Purpose: To strengthen the quality of ministry within the fellowship by functioning as the liaison needed between the Minister, the Board, and the Congregation.Membership: The committee shall consist of a chairperson appointed in a manner consistent with Bylaws Articles VII, Section 1(a) and Article VIII, Section 1(b).
Appointment: The President of the board, following consultation with the minister, shall appoint one of the voting members to serve as committee chairperson. After consultation with the committee, the chairperson and the minister will jointly recommend to the board appointments to fill vacancies in any of the positions of voting members. Such appointments shall take effect upon approval of the president following confirmation by the board.
Term of office: Appointments of the five voting members shall be for staggered terms of 3 years. In the event of a vacancy, the appointment of a successor will be for the remaining portion of the 3-year term. An incumbent may be reappointed at the end of a 3-year term through the same process as the initial appointment. Appointment of chairperson will be for one year, and there is no bar to reappointment.
Responsibilities:
- Provide counsel to the Minister, in an informal and confidential setting, with respect to any matters he/she may wish to put before the committee.
- Advise the Minister of circumstances or events that may provide opportunities, or pose difficulties, in the conduct of the ministry and discuss or recommend possible avenues of action.
- a) Conduct congregational surveys as may be determined necessary from time to time or as requested by the board; b) Provide support to the board in its evaluation of the minister's performance.
- Devise and implement processes to improve the flow of information to the committee, the board and the minister.
- Communicate to the congregation the nature and scope of the minister's responsibilities and/or activities.
- Open and distribute comments placed in the Open Channel box.
The committee functions as an auxiliary "sensory apparatus" for the minister. The committee augments direct communication between the congregation and the minister and the board. It must be emphasized, however, that in no way should the committee inhibit or interfere with direct communication between members of the congregation and the minister on any matter.
The procedure for dialogue is as follows:
- If a member of the congregation approaches a COM member with a concern regarding QUUF's ministry, the member will explore the issue, not giving answers.
- If the issue of concern is about the Minister, the congregation member will be encouraged to talk directly with the Minister.
- The COM member will report the interaction with the congregation member at the next COM meeting and an appropriate follow-up will be decided.