Committees & Boards

The church is a very special organization. You will find that it is like other groups that you have known, but also unlike them. It is unlike them primarily in the way it is governed. Who does run this place?

As our Book of Order tells us (G-1.0100), the leader of this congregation is Jesus Christ, the great Head of the Church universal. He calls the Church into being, giving it all that is necessary for its mission in the world, for its building up, and for its service to God. Christ is present with the Church in both Spirit and Word. It belongs to Christ alone to rule, to teach, to call, and to use the Church as he wills, exercising his authority by the ministry of women and men for the establishment and extension of his Kingdom.

Working with our pastor, the Reverend Mark W. Hanna, are over fifty officers, church staff, soloists, committee and board members. The Deacons are our front line in serving the needy and the weak, and the Trustees oversee our physical plant and advise session on fiscal matters. Phillip Collister, the Director of Music, oversees the entire music program of the church. Chris Palmer, our Church Administrator, tends to the business of the church. Our Sexton, Diane Brown keeps the church clean and in good repair.

But we have yet to mention the unique feature of Presbyterian governance: the office of elder. In Old and New Testament times, elders were set apart among the people of God to share their gifts in governing and ministry. In our Book of Order, clergy are termed “teaching elders” while members of session are called “ruling elders.” On all Presbyterian governing boards, ruling elders either outnumber clergy (as on sessions) or their numbers equal that of clergy (as in presbytery, in Synod meetings, and at General Assembly).

At Roland Park each spring, elders are chosen by the congregation to serve a three year term. They are persons of faith, dedication and good judgment. You may see them assisting in worship or making a report, because they all have particular responsibilities. Together with the pastors, they strengthen and nurture the life of our congregation.

With the exception of the Session, it is not necessary to officially join the church to serve on a board or committee. If you are interested in joining a group, please contact the office to be put in touch with the appropriate Chair or Moderator.

Session

The Session is the ruling body of the Church. All of the administrative boards and organizations are technically under the oversight of the Session. Session members, ordained as Elders, serve for one or two consecutive three year terms. Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of each month (except July), and are open to all church members. Only Session members are allowed to vote. Elders are also responsible for serving communion.

Deacons

The Board of Deacons is the working arm of the church, seeing to the basic humanitarian needs of the congregation and friends of the church. That translates to providing transportation to and from worship, providing hospitality via coffee hour after worship (including cookies!), delivering flowers after worship. Special delivery duties occur around Christmas - poinsettias, cookie tins and small Christmas gifts to "special" folks - and Easter - Easter lilies. Our fund raising events are special Presbyterian bingo and a pancake breakfast. Deacons serve for one or two three year terms. Meetings are usually held once a month and are open to all church members (only Deacons are allowed to vote).

Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining the church facility and approving requests for renting meeting rooms. The Trustees also take turns leading the collection counting team.

Church Life

The Church Life Committee is the social and fellowship arm of the church, planning and holding special events and speakers. Our annual Strawberry Festival and Thesbyterian Players dinner theater productions fall under their domain.

Finance

The Finance Committee is responsible for building our annual budget each spring, and works closely with the Church Treasurer.

Membership

The Membership Committee oversees the new member classes at Roland Park Presbyterian Church, as well as the assimilation of new members into the full life of the congregation.

Mission

The Mission Committee meets several times a year to decide how best to disperse Mission funds, which are a significant percentage of RPPCs budget. They typically support a blend of local, national and international initiatives.

Christian Education

The Christian Education Committee oversees the many Schools of the Church such as Sunday School, our Youth Group and Program, and the Adult Forum.  It also assists Church Life in events with an educational component, such as our annual Christmas Dinner.

Nominations

The Nominating Committee meets periodically to decide on church members to nominate to fill vacant Elder, Trustee, or Deacon positions. The committee presents the slate of nominees to be voted on at Congregational meetings. An Elder serves as chair of the committee. Other committee members are the head of the Trustees, the head of the Deacons, and two members at large.

Personnel

Under the guidance of the Session, the Personnel Committee has broad responsibility for all matters concerning the employees of the church. Among its duties are establishing appropriate policies, guidelines, procedures and position descriptions for the staff; completing annual reviews of staff members (assisted by the head of staff, the Pastor); overseeing the hiring and separation of staff members (although in deference to the Session and the Book of Order with respect to calls for pastoral staff); addressing staff concerns and grievances; and recommending to the Session changes in salary for staff members, on an annual basis.

Stewardship

The Stewardship Committee plans and executes our Annual Campaign for pledges, which allows the church to establish a budget in which to plan its income and expenses.

Worship

The Worship Committee works with the Pastor and Director of Music in matters concerning the planning of worship services.