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Policy Governance
About The Policy Governance Model
Policy Governance is an effective form of governance, that frees up church leaders to use their spirit-given gifts, discern the will of God, and implement decisions with minimal bureaucracy and time-consuming meetings. It also frees up more of the people of the Congregation from running the church to allow them to exercise their own ministry.
In January 2009, the Eden congregation accepted the Policy Governance model and elected 9 council members to form a new council under the new model. Each year, three new council members are elected to replace retiring members.
Eden's policies are detailed in our Eden Policy Manual.
How Does Policy Governance Work?
The Congregation recognizes a Council of elders as its spiritual leaders, and entrusts the Council to carry out the mission, vision, and goals of the Congregation. If the Congregation does not achieve what it wants to achieve then ultimately the Council is responsible. But a group that only meets for two hours once a month cannot possibly do all the work that is required. The Council, therefore, divides the work into two basic components: Ends (The actual ministry of the congregation, known as “Ministry”) and Means (the particular way the Ministry will be achieved).
Work on Ends (“Ministry”) is kept solely in the Council’s hands. This is the work of ensuring that all the members and interested persons in the Congregation are heard, and that God is listened to and addressed through prayer and the study of Scripture. This is in order to determine what direction the Congregation should be going, what its needs, hopes, dreams, worries, and visions are. Based on that hearing process, the Council then lays out clearly and in written form what direction and goals it will pursue. It starts doing this broadly, based on the Congregation ’s Mission Statement and Core Values, then narrows down to be more specific. It is disciplined in not saying how it will achieve these things but only what it wants achieved.
Council then takes a look at the Means (“how do we actually do this?) This “how to” work is assigned, along with a budget, to the Minister with strict, written policies outlining the expectations for how the work will be done and what standards will be followed. These policies include a list of the values the work shall follow, as well as the standards for work in such areas as personnel, budgeting, the protection of assets, treatment of BENEFICIARIES, etc. While in the past these expectations were either haphazardly produced (and often lost in past minutes) or not known until a group of people gathered to decide about them (usually on a case by case basis), in Policy Governance they are developed before problems arise. Before even starting to undertake work, the expectations of the Council are known to the Minister. Once produced, these policies are then monitored regularly by the Council to ensure they are being followed. They become living, useful tools of governance rather than lofty ideals stored in a binder.
Within the limitations imposed by the Council and directed by the Ministry Policies, the Minister is now free to use his or her gifts to accomplish what has been asked. Within the budgetary constraints imposed, staff are hired, directed, an office is maintained, programs are initiated, committees or teams are struck or disbanded. Just as power was delegated from the Council to the Minister, so power is delegated by the Minister to staff, committees or teams using the same discipline of stating the Ministry to be achieved and the limitations in which to work. Clear about the extent of their power and the goals to be achieved, the staff, committees or teams can now exercise their gifts with imagination and passion.
Congregational Requirements
The Congregation shall meet annually and will elect a council of elders as its spiritual leaders with three council members elected for a 3-year term every year.
The authority of the Congregation between annual meetings is delegated to the Council except where specified in the governance document. The Congregation has the right to appeal any decision of the Council to the Presbytery.
The Congregation approves annually the Council Ministry Policy, annual financial statements and annual budget. The Congregation will elect Trustees and Presbytery Representatives.
Additional Resources and Links
www.emergingspirit.ca -- A United Church of Canada web site devoted to establishing and nurturing a relationship between the United Church and Canadians who don't attend church, with a focus on those between the ages of 30 and 45. The aim of Emerging Spirit is to help raise awareness about the ministry of The United Church of Canada and to invite people to join with us on the journey of faith. The media component of Emerging Spirit will proceed hand in hand with work to help congregations and their leaders develop more effective welcoming ministries and connect in a new way with their communities.
www.wondercafe.ca -- An online discussion forum supported by the United Church of Canada. Emerging Spirit is reaching out through a national media campaign which uses magazine and Internet advertising, viral videos and other popular media. A key part of this campaign is the WonderCafe online discussion forum.
January Future Quest Results -- PowerPoint presentation of the consolidated results from the visioning program carried out at Eden. Includes results from the Visioning Event, Stewardship Survey, and Online Survey. Shows large trends in the results.
Churchill Meadows Halton Presbytery Presentation -- PowerPoint presentation from Eden United Church to Halton Presbytery detailing the results of the Churchill Meadows Region (CMr) project. The purpose of the project was to collect, sort and analyze data on the CMr with an eye to developing new ministry activities within the area.
Keep the Faith or Pull the Plug -- Globe and Mail article by Michael Valpy, January 12, 2008
www.emergingchurch.info -- A web site funded by UK Christian organizations and denominations with an interest in mission and the future of the church.
Future Quest team presented the survey results at the Annual General Meeting on Jan.27'08. View the presentation here.
If you have questions, please email them to: futurequest@edenunitedchurch.com.