About Boards & Committees
The effective ministry of a church depends on the cooperation of its many members working together. Boards and Committees are delegated authorities over specific areas of church life, serving the body by attending to the responsibilities with which they have been entrusted.
All board members must be members of the church; committees are composed of members and non-members. Board members are selected by a nominating committee and affirmed at the annual church meeting. Most boards meet monthly on the second Monday or Tuesday of the month, except for the deacons who meet on the third Tuesday of the month.
Below is a list of each board and committee appointed by First Baptist Church Wellsboro. Click on the disclosure triangle to read a short description of their role in our church.
Board of Deacons
Deacons in this church strive to fulfill God’s requirement for this office as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8–13, attending on a regular basis the functions of the fellowship. The Board meets at least once every month for prayerful consideration of matters concerning the well-being of the church.
It is the responsibility of the Board of Deacons to formulate a plan for the spiritual growth and development of the church body, to assist the Pastor in administering the Ordinances and in the performance of his duties, to administer the Relief Fund where needed, to examine applicants for membership, to see that the pulpit is supplied in the absence of the Pastor, to encourage inactive members and seek to win them back, and to encourage attendees to become members.
The Board of Deacons, with the Pastor, has exclusive authority to determine the nature of meetings to be held in the church buildings. The Deacons oversee the form and content of the worship services in cooperation with the Senior Pastor, oversee the Music Committee and the ushers as these are integral to the worship services.
The Board of Deacons is responsible for membership visitation, for any program of evangelism by the church, and for determining the nature of digital media produced and its purposes. These tasks may be delegated based on the gifts and abilities of at-large members of the church.
Board of Deaconesses
The Board of Deaconesses are a group of women who faithfully serve our church and community to the glory of God.
The Board of Deaconesses aid in attending to the spiritual needs of the church body by visitation to those in the hospital and shut in. The Board maintains contact on a regular basis with those grieving a loss of a family member, coordinates and serve funeral dinners, provides meals, transportation, and special services for those in need.
The Board of Deaconesses is also responsible for the preparation of the elements for the Lord’s Supper, assists in baptismal services, and provides the loan of hospital and sickroom equipment belonging to the church.
Board of Trustees
The Trustees Board is responsible for the following:
- Coordinating and monitoring the annual budget
- Overseeing bills and spending of the general fund, building fund, and capital expenditures
- Maintenance of buildings, contents, and grounds
- Approving usage of building and contents
Board of Christian Education
The Board of Christian Education organizes, administers, promotes and supervises the entire education program of the church. The Board appoints Sunday School, nursery, and Vacation Bible School workers, as well as all teachers, advisors, counselors, club leaders, other needed workers, and the librarian.
The Board also organizes recognition of high school, college, and graduate school graduates.
Board of Missions
First Baptist Church of Wellsboro supports local and international missions and missionaries on a regular basis. The board — comprised of six church members — meets on the 2nd Monday of the month to plan upcoming giving.
The Board of Missions also presents a Moment in Missions during the worship service once per month, maintains the Missions bulletin board and the literature & tract racks in the foyer, and provides articles for This and That & News and Views.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board serves to enhance communication among the church boards, increasing the effectiveness, unity, and cohesiveness of the total church ministry. The Board advises all other boards and the congregation in matters pertaining to the setting of goals and of cooperative efforts among the boards.
The Advisory Board meets at the discretion of the Senior Pastor, at such times as the deemed necessary.
Auditing Committee
Reasonably ensure that the financial functions of the church are being carried out in accuracy, consistency, and integrity. The committee lends an independent witness to the reliability of the financial records.
The auditing committee consists of three members.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee consists of one member from each of the five boards and two from the general church membership. The committee is nominated by the Assistant Moderator and elected by majority vote at the February congregational meeting.
The Committee shall nominate candidates for all elected offices, boards, and committees and present the names to the church at the end of year congregational meeting. They also fill other vacancies in elected positions as they occur throughout the year.
Scholarship Committee
The scholarship committee consists of a member from each church board. They meet each year as soon as possible after the June 20 application deadline to review and vote on suggested awards for college and seminary scholarship applications from FBC members for the following school year. Scholarships are funded through existing trust funds and donations to each scholarship category.
Decorating Committee
The Decorating Committee consists of six members, elected by the congregation, to have charge over the church decorations for regular and special services, and to distribute flowers at their discretion.
The Decorating Committee reports to the Board of Deaconesses.
Pastoral Relations Committee(s)
The Pastoral Relations Committees are liaisons between each pastor and the congregation. Each pastor has a unique committee of three members, who meet as needed to foster constructive confidential communication between the pastor and congregation, and to oversee the church’s responsibility for its pastors’ professional and personal well-being.
The Committees meet as needed.