Governance
St. James United Methodist Church is structured according to the United Methodist Book of Discipline. Our committees are comprised of a wide diversity of Christian leaders who provide wisdom, guidance and policy.
In 2011, St. James implemented a new method to organize and plan vital and vibrant ministry using the church council model. Administrative Committees, such as the Finance Committee, have duties as described by our United Methodist Discipline. In order to implement strategic congregational priorities, the Church Council creates temporary or standing Strategic Planning Teams. These Strategic Planning Teams function as an advisory team, and oversee the completion of the prioritized project assigned by the Church Council. For information about St. James leadership structures, contact the Executive Director of Ministries, Kim Anderson, at kim@stjameslr.org
In 2011, St. James implemented a new method to organize and plan vital and vibrant ministry using the church council model. Administrative Committees, such as the Finance Committee, have duties as described by our United Methodist Discipline. In order to implement strategic congregational priorities, the Church Council creates temporary or standing Strategic Planning Teams. These Strategic Planning Teams function as an advisory team, and oversee the completion of the prioritized project assigned by the Church Council. For information about St. James leadership structures, contact the Executive Director of Ministries, Kim Anderson, at kim@stjameslr.org
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church council
The Church Council is subject to and reports to the Church Conference and is the general governing body of St. James. The Church Council provides for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness and resources for St. James. It will also envision, plan, implement and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of St. James. If any person is unable to fulfill any position elected at the Church Conference, this Council may fill such position until the next Church Conference. The Chair of this Council shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Senior Pastor. This Council shall meet at least quarterly and as scheduled by its Chair.
Annually, the church invites all members to the Church Conference in order to vote on important matters of administration and ministry. This annual Church Conference represents the highest level of temporal authority within the local church. In order to provide oversight and leadership throughout the year, the Church Council serves as our Church Conference’s executive agency, monitoring ministry progress and voting on important matters. The Council’s primary duties include setting strategic direction for the church, overseeing the church’s governance and administration, and ensuring that St. James’ ministries are accomplishing the church’s purpose, vision and plans. Chair Marissa Keith Vice Chair Mary Lu Fowler Harold Bernd Andy LaGrone Ryan Allmond Birc Morledge Karensa Bray Mary Lu Fowler Doug Patchell John Divito Marissa Keith Anny Pyle Shelly Tucker Julie Luther-Kelso Bill Waddell Jan McQuary Cole Carper Rev. Carness Vaughan Kim Anderson Rev. Claire Caldwell Rev. Greg Schick Gayle Bohannon Bill McCrary Darrick Wilson Don Bacon FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee develops and administers a coordinated plan of fiscal and administrative policies and procedures for the church. It oversees the financial health, the annual audit, provides financial direction; organizes the annual stewardship program, and communicates the church’s financial condition to the Church Council.
The Finance & Operations Committee will provide stewardship of St. James UMC financial resources as well as counsel and oversight of STJUMC operations. Chair Anne Pyle Vice-Chair David Barnett Katie Grayham Don Nichols David Barnett Shawn Cranford Collins Cook Sue Frank Jonathan Van Horn Leslie Lants Gary Martin Phillip Jett Rev. Carness Vaughan Rev. Greg Schick Rev. Claire Caldwell Don Riggin Bill Waddell Marissa Keith Julie Luther-Kelso Amy Tackett Shelly Tucker John Culp Gayle Bohannon Kim Anderson Debbie Wilson Donna Sharp Representative from Kids LIFE Administrative Committee: Assigned by Kids LIFE Representative from Learning Center Administrative Committee: Assigned by Learning Center Max Davis st. james endowment
The St. James United Methodist Church Endowment, was established to identify and develop opportunities for planned giving. The Endowment’s purpose is to support and provide for the future needs of our church’s ministry and mission by encouraging our members to remember St. James in their wills, trusts, retirement accounts and life insurance designations.
Chairperson: Amy Tackett Vice-Chair: elected by committee Debbie Fiser John Rowland Pat McAlpine Nancy Cole Teddy Stewart Raydodd Hester Andrea Dobson Jeff Van Patten Ashley Coldiron Denise Luft Chair or Representative of Board of Trustees: assigned by Trustees Chair or Representative of Finance Committee: assigned by Finance Rev. Carness Vaughan Kim Anderson Donna Sharp Sallie Graves Columbarium garden committee
The St. James Columbarium is a place of worship and memorial celebration. The Committee is responsible for the care and maintenance of the Columbarium. The Director of Pastoral Care, Finance Administrator, and/or Sr. Pastor's Administrative Assistance will be responsible for selling of niches.
Chairperson: Julie Graham-Johnson Secretary: Chosen by Committee Pete Whitehurst John Cook Gaylia Fortson Sarah Baguley Laurie Whitfield Don Davis Kim Anderson Gayle Bohannon Teresa Bodie Fred Perkins, Sr. Strategic planning Task force
This is an ad-hoc task force of the Church Council. The duties of this group are to lead the church in prayer and discernment of the Holy Spirit as we develop our mission, vision, and strategic plan for the next 3-5 years, including specific, measurable, and attainable goals.
Chairperson: Rev. Carness Vaughan Linda Barnes Sue Frank Kevin Keith Lee Sing Emma Piercy Mark Murphy Scott Stern Chance Creighton Bill Waddell Stacy Robinson Philip Way John Culp Don Riggin Jim Petersen Terri Newton Kim Anderson Bo Plyler Catherine DiVito William McMillan Brad Sweeney Dotty Moore Cameron Carlisle Nancy Meredith Gayle Bohannon Fiser-Christie lectureship task force
Chairperson: Don Riggin
Catherine DiVito Suzanne Carlisle Ray Dillon Don Riggin Claudia Beverly Markham Howe Tim Rand Jane Dennis John Hutton Nancy Burnett Debby Fiser Rev. Claire Caldwell Chris Johnson Sean Dunbar Brenda Weeks Jan Fairman |
staff parish relations committee
The Staff Parish Committee acts as a liaison between the congregation and its staff and clergy. The committee sets employment policy, guides the work of the pastoral and senior staff team and works to ensure that St. James is a fulfilling place to work. Members of this committee cannot be related to a St. James staff member.
The Staff Parish Relations Committee will reflect biblically and theologically on the role and work of the pastor(s) and staff. Their leadership responsibilities include assisting the pastor(s) and staff in assessing their gifts, maintaining health holistically and work-life balance. Chair: Shelly Tucker Vice-Chair: Bob Bloom Bob Bloom Karen Phelps Jane Arnold Leslie Dickinson Dave McAlpine David Robinson John Dunkum Greer McCleary Alex Dawson Darrick Wilson Bill Waddell Shelly Tucker Drew Simon Rev. Carness Vaughan Kim Anderson Gayle Bohannon Don Bacon board of trustees
This Board is charged with the care and maintenance of church property and holds title to the church's property, buildings and equipment. Trustees must be at least eighteen years of age. Key items include establishing policies and practices regarding maintenance and equipment, church property, safe sanctuary, disaster planning, land acquisition and construction planning, and insurance.
The Board of Trustees shall provide supervision, oversight and care of all real property owned by St. James. The Board of Trustees serves as the board of directors of St. James United Methodist Church of Little Rock, a Arkansas Non-Profit Corporation, which represents St. James' legal existence. Chairperson: Julie Luther-Kelso Vice-Chair: William McMillan Bob Walton Julie Luther Kelso Ken Jones Jeff Yates Rusty Lanier Nicki Hillard David Frasier Steve Rowell William McMillan Joyce Peck Patty & Bill Waddell Jim Faulkner Harry Leggett Fred Perkins, Jr. Rev. Carness Vaughan Gayle Bohannon Kim Anderson Andrea Newton Don Bacon nominations committee
The Committee oversees the identification, development and care for the volunteer leaders at St James. Key initiatives include preparing the annual nomination slate and providing oversight of volunteer service and leadership development at the church.
Chairperson and Senior Pastor: Rev. Carness Vaughan Kenda Treadway Karen Huber Amy Morledge Denise Luft Ann Rowell John DiVito Melinda Mayo Gayle Teague Elizabeth Clogston Darrick Wilson Kim Anderson Pam Gadberry Learning Center Administrative Committee
The administrative committees provide advisory support for this state-licensed ministry for children.
Chairperson: George Cole Secretary: Chosen by Committee Katie Nelbaum Megan Rugg Christy Lax Kate Frizzell Laura Allmond George Cole Susie Branon Linda Bacon Ashley Minchew Kim Anderson Rev. Carness Vaughan Rebecca Looney Kids Life After school care committee
The administrative committees provide advisory support for this state-licensed ministry for children.
Chairperson: Danny Albright Secretary: Chosen by Committee Karen Fry Betsy Smith Danny Albright Sabine Curtis Ashley Meggers Drew Frith Jason Grayham Betsy Meyer Rachel Golden Leah Phelps Kim Anderson Rev. Carness Vaughan |
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