FUMC Administrative Board

The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church prescribes the creation of a church council, which we are now calling the Administrative Board. The following describes the functions of the council.

3. Meetings—
a) The council shall meet at least quarterly. The chairperson or the pastor may call special meetings.
b) In order for the council to give adequate consideration to the missional purpose of the local church, it is recommended that the first agenda item at each meeting be related to its ministries of nurture, outreach, and witness. The administrative and supportive responsibilities of the church will then be given attention. It is recommended that the council use a consensus/discernment model of decision-making.

4. Other Responsibilities— It will also be the responsibility of the church council to:
a) review the membership of the local church;
b) fill interim vacancies occurring among the lay officers of the church between sessions of the annual charge conference;
c) establish the budget on recommendation of the committee on finance and ensure adequate provision for the financial needs of the church;
d) recommend to the charge conference the salary and other remuneration of the pastor(s) and staff members after receiving recommendations from the committee on pastor-parish relations (staff-parish relations);
e) review the recommendation of the committee on pastor-parish relations regarding provision of adequate housing for the pastor(s), and report the same to the charge conference for approval. Housing provisions shall comply with the annual conference housing policy and parsonage standards. Housing shall not be considered as part of compensation or remuneration.

5. Membership— The charge conference will determine the size of the church council. Members of the church council shall be involved in the mission and ministry of the congregation as defined in ¶ 252.2. The membership of the council may consist of as few as eleven persons or as many as the charge conference deems appropriate. The council shall include persons who represent the program ministries of the church as outlined in ¶ 243. The membership shall include but not be limited to the following:
a) the chairperson of the church council; Francois Henriquez
b) the lay leader; Greg Hildenbrand
c) the chairperson and/or a representative of the pastor-parish relations committee; Phil Godwin
d) the chairperson and/or a representative of the committee on finance; Dana Goble
e) the chairperson and/or a representative of the board of trustees; Susan Sloop, acting (to be selected
f) the church treasurer; Laura Stephenson
g) a lay member to annual conference; Neva Merriman & Tony Martin
h) the president and/or a representative of the United Methodist Men; Jeff Bandle
i) the president and/or a representative of the United Methodist Women; Kristine Schnebly Lawhorn
j) a representative of the United Methodist Youth; to be selected
k) the pastor(s) Tom Brady & Barb Clinger

Others added for our Lawrence church:
l) vice chairperson of the Council: to be appointed
m) a representative from the Stewardship Team; John Tacha
n) a representative from the Communications Team: Jerry Niebaum, acting
o) church secretary; Sarah Merriman
p) chair, Council on Ministries; LaReta Kallenbach
q) Four members at-large; Adam Inman, Carolyn Phillips, Jamie Liakos, Deanell Tacha

Other church lay leaders (not part of the administrative board)
Capital campaign 2008 co-leaders: Joni Hernly & Kent Ely

6. Quorum— The members present and voting at any duly announced meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Above from The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church — 2004. Copyright © 2004 by The United Methodist Publishing House.

For 2008 for First United Methodist - Lawrence, KS our Board includes these divisions:
Stewardship Team: John Tacha, Chair
Finance Committee: Dana Goble, Chair
Communications Team: Jerry Niebaum, acting Chair
Board of Trustees: Susan Sloop, acting Chair
Staff Parish Relations: Phil Godwin, Chair
Lay Leadership Team: to be selected