urbandale united church of christ
3530 70th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322 | phone 515.276.0625
fax 515.276.2451 | e-mail: staff@urbucc.org

ad-ministry team

The Ad-Ministry Team is concerned with the needs of the physical and the fiscal aspects of the congregation, and consists of the following sub-teams:

1. The Building and Grounds Team (at least 6 members):

• supervises the care and upkeep of the building
• arranges for the beautification and upkeep of the grounds
• keeps the Leadership Team informed about special building-related needs or concerns
• is responsible for the opening and closing of church building for worship services
• consults with custodial staff regarding building needs
• supervises the lawn mowing and snow removal.

  how you can get involved:
  help with seasonal church clean-up days

2. The Kitchen Team (at least 3 members):

• organizes the church kitchen
• purchases kitchen supplies
• establishes kitchen use policy
• coordinates with the Building and Grounds Team and Social Team.

  how you can get involved:

  • become a member of the Kitchen Team
  • share your dreams and ideas for the kitchen.

3. The Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Team (at least 5 members):

• oversees the financial needs of the congregation, including planning and implementing annual opportunities for renewed stewardship
• coordinates any additional fundraising efforts on the part of other teams
• keeps the Leadership Team informed of any concerns for the fiscal life of the congregation
• performs, as a minimum, an annual audit of the financial records of the church
• keeps the congregation informed about special funds and opportunities (e.g., endowment fund or building fund)
• keeps the congregation aware of OCWM
• selects and implements special offerings
• appoints a memorial task group and endowment task group as needed
• contacts new members about serving opportunities.

  how you can get involved:

  • help plan Consecrating Stewards each fall
  • share concerns at annual meeting about budgetary issues and expenditures.

4. The Technology Team:

• Provides support for the operation of church software,hardware, networking and web site
• Consults with the Church staff regarding new equipment purchases
• Gathers input from the entire congregation regarding church technologies needs
• Advises the leadership team regarding hardware and software expenses

One member of the Ad-Ministry Team act as liaison to the Leadership Team. The Liaison attends and participates in the meetings of the Leadership Team, All Team Night, and is available to sub-teams for advice, counsel, communication, and agenda setting. The Liaison serves a two-year term and may be re-elected.

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christian growth ministry team

The Christian Growth Ministry Team is responsible for the administration of life span of Christian education. The Christian Growth Ministry Team consists of a Children's Ministry Team, a Youth Team, and an Adult Team. These groups meet together when necessary and otherwise separately.

1. The Children's Ministry Team:

• studies and makes decisions about curriculum
• plans and carries out teacher training at least twice per year
• evaluates the program each year
• recruits teachers
• makes arrangements for summer activities and vacation Bible school
• is responsible for decisions about class size, location, and ambiance
• ensures availability of needed supplies
• supports any staff or volunteers assigned to Children's Ministry.

2. The Youth Ministry Team:

• is responsible for designing and implementing the youth program
• plans any summer work/service trips, youth rallies, opportunities for general synod, and other possibilities that may arise
• consults with the pastor(s) about the confirmation program
• provides a Sunday morning educational opportunity for youth, as well as fellowship and service times
• supports any staff or volunteers assigned to youth.

3. The Adult Ministry Team plans, implements, and evaluates a varied Sunday and weekday program for adults, taking into consideration the variety of needs and levels of faith development.

One member of the Christian Growth Ministry Team acts as liaison to the Leadership Team. The Liaison attends and participates in the meetings of the Leadership Team, All Team Night, and is available to the sub-teams for advice, counsel, communication, and agenda setting. The Liaison serves a two-year term and may be re-elected.

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outreach and nurture ministry team

The Outreach and Nurture Ministry Team reaches out to prospective new members and visitors, and nurtures current members. The Outreach and Nurture Ministry Team consists of the following sub-teams:

1. The Membership Team (at least 4 members):

• provides opportunities for visitors to learn more about the church
• offers new members classes a minimum of four times per year
• assists the Office and Ministry Gifts Coordinator or appropriate staff member in keeping membership records and in publishing the annual church directory
• records and tracks visitors.

how you can get involved:

• help out at a new member reception
• share your UUCC experiences at an informational meeting.

2. The Community Concerns Team (at least 4 members):

• plans and implements the special Christmas offerings
• researches and identifies possible service projects for the congregation
• identifies and organizes ministry projects to serve needs within the congregation
• keeps the congregation informed about opportunities for service in the wider church.

  how you can get involved:
  bring ideas and leadership for projects with the Team acting as a coordinating body.

3. The Spiritual Gifts Ministry Team (at least 4 members):

• seeks to help church members discern their gifts for ministry and offers ways each church member can share their gifts for the good of the church and beyond
• offers gift-sharing opportunities that will maximize people's gifts and help each church member serve efficiently and effectively
• draws on the resources of the church membership to assist the process of filling leadership roles in the church
• seeks to find new and creative ways to carry out old tasks
• is available to the Office and Ministry Gifts Coordinator or appropriate staff member for advice, counsel, and support.

4. The Social Team provides regular intergenerational opportunities for fellowship, such as:

• the all-church picnic
• karaoke night.

  how you can get involved:

• help plan social events
• assist with planned events.

One member of the Outreach and Nurture Ministry Team acts as liaison to the Leadership Team. The Liaison attends and participates in the meetings of the Leadership Team, All Team Night, and is available to sub-teams for advice, counsel, communication, and agenda setting. The Liaison serves a two-year term and may be re-elected.

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small group ministry team

The Small Group Ministry Team facilitates the creation, support, and evaluation of small groups within the church. One member of the Small Group Ministry Team acts as liaison to the Leadership Team. The Liaison attends and participates in the meetings of the Leadership Team, All Team Night, and is available to small groups within the church for advice, counsel, communication, and agenda setting. The Liaison serves a two-year term and may be re-elected.

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worship & music ministry team

The Worship & Music Ministry Team is responsible for the spiritual life of the church. The members of the Team study themes and plans for worship, and work to implement the different parts of the worship.

1. The Music Team (at least 4 members):

• advocates and supports a strong music program within the church
• recruits a variety of small musical groups to aid and support worship
• encourages the development of enrichment options for the congregation, including a wide variety of music styles and groups.

2. The Liturgy Team (at least 4 members):

• provides support and planning for special services during the year
• explores options for additional worship times, including weekday or evening opportunities or vesper services
• oversees the decoration and set-up of the sanctuary
• works with the pastor(s) to plan, prepare for, and deliver effective Sunday Worship services
• inventories and purchases necessary worship supplies.

3. The Service Support Team (at least 2 members):

• recruits and trains those helping with the worship services
• prepares for communion services held at least once each month
• invites participation in and support for the LEARN program, the pilgrimage program, and any special training programs in ministry
• offers care to seminary students and candidates for ordination.

One member of the Worship Ministry Team acts as liaison to the Leadership Team. The Liaison attends and participates in the meetings of the Leadership Team, All Team Night, and is available to sub-teams for advice, counsel, communication, and agenda setting. The Liaison serves a two-year term and may be re-elected.

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leadership team

The Leadership Team is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the church. It defines policies, implements programs through its duly elected or appointed members or teams, and conducts all other necessary business of the church.

The Leadership Team consists of the Liaisons of the following teams:

• Ad-Ministry Team
• Worship Ministry Team
• Christian Growth Ministry Team
• Small Group Ministry Team
• Outreach and Nurture Ministry Team

Additional members of the Leadership Team include the following officers elected by the congregation:

• Moderator
• Vice-Moderator
• Treasurer
• Financial Secretary
• Recording Secretary

The Leadership Team also includes three at-large members elected by the congregation.

The pastor serves as an ex-officio member of the Leadership Team.

The Leadership Team meets regularly each month or more frequently as it determines. All meetings are open to allow any interested persons to attend, and teams may specifically invite representatives of any groups or boards to attend, as they deem necessary.

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pastor

The pastor has charge of the spiritual welfare of the church. The pastor seeks to enlist persons as members of the church, preaches the Gospel, coordinates the ministry of the church in cooperation with the various organizations thereof, serves as an ex-officio member of the Leadership Team, and serves as an ex-officio advisory member to all other organizations within the church. The pastor also invites participation in and supports the CENTER/LEARN programs (Christian Educators Nurtured, Trained, Enriched and Resourced / Lay Education for Adults in Religion for Now and the future). The pastor encourages participation in and supports the Pilgrimage program, and any special training programs in ministry, including serving as a mentor and source of support for seminary students and candidates for ordination.

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staff-church relations team

The Vice-Moderator convenes and leads the Staff-Church Relations Team (SCR), which serves to foster healthy relationships between the church staff members and members of the congregation. Members of the Pastor-Parish Relations Team serve terms of indefinite length.

SCR Team members act as liaisons to each member of the staff. The SCR Team also functions as a path of communication for anyone in the church who wishes to identify a concern about issues that may impact the congregation or express a concern about a staff member. It is important for members of the congregation to know that their concerns will be kept in confidence; anonymous concerns, however, are not passed along. Church members are encouraged to make their concerns known to anyone on the SCR Team.

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personnel team

The Personnel Team develops and maintains organized, written employment policies and job descriptions for church employees other than the pastor, and assists the pastor and Leadership Team with personnel matters on an as-needed basis. The Personnel Team also handles other personnel-related issues, such as studies of salaries and benefits.

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staff

The staff consists of the pastor, office coordinator, music program director, christian education program coordinator, organist and children/youth choir director, custodian, and adjunct minister for community concerns.

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