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Christian Education Commission

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Guidelines

    The Christian Education Commission shall be responsible for the planning and general supervision of the education ministries of the church. Its goal is to provide unified direction to those educational ministries so that each person in the body is being admonished and taught with all wisdom in order to present everyone complete in Christ (Col. 1:28).

Structure

    The Christian Education Commission shall be formed with representatives from all phases of the church's educational ministries. A chairman shall be appointed by the Board of Elders to provide guidance and accountability to the commission. A church elder shall also be appointed to the commission as spiritual overseer and shepherd in educational ministries.

    Representatives shall be sought from the four major educational divisions: adult, youth, children, and support.

    A coordinator for each division shall be appointed to assist in communication and accountability.

Responsibilities

    General Areas

    (1) Development of a Total Education Program. The general education policy of the church will be established by the commission and it will see to the development of a specific educational program to achieve the purposes set forth in the general educational policy. The commission is responsible for the implementing of its policies through a constructive, cohesive, Christ-centered Christian education program. It shall set the direction and spiritual quality of the Christian education program through prayer, example and guidance.

    (2) Regular Evaluations of Church Educational Needs. The commission will periodically make a careful survey of the educational program, facilities, equipment, budget, leadership, and curriculum to discover strengths and weaknesses. After reviewing their findings, the commission will then recommend changes and improvements in the educational program.

    (3) Oversight of Objectives for Christian Education. Clear-cut objectives or goals encourage accomplishment. The commission will assist groups in defining objectives and developing people and programs to meet them. It seeks to keep the entire educational program established on the Word of God. It also seeks to maintain an atmosphere of educational awareness in the body by constantly communicating important developments and opportunities for service.

    Specific Areas

    (1) Selection and Approval of Educational Curriculum. The commission, through consultation with the educational leadership, approves all curricula for use in the church. Where a published curriculum is not used or is unavailable, guidelines shall be established by the commission for the creative work of teachers and leaders.

    (2) Selection of Educational Personnel. Surveying workers needed, listing available workers, setting standards for workers, developing a plan for recruitment, and approving workers represent the major duties of the commission. It also seeks to unify worker recruitment, protecting church members from becoming overloaded, and giving aid in securing personnel when necessary.

    (3) Training of Education Leadership. An adequate and continuous program of teacher and leader education will be a high priority of the commission. This should include a standard of certification for all teachers and workers in the church educational ministry.

Financial Policies and Administration of the Educational Budget

    Work closely with the Stewardship Commission, and be responsible for the adequate budgeting of funds for educational programs.

Provision of Adequate Facilities and Equipment

    The commission shall foster educational awareness and understanding in the body utilizing methods such as displays, open house for parents, and reports to the congregation. It will also coordinate the use of available classroom space for education.

Coordination of Educational Activities

    As leaders supervise and administer the work, the commission shall receive regular reports and observe programs in action. It shall serve as a clearing house for schedules and activities to coordinate the total educational ministry. Communication with the church calendar planner for all commission related events is important.

Study of Trends

    Educational needs will be studied in the light of newer developments and changing conditions. The commission will be alert to the trends in Christian education and to activities and programs, equipment and materials that can be profitably utilized in the local church.

Evaluation and Reporting

    The commission will constantly evaluate all the educational work of the church to assure that it is scripturally sound and spiritually motivated.

    The commission will prepare a report of the year's accomplishments in Christian education to be presented as part of the Board of Elders' Annual Report to the congregation.

Areas of Responsibility

    Children’s Ministries

    Be responsible for the educational activities of children's programs from nursery through elementary school age. Current examples include Children's Church, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, AWANA Children's Program, training conferences, and all other children's activities throughout the week.

    Youth Ministries

    Be responsible for the youth ministries from junior high through the college age. Current examples include Sunday Bible classes, Bible studies, Sunday evening activities, and other activities that occur during the week.

    Adult Ministries

    Be responsible for adult education ministries. Current examples include Sunday adult Bible classes, special training ministries and other activities that occur during the week.

    Support Ministries

    Be responsible for the church library, audio-visual resources, sports activities and overall camping program as they relate to educational ministries as listed above.

    Library

    Be responsible for the oversight of the church library including the appointment of the librarian.

Publicity of Events

    Be responsible to see that announcements of upcoming events provided for the bulletin and newsletter as deemed appropriate.

Areas Needing Approval of the Board of Elders

    (1) New programs or major expansion of existing ones.

    (2) Annual Christian Education budget

    (3) Expenditures outside of approved budget

    (4) Program leadership and leadership standards

    (5) Relationship with other ministries within the Church: Elders, Pastoral Staff, Discipleship/Evangelism Commissions. In relation to the Missions Commission, seek to develop an awareness and educate regarding missions by working with the commission to include available missionaries in annual programming.

Related Topics: Christian Education

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