Committees

Committee on Committees

The selection of committees is accomplished by the Committee on Committees which is comprised of the immediate past chairperson of the deacons, who will serve as the chairperson, three members selected by the congregation at its annual meeting, and two additional members chosen by the committee at its first meeting. Members of the committees will serve a three-year rotating term of office.

Adopt A School Committee

In cooperation with the policies set up by Partners in Education of the Jackson Public Schools, the Adopt-A-School committee provides volunteers for active involvement in meeting the needs of students and faculty of Spann Elementary School.

Adult Ministries Committee

This committee, with the participation and cooperation of the church staff, will direct and oversee the program of activities and education directed to adult members of the church, such as Sunday School, Sunday evening programs, adult retreats or conferences, and an inclusive singles ministry. It will cooperate and consult with the Nominating Committee in securing leaders, teachers, and resource persons for adult educational activities. It will consult with members and teachers of adult Sunday School classes in selection of curriculum materials. It will evaluate the need and resources available for establishment of new Sunday School classes and other adult programs. It will examine for implementation the recommendations of the Long Range Planning report.

Audio Visual Committee

This committee is responsible for operation of the church sound systems and videotaping during worship. This committee may also assist the staff in evaluating and making recommendations to the Board of Deacons or the congregation as to major purchases of audio or visual equipment to assist in worship, music, education and other ministries of the church.

Baptism and Communion Committee

This committee arranges and prepares for baptismal services and is responsible for cleaning up following all baptismal services. It is responsible for providing adequate assistance and supervision for changing clothes after baptism. It is also responsible for obtaining necklaces and communion cups for the members being baptized. This committee is responsible for preparing the elements for use in the Lord's supper, for maintaining the communion service, and for cleaning up following communion. All committee members assist with both baptism and communion as they occur throughout the year.

Barbara Oliver Benevolent Fund Committee

The Benevolent Fund Committee will be a six member committee composed of one representative from the ministry staff, the past deacon chair, past mission chair, church treasurer, one member from the current deacon board, and one member at large appointed by the committee. All members of the ministry staff are also ex-officio members. The committee will confidentially administer the fund assisting Northminster members with financial needs experiencing significant illness.

Building Maintenance Supervision And Grounds Committee

This committee is responsible for supervising the ordinary and routine care and maintenance of all church building properties, including supervision of the janitorial staff, and for making recommendations to the Board of Deacons as to proposed major improvements or repairs.

Building Utilization Committee

This committee's responsibility is to carry out the policies for the use of the church buildings by groups not associated with Northminster, whose policies are consistent with the purposes of Northminster as expressed in the covenant. When the committee finds that such use is in accord with the general welfare of the community, the committee may grant permission for occasional or special use. Before permitting long term usage, this committee shall make a recommendation to the deacons and secure their approval. This committee is also responsible for evaluating and applying existing policies relating to use of the church buildings for weddings, funerals, and other events.

Caregivers Support Committee

This committee will direct a lay caregiving program at Northminster to involve a core of Northminster members in a training program to serve as outreach persons to members and friends of the congregation. The committee will guide and supervise this program in action.

Deacon Nominating Committee

The Deacon Nominating Committee shall be comprised of two Deacons whose terms will expire at the end of the calendar year in which the annual meeting is held, which two Deacons shall be appointed by the outgoing Chair of the Board of Deacons, and three members of the congregation appointed by the Committee on Committees. The Deacon Nominating Committee shall submit to the congregation at the annual meeting a list of Deacon nominees numbering twice the number of Deacons to be elected. Prior to the meeting the Deacon Nominating Committee shall have contacted each of the persons to be nominated by the Committee, and shall have obtained such nominee=s consent to be nominated and such nominee=s agreement to serve faithfully if elected a Deacon. The Deacon Nominating Committee may use all means considered appropriate by the Committee to solicit the views of the members of the congregation. However, in addition to any other means used by the committee, the Deacon Nominating Committee shall cause a special meeting of the congregation to be held at least three weeks prior to the annual meeting, following a Sunday morning worship service. At such special meeting the members shall be given the opportunity to recommend to the Committee, by secret ballot, any number of persons to be nominated as Deacon.

Denominational Relations Committee

This committee is responsible for studying and reporting to the congregation concerning relationships and affiliations between this church and other cooperating Baptist congregations through organizations such as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Alliance of Baptists, the Mississippi Baptist Convention, the Metro Baptist Association, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance. The committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Deacons and the congregation concerning the allocation of the church's financial and other resources among such organizations and other local, national and worldwide Baptist mission and educational endeavors.

Elementary Ministries Committee

This committee, with the participation and cooperation of the church staff, will direct and oversee the church's program of education and care for elementary school-age children. It will cooperate and consult with the Nominating Committee in securing teachers for elementary school-age children.

Fellowship Committee

This committee is responsible for planning and arranging fellowship activities, such as picnics, church suppers, and other special events. It will examine for implementation the recommendations of the Long Range Planning report.

Finance/Stewardship Committee

This committee is responsible for analyzing the church's financial needs and possibilities, for preparing and recommending an annual budget, for the subscription of the budget, and for reviewing and approving expenditures within the scope of the budget. It will examine for implementation the recommendations of the Long Range Planning report.

Flower Committee

This committee is responsible for making arrangements to have flowers in the building on Sunday and on other occasions when it seems proper, and for the upkeep of the supply area behind the pulpit used by their committee.

Greeter Committee

The function of the Greeter Committee is to provide two greeters each Sunday morning to welcome/greet visitors to Northminster before and during the Sunday School hour and before and during the worship hour. This committee is to be an extension of the Northminster family during this time to make certain that visitors are guided to desired areas of worship. It is also the purpose of the Greeter Committee to aid the ushers in preserving a worshipful atmosphere and to be cognizant of those visitors attending our services.

History Committee

This committee is responsible for recording the significant events in the life of the church and preserving and caring for photographs and records related to the history of the church.

Insurance Committee

This committee shall analyze the insurance needs of the church, make periodic re-evaluations as necessary. It shall make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Deacons.

Library-Books and Tapes Committee

This committee is responsible for directing the acquisition and organization of books, tapes, audiovisual materials, and other library materials necessary for effective library use. It also will supervise the use, promotion and management of the library. It will examine for implementation the recommendations of the Long Range Planning report.

Long Range Planning Committee

This committee shall study the church's overall program and long range needs and shall make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Deacons. It shall be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the adopted plan and to update the plan as the studies indicate.

Missions Committee

This committee is a research unit for Northminster in the area of needs outside the immediate church family. The committee is authorized to expend funds, as authorized by the budget to individuals or groups up to $1000 to a single donee. Recommendations on expenditures in excess of $1000 per year to a single donee shall be forwarded to the Board of Deacons. The committee shall report to the Board of Deacons and the congregation on the direct and local missions programs on at least an annual basis. The committee is also charged to develop projects that involve the Northminster members in the work of missions. It will examine for implementation the recommendations of the Long Range Planning report.

NCC Advisory Committee

This committee is responsible for defining and developing the spiritual mission for the church=s Northminster Children's Center ministry and, consistent with that mission, shall provide oversight and direction to the NCC Director in the decisions relating to the personnel, curriculum and finances of the program and shall work with the NCC Director in providing teacher support and development.

Nominating Committee

This committee shall recommend to the congregation nominations for the church leadership for the ministries of the church, including Sunday School officers and teachers, and Sunday evening leaders, as provided by the Bylaws. It will also be responsible for filling vacancies occurring during the church year.

Personnel Committee

This committee, with the participation and cooperation of the pastor, shall periodically survey and determine the church's staff needs, shall define the duties of church staff members, and shall supervise and review the performance of staff members. When requested and authorized to do so by the Board of Deacons, it shall review and employ staff members. It shall make recommendations annually to the Finance Committee as to compensation and benefits for staff members and , within the parameters established by the church's budget, it shall determine such compensation and benefits. It will examine for implementation the recommendations of the Long Range Planning report.

Preschool Ministries Committee

This committee, with the participation and cooperation of the church staff, will direct and oversee the church's program of care and education of preschool-age children. It will cooperate and consult with the Nominating Committee in selecting teachers and leaders for preschool classes and activities. It will supervise the paid assistants employed by the church for care of preschool children.

Pulpit Supply Committee

This committee, in consultation with the pastor, shall be responsible to secure appropriate leadership to conduct services in the absence of the pastor. The chairperson will be responsible for making arrangements with the Financial Secretary for payment of the honorarium. When the position of pastor is vacant, the committee may make recommendations to the congregation as to employment of an interim minister to act as worship leader and/or interim minister of pastoral care. The committee shall consult with the Board of Deacons before engaging a minister to provide leadership for extended periods of time.

Scouting Committee

This committee will direct and oversee the activities of the Cub Scout Pack sponsored by the church. It will be responsible for selecting appropriate leadership for the pack.

Special Gifts Committee

This committee shall establish policies and procedures for accepting and expending special gifts to Northminster. The committee shall decide whether each gift shall be accepted. They shall also be responsible for supervising the general memorial funds of the church. Minutes of each meeting shall be recorded and kept in the office of the Church Clerk. One member of the committee will also be a member of the Finance Committee. The chairperson shall report actions of the Special Gifts Committee no less than annually to the Board of Deacons.

Usher Committee

This committee is responsible for enlisting and coordinating persons to greet worshipers, usher people to seats, receive the offering, assist in the worship service, and perform the necessary actions relating to these functions.

Weddings/Funerals/Special Ceremonies Committee

This committee with the participation and cooperation of other key committees and church staff will evaluate and implement policies and/or procedures relating to weddings, funerals, and other special ceremonies.

Worship and Music Committee

This committee is responsible for working with the pastor in planning the liturgy and other portions of worship services. It shall cooperate with the Minister of Music in overseeing the music ministry for all age groups in the church. It will examine for implementation the recommendations of the Long Range Planning report.

Youth Ministries Committee

This committee with the participation and cooperation of the church staff, will direct and oversee the church's program designed to provide junior and senior high school age youth with meaningful experiences in recreation, entertainment, study, and Christian development. It will cooperate and consult with the Nominating Committee in securing teachers, leaders, and advisors for youth programs and classes.