Metropolitan United Church

The Official Board

The Official Board is the think-tank and clearing house for church business. Its authority on issues and policy is final, subject to congregational approval. It is composed of all committee chairs, plus some members at large. Senior staff attend Board meetings as ex-officio Board members, or when requested to be present for reports and information sharing. The Official Board seeks consensus among the committees, makes certain that committee mandates and responsibilities are clear, and monitors both program and financial health.

All significant policy and budget decisions rest with this Board. Information, reports, and recommendations presented in advance, are carefully considered before new policies or changes to existing ones, are made. The Official Board meets at 6 p.m., the fourth Wednesday of each month, from September to June.

There are three mandatory committees, responsible to the Official Board, in each United Church:

• a Committee of Trustees,
• a Committee of Stewards, and
• a Ministry and Personnel Committee.

Trustees

All property that is held on behalf of The United Church of Canada or acquired for the use of the congregation, is held and administered by the Committee of Trustees. All properties and assets are for God's mission to bless creation. Trustees are appointed by and of behalf of the congregation within the terms set out in the Trusts of Model Deed, available to each Trustee. The activities of the Trustees are restricted and governed by Canadian law and are overseen by presbytery and Conference. Trustees meet quarterly or as required.

Stewards

Stewards are responsible for church management involving “temporal matters". The most important duties include maintaining the budget, and deploying the assets of the congregation to fulfill the mission of the congregation to the highest standards of excellence possible. Stewards meet monthly and as required.

Ministry and Personnel Committee

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Standing Committees

Standing committees are designated to carry out the programs that serve the congregation and the community. Each has a special focus that is largely self-directed. Interested congregation members may start initiatives and define the need for new groups.

Groups may become a sub-group of another committee, or disbanded, as needs change. The Official Board reviews annually the relevancy, rationale and mandate of each committee. [Explain the difference between a committee and a group]

Committees generally meet monthly. Groups meet as agreed upon. Current Standing Committees include: Property and Maintenance, Music, Worship, Congregational Care, Outreach, and Christian Education. Current groups include: Communications Advisory, Emerging Spirit, Support for Aging Parents, Visitation, Peace & Social Justice, Narthex Volunteers, Communion.