St. James United Methodist Church
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • Newsletter
    • Staff
    • Governance
    • Endowment Fund
    • Job Opportunities
  • NEW HERE?
    • Guest Information
    • Membership
    • Contact Us
  • WORSHIP
    • Worship Services
    • Traditional
    • Contemporary
    • Choirs & Music
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    • Baptisms
    • Memorial Services & Funerals
  • SERVE
    • Fiser-Christie Lectureship
    • Missions & Outreach
    • Safe Gatherings
  • REGISTER
    • Ozark Mission Project Sponsor
    • Summer Sunday School Registration
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Volunteer for VBS
  • MINISTRIES
    • Upward Basketball & Cheerleading
    • CHURCH MINISTRIES
    • Thompson Scholarship
    • Adults
    • Youth
    • Children
    • Caring
    • Extracurricular Activities
  • GIVE
  • MEDIA
    • Livestream
    • On Demand
  • LEARNING CENTER & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
    • Learning Center
    • After-School & Summer Care
  • PRAYER & SUPPORT
    • Prayer Request List
    • PRAYer & SUPPORT
  • Lenten Audio Clips
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • Newsletter
    • Staff
    • Governance
    • Endowment Fund
    • Job Opportunities
  • NEW HERE?
    • Guest Information
    • Membership
    • Contact Us
  • WORSHIP
    • Worship Services
    • Traditional
    • Contemporary
    • Choirs & Music
    • Weddings
    • Baptisms
    • Memorial Services & Funerals
  • SERVE
    • Fiser-Christie Lectureship
    • Missions & Outreach
    • Safe Gatherings
  • REGISTER
    • Ozark Mission Project Sponsor
    • Summer Sunday School Registration
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Volunteer for VBS
  • MINISTRIES
    • Upward Basketball & Cheerleading
    • CHURCH MINISTRIES
    • Thompson Scholarship
    • Adults
    • Youth
    • Children
    • Caring
    • Extracurricular Activities
  • GIVE
  • MEDIA
    • Livestream
    • On Demand
  • LEARNING CENTER & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
    • Learning Center
    • After-School & Summer Care
  • PRAYER & SUPPORT
    • Prayer Request List
    • PRAYer & SUPPORT
  • Lenten Audio Clips

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
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 Mary Lu Fowler
Kim Anderson
Don Louis Bacon
David Barnett
Bob Bloom
Cameron Carlisle
Erin Creighton
Ben Crismon
John DiVito
Andrea Dobson
Jessica Durand
Bil lMcCrary
William McMillan
Michael Miller
Terri Newton
Doug Patchell
Emily Perrone
Don Louis Riggin
Ann Rowell
John Rowland
Greg Schick
Brad Sweeney
Shelby Wilson
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.

Laura Allmond
Kim Anderson
David Barnett
Bob Bloom
Ashley Carper
Ben Crismon
Max Davis
Bruce Dobson
Jessica Durand
Gene Fortson
Nicole Gore
Phillip Jett
Jeff Johnson
Andy LaGrone
Leslie Lants
Gary Martin
William McMillan
Greg Schick
Donna Sharp
Teddy Stewart
Brad Sweeney
Clef Vaughan
Debbie Wilson

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:  Teddy Stewart
Kim Anderson
Ashley Coldiron
Ben Crismon
Andrea Dobson
Gene Fortson
Sallie Graves
Priss Inman
Denise Luft
Vaughn McQuary
Pete Price
Donna Sharp
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: Amy Tackett
Secretary: Chosen by Committee

Kim Anderson
Renee Atkinson
Teresa Bodie
Tony Cooper
Don Davis
Dave Eckess
William McMillan
Fred Perkins Jr.
Laurie Whitfield
Patti Womble
Fiser Christie
​Lesley Cooper
Debby Fiser
Nicki Hilliard
Brenda Weeks
John Hutton
Don Riggin
Jan Fairman
Melissa Stansbery
Kathryn Peacock
Tim Rand
Jessica Durand
John Kimberlin
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: Bob Bloom
Kim Anderson
Don Bacon
Shelly Tucker
Darrick Wilson
Greer McCleary
Debi Piercy
Stephen Routon
Brad Sweeney
Alex Dawson
Drew Simon
Sammie Dunkum
John Dunkum
Ben Crismon
Nan Black
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: William McMillan
Kim Anderson
Don Bacon
Ben Crismon
David Fraiser
Beth Guidry
Judy Jacobs
Blake James
Laura Johnson
Josh Matthews
Andrea Newton
Richard Phelps
Jeff Yates
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. Ben Crismon

Kim Anderson
Elizabeth Clogston
Pam Gadberry
Melinda Mayo
Pat McAlpine
Bo Plyler
Susie Rosenthal
Emily Stewart
Gayle Teague
Bill Waddell
Brenda Walton
Darrick Wilson
Learning Center Administrative Committee
The administrative committees provide advisory support for this state-licensed ministry for children.

Chairperson: Kale Ludwig
Ashley Rowe - Director
Rebecca Clement - Assistant Director

Secretary: Chosen by Committee

Kim Anderson
Linda Bacon
Susie Branon
Bruce Dobson
Cara Hazelwood
Drew Laning
Kale Ludwig
Natalie Rogers
Blair Wood
Kids Life After school care committee
The administrative committees provide advisory support for this state-licensed ministry for children.

Chairperson: Elizabeth Haley
Director: Leah Phelps

Kim Anderson
Susan O'Malley
Susan Gage
Christie Ballard
Betsy Meyer
Jason Grayham
Julie Barnett
Kim Cherry
Rachel Golden

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