Modern Times - New Committee Structures

Contributed by L.B. Leppard

There have always been committees. They are indispensable in all but the smallest and most autocratic sorts of organization. For most of its history Trinity followed the traditional United Church pattern, embodying:

1. The committee of the whole, i.e., the congregation, acting at least once a year at the Annual Meeting, to hear reports and to vote upon matters placed before it. Special meetings could be called when needed.
2. The Session, charged with spiritual oversight of the congregation, meeting once a month or more often if necessary. Matters overseen included Sunday School and Christian education, conduct of Sunday services, reception of new members, pastoral visitation and similar matters as prescribed by the United Church Manual. It was populated by properly elected Elders, the Eldership tending to be permanent.
3. The Committee of Stewards, charged with the administration of current income and expenditure, the oversight of contracts for approved maintenance work, the mounting of the annual appeal for funds, and the like. Stewards were subject to annual election. The Official Board, a fusion of (2) and (3) above, together with the Ministers and certain specified officials, meeting quarterly or more often when necessary. The Board had broad powers of decision, subject to overruling only by the congregation.
4. The Board of Trustees had responsibilities as defined in law and by the United Church Manual. In a general way, it could be said to be the representative of the "owners", responsible for maintaining the physical plant in good condition and empowered to receive and accumulate reserve funds. Members, to a maximum number of fifteen, were elected for an indefinite term.

In addition, there were the almost numberless committees and sub-committees, of long or short duration, set up for various special purposes.

The administrative changes proposed in the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Phipps in October — November 1975 were to the following effect:

• The Official Board remained, both in name and status. Members were to be elected for staggered three year terms. This rotation plan was not put into effect until six or seven years later.
• The Session, as such, disappeared. The Committee of Stewards, as such, disappeared.
• The Board of Trustees remained, name and functions unchanged.
• All Official Board members were now designated Elders. Some were excusable from visitation duty. Meetings were now monthly rather than quarterly.
• The functions of the Session and Committee of Stewards were taken over by a new set of permanent working committees responsible to the Official Board.

The working committees originally approved by the Board and endorsed at the congregational meeting of February 1st, 1976, by a vote of 50 to 2 were as follows:

1. A coordinating committee
2. A worship and music committee
3. A membership and pastoral care committee
4. A Christian education committee
5. A mission, action and service committee
6. A communications committee
7. A personnel committee
8. A finance and property committee.

These committees were encouraged to work out their own "strategies". Their detailed terms of reference were to be set forth plainly by the Board, with copies available to any church member or adherent. Such availability should obviously be maintained since changes in practice can creep in without formal amendment over a period of years.

This administrative revision, which still stands in October 1986, has undoubtedly involved more members in the work of the church but has not in all cases clarified responsibilities. The agendas of the Official Board still seem overloaded, leaving insufficient time for informed and thoughtful decisions. The Session, when it did exist, provided for a broader representation of congregational feeling and opinion than do any of its heirs apparent.

Figure 10 - Who's Who?