MANDATE

The Christian formation and congregational development committee of Conference was formed based on the final report of the listening for the Spirit/Conference-wide needs assessment process conducted in 1999/2000. The committee replaces the former Christian development, communication and stewardship committees.

The committee’s primary areas of involvement are:

• Communication with a particular emphasis on congregations
• Evangelism: helping our people to share their faith in ways which will connect with the needs of spiritual seekers in the areas around our congregations
• Helping congregations to do more of their work in task groups with well defined timelines, rather than committees to which members are expected to make long-term commitments
• Ministry with children, young teens and youth
• Training people in spiritual discernment, theological reflection and prayer
• Stewardship with a particular emphasis on congregations
• Training lay people in areas such as small group ministry, pastoral care visitation, extending a welcome to new people in their community

The committee will set priorities for activities within these areas of responsibility and will determine how the work will be accomplished.

Membership:
a chair or co-chairs
8 members at large
1 representative from UCW
1 representative from AOTS
1 representative from each Presbytery
chairs of any sub-committees and/or working groups established by the committee


Staff support:
Conference minister to support Christian formation and congregational development

Approved by Conference Executive January 10, 2001
Approval of extra members (from 5 to 8) by Conference Executive – April 10, 2002