This document spells out the reasonable expectations that the congregation of Greenbelt Baptist Church places upon the offices of its leadership. It is a living document, and may be amended as expectations change over time. Every effort has been made to make these lists exhaustive, but if some reasonable expectations have been left off, they should be brought forward to the GBC leadership (i.e. the Pastor, Church Council, Deacons and Deaconesses) for consideration.
These are general expectations and as such there may be expectations in specific situations that cannot be addressed here. If so, those with the expectations should make every attempt to express them to the officer(s) in brotherly love in the spirit of Matthew 18. If that does not succeed, then they should follow the church's conflict resolution guidelines.
Also, the Bible speaks of a "priesthood of believers".1 As such, though specific officers are given duties, this does not mean that the congregation is absolved from doing those duties as well. For example, evangelism, though a responsibility of the Pastor, is also the responsibility of every believer.
The role of the Pastor is one of spiritual leadership and effective communication, building up the church to fulfill its God-given mission. The Pastor is responsible for carrying out certain key functions, one of which is leading the church to discern God's unique vision and to communicate that vision effectively. He is the chief among the leaders of the church, sharing in certain responsibilities and delegating others as appropriate. Other responsibilities are solely the responsibility of the Pastor. These will be spelled out in separate sections below.
These responsibilities must be the exclusive responsibility of the Pastor.
The Pastor leads the church to discern God's unique vision for the congregation, and to move towards it. 2
The Pastor ensures that regular communication is occurring, between him and the other leaders, and among the other leaders. When there is a failure in communication, the Pastor takes the lead to resolve it.
The Pastor models servant leadership, and equips leaders to serve. 3
The Pastor effectively communicates sermons at the regular weekly worship services. This does not preclude the Pastor asking for guest speakers, at his discretion. 4
The Pastor supervises the office staff in the administration of the day-to- day functions of the church. 5
The Pastor leads the administration of the Lord's Supper, counsels candidates for baptism, and performs baptisms. 6
The Pastor leads regular worship services. He is responsible for the oversight of worship planning. 7
The Pastor conducts special services, particularly funerals and weddings. He interviews and counsels couples before marrying them. The Pastor has discretion to decide when to perform such services.
The Pastor offers spiritual counsel as needed, and makes outside referrals when appropriate.
The Pastor is responsible for ensuring that sound doctrine is being taught among the congregation, in coordination with other leaders. 8
The Pastor demonstrates by example a life of godly witness to the community. 9
The Pastor makes himself available for leadership and counsel, with reasonable accommodations for time off and personal study. The Pastor is entitled to a regular day off, but will make every effort to be available, even on his day off, in times of spiritual crisis. If he does work during his day off, he will take time off on another occasion.
The Pastor shares these responsibilities with other leaders of the church, delegating in varying degrees as appropriate. Such delegation can be to any part of the leadership unless specifically noted otherwise.
The Pastor takes initiative to develop relationships with non-believers, modeling lifestyle evangelism. He emphasizes the need for evangelism, and delegates leadership roles as needed.
The Pastor must be able to teach. He oversees the teaching ministries, delegating leadership and teaching roles as needed. 10
The Pastor encourages the involvement of the congregation in overseas and national missions, and supervises church support of missionaries, delegating leadership roles as needed.
The Pastor becomes acquainted with members and visitors. He, in coordination with the Deacons and Deaconesses, arranges for the visitation of those who are in the hospital or otherwise in need. 11
The Pastor establishes a relationship with each new believer in the church. He delegates as appropriate for discipleship and/or ministering.
The Pastor interviews each candidate for membership to assess spiritual readiness. He delegates as appropriate for discipleship and/or ministering.
The Pastor represents the church in the community, delegating as needed.
The Pastor coordinates involvement in regional associations such as BCMD, DCBC and PGBA, enlisting others as appropriate.
The Pastor emphasizes the need for outreach events, delegating leadership roles as needed.
The Pastor works with the Deacons to resolve conflicts within the body. 12
The Pastor works with the Deacons to discipline members involved in unrepentant sin, as spelled out in the GBC Constitution and By-Laws. 13
Responsibility for discipleship is distributed throughout the church body. The Pastor disciples the top leaders, who in turn disciple others.
The Pastor arranges for a substitute preacher when he knows he will be absent, with the support and counsel of the Deacons. If the Pastor is absent unexpectedly, the Deacons have this responsibility. 14
The Pastor either moderates or appoints a moderator to all business meetings. 15 In the Pastor's absence, the Chairman of the Deacons can fill in.
The Pastor will lead in equipping the church members to pray. Upon request he will pray for those in spiritual crisis. He will give oversight to a means of distributing prayer requests to the church body.
The Pastor delegates administrative functions as assigned.
The central responsibility of a Deacon or Deaconess is to assist the Pastor in ministering to the congregation as per Acts 6:2ff or as the church By-Laws state it to "uphold and strengthen the hands of the Pastor in his labors, and in the interest of the Church."16 They do this by modeling Christian character and spiritual leadership; preserving harmony in the church; taking charge of the spiritual needs of a part of the flock; and sharing in official duties.
Every Deacon and Deaconess is expected to fulfill these basic responsibilities of the office.
Each Deacon/Deaconess pair ministers to an assigned group of church members. This includes:
Every Deacon(ess) must support the Pastor in a manner that never undermines his ministry or authority, yet encourages him to grow in his gifting and holds him accountable for his actions. 17
All Deacon(esse)s assist the Pastor in the administration of the Lord's Supper and baptisms. 18
The Deacon(esse)s in cooperation with the Pastor and other ministries administer special recognition days within the church such as Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Veterans Day. They do so in order that those within the congregation are shown the honor and gratitude due them.
Because of the sensitivity of their position as spiritual leaders, a Deacon(ess) must show special concern to maintain confidentiality.
Every Deacon(ess) must be a faithful church member, setting an example in tithing, attending worship services, and participating in small group discipleship. They must be well grounded in church doctrine, and carry out their duties with a servant's heart. 19
The Deacons and Deaconesses each meet together at least once a month and jointly whenever appropriate. 20
The Holy Spirit gives every Christian unique gifts for the good of the church. Each Deacon and Deaconess is encouraged to discover his/her gifts and serve out of that special giftedness. As such, not all Deacon(esse)s will perform all functions.
These responsibilities are shared between the Deacons and Deaconesses. They may distribute these duties among their number as they see fit.
The Pastor, Deacons and Deaconesses visit sick members, and coordinate with other leaders (e.g. Sunday School Outreach Coordinator and Minister of Evangelism) in visiting prospects. 21
Representatives of the Deacons and Deaconesses serve on committees as required under the Church By-Laws. 22
In addition to the responsibilities common to Deacons and Deaconesses, the Deacons are specially charged with supporting the Pastor in the leadership and administration of the church. The responsibilities in this section fall under that general charge. The Deacons may distribute these duties among their number as they see fit.
The Deacons provide leadership in the worship services, and provide for a pulpit speaker in the absence of the Pastor. 23
The Deacons work with the Nominating Committee to enlist ushers for the worship services. All ushers must be approved by the Deacons. 24 Ushers help to set the tone of worship, often being the first people that visitors meet.
The Deacons administer the benevolence fund, providing financially for those in need. 25 At all times, the Deacons provide a contact person to the church staff, to whom they can refer potential needs.
The Deacons review and update the church membership rolls annually. 26
The Deacons review and update the Deacon Handbook annually.
Whenever a pastoral search committee is needed, the Deacons appoint the members to serve on the committee, representing all facets of the church. 27
The Deacons take initiative to resolve conflict among the church body. 28
When necessary, the Deacons initiate church discipline according to the guidelines of Matthew 18, other relevant Scriptures, and the Church Covenant. 29
The Deacons seek out and mentor new Deacon candidates, and pass recommendations on to the Nominating Committee.
In addition to the responsibilities common to Deacons and Deaconesses, the Deaconesses are specially charged with maintaining an environment conducive to worship, and coordinating events in the life of the church body. The responsibilities in this section fall under that general charge. The Deaconesses may distribute these duties among their number as they see fit.
The Deaconesses secure and place flowers for the Sunday worship services, and otherwise supervise efforts to ensure that the sanctuary remains conducive to worship. 30
The Deaconesses supervise the set-up and clean-up for the Lord's Supper. 31
The Deaconesses ensure that robes and towels are available for the baptism ceremony, and assist female candidates for baptism. 32
The Deaconesses assist in the preparation and administration of other ceremonies in the life of the church, such as Maundy Thursday foot washing and providing palms for Palm Sunday. 33
The Deaconesses coordinate with the Hospitality Committee and other bodies for events involving the entire church body, such as the quarterly love feasts. On such occasions they choose the themes and plan any special activities such as hymn singing or presenting awards.
The Deaconesses seek out and mentor new Deaconess candidates, and pass recommendations on to the Nominating Committee.
The Deaconesses will collect and distribute the yearly Love Offering to the church's ministry staff.
The Deacons elect their own Chairman. The Chairman of the Deacons has special responsibilities, second in authority only to the Pastor in the leadership of the church.
The Chairman of the Deacons calls and conducts regular Deacon Meetings.
The Chairman of the Deacons represents the Deacon body on the Church Council. 34
The Chairman of the Deacons takes initiative to address conflicts and matters of concern pertaining to the Pastor.
The Chairman of the Deacons moderates business meetings in the absence of a Pastor. 35
The Chairman of the Deacons supervises office staff in the Pastor's absence. 36
The Chairman of the Deacons oversees the mentoring of Deacon candidates and the training of new Deacons.
(1/22/2006 Version)
Latest Update: 23Jan06
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