This guide aims to help you understand what is involved.

• PCC/DCC member is part of a committee that has responsibility for ensuring that the things listed below happen:
  • Creating a vision for the local church, helping the church to put this into action: reviewing it regularly.
  • Developing the life of the local church; especially in these areas:
    • Prayer & Worship (seeing that the spiritual needs of all ages are met)
    • Finance
    • Pastoral Care (looking after each other)
    • Buildings (churches and halls)
    • Legal (what the law requires)
    • Mission & Evangelism (sharing the faith with all)
    • Synodical (governing the church)

Responsibilities

(shared with Clergy & Churchwardens)

Prayer & worship:

• To ensure that there is appropriate provision for public worship, and opportunity for people of all ages to meet for prayer, Bible Study, retreats etc. (e.g. Pram Services, Youth Services and maybe reflective style services for the elderly are among the alternative worship styles, as well as mid-week and evening worship).

Mission:

• To promote the whole mission of the church – educational, evangelistic, social, pastoral, ecumenical. To recognise gifts and skills in others, encouraging them to share responsibilities.
• To engage in the “Diocesan ‘Sharing Life’ initiative” for evangelism, and to see this as an integral part of all church life.

Legal:

• To recognise that a PCC member has been voted into the role by members of the church so should consult and listen to the church community on matters which involve significant change.
• To be involved in the appointment of clergy, as initiated by the Bishop.
• To take part in consultations regarding pastoral re-organisation.
• To be responsible for obtaining the appropriate permission for external and internal changes and improvements to buildings (e.g. faculties).
• To confirm the audited financial accounts before the APGM and to authorise the raising of money and spending of it (e.g. large appeals, church re-ordering, new buildings).

Finance:

• To draw up and implement a budget for the church which takes into account the day to day running costs and expenditure necessary to spread the Faith. What is our vision and purpose and how do we use our money to put our plans into action?

Pastoral Care:

• To ensure that there is appropriate care and support for members of the congregation. To develop a ministry of welcome to the wider community  (e.g. through the opportunities of baptism, weddings and funerals, through ministry to visitors and tourists and in other ways as well).
• To support the clergy (e.g. financially, prayerfully, personally).
• To make representation to the Bishop on any matter relating to the welfare of the parish – usually through the wardens who are the Bishop’s Officers.

Buildings:

• To be responsible for the care, maintenance and insurance of the fabric of the church, church hall, any other buildings, together with the contents.
• To be responsible for the care and maintenance of the churchyard.
• To develop the church buildings in particular, as a community resource and as a place which receives visitors/tourists.

Synodical:

• To consider and discuss matters concerning the Church of England.
• To discuss and act upon matters (and reports) when required to do so, referred by The Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods.
• To send information and opinions to Deanery/Diocesan Synods as required or out of a concern of the PCC.
• To hear about the business of the Deanery, Diocesan and General Synod through the PCC’s Deanery Synod representative.

What sort of person is needed for the job?