"The Most Important" Committee at Brighton First Completing Its Work

Each year when I convene the Lay Leadership Committee of Brighton First, I remind them that they are the most important committee at our church. Often, the members of the committee are surprised when I share this opinion. After all, the committee is not in charge of caring for church finance, overseeing church employees or making decisions about church property. This committee does not deal with issues of worship, spiritual development or spiritual care. And, unlike our Administrative Board, the Lay Leadership Committee does not guide the mission and vision of Brighton First.

However, the work of the Lay Leadership Committee and the decisions it makes, are the most important for the church. This committee is charged with recruiting and nominating church officers to fill all the administrative and programing offices of the church. So, while the committee does not make the decisions, they nominate those who do. And the future of the church is shaped by who leads it. Having faithful, invitational, forward-thinking leaders is essential to the health of Brighton First's Ministry.

Each year, the majority of the work is done in the fall as they prepare the slate of officers for the coming year. The nine member committee, chaired by the pastor, discusses the skills needed for positions and then prayerfully chooses who to invite to fill that position. In some ways the work is made easy by the great number of talented people willing to serve as leaders in our church. The work of choosing officers is also challenging, as the committee works to fit a persons's skills, gifts and passions with a particular ministry.

As we near time for the annual church conference (annual meeting of the membership of the church), the Lay Leadership Committee is nearly through with its work of nominating officers. The members of the church will vote on the nominations on November 15 at 2:45 pm.

Please pray for the Lay Leadership Committee's work and for those who have said "yes" to leading at Brighton First.