You have an IDEA

  1. Supply as much supportive data as possible as you present your idea to the Church Council Standing Board which has the responsibility for that particular item:
    1. Researches the item.
    2. Learns as many facts as possible.
    3. Makes a recommendation to the Church Council.
    4. Supports the recommendation with appropriate data.
  2. CHURCH COUNCIL
    1. Acts upon recommendation.
    2. If recommendation passes, the Standing Board usually is responsible for the implementation of the decision.
    3. If the passed recommendation is a policy item or of such nature that it requires voters' approval, the recommendation proceeds to the Voters' Assembly as a Church Council recommendation.
  3. VOTERS' ASSEMBLY
    1. The Voters consider the recommendation with supporting data.
    2. If recommendation passes, the appropriate Board is responsible for the implementation of the decision.
NOTE:

The Boards are the research groups. The Church Council is to receive reports from the Boards and make decisions on the Board's recommendations. The Boards should always do their homework before the Church Council meeting, presenting as much information to the Council as possible so that the Council can make intelligent decisions.

Try not to bog down the Council's time by presenting issues and/or seeking solutions to problems without first seeking out the facts and/or possible ways of handling the situation.

When a Board is unable to present a specific recommendation concerning a matter (e.g., they are not sure which is the best way to go), the Board should not present the matter open-ended: "This is our problem. What should we do?" The Board should supply the Council with as many facts as possible as well as with solutions; then ask the Council to make a decision.

Try to avoid presenting issues to the Voters without having first discussed them on a Board and Church Council level. All ideas and suggestions should go to the appropriate Board first.

Every area of congregational activity should fit under the responsibility of one of the Church Council Boards.

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