Frequently Asked Questions

- How are decisions made in this church?

          Who decides the vision?

          Who sets the goals?

          Who sets the budget for this church?

          Who determines salaries?

          Who determines which missionaries and ministries will be supported and at what levels?

“Be shepherds of God’s flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers…” (I Peter 5).

Elders are called to lead the flock, not wait on the flock to decide on a direction to take.  It is certainly possible for elders/leaders to be out of touch with the flock so their plans are unrealistic and fly right past where the flock is.  It is MORE often possible for elders/leaders to wait for the mood of public opinion to bend in one direction or another before taking the lead and end up going nowhere.  Shepherds are called to lead - to consider the needs of the flock and to direct the flock toward the pasture and water that will be best for the flock.       All human leaders are fallible!  No question.  But bold leadership will challenge God’s people to move out in dependent faith to accomplish great things for God’s glory.

 Presbyterian churches are governed by elders, not by congregational decision making.  You elect elders to represent you.  You promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability.  You promise to submit yourself to the government of the church, that is, to the oversight of these elders. 

 The elders set the vision, goals, and budget for each year.  They determine salaries.  They determine a strategy for missionary support and criteria for which ministries to support.  They work with committees and ministry teams in the church to accomplish those purposes, but they are responsible to set the vision for the overall ministry of the church.  Various ministries and committees of the church function under the overall vision of the church, not in competition with that vision.

 Who oversees the budget and spending?

The practical day-to-day accounting of the budget is overseen by the deacons.  The funds received by CCC are entrusted to us as a stewardship.  It all belongs to God.  We want to be sure we use wisely the resources God entrusts to us.  Someone has to keep an eye on spending and challenge spending that seems unnecessary or unwise.  The deacons are entrusted with that responsibility.

What authority do various ministries have to govern and determine their own spending?

 Our policy has been to allow freedom for leaders of various ministries to determine how budgeted funds for their ministry will be used.  They are accountable to the vision of the church and to the oversight of the elders.  They are accountable to the deacons for the way they spend the resources entrusted to them.  But we do not think the elders or deacons should micro-manage every ministry team.

What if I disagree with the plans and therefore the spending priorities of the church?

Direct your concerns to the session…or to staff person who can answer questions.  Keep the vow you made to the church…that you will strive for the purity and peace of the church…the way you go about disagreeing can further or damage the peace and unity of the church.