Click through the tabs below to view our different staff, officers, and deacons.
Click through the tabs below to view our different staff, officers, and deacons.
The session is a group of elected officers (the pastor and the elders). It is responsible for the mission and government of the church. The elders are elected for three year terms, one-third of the Session being elected each year. Note that elders are ordained for life, but only serve on Session when they are are elected. In our church, the elections are held during a congregational meeting in the Fall.
For details about elder responsiblilites go to:
http://oga.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/book-of-order2017-electronic_updated110117.pdf
For details about deacon responsiblilites go to:
http://oga.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/book-of-order2017-electronic_updated110117.pdf
The work of the church happens through the commissions. They are the incubators for new ideas and the forum for discussing how things happen. The chairperson of each commission is normally a member of Session, and the rest of the commission is drawn from the congregation. Anyone is welcome to join a commission (except Nominating), just contact the chairperson to learn about meeting times.
Membership & Discipleship CommissionThe Membership and Discipleship Commission seeks to help our church family be fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. From children to adults, we want all of our efforts to deepen our relationship with Christ. Oversight of Sunday school, Bible studies, small groups, electronic media and church gatherings are some of the ways that this commission helps point us to Jesus.
Contact:
Mission CommissionThe Mission Commission supports a wide variety of ministries in our city and throughout the world. Well over 10% of our budget is earmarked specifically for ministries beyond our church buildings. Within Southern California, these funds support ministries to those who struggle with addictions, mental illness, food insecurity, women and children in abusive living situations, foster and adoptive families, and the homeless. Outside of Southern California, these funds support several full time missionaries.
We increase awareness of Mission Opportunities through an annual Mission's Fair, an Alternative Christmas Market, a variety of missionary speakers, and the annual CROP walk for world hunger. In partnership with the Student Ministries Commission, we also encourage short-term mission trips, including a recent project in West Virginia. A major project of this commission is the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, which has distributed several thousand boxes of food and gifts to needy families in our community throughout the years.
Contact:
Worship & Music CommissionThis commission is responsible for all aspects of church worship and music. Through the music staff, they organize music rehearsals and plan the music for each worship service. Through designated volunteers, they furnish liturgists, ushers and sound technicians each Sunday. They organize elders to serve the elements on each Communion Sunday, and they provide a sound technician for weddings and funerals when requested. They are also responsible for banners and seasonal decorations in and around the sanctuary.
| Personnel CommissionThis commission recruits, hires, and evaluates both full and part-time staff for the church. They maintain up-to-date job descriptions for each staff member. They evaluate each staff member at least biannually, they recommend salary changes, and they work to resolve significant performance problems that may occur. They also work to resolve any inter-personal problems or conflicts involving staff members.
Contact:
Stewardship CommissionThis Commission manages both the finances and the property of our church. They count the weekly offering and oversee the investment funds of the church. They supervise the financial secretary, they monitor financial reports, they create an annual pledge campaign, and they recommend an annual church budget for approval by the session. They oversee the maintenance and repair of church property. They also approve the use of church property by outside groups.
Contact:
Nominating CommitteeThis commission seeks to discover the individuals that God is calling to be elders and deacons in our church. In making this decision, they prayerfully consider stewardship, attendance, giftedness, spiritual maturity, and willingness to serve. In a typical year, they seek at least 7 elders and 11 deacons. This process takes several months of work.
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