2025 Connection and Engagement Form
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Starting in 2025, we at PEUMC are beginning an important shift in the structure and culture of our congregational life to strengthen our witness in the community and world. The name of this modification is Simplified Accountable Leadership. In order to meet the needs of the changing lifestyles and schedules of the modern world, we are simplifying the leadership structure in our church. The most noticeable change will be the elimination of the committees known as Trustees, Finance, and Staff-Parish Relations. There will also be a radical shift in the conversations that will take place in the newly revised Leadership Council.
This is GREAT news for our congregation and our future, as this means both our structure and agendas will align with our single mission:
to be, and make, (new!) disciples of Jesus Christ!
That said, there are still very important managerial, legal, and logistical matters that the church must fulfill. While the Leadership Council will continue to have oversight of these important matters, this realignment changes how we address and accomplish these very important church matters.
In the past, the “committee model” had a network of committees that required around 9 members each to address important topics of the church (e.g., finances, personnel, building & grounds). These committees had to meet regularly to address the wide variety of topics within their field of concern. For the few people who found these fields invigorating, this was great! For others, however, it often felt like a drag: A lot of discussion, reporting, and little action!
So how does a church address necessary concerns without a committee system? The answer: we empower the congregation at large (who are all, truly, leaders of the church) to take on smaller roles and tasks according to their passions and abilities.
In this way, many hands make light work.
We are asking each member and constituent of PEUMC to indicate their willingness and availability to help our leadership in addressing specific and important church matters.
Q&A
Q: What am I agreeing to when I indicate my areas of interest?
A: You are not being asked to serve on a long-term, multi-year committee. You are simply agreeing to be placed on a calling list for, and when, we need assistance in a certain area. You are not agreeing to make yourself available when requested each time. You have a right to decline if you are away, have prior commitments, with family, under considerable stress, etc. These calling lists are meant to include more people than necessary at any given time, so that
(1) we can rotate through the list to relieve the participants, and
(2) find an available team of people within the list.
Q: What would be asked of me if I am called upon?
A: Depends on the list. For instance, if it is a matter related to building and grounds, it *may* be a one-time hands-on request; if it is a matter related to personnel or finances, it *may* be a short-term work team. (In most cases, you would not be working alone, but in a team.) “Short-term work team” means a small group of people (3 people + lay leader and pastor) that gather once or twice to address a matter. This is referred to as ad hoc: form . . . do your business . . . dissolve.
Q: Why are these being referred to as “lists?”
A: Everyone’s responses will be compiled into lists. These lists will be posted publicly throughout the year and can be updated accordingly.
Q: How are work teams different from committees?
A: Both are groups of people that meet. Committees must meet regularly to address all the issues in a whole area of concern. Ad hoc work teams, however, are formed with a single purpose: to address the one matter at hand. More people today are moving away from the older committee model, opting to serve on specific, short-term projects.
Q: How can I remove my name from a list if I can no longer serve?
A: You can remove your name from a list at any time. You must notify the Council Chair, pastor, or church office of this change. By signing up now, you are stating that you will be on these lists until the fall of 2025. Going forward, every September/October we will have an “open enrollment,” and these lists will be reviewed. After enrollment, these lists are “set” for the next 12 months. These “open enrollment” periods are the best times to remove, add, or shift your name around as the Spirit so moves you.
Q: What do the numbers in parentheses mean?
A: The numbers in parentheses represent the ideal number of serving disciples in each list. Ideally, we will have enough serving in list that we can have flexibility when calling for a project or matter that needs volunteer support. It is to the benefit of all our volunteers that we reach these ideal numbers so that many hands can make our work as light as possible.
Q: What do the different parts of the form below mean?
A: The first three sections pertain to the areas of Building & Grounds, Finance, and Personnel. These are our important managerial, legal, and logistic church matters. Each section ends with a box that asks for “Conditions, Additions, or Comments.” This box is for you to help us understand more specifically where your interests lay and the conditions or limitations you have when you mark a box. For instances: “Yes, I can do some light maintenance, but I cannot do any heavy lifting” or “Yes, I can do some minor yard work, but I cannot bend down to pick up limbs, but I can trim some bushes.” Or, you might add: “I’m willing to come into the office to help fold and stuff bulletins or address letters, if needed.”
The one checkbox for “MISCELLANEOUS” is to address the fact that we cannot list every matter under the sun. Sometimes, we need church members willing to step up for any number of reasons that cannot be predicted or categorized.
The final, and longest, section pertains to ministry opportunities. When you check a box in this section, you are not signing yourself up to serve regularly in an area (unless you indicate that is what you want). This list of ministry opportunities is to help us see where all the interests and passions of the whole congregation lay and will help our ministry leaders connect projects and events to those who are interested in them.
The final two boxes pertain to Financial and Prayer Support. We understand that not everyone is physically, emotionally, or financially capable of offering as much as they would like. We give what we can when we can in the ways that we can. There is no blame or shame. Please note that if you have physical or mobility limitations, or cannot leave home easily, you are not without worth or offering. We can always find something that you can do within your abilities.
Our 2025 Connection Card
These are not light decisions;
please prayerfully consider each line the best that you can!
Let the Holy Spirit guide you!
