red tape, and making another committee to deal with that! I hope this little article might illuminate the reality of committees. First, what are they?
A committee is a body appointed by a court or agency of the ARPC to study matters committed to it, to recommend appropriate action, and to carry into effect specific direction or decisions made by the appointing court or board. (ARPC Form of Government, 13.11).
Second, what does that mean? To start with, it’s a group of people set to a task. Committees are a primary way to serve God and his church in our governmental structure of Presbyterianism. Are you interested in international or local missions? We have a Missions Committee. Are you interested in the education of our children, youth, and adults? We have a Christian Education Committee. I think you get the point (we also have Worship and Administrative Committees).
These committees are not only people set to a task but people working together. This is an avenue to “own” your church family a bit more. Off the top of my head, when I think about avenues to meet fellow church members beyond a hurried handshake before and after church, there are Sunday School classes, Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, Wednesday night programs (including choir), the Family Gathering Time before Sunday School, and committees. We shouldn’t leave committees off the list! Committees are a vital gathering of God’s people set to a particular task that the church needs accomplished.
Our denomination (thus, our church) believes the Bible calls us to do things decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40). That’s why we structure things as we do. We also believe every member of our church has a place to serve (1 Cor. 12; 1 Pet. 4:10, 11). That’s how we will move forward. In this coming year, my hope is to strengthen our committees. This won’t be the last time you hear from me regarding them. My encouragement for now is to do away with caricatures and quips that can sometimes replace the reality of things in our minds. Committees aren’t meaningless but meaningful. They aren’t bogged down by red tape but cut through it with action. Committees are our way of mobilizing our efforts to serve and glorify God in a meaningful way. Reach out to me or any of the elders if this intrigues you. If you want to know more, serve on a committee, or both, I look forward to hearing from you soon! Blessings,
Jeremiah