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
Ex-Officio Members (with vote):
Chairperson of Church Council:  Marissa Keith                    Chairperson of Finance:  Ann Pyle
Chairperson of Staff-Parish Relations:  Shelly Tucker        Chairperson of Trustees:  Julie Luther-Kelso
Lay Leader: Bill Waddell                                                                
UMW Representative: Jan McQuary
Youth Representative:  Cole Carper                                       
Senior Pastor: Rev. Carness Vaughan
 
Ex-Officio Members (without vote):
Staff:
     Executive Director of Ministries: Kim Anderson
     Senior Associate Pastor:  Rev. Claire Caldwell
     Associate Pastor of Connections: Rev. Greg Schick
     Church Business Administrator: Gayle Bohannon
Preparatory member:  Bill McCrary
Boy Scout Representative: Darrick Wilson
Church Chancellor/Legal Counsel:   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

Ex-Officio Members (with vote):
Appointed Pastors: Rev. Carness Vaughan,
Rev. Greg Schick,
Rev. Claire Caldwell
        One lay member of Annual Conference: Don Riggin
Lay Leader:  Bill Waddell
Chairperson Church Council:  Marissa Keith
Chairperson of Board of Trustees: Julie Luther-Kelso
Chairperson of Endowment:  Amy Tackett
Chairperson of Staff-Parish Relations Committee: 
Shelly Tucker
Treasurer:  John Culp
 
Ex-Officio Members (without vote):
Church Business Administrator: Gayle Bohannon
Executive Director of Ministries:  Kim Anderson
Finance Administrators:  Debbie Wilson and Donna Sharp
Representative from Kids LIFE Administrative Committee: Assigned by Kids LIFE 
Representative from Learning Center Administrative Committee:  Assigned by Learning Center
Preparatory member:    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

 Ex-Officio Members (without vote):
 Chair or Representative of Board of Trustees: assigned by Trustees
Chair or Representative of Finance Committee: assigned by Finance
Senior Pastor: Rev. Carness Vaughan
Executive Director of Ministries: Kim Anderson
Finance Administrator: Donna Sharp
Preparatory Member:  Sallie Graves

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

Ex-Officio Members (with vote):
One Lay Member of Annual Conference:  
Darrick Wilson
Lay Leader:  Bill Waddell
 
Ex-Officio Members (without vote):
Chairperson: Shelly Tucker
Preparatory member: ­­­­­­ Drew Simon
Senior Pastor: Rev. Carness Vaughan
Executive Director of Ministries: Kim Anderson
Church Business Administrator: Gayle Bohannon
Church Chancellor/Legal Counsel:  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

Honorary Life Trustees (without vote):
Joyce Peck                                                                         
Patty & Bill Waddell
Jim Faulkner                                                                      
Harry Leggett
Fred Perkins, Jr.
 
Ex-Officio Members (without vote):
Senior Pastor:  Rev. Carness Vaughan                    
Church Business Administrator:  Gayle Bohannon
Executive Director of Ministries:  Kim Anderson 
Preparatory member:    Andrea Newton
Church Chancellor/Legal Counsel:   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

Ex-Officio Members (with vote):
Senior Pastor:  Rev. Carness Vaughan
One delegate to Annual Conference: Darrick Wilson
 
Ex-Officio Members (without vote):
Executive Director of Ministries: Kim Anderson
Preparatory Member:  Pam Gadberry