Commissions
BIBLICAL MANDATE: "It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13
FOCUS: To care for training and credentialing of pastoral leadership for the GLC. Specifically: continuing education for pastors, credentialing of pastors, education of ministerial prospects, fellowship of pastors, maintenance of list of credentialed pastors, pastor's benefits, pastoral assignments, pastoral transitions/interim.
This Commission will be responsible for the recruitment and placement of persons who have responded to God's call to Pastoral ministry. It will give assistance in the training and enabling necessary to fulfill the call and to acquire the credentials needed for ministry. It will assist in the nurture, care, and continuous development of persons under its supervision. The standards as set forth by the General Conference will be followed by the GLC. After examination by the Commission, persons who have met the respective requirements for credentials will be recommended to the Executive Board. Final approval for the Life Ordination credential will be given by the Conference in session.
This Commission will assist pastors in finding ministry within local churches of the GLC and will assist local churches in their search for pastors. This Commission will work closely with the pastors and churches in attempting to match the pastor's ministry gifts with the churches' ministry needs. It will provide the necessary advice and counsel to the pastor and church to aid in the search and selection process. This Commission will be responsible for the approval and appointment of pastors to churches within the GLC.
The Pastoral Leadership Commission will assist the pastor and church requesting to terminate their ministry relationship with each other. Resignations and/or requests for change by pastor or local church must be made to the Commission in writing according to regulations in the Manual of Operations. All resignations and/or requests for change of pastor must first be approved by the Commission prior to becoming effective and/or binding upon either party.
When a pastoral vacancy arises, the Commission will immediately work with the church to provide interim supervision and will oversee such assignments.
All pastors considered for appointment by the Commission to local churches in the GLC must hold credentials approved by the GLC. This Commission will recommend to the Executive Board appropriate disciplinary action for unethical and/or immoral conduct of pastors. Final decision concerning such action will rest with the Executive Board, with the right of appeal for the accused resting with the GLC in session and further with the Churches of God, General Conference.
Given the nature of the responsibilities of the Pastoral Leadership Commission, membership shall be composed of at least four (4) ordained pastors.
Chairperson
craigflack@gmail.com
850 Fairground Road, Celina, OH
Ph: (419) 586-2520
Pastoral Leadership
BIBLICAL MANDATE: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19, 20a
FOCUS: To create and care for the church planting movement of the GLC. Specifically: church plant sanction and supervision, daughter churches, recruitment and equipping of planters, restart of churches, new church acquisition.
The Commission is to be a catalyst for new, reproducing movements that make disciples. This is accomplished by recruiting spiritual entrepreneurs, equipping and empowering them, and encouraging and supporting them and their movements for the glory of God.
When a fellowship of believers wishes to identify with the GLC, the Commission will work with the leadership of that group to determine compatibility and to outline the process for receiving them into the Conference.
The Commission will be responsible to foster the church planting efforts of the GLC.
Chairperson
Ph:
New Churches
Commissions
BIBLICAL MANDATE: "The spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18, 19
FOCUS: To care for the mission's outreach of the GLC, specifically: Missionary Education, National Missions, World Missions, Community Outreach.
This Commission will encourage the churches and individuals of the GLC in the areas of cross-cultural ministries. They will educate the Conference concerning denominational ministries in the United States and around the world. They will provide opportunities for ministries to those areas.
Chairperson
Ph :419-680-4224
Missions
BIBLICAL MANDATE: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all..." Ephesians 4:3-6
FOCUS: To care for issues related to the church and its ministry. Specifically: church development, church organizational and legal issues, conflict resolution, children, youth and family, discipleship, small groups, stewardship.
This Commission will assist churches of the GLC in the area of church health. The Commission will assist churches with organizational needs, legal issues, and conflict resolution.
This Commission will offer guidance and support to the churches of the GLC regarding educational and discipleship programs in their local context. It will maintain contact with churches in this regard.
Chairperson
Pastor Arnie Kaufman
1953 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691
Ph: (330) 262-3691
Church Life
While ministry is exciting, an effective ministry requires administrative leadership. The GLC Executive Board is in place to assure that the many ministries of the Great Lakes Conference are done with integrity and in Christian character. The board is pleased to commit to the oversight of the Biblical Mandate of Acts 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be Shepherds of the Church of God.” The Board is responsible to administrate the operations and functions of the Conference, and is accountable to and reports to the GLC as it meets in annual or special sessions. The Board abides by and supports the Code of Regulations and By-Laws of the Conference and such other policies, directions and regulations properly adopted by the Conference in session. Summarizations of the board’s responsibilities include administration, ministry direction, financial matters and budgeting. The Board also provides oversight of all commissions, agencies and organizations of the GLC. It is also responsible for oversight of legal issues, employment, and administration of all conference matters between conference sessions. Officers and members of the board include the President, Vice-President, Secretary, five (5), Members-at-Large, and the Chairperson of each of the five (5) Commissions. The Regional Conference Director and Financial Controller are advisory members of the Executive Board. Membership is described in more detail in Article IV, Section 2 of the GLC Code of Regulations. The board’s whole responsibility, structure, and operating procedures are described in Article V of the Code of Regulations.
Chairperson
8360 W. Monroe Road, Elwell, MI 48832
Ph: (989) 737-3927
Executive Board
