St. James United Methodist Church
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  • MINISTRIES
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  • LEARNING CENTER & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
    • Learning Center
    • After-School & Summer Care
  • PRAYER & SUPPORT
    • Prayer Request List
    • PRAYer & SUPPORT
  • 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
    • Missions & Outreach
    • Fiser-Christie Lectureship
    • Safe Gatherings
  • REGISTER
    • Band Groups Registration
    • Beyond the Three Simple Rules
    • Concordia Choir tickets
    • Men's Breakfast Registration
    • Wednesday Night Dinner registration
  • MINISTRIES
    • Happening this Week
    • 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

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 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                                       
Kim Anderson
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.

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
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.
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. Ben Crismon

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
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

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