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 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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