At PSBC, the main volunteer leadership decision-making body is the leadership board, which works closely with the senior pastor and church staff. Board members, who must be nominated and affirmed by the congregation, provide visionary leadership, guidance, wisdom and policy making to fulfill the church's mission of "Experiencing LIFE in Christ; sharing Christ in life."
The commitment by board members includes: monthly board meetings; an annual all-day retreat; serving on at least one board task force; and providing ongoing prayer for the church and its ministry. In addition, annually, the board establishes ministry priorities and forms task forces to implement these priorities.
Board members are elected in the fall, with their official service beginning in January. Members serve 3-year terms and may serve concurrent terms indefinitely, provided they continue to be affirmed by the congregation.
For more information on requirements and responsibilities of our Leadership Board, please view the information on the right side of this page. For more information, email Pastor Arden Gilmer at agilmer(at)parkstreetbrethren.org.
The following are the qualifications and spiritual gifts needed by individuals who are called to serve on the Leadership Board of the Park Street Brethren Church:
We realize the following qualifications are not completely attainable in this life. However, we believe that through spiritual gifts and maturity, which are given to us by the Holy Spirit, some individuals demonstrate these qualities at a higher level than others do. It is important that individuals on the Board exhibit all of the following in their daily lives. In addition, each individual must strive to mature in these areas as part of their personal spiritual journey. As humble servants, all individuals on the Board realize there is much growth needed in order for them to become all that God desires for them to be.
- An individual should demonstrate a strong faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that "faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." Individuals must believe, without reservation, that God will do all that He has promised in His Word. This faith should influence all decisions and discussions.
- An individual should follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. In this process, brought about by God, an individual willingly submits the control of his life to the Holy Spirit. An individual that is controlled by the Holy Spirit should regularly demonstrate the following qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. A Holy Spirit controlled individual will also spend time regularly in God's Word and prayer, as these are the primary ways the Holy Spirit communicates with us.
- An individual should possess the gift of leadership. Leadership is the ability to develop a vision and effectively and diligently lead people toward that vision. Leaders recognize the vision is from God. An individual must be able to see the "big picture." Leaders must be able to effectively communicate the vision to the entire body. Leaders encourage and motivate others to move toward the vision. Additionally, leaders have a servant's heart. When appropriate, a leader will lovingly confront individuals who are stumbling blocks to the church body realizing its vision.
- An individual should demonstrate wisdom (throughout his/her life). Wisdom describes an individual's approach to life. It is both practical and spiritual. Through a personal relationship with God, wisdom provides the insight to master life's challenges. Wisdom discerns what is right and good. A wise person is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and subjects him/herself to God. Wise people apply guidelines and knowledge revealed by God and make decisions based on those truths. Wisdom unites God's word and everyday experience; it is only in the way a person lives his life that wisdom can be demonstrated.
- An individual should be totally committed to the Biblical purpose for the Church. The Biblical purpose for the Church consists of the following:
- Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
- Love each other as much as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
- Communicate God's word to the lost (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Assimilate believers into the body of Christ (Acts 2:42).
- Disciple people in order to help them to become more like Christ (Acts 2:42).
- Promote unity in the body of Christ (Ephesians, Colossians, I Corinthians).
- An individual must be able to see the issues from the perspective of the whole church. This perspective should not be limited to the Park Street Brethren Church, but should encompass Christ's church throughout the world. This requires individuals to consider issues beyond the scope of the personal opinions or interests.
Individual Responsibilities:
Consistently strive to further develop the qualifications listed above.
- Engage in diligent and steadfast prayer for the ministry of the church, the staff and the board.
- Regularly be involved in meditation and the study of God's Word.
- Know the vision thoroughly and be committed to it. As ambassadors, we regularly communicate the vision to the congregation and defend it when challenged.
- Glorify God with the appropriate use of time, abilities, and resources.
- Provide support and encouragement to the staff and each other.
- Be on the leading edge of ministry both conceptually and practically.
- Constantly enlarge understanding of the constructive role and progressive function of the Leadership Board.
- Serve willingly as consultants for the congregation and staff in areas of their professional and individual expertise.
- Be "models" and "mentors" of ministry through their attitudes and actions.
- Follow appropriate channels of communication if a conflict arises with another Board member of staff person.
- Appropriately communicate information between the congregation and the staff.
- Commit to faithful attendance of Board meetings.
- Commit to regularly attend worship services and ABFs or small groups.
Board Responsibilities:
- Prayer and meditation (includes study of the Bible).
- Responsible to hire, set performance targets, evaluate and care for the senior pastor.
- Serve in advisory capacity to the senior pastor on major issues. In this role the board would provide wisdom, discernment and input to the senior pastor as requested.
- Work in cooperation with the senior pastor in matters of church discipline.
- Maintain close contact with the congregation to discern the effectiveness of ministry.
- Approve the senior pastor's vision for the church and monitor the progress toward this vision.
- Approve major changes in philosophy or programming.
- Approve major facility expansion, construction or renovations.
- Approve the annual operating and capital budgets and monitor overall financial position throughout the year.
