Glossary of Terms Used

Glossary of Terms Used Administrative services - Those which steer the church or a ministry of the church toward successful completion of goals. Includes planning, organizing and supervision.

Archive and archivally - A secured collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, institution, or group of people.

Diaconate - A special group in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind.

Ex-officio - Means “by virtue of office or position.” In some organizations (particularly government ones), ex-officio committee members have no voting rights, whereas in others they have full voting rights.

Fiduciary - A person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients' interest ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust. Being a fiduciary thus requires being bound both legally and ethically to act in the other's best interests.

Financial services - Those which establish compensation for staff, create the annual budget and educate the congregation about stewardship. This includes monitoring, reconciling, record keeping and planning for future financial needs, goals, and strategies.

Governance services -Those which ensure accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, empowerment, and broad-based participation.

Moderator and vice-moderator – (a) One who presides over an assembly, meeting, or discussion: such as the chairman of a discussion group. (b) The nonpartisan presiding officer of a meeting. (c) The presiding officer of a governing body.

Ministerial staff - Those who are seminary trained and called to specific areas of church ministry and mission.

Other employed staff - Personnel who provide administration of tasks related to ministry, programs, or other essential services (i.e., office management, 1099 contract employees).

1099 contract employee – A person who is employed for a specific area of ministry, program, or expertise usually for a temporary or specified period of time. They receive no benefits and are responsible for paying their own taxes, social security, and insurance.

Contracted Service Provider - A company or agency that has entered into a contract to provide specific professional services (i.e., HVAC, office equipment, lawn care, etc.).

Regular committee - Are established to handle program development and implementation for the church. They consider all matters pertaining to a designated subject.

Standing committee - Are established to handle administrative, financial and governance aspects of the church.

Special committee - A select or special committee appointed or elected to perform a special function beyond the authority or capacity of a standing committee.

Stewardship education - "Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation." The central essence of stewardship is managing everything God brings into the believer's life in a manner that honors God and impacts eternity. Stewardship begins and ends with the understanding of God's ownership of all.

Strategic planning - An organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. Strategic planning is a process and thus has inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes.