John Wesley Methodist Church has a unique model of governance which has been created to meet our particular church’s needs. There is no denominational oversight, but we are 100% Wesleyan Methodist in our theology. The following pages lay out our leadership structure.
CHURCH CONFERENCE
Accountability to Mission for Ministry, and by Leadership
CORE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Leadership, Vision & Accountability
PASTORS & STAFF
Day to Day Ministry Decisions
Leaders for Ministries, Teams, and Groups
Ministers of the Church
The Core Leadership Team shall conduct an annual business meeting open to all church members to celebrate the ministry and mission of the church
The Church Conference will conduct the following business of the church:
• Appoint Core Leadership Team
• Review the annual budget and financials
Election and appointment of non-clergy CLT members will occur at this meeting with a greater than 50% approval by active members who are physically or virtually in attendance. Clergy staff will be appointed without election.
Other matters may be brought forward for congregational consideration of support for the business of the church, including a change in Lead Pastor, the initiaion of any capital campaigns or significant modifications to the properties and mortgage debt of the church. Due to the significance of these decisions, the CLT may suggest a minimum of 66% of voting members who are in attendance physically or virtually for approval.
The Core Leadership Team functions primarily as discerners and shepherds, and as such serve as the conscience and guardians of the church. Acts 20:28 states: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood.” The CLT is the governing authority of this corporation, which shall comprise the Board of Directors of the Corporation as described in accordance with Texas Non-profit Corporation law.
The CLT shall provide for planning and implementing a ministry of evangelizing and spreading scriptural holiness through nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. It shall envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of the church which shall include: nurture, outreach, witness, and leadership development ministries and their accompanying responsibilities including the structure of governance and decisions for a self-governing congregation in accordance with corporate bylaws, and the laws and regulations of the State of Texas and the United States.
The Ministry Leadership Team members are the servant-leaders of the church. The team is comprised of the current chairpersons of all official ministry teams within the local congregation and any at-large members selected by the Senior Pastor or CLT. The responsibility of the team is to care, develop, deploy, evaluate, monitor, and report on the ministries for the local congregation. Members of the team will work in unison for the mission, vision and goals of the church. They will be the central communicator for their specific ministry team. The team shall actively identify the spiritual gifts and abilities of the church’s members to guide the pastors and CLT in ordering the church.
The Finance Team shall support the stewardship of John Wesley Methodist Church including JW Christian School by carrying out instructions from the Core Leadership Team (CLT) in alignment with the mission, vision and goals of the church. The roles and responsibilities of the Finance Team include: Support clergy and finance team as a sounding board and reference, and the Core Leadership Team with financial information and understanding; review and submit budgets for the church and school to the CLT; encourage an environment of generosity and good stewardship including support of the Generosity Team, a subcommittee of the Finance Team; monitor financial results including weekly giving, monthly and quarterly financial reports for the entire organization; commission an annual audit; and issue resolutions necessary to conduct the financial business of John Wesley Methodist Church
The Pastor-Parish Team will function as the appointed armor-bearers for the clergy and pastors of John Wesley Methodist Church. Their work is relationship based in order to foster accountability, and spiritual covering for all pastors. They will ensure the clergy staff have prayer, accountability, and encouragement partners. They are an extension of the congregation in performing the following duties: encourage, strengthen, nurture, support, and respect the pastor(s), staff, and their family(s). This team will undergird the clergy in a wholistic way, helping the clergy maintain physical and spiritual health and work-life balance. Individuals on this team strongly believe in the power of prayer and spiritual accountability. The PastorParish Team consists of men and women who answer the call to specifically pray for and over the pastor(s), and to pray for the church.
The Property Trustee Team will assist with oversight, and care of all real property owned by the John Wesley Methodist Church. This includes all property and equipment acquired directly by the church and school. This Team will work in partnership with the Operations Staff and their agent or representative in order to care for the property/facilities owned by the church. This team is the agent of authority for the building usage policies.
The John Wesley Christian School Advisory Board of Directors will be composed of nine members for terms of three years. The JW Christian School Board of Directors will be divided into three classes so that terms are staggered. The JW Christian School Board of Directors must consist of at least one JW Christian School parent and one JW Christian School teacher, neither of whom are required to be Church Members, one member of the Core Leadership Team and two Church members. The program is governed by policies and procedures approved by the Core Leadership Team. The Director of the School and Chairman of the School Board shall be members of the Ministry Leadership Team.
All policies and procedures are contained in the official employee handbook that is authorized by the Pastor Parish Personnel Team and the Core Leadership Team. The handbook contains procedures and policies regarding the accountability and discipline of pastors and staff members.
