SUDANESE CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
N/W LOWER MICHIGAN SYNOD
ELCA
Congregation
Principal and the Guideline of the Congregation under Development
Table of Contents:
Preamble
Name of this church
Nature of this church
Mission Statement
Vision Statement
Purpose of this church
Welcome to the family of Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church
Article 1.0 Congregational meeting of the SCLC:
Article 2.0, Disciples’ Leadership Committee meetings:
Article 3.0, Executive Committee
Article 4.0, Disciples’ Leadership Committee Term
Article 5.0 Ministry Team Role
Article 6.0 Disciples Leadership Committee Role
Article 7.0 Volunteer’s staff teams Role:
Article 8.0 SCLC Women Organization:
To become a Life Changing Community of Love in Christ
PREAMBLE: We, baptized members of the Church of Christ, responding in faith to the call of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, desiring to unite together to preach the Word, administer the sacraments, and carry out God’s mission, do hereby adopt this constitution and solemnly pledge ourselves to be governed by its provisions. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
NAME
The name of this church shall be Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
NATURE OF THIS CHURCH: All power in the Church belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ, its head. All actions of this congregation are to be carried out under his rule and authority
SCLC MISSION STATEMENT:
God call us and our duty is to bring people into a relationship to God by, INVITE them into relationship with God, GROW together as devoted followers of Christ, and SERVE others by the power of the Holy Spirit. We the people of the SCLC believe that we save By the Grace of God alone through His Word and Spirit for by grace you have been saved through faith, And that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast, for we are his Workmanship, Created in Christ Jesus for good works, (Ephesians 2:8-11). The SCLC is called to bring people closer to God by, Serve them through the power of the Holy Spirit and share the love of God in Word and Spirit, to support the faith life of our people, demonstrating the gift of faith active among us, thus to be a community of faith, called by God through baptism and empowered by the Gospel to intentionally bridge the generational social and economic gaps that divide the people of God. This statement of our mission encompasses the most four crucial functions of our ministry: Evangelism, Service, Fellowship and Discipleship, As we keep our focus on these priorities we will continue to move towards the fulfillment of our Vision. Not only does this statement describe our main ministry priorities, but it outlines a process that will be further fleshed out in our Strategy
INVITE is about bringing people into faith and the experience of Christian community;
GROW is about the process of discipleship and spiritual growth that happens in the context of the community;
SERVE is about people discovering their gifts and being equipped to fulfill God calling within and beyond the community; which in turn takes us back to INVITE as we then welcome new people from outside the church into the process.
It is essential that our mission statement be clear enough to remember, clear enough to understand, and focused enough to keep us on track.
Our mission statement does not describe everything we do as a church, it’s simply keeps our focus on the central priorities which guide and direct us as we move toward the fulfillment of the vision.
Serving others is a natural gift, not only did Jesus leave us with his Great Commission, but it’s written in Matthew 22:35-40, he gave us the Great Commandment. When Jesus was asked what was the most important of all God’s commandment, He answered’ “You shall love the Lord your God’ with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The first commandment relates to the first two parts of our mission statement:
It is God’s love for us that brings us into a relationship with Him initially and then our resulting love for God that fuels the process of discipleship.
However it is this second commandment that moves us into the third aspect of our mission: “Love your neighbor as yourself. As we learn to love those around us we discover inside of us a natural desire to use our gifts to serve others. We cannot claim to be fulfilling the Mission of Jesus if we are not focused on serving others
SCLC VISION STATEMENT:
Is to become A Life Changing Community of Love and faith in Christ,
Walk and live together in faith, this is a community where people are invited from emptiness, War zone, confusion, and misery into healing and joy, and fulfillment.
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without someone to proclaim the gospel? Romans 10:14.
It is not just a program to get people to join the church, but a movement in which people are led out of darkness, sin and death and welcomed into a relationship with God who loves us and offers us eternal life.
SCLC calls all to discipleship it seeks to be a community of witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ where all generations are connected in ten faith practices not Ten Commandments:
Invited; Serve; Grow; Fellowship; Study; Discipleship, Education; Evangelism; Stewardship, and Worship.
Vision” is the God-given dream that shows us who we are meant to become as his people. It is mainly about becoming rather than doing.
It is the goal that keeps us moving in the right direction.
The vision reminds us of who we are and what we are doing.
It is about people sharing together the joy of lives being changed for the better.
It is the most important guiding factor in our life together and we must continually renew, and remind ourselves of God’s vision for us as we move forward.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MINISTRY:
Is to bring people and God together into a relationship in one accord, in the name of the Father the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to proclaim the Good News through worship, fellowship, and prayerful service, and to be a supportive community such that all find acceptance in love. Our ministry is supported through intentional growth in disciple making, which is empowered by prayer, biblical study, worship, fellowship and ecumenical cooperation of the North West Lower Michigan Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA.
Welcome to the family of Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church
This Ministry Directory serves as a reference guide to the myriad of services, missions and programs that we undertake as a congregation under development. Please use this information to help you find your place as a minister in the family of God.
12:30 p.m.:
Worship service & Sunday school are held every Sunday, and we use the liturgy from the Lutheran book of Worship, in Dinka language, and feature hymns and music accompanied by organ or piano.
Holy Communion:
All baptized Christians who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are invited to join us in Holy Communion. Children not yet instructed in the Sacrament of Holy Communion may come forward to receive a blessing. Holy Communion may be taken with an individual glass of wine, grape juice or water, or by dipping water into the chalice of wine. Holy Communion is served, the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Instruction classes in preparation for a child’s first Communion are offered annually during Lent at CLC, you may call the office for more information.
Baptisms:
The sacrament of Holy Baptism may be celebrated at either of the Sunday worship services. Please contact the Spiritual life coordinator to arrange a meeting with the Mission Developer to schedule Baptism dates.
Bible Study:
Bible studies are offered throughout, for members and visitors of all ages. Please, see the Sunday bulletin of the Week.
Confirmation Classes:
All who need to learn about the Christian faith, from a Lutheran perspective. Study topics includes using the Bible, Biblical history, major themes, key Biblical characters, worship, the Sacraments, prayer, the Creeds and living as a child of God. Classes meet from 7:30 p.m. -8:45 p.m. on Wednesday evening during the school year at SCLC, please contact the Mission Developer to make an arrangement to join the CLC classes.
Nursery:
A nursery for infants through age two is available during the worship service and the Women of the SCLC are taking care of their own schedule.
Library:
The CLC offers a wide selection of reading and resource materials. Follow the directions posted in the library to check out a book or video. The computers shall be available very soon in the library for the Sudanese use.
Newsletters:
The monthly publication keeps you updated on current church events and highlights of the monthly disciple leadership committees meetings. Members may receive these newsletters by mail, the second week of the month; extra copies are available in the Narthex.
The Lutheran Magazine:
Copies of the national ELCA publication are located in the magazine racks located in the Narthex,
Article 1.0 Congregational meeting of the SCLC:
The annual congregational meeting shall be held in November at a time and place to be determined by the Disciples’ Leadership Committee DLC.
Article 1.1 At least one week, before the annual meeting, the mission developer, secretary, treasurer and each organization/committee within the congregation shall submit a written report to be presented at the meeting.
Article 1.2 The fiscal year of this congregation shall be the same as the calendar year, January 1 through December 31.
Article 1.3 All evangelists/lay leaders of the SCLC are eligible to serve on one through Disciples’ Leadership Committee (DLC).
Article 1.4 The nomination committee, consisting of three members plus the mission developer shall be elected by the congregation at its annual meeting.
Article 1.5 Nominations for membership on the DLC shall be made by the nomination committee.
Article 1.6
To be eligible for the nomination to serve on the DLC an individual must be an active participant of SCLC for at least one year. The nomination committee members shall serve for one year term.
Article 2.0 Disciples’ Leadership Committee meetings: The following is the recommended order of business meeting at DLC meetings:
a) Devotions and study on the life and work of the church
b) Adoption of the agenda
c) Roll call
d) Reading of minutes
e) Reports of special committees
f) Reports of the congregational treasurer
g) Reports of the mission developer
h) Reception for petitions and communications
i) Unfinished business
j) New business
k) Adjournment/closing prayer
Article 2.1
The DLC monthly meetings shall be convened by the mission developer or in his absence, the vice president. Normally these meetings will not exceed two hours in length.
Article 2.2
DLC meetings will normally be held during the second week of the month
(Sunday at 2:300 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.) To give the secretary and the mission developer time to prepare the agenda, to place a summary of the minutes into the congregational monthly newsletter and to create a monthly report for the Mission Director, the Bishop, and the ELCA Executive for New Congregation Development.
Article 2.3
The DLC will meet at least 12 times annually. A committee member who is absent three times within six months must be replaced immediately by the DLC. Excused absences are limited to four times a year.
Article 3.0 the Executive Committee, which consists of the mission developer, vice president, secretary, treasurer, will meet two weeks before the DLC meeting for the preparation of the agenda. The agenda shall be emailed to all DLC members seven days before the regular monthly meeting. The executive committee together with the DLC serves in an advisory role to the mission developer, together helping to build up the body of Christ through careful, honest, and respectful conversation. The executive committee may meet at other times as needed.
Article 3.1 Approval for the expenditure of congregational funds is based on line item limits of an annual budget which has been approved by the DLC.
Article 3.2
The mission developer can approve expenditures of up to $500 for the purpose of development of the congregation with the knowledge of executive committee. Expenditures of more than $500 beyond the approved budget limits need to be approved by the DLC and the Mission Director.
Article 3.3
On an emergency basis the executive committee can approve up an expenditure of up to $150 in the absence of the mission developer. Payment of synod and ELCA church wide mission support/benevolence (15% of our weekly offerings) does not need the approval of the DLC. This is part of our covenant with the larger church. Mission support is payable to the North/West Lower Michigan Synod at the beginning of each month using the transmittal forms available from the synod office.
Article 3.4
The treasurer of the SCLC shall pay the bills for congregational up to budget line limits. Other approved bills require written authorization signed by the mission developer and documented by the administrative secretary of the SCLC.
Article 3.5
All checks must be signed by two of the following: treasurer, vice president, or the mission developer. The administrative secretary shall cut the check and keep the receipt as the SCLC bookkeeper.
Article 3.6
No group/committee of SCLC shall keep their own money or bank account; accept by written authorization from the DLC.
Article 3.7
People committed to being members of SCLC are expected to grow in their giving toward 10% of their income to support this ministry we do together. Toward reaching this expectation we suggest a minimum of $40 a month ($480 yearly) for a single person (a regular member) and $60 a month ($720 yearly or about $2 a day) for each family. The Members of the DLC leadership teams has to give up to $960.00 a year which is equivalent to $80 a month.
Lay leaders or evangelists, the volunteer’s staff of the SCLC and the mission developer give of $1,440.00 (equivalent to $30 a week or $120 a month).
Article 3.8
A written pledge of the suggested 10% (a tithe) of one’s income for the coming year will be requested each fall (no later than November or early December) so that the DLC can wisely create a realistic budget for the coming year.
Article 3.9
Members of SCLC are asked to make their contributions in offering envelopes which shall be provided so that accurate records can be kept and gifts acknowledged for tax deductions.
Article 3.10
Tithe and offerings or any other financial gifts should be clearly identified, with the name of the giver and the amount noted on the envelope.
Article 3.11
One dollar ($1) is qualified for recording purposes and shall be placed in the envelope as are larger gifts for the sake of accurate record keeping.
Article 3.12 Fund-raising for any group or individual must be approved by the DLC.
Article 4.0 Disciples’ Leadership Committee Term The 12 positions of the DLC charged with directing the life and mission of the Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church in accordance with its Mission Statement are as follows:
- Mission Developer
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Mission Planning, chairperson
- Evangelism, chairperson
- Stewardship, chairperson
- Christian Education, chairperson
- Youth & family, chairperson
- Social concerns & Welfare, chairperson
- Fellowship, chairperson
- Worship & Music, chairperson
Article 4.1 The initial DLC shall consist of the following position, each serving terms as indicated below. Disciples Leadership Committee
- Vice president One year term
- Secretary One year term
- Treasurer Three year term
- Mission Planning One year term
- Evangelism One year term
- Stewardship Two year term
- Christian Education, Two year term
- Youth & family, Three year term
- Social concerns One year term
- Fellowship One year term
- Worship & Music Two year term
Article 4.2
SCLC: Disciples Leadership Committee Role:
Mission Developer: Preach, lead & train others to lead, administer baptism & Holy Communion, visit & equip other to visit members, convene & chair meeting of the DLC
Vice President: Substitute for a mission developer in his absence or as needed, assist developer in the administration of the office; be familiar with duties of developer administrative work, serve as chair of the leadership team, on one or more of the committees, facilitating communication & growth in relationship within DLC
Church secretary: To fulfill the day today affairs of the church which require ongoing attention in monthly bases? Help prepare the agenda with the mission developer/pastor for the Monthly meeting of the DLC, email the agenda to DLC members before one week, recording the minute and email it to the members, Invite people & coordinate the SCLC celebration.
Treasury: Serves as financial officer of the congregation & responsible for timely payment of the bills, invoices & oversees all of the bookkeeping functions in partnership with the office secretary, & do a monthly report to the DLC, congregation and the Synod.
Education: This committee plans and implements SCLC’s Education Programs and mission.
Evangelism: This committee works to invite and draw people into the life of the Sudanese Christ Lutheran church.
Fellowship: This committee plans and implements programs and events to bring people together in community,
Stewardship: This committee strives to encourage the sharing of God given gifts in the work of the church tithe and offering.
Youth & Family: This committee works to support assist and help plan our youth ministry effort & response to the invitation from other churches.
Worship & Music: This committee tends to all matters related to SCLC worship life.
Welfare/Social: This committee works primarily to provide tangible care to those in need with the consultation of pastor in term of pastoral care.
Mission planning: This group is involved in the work of assessing SCLC’s overall ministry and helping to focus programmatic and strategic ministry planning.
Article 5.0 Ministry Team Role:
Evangelists and the Volunteers staff teams, help coordinate the weekly activities of the Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church, are appointed in consultation with the Mission Director. Currently they are the volunteer & staffs:
- Mission Developer:
- Evangelist: for the Community Out-reach & evangelization:
- Evangelist: for the spiritual Life coordinator:
- Evangelist: for worship and liturgy administrative:
- Administrative secretary
- Music Director:
- Custodian:
- Sunday school superintendent:
Article 5.1
Evangelist: Community Out-reach:
Summary: Assistant to the mission developer in daily activities of the week, in a spiritual part, assists mission developer in his absent and keep in touch with Mission Director, and the mission Partners of the Sudanese Christ Lutheran church. Lift up mission projects of the Sudanese congregation, of the synod, and of the whole ELCA. Reach out to those who are not yet members of this church, especially those in the growing Sudanese community, including visitors who wish to become new members. Invite people to participate in Christian education opportunities.
Role: Community Out-reach, to enrich the SCLC activities & responsible for the group:
New Member Shepherd: Help to introduce new members to people and programs.
Web Site: Provide technical assist as needed.
Synod Council: Serve as member of Council of North/West Lower MI Synod or the Synod committee.
Synod Assembly: Serve as voting member of Sudanese Christ Lutheran at annual
Synod Assembly.
Stephen Ministry: Be trained & Serve as a Christian caregiver to people in need of the Sudanese Christ Lutheran church play a role of what we called J.W.L.
DELCA: Serve as voting member of the steering committee of Dinka Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in America, to represent the Sudanese Christ Lutheran church at the annual DELCA
SCCUSA: Serve as voting member of the Sudan council of churches USA to represent the Sudanese Christ Lutheran church at the annual SCCUSA.
Article 5.2
Evangelist: Liturgy & Worship administrative assistant:
Summary: Responsible for assisting the Worship and Music committee in planning the worship life of the congregation, respectful both of the ELCA guidelines for worship and the Sudanese cultures that inform the music and languages we use
Role: Liturgy/Worship administrator, plan to enrich and focus on worship & schedule:
Acolyte: help set up candles, and the Cross of our Lord Jesus, banners & paraments Greeter: Greet worshippers at assigned service.
Readers: Read scripture lessons during our worship service.
Administrator Assist: help to secure the building during our worship
Worship Drummer: Act as part of a dramatic presentation to enhance worship.
Office Assistant: Assist in some clerical tasks around the office.
Coffee/ Cookies: Help to serve coffee and cookies after the services of the SCLC.
Communion assists: Help to set up a communion and clean it later.
Offering counter: offering on Sunday during our serve on rotating basis
Audio Techn: Work with sound board to ensure proper amplification during worship service of the SCLC and recording.
Altar Guild: Tend to all that needs tending for worship including offering to the puppet
usher: Welcome people to worship, assist with seating, distribute bulletins and otherwise offer hospitality to worshippers.
Article 5.3
Lay Leader: Spiritual Life coordinator:
Summary: Responsible for facilitating the spiritual life of the SCLC and the group activities for the ongoing work and the development of the SCLC ministry and individual life, to facilitating communication and growth in relationship between the SCLC and Christ Lutheran Church. Rise up individuals to pray daily and small groups and committees to pray every time they meet for the congregation and its members.
Role: To enrich the spiritual life of the SCLC congregation & responsible for this group:
Hunger S. Walk: Annual event to raise funds & awareness for hunger issues in Sudan.
Transportation: Help transport youth to events and families to church.
Food Pantry: Delivery of food to needy family (as needed) from our SCLC pantry.
Mother Union: Women of SCLC gather for activities and organizing the women
Property: This group tends to issues of building maintenance and upkeep the church calendar and scheduling the church activities with the consultation of administrative secretary and the Mission Developer.
Mission Covenant Joint Team: Our congregation and the hosts Christ Lutheran church has develop a missional hospitality covenant agreement, planning strategies that will guide us in the process of using the building and there are various
Article 5.4 Pastor/Mission Developer: Role: Preach the Word, lead and train others to lead bible study, administer Baptism and Holy Communion, visit and equip others to visit members and all who may become members or whom we are called to serve, convene and chair meetings of the Disciples’ Leadership Committee and the Executive Committee. Summary: 1) Create with God’s power and guidance a strong, healthy ELCA congregation with empowered lay leaders that will be ready to birth other congregations in three years
a) Make 150-200 disciples who participate in worship weekly, give generously, study the Word daily and weekly, and serve others in Grand Rapids community and in the wider Sudanese community in the United States
b) Ensure that 15% of offerings are directed to the work of the ELCA
c) Participate in synod and church-wide leadership events as invited.
d) Develop a model for the ELCA of a life-giving, sustainable ministry led by Sudanese men and women (and in partnership with other African nationals) that is Lutheran in its expression of the faith and respectful of the gifts of Sudanese history, languages, and culture
e) Report monthly to the Mission Director
2) Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through excellent preaching and teaching and administration of the Sacraments
a) Plan and provide with other worship leaders one or more services weekly in which the gospel is preached and the sacraments administered
b) Be the lead teacher for adults and children, but always mentoring others who are becoming teachers, in faith formation, Lutheran theology and confessions, biblical literacy, and pastoral care
c) Allow significant time each week for preparation of sermons and lesson plans
3) Observe the Sabbath
a) Dedicate one day every week for quiet reflection, for rest, for recreation, for time with family
b) Encourage every member of this faith community to likewise obey this commandment, each in their own way
4) Visit
a) Provide pastoral care and nurture through weekly visits to 10-15 families in the Sudanese community and 5 families of other African nationalities
b) Visit or oversee visits by gifted lay leaders, those hospitalized or in other times of personal or family need
5) Study
a) Plan time each week for study of the Word, for prayer, and for course work related to the candidacy process toward becoming ordained as an ELCA pastor
b) Meet weekly, as much as possible, with other ELCA pastoral leaders for text study and prayer
c) Meet at least monthly with the pastors of Christ Lutheran for coaching and other guidance
6) Networking
a) Maintain contact, primarily by phone and e-mail, with other Sudanese communities across the country who are developing faith communities
Article 6.0 Disciples Leadership Committee Role
Vice president: Role: Substitute for a mission developer in his absence or as needed, assist developer in the administration of the office, be familiar with duties of developer administrative work, serve as chairperson of the Disciples leadership committee, actively serve on one or more of the committees, facilitating communication & growth in relationship within DLC. With the mission developer support the ministry by facilitating communication and growth in relationship within the DLC and represent the church to the larger community and church, including the Grand Rapids Conference and Synod if needed. Chair the nomination committee. With the treasurer manage the financial assets on behalf on the mission developer and the congregation in order to fulfill the mission mandates and purposes of the congregation. With the mission developer deal with issues and potential conflicts within the leadership of the congregation, helping to assure that communication is open, honest, and respectful. Work with the Stewardship chairperson to receive the budget requests for the various functions of ministry in order to create a programmatic, line item budget for submission to the DLC. The incumbent vice president shall be eligible for election to serve in the same position the following year.
Article 6.1
Secretary,
Role: To fulfill the day today affairs of the church which require ongoing attention in monthly bases? Help prepare the agenda with the mission developer/pastor for the Monthly meeting of the DLC, email the agenda to DLC members before one week, recording the minute and email it to the members, Invite people & coordinate the SCLC celebration. Prepare the agenda with the pastor for the Monthly meeting of the DLC and the weekly staff meeting.
Article 6.2 Treasurer, Role: Serves as financial officer, of the congregation. Is responsible for timely payment of all bills, invoices and charges & oversees all of the bookkeeping functions in partnership with the secretary. Prepares the monthly financial reports for the church leadership and the mission developer’s monthly reports for the ELCA, Files all of the required federal and stated tax forms when needed. Monitors the cash position of the congregation and invests available funds as directed by the DLC. Provides the congregation with any requested financial information (The treasurer’s handbook of the ELCA is available in the office.)
Article 6.3 Fellowship committee, Role: Plan church social events especially related to Christmas, Easter, Rally Day, New Year celebrations, and memorial or anniversary services. Plan special camping trips and other functions throughout the year, providing sign-up sheets, etc. to encourage good participation and working with Living Water Ministries whenever possible in planning for retreats, confirmation camp, day camp, etc. Invite ideas for new church events and suggestions for increasing participation.
Article 6.4
Mission planning This group is involved in the work of assessing SCLC’s overall ministry and helping to focus programmatic and strategic ministry planning.
Article 6.5 Youth & Family: Role: This committee works to support assist and help plan our youth ministry effort & response to the invitation from other churches. And responsible for youth Mama, this group practices weekly and performs in worship monthly and the synod Assembly, and to response to the invitation from other churches
Article 6.6 Worship & Music committee, Role: With the Liturgy/Worship administrator this committee is responsible for all music and worship service planning and implementation. Also coordinate and train, as needed, readers, greeters and ushers, so that all are made to feel welcome in our worship of God, all receive bulletins or other aids to worship. This committee is accountable for counting the offerings after each service. Two people must be present when the offerings are counted and recorded so that no one is solely responsible for this important duty.
Article 6.7 Stewardship committee, Role: Help members discover their spiritual gifts, their talents; encourage all to give generously of their money and time for the ministry of SCLC, Responsible for enlisting and coordinating members’ contributions of time, talents and treasures through an annual rally day program, and an annual financial pledge program, as well as ongoing stewardship education. This committee identifies the spiritual gifts and talents of each member of congregation through one-on-one conversations and the use of spiritual gifts inventories. They enable each person who commits to the congregation to discover the unique gifts that God has given them which then can used both with the congregation and for the sake of others in the community. This committee becomes the point of contact for volunteers who carry out the ministries of the congregation. The members of this committee are identified by their own stewardship practices where sacrificial giving is their norm.
Article 6.8 Evangelism committee, Role: This committee works to invite and draw people into the life of the Sudanese Christ Lutheran church. Responsible also for “out-reach,” working to connect members to each other and to draw them into a community of deepening discipleship. Help all members witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
Article 6.9 Christian education, Role: This committee plans and implements SCLC’s Education Programs and mission. Responsible for all areas for education in our church, Secure a superintendent for both Sunday and Vacation Bible School, Help in obtaining a volunteer staff. Keep DLC updated on all educational functions. With the Spiritual Life Coordinator and mission developer, commit to the faith formation of each member of the congregation.
This committee helps others understand the developmental tasks necessary for their faith formation, engaging each member in faith questions leading toward a maturity of faith. The Sunday school superintendent would be accountable to this committee. Jesus’ final words for his disciples prior to his ascension into heaven, according to the gospel of Matthew: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” It is the relationship with Jesus Christ that brings blessing and salvation. But one cannot have a relationship with a person whom they do not know.
As Jesus gave his disciples the great commission telling them to go and make disciples, he made clear that such disciple-making would require his followers to teach those new disciples about him. That is the objective of Christian education, to make Christ known through His word, so that those who hear that Word may follow him,
Article 6.10 Social concerns & welfare: Role: Responsible for developing and educating congregation in the ways we may serve the Lord by our actions toward those in need in our congregation, in the community, and throughout the world. Specific initiatives include emergency food assistance, cookie collection; emergency financial support, reporting to the mission developer and the DLC about those in need of housing, mother union assistance, social services, as well as donations received.
Article 7.0 Volunteer’s staff teams Role: Music Director: Skills and Qualifications: A minimum of knowledge, experience in Dinka song is requiring, and sufficient keyboard ability to sight read hymns, liturgy, and easy anthem accompaniments. Need knowledge of Lutheran worship tradition and a theological understanding of the church sufficient to appropriately select music and texts for traditional worship? Music Director Role and expectation of this position and the priorities: Attend Sunday worship service as require by the church covenant agreement. Provide for qualified substitutes for all absences. Choose and purchase organ music within the approved budget. Oversee the tuning and maintenance of all musical instruments of the church within the approved budget and provide regular reports specifying maintenance needs to the Worship, Music and worshiping committee. The music director shall seek professional relationships with other church musicians and keep abreast of developments in worship and liturgy through ELCA, continuing education, and Train members of this church, those who are willing to be train for the key board. The music director shall rehearse sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music at the organ. An annual performance review will be done by the mission developer and the DLC committee. Cooperate with all staff and worshipping committee of the congregation so that music ministry is enhanced within the life of our church. The music director shall seek professional relationships with other church musicians and keep abreast of developments in worship and liturgy through associations, continuing education, and professional church publications. Working under the direction of the Pastor/mission developer, and in concert with the Lay leaders, the music director provides all clerical support necessary to facilitate the worship service of Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church.
Article 7.2 Administrative secretary: Skill and qualifications: Excellent listening skills, Good organizational skills including time management, recruiting, and training, Demonstrated computer competencies in word processing and data-base management, Ability to work collaboratively, Ability to maintain confidentiality, Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, Dinka language in writing, Church experience, the administrative secretary’s time is less flexible and more paced by weekly responsibilities than other staff assignments. The administrative Secretary will work, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am - 3:00 p.m. The Administrative Secretary will report to the church Pastor and will work closely with the other staff members and volunteers.
Administrative Secretary Role and expectation of this position and the priorities: Weekly bulletin and announcement sheet with all the servants/helper of the day for the Sunday worship inform, in two week and reminded them within the week of their serving. Weekly office record and office clean up. Attend monthly meeting of the DLC and staff meeting. Prepares the Monthly newsletter mailed out on the first Friday/first week of the month. Participates in weekly volunteer choirs, as computer and projector technical officially, appointed as part of the JOINT TEAM monthly meeting. Prepares congregational mailings address lists for all the church members and new members. Sign checks with others authorize in payment of all SCLC obligations, Enters information on financial transactions works to support the functioning of the congregational treasurer. Keeping the receipt for the materials/services in a weekly and monthly basis, expense and the purchase order releases, Upkeep church calendar events scheduling, bulletin boards, church e-mail, update the web site in weekly basis, Do a monthly report for the membership tithe/giver to the Pastor/Developer and also his working sheet of the weekly report. Inform member of the church for any events, celebrations, meetings Write a thank you note to the donors and the visitors/new members who has attend the Sunday service. Working under the direction of the Pastor/mission developer, and in concert with the Lay leaders, the office Secretary provides all clerical support necessary to facilitate the ministries of Sudanese Christ Lutheran Church, Attend Sunday worship as require by ministry team covenant agreement.
Article 7.3 Sunday school superintendent: Role: Lead a vibrant, growing, worshipping community in a program of strong Christian education which results in caring outreach to the surrounding community and into active discipleship. Benefits of this program: the opportunity to offer a unified Children’s Sunday School drawing together more children into our life together as a faith community, to offer an excellent music ministry to all children rather than a few, to use a consistent curriculum with opportunities for flexibility, to simplify and better coordinate the recruiting and training of teachers, to provide greater opportunity for children to experience worship with their families, learning from their parent’s example.
Article 7.4
Custodian, Role: Provide building and facilities care and maintenance. Work in close communication with the custodial staff of Christ Lutheran Church to assure that all portions of the building we are using are kept clean and in good order. Move and arrange furniture (and rearrange when leaving a space) to provide set-up for the various meetings, fellowship, and educational activities of our ministry
Skills and Qualifications: Knowledge, Methods, materials, and equipment used in custodial work, driving record. Safe work practices, Ability to clean and care for assigned areas and equipment, learn to use a variety of custodial equipment, supplies and materials, Operate and perform minor maintenance repairs on floor polishers, buffers and vacuum cleaners, Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Custodian Role and expectation of this position and the priorities:
Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work, as assigned; replenish supplies in the restrooms. Sweep, vacuum, mop, wax, strip, and polish floors; vacuum and shampoo carpets, Dust and polish furniture, woodwork, fixtures, and equipment; clean desks and counter tops. Empty, clean and sanitize waste receptacles; pick up papers and other debris after SCLC service. Move and arrange furniture and equipment and set up rooms for conferences and meetings of the SCLC.
Article 8.0 Women of the SCLC Organization:
Mother-union) Role: Provide opportunities for women to proclaim the Good News through worship, fellowship, prayerful service, and supportive community so that all Sudanese women and children find acceptance in love, through small groups and through the individual families to promote the unity among all SCLC families. The ministry of the Mother-union is supported through intentional growth in disciple making, empowered by prayer, biblical study, ecumenical cooperation, and fellowship.
Article 8.2 Women of the Organization: Role: Provide further opportunities for women of the SCLC to grow in faith, leadership development, education, and advocacy. The five goals adopted by the W/ELCA SCLC Unit (mother-union) that would help the younger generation of woman of the Sudanese Christ Lutheran church:
Article 8.4
Youth Mama: This group practices weekly and performs in worship monthly and the synod Assembly, and to response to the invitation from other churches
