“There would not be a body at all if it were all one part!
As it is, there are many parts but one body.”
(1 Cor 12 vv 19–20)
The apostle Paul compares the way the church (Christ’s body) should work with the way a typical human body functions. Just as our bodies need various limbs and organs working together for us to perform our daily tasks, so too the church needs different people using their various gifts for the good of all if it is to live as God intends.
The Uniting Church general meeting has approved the formation of a number of working groups that will oversee different aspects of church life. These groups will help us realise Paul’s vision of a healthy church. Why?
- because responsibility for the life and mission of the church will be shared across a larger number of people, enabling us to achieve and share more together.
- because people will be able to bring their ideas and skills to bear on topics that particularly interest them or are well-suited to their personal gifts.
- because we will regularly review the membership of each group so that as many people as possible get a chance to use their gifts. People who wish to can use their gifts in various ways by serving on more than one group at a time (although to ensure diversity and a manageable workload, if possible no-one should be a member of more than two or three groups at any given time).
What is involved in being a member of a working group?
It is envisaged that the groups will meet every two or three months, but will also keep in touch between meetings to keep tabs on their work. They will be responsible for implementing developments in their area of church life, but can involve others as and when appropriate. Each group will appoint a convenor, who will organise and chair meetings, and normally act as a spokesperson for the group in church meetings. You do not need to be a church member to join a group – your enthusiasm and commitment is what really matters here!
As part of its remit, each group should consider ways in which their work could be enriched by involving all the Partnership Churches, or other churches in Whaley Bridge.
How long will I be on the group?
Those who join each group are asked initially to commit themselves for a year. People can offer to serve for longer by seeking reappointment each year, up to a maximum of three years.
How many people will be in each group?
Groups will usually have 6 – 9 members (except the Pastoral Care Group), but will also be free to adjust this if appropriate. Others who are not members of the group but wish to attend a particular meeting should speak to the group’s convenor beforehand. The names of the members of each group will be displayed on the notice board in the church foyer.
How will the working groups be formed?
In the relevant section of the church questionnaire, put a number beside each of the groups you would like to be part of at some time, in order of preference (i.e. 1 for ‘keen to be involved in the near future’, and so on). We will take account of people’s order of preferences when establishing the groups. Several people have already expressed an interest in the work of each group, so do not be put off from showing an interest in a particular group for fear of the workload – there will be others involved as well.
The Groups and their Work
Below is a brief outline of the kind of work each group will do. It is not intended to be comprehensive. As the groups undertake their work, they may discover other worthwhile possibilities to explore. They may also find that some projects involve collaboration with other groups.
Worship Development Group
This group will consider and implement ways of ensuring that our worship is diverse, inclusive, and uses the various gifts of people in the church. It could explore matters such as:
- Music and prayer in worship.
- Use of multimedia in worship.
- New forms of worship to appeal to different people.
- Practical challenges relating to people with disabilities and audio / visual impairments accessing worship.
Discipleship Group
This group will explore opportunities and resources to:
- Nurture the discipleship of people already involved in the church.
- Enable new people to discover Christian teaching in an accessible, engaging and welcoming way.
This group could include organising study courses and educational outings, and exploring ways to strengthen the life of the home groups.
Pastoral Care Group
This group will include pastoral visitors in the church. It will take responsibility for ensuring that pastoral lists are kept up to date and cover the whole church community. It will also identify particular needs for pastoral visitors (e.g. training), and organise ways of meeting those needs.
The pastoral care group will aim to meet once a year, but arrange more meetings if the group feels this would be helpful at particular times.
The pastoral care group already exists, but would benefit from having more people involved as pastoral visitors.
Social Justice Group
This group will be responsible for ensuring the church continually responds to issues of social justice. This will include overseeing the relationship between the church and the charities it supports. For example, the group could:
- suggest ways of organising our charitable giving
- explore which charities we support
- raise awareness of the work of these charities
- organise the church’s response to campaigns etc.
Social Events Group
This group will help the Uniting Church maintain an active social life! It will arrange regular social events that strengthen the relationships between those currently involved in the church, and enable people new to the church to feel welcomed. Some social events will overlap with the work of other groups – e.g. some social events will involve fundraising for charities or the church.
Youth & Junior Church Group
This group will include people who are interested in the welfare of children and young people and those who currently lead or assist in Junior Church and Youth Club As well as overseeing the life of the Junior Church and Youth Club it could consider new ventures involving children and young people, and explore ways to strengthen our relationship with local schools, nurseries etc.
Publicity group
This group would have responsibility for improving the way we communicate who we are and what we do. This could include such matters as:
- Maintaining and developing the Partnership website (in conversation with the other Partnership churches.
- Preparing a welcome pack, and ensuring it is kept up to date.
- Designing and distributing posters, flyers etc.
- Exploring new ways of publicising our activities.
- Liaising with other churches to ensure all our activities are well publicised.
Property and Finance Group
This group already meets once a month, and oversees all matters to do with property owned by the Uniting Church and its financial needs and responsibilities. This group includes Trustees of the church, who must be church members. However, others can become involved in its work as well and interest from new people would be welcomed.
