Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) 

This team works with the senior pastor as they lead the staff in managing the ministries of the church. The team also fulfills legal and ethical responsibilities related to staff. The team encourages, strengthens, nurtures, supports, and respects the pastors and staff and their families. They recommend compensation and other financial matters to the church council through the finance team. The team develops and maintains policies and procedures for hiring, evaluating, promoting, retiring, and dismissing staff members who are not subject to episcopal appointment. They provide an annual evaluation of the pastors and connect with the Presiding Elder, Conference Superintendent, and Bishop in regards to appointed leadership of the church.  

Those best suited for serving as members of the SPRC  will possess one or more of the following spiritual gifts: exhortation, wisdom, discernment, apostleship, administration, shepherding, teaching, and leadership. Some experience in human resources, personnel management, and communications is helpful. Listening skills is a must as well as the ability to keep the mission of the church in focus. It is of utmost importance that team members have the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Board of Trustees 

This team oversees and cares for the church’s property, buildings, and equipment. They ensure that the Articles of Incorporation of the congregation are kept up to date. They review on an annual basis the property, liability, and crime insurance coverage on church owned property, buildings and equipment. They possess knowledge of property and asset management. They ensure that legal requirements related to property are satisfied. They have responsibility for understanding and agreeing to any contracts before they are signed.  

Those best suited to serve on the Board of Trustees possess one or more of the following spiritual gifts: servanthood, helping/assistance, administration, giving, and evangelism. Members of this team should show evidence of effective leadership in the stewardship of assets. Knowledge of HVAC systems, basic construction, and contract law would be especially beneficial to the team’s work. 

Church Council 

The Church Council is accountable to the charge conference and serves as the executive agency of the charge conference between the meetings to oversee the administration and ministry of the congregation. The team initiates planning, establishes goals and implements actions plans for ministry. They evaluate effectiveness of the ministry and mission of the congregation. The team plans and carries out ministry that fulfills the church’s plan of nurture, outreach, and witness.   

Those best suited for serving as members of the Church Council will possess one or more of the following spiritual gifts, wisdom, discernment, administration, and leadership. They will have the ability to perceive how the various ministries and programs fit into the larger vision and direction of the church in achieving the mission of guiding people into a lifestyle centered around Jesus. 

Finance Team 

The Finance Team is charged with oversight of the congregation’s financial life including the raising, receiving, and administering of funds contributed to the annual operational budget, building or debt retirement, and designated accounts. They establish the proposed budget for approval by the Church Council or Church Conference. The Finance Team also establishes written financial policies to document the internal controls and ensures that financial dealings are transparent in their accountability to our membership.  

Those best suited for serving as members of the Finance Team will possess one or more of the following spiritual gifts: administration, wisdom, servanthood, and generosity. 

Permanent Endowment Fund 

The Permament Endowment Fund is charged with helping to provide for future ministries of Lakewood through raising and managing designated funds for the long term benefit of the congregation. The team often engages in creative thinking about how to encourage Lakewood members to donate to the PEF.  

Those best suited to the team possess one or more of the following spiritual gifts: wisdom, discernment, exhortation, and shepherding.  

Lakewood Little People Committee 

The LLP Committee provides oversight to the Lakewood Little People Preschool  program. The team approves the annual budget of the school, coordinates with the SPRC with regard to personnel, with the Finance Team regarding budget, and the Board of Trustees regarding facility needs.  

Team members will possess one or more of the following spiritual gifts: administration, shepherding, and servanthood.  

Lay Delegate to Annual Conference 

The Lay delegate to Annual Conference informs the congregation about the Global Methodist Church and the Trinity Annual Conference. They attend Annual Conference sessions and interpret the actions to our congregation. An effective Lay Delegate builds the connection between our congregation and all Global Methodist churches. They are especially passionate about connecting the church of God with people who are not yet a part of it.  

The ideal candidate for this role will possess one or more of the following spiritual gifts: servanthood, teaching, giving, compassion, faith discernment, and apostleship.  

They must be a member of Lakewood Methodist for four years preceding their election. They should become knowledgeable about the structure and ministries of the Trinity Annual Conference, the Global Methodist Church, and Lakewood Methodist Church. They will attend all sessions of the Annual Conference or arrange for an alternate to be seated in their place. Additionally, they will serve as a member of the Church Council, and the Finance Team.