At FUMC of St. Petersburg we have divided our ministries into five areas called pillars.  Each pillar reflects a part of our mission to make and send disciples of Jesus Christ.  We have an “invite” pillar or ministry group, a “train” pillar, a “nurture” pillar, a “send” pillar as well as an administrative ministry group.   Each ministry group or pillar has the responsibility to help our church family grow in their particular area of focus.  For example, the role of those ministries in the Nurture pillar is to help our church excel at nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ. 

 

The pillar system is designed to accomplish three things.  First, it is designed to expand the number of opportunities to be in ministry.   As God leads our church to reach out in new directions, lay teams are formed under the guidance of a pillar.  This translates to more folks involved in the church’s ministries.  More folks in ministry  results in more of God’s kingdom being built in the world.  Second, the pillar system is designed to give everyone the equal opportunity to share a God given dream for ministry with the church family.  Vision and new outreach is not limited to a privileged few.  Finally, the pillar system is designed to give the lay leaders of the ministry teams the authority to set direction and secure resources for their ministries.  When it is mature, the pillar system empowers lay leadership and lay ownership.  This in turn strengthens the body of Christ both individually and corporately. 

 

The Church Council is the leadership board of our church.  All other committees and ministry teams report through the pillars to the Church Council.  The Council has the vantage point to discern how all the different ministries of our church fit together and support one another.  The Council gives final approval to all matters that pertain to vision and budget on a church-wide scale.  The pillars are responsible for final approval on all matters that pertain to individual ministries and their functions that are not church wide in scope.

 

Contact the church office or the chair of the Church Council, Les Craft.  Or you can talk to one of the pillar chairs.  You will be given a new ministry development tool worksheet, which is much like a business plan template.  You will also be assigned a mentor who will work with you to complete the development tool.  Once you have formed a team of like-minded and like-hearted folks and have completed the tool you will present that to the leadership team for approval.  Which leadership team will depend upon the scope and resourcing of your vision for this new ministry!

 

If you would like to know more about our church’s structure please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I would love to share with you in greater detail. 

Peace, 

David