Session of ​FPC-BC

G-2.0301      Ruling Elder Defined* 

     As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for any office. 

​*Book of Order 2017/2019
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The Session of First Presbyterian Church, Bay City, is the governing board of the church. It consists of 15 ordained elders in 3 classes. Each elder is assigned to a subcommittee.

• Class of 2019: Mark Brissette, Susan Crane, Richard B. Learman, Heidi Prince, Rex Thatcher
• Class of 2020: Brian Burke, Valerie Cross, Charles Hewitt, Carolyn Krebs, Ellen Pearson
• Class of 2021: Clark Hughes, Barbara Killeen, Nancy Maier, Janet Olson, Michael Schnell
• Clerk of Session: Allison Short

​      The subcommittees of Session are: Christian Education, Congregation Life, Mission Interpretation and Stewardship, Trustees, and Worship & Music. Each subcommittee is then made up of 2 elders and 4 members at large.  ​

Christian Education

Christian Education Committee (CEC) is responsible for the development and oversight of church programs of education and nurture in the congregation. The Committee is also charged with the spiritual health and care of the congregation. It is therefore incumbent upon the Committee to use every available opportunity through special programs and small groups to add to and enhance the spiritual life of the congregation.

​The Committee develops and recommends to Session: 

• a ministry of education for children, youth and adults that meets the needs of the congregation, and
• ​provide programs that give adequate attention to issues of spiritual life, Scripture, social concern and the Presbyterian Church.

The Committee provides:

• all necessary training for the most effective use of the resource staff, and
• oversight of the church library, church nursery and media center.

Congregational Life

Congregational Life Committee (CLC) oversees and coordinates special events and the activities of fellowship and/or service groups to the end that the group life of the congregation will work to the building up of the church and extension of the love of Christ.

The Committee:

• plans, recommends to Session and administers a program of new member recruitment, orientation and assimilation consistent with Session policy,
• supervises the administration of the official records and membership rolls,
• recognizes and presents a fifty-year member pin to persons who have been active communicant members of this congregation for fifty continuous years,
• organizes annual and special congregational meetings,
• facilitates congregational events in cooperation with other boards and committees of the church, and
• plans, recommends to Session and administers a program designed to bring the activities of the church to the attention of the community.  ​In meeting this responsibility the Committee supervises all church publications and commercial advertising.

​Mission Interpretation and Stewardship

Mission Interpretation and Stewardship Committee (MIS) is responsible for directing the proclamation of the Gospel, the outreach of the church in ministry and service, mission interpretation and stewardship.

​The Committee plans, recommends to Session, and administers a year-round program of mission interpretation and stewardship commitment. These include:

• the annual division and designation of self-allocation funds to governing bodies;
• reviews and makes recommendations to Session on all other mission programs and/or projects;
• recommends action requests for special offerings; and
• conducts solicitation drives for special offerings.

The Committee acts as a liaison to all community service and ecumenical groups.​

Trustees

 The responsibilities of the Trustees are: 

• Facilities: The Trustees have responsibility for the supervision, care, maintenance and improvement of the properties, buildings, grounds, mechanical equipment and systems, office equipment and supplies, custodial equipment and supplies, and furnishings owned, leased or rented by the church.
• Finance: The Trustees have responsibility for overseeing financial operation of the church including monitoring and analyzing income, expenditures, investments and other financial considerations.
• Endowment and Memorials: The Trustees, or sub-committee thereof, develop policies pertaining to the Endowment and Memorial Funds.
• Personnel: Through the work of its Personnel Committee, the Trustees have responsibility for the recruitment and development of a church staff adequate to meet the needs of ministry within the church’s financial means, and for interpreting staff needs to the congregation.

Worship and Music

Worship and Music Committee (WAM) reviews and recommends to Session matters pertaining to the public worship of God, including special services. In conjunction with the Pastor and Director of Music Ministries, the Committee:

• provides supervision for the scheduling, preparation and celebration of the sacraments;
• oversees seasonal observances, such as Advent wreath, sanctuary decor for Christmas, Baptism of Our Lord, Maundy Thursday, Easter, and Pentecost,
• assists with the Lenten and Advent concerts,
• is responsible for recruitment, training and direction of the ushers, acolytes, liturgists, sound system and video projection volunteers, and Pew Minders,
• helps to  develop a ministry of choral and instrumental music with persons of all ages,
• oversees the scheduling of chime volunteers, and
• is responsible for the care and use of choir robes, music, instruments and vestments owned by the church.

Learn more about our Worship through Music.