|
Good Shepherd is organized under a constitution that defines the purpose, structure, and operations of the congregation.
As a member of Good Shepherd you are encouraged to participate in the Voters Assembly. At these meetings members approve the annual plan and budget each fall, and elect half the members of the Church Council and Elders Board each spring. The Voters Assembly is also responsible for calling pastors, approving purchase or sale of congregational property, and approving any major changes in our congregational life.
The Church Council is responsible for the day to day conduct of congregational business. The Council Officers include the President, President-elect, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer and Treasurer-elect. The new President-elect, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer-elect are selected every two year along with half the board chairpersons and elders.
The GSLC Boards consist of:
A Christian education equips us to become "Better Disciples". As we grow in Christ likeness, we become lights that shine in the dark and reach out to others to make "More Disciples". The better we understand God's Word, the stronger our foundation will be when events of the world come to test our faith. Good Shepherd offers Christian instruction for all ages and stages of life.
New adult classes begin every eight to ten weeks during the school year. A special six-week session is offered during the summer months. Youth and children's classes are offered during the school year on Sunday mornings.
Educational resources and Christian fiction books are available in the church library. Books may be checked out for three weeks and renewed if someone has not reserved it. The Library is located on the upper level, in the Education wing. New books and videos are added on a regular basis. Donations of Christian materials are welcomed.
Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month.
The Board of Elders' mission is to provide lay spiritual leaders of the congregation. In this capacity, elders lead the congregation in general prayer during worship services and provide a teaching and personal ministry to our members. They help provide spiritual oversight to the congregation, and generally oversee church office operations. Elders conduct an annual review of the senior Pastor's performance and make salary recommendations. They also conduct the first communion class for fifth graders each spring, and provide continuing education for pastors and office staff.
There are ten Elders on the board. Five are elected each year for a two-year term each spring.
Meetings are usually held on third Tuesday of the month.
The Fellowship Board provides togetherness and fun for members and friends through diverse activities. The goal is to involve people from all age groups and interests.
Some of the most popular activities include the Chili/Bingo night in January, the church picnic at Algonkian Regional Park in September and the Ladies Advent Tea in December. The Fellowship Board also arranges for tours, such as the National Cathedral, and group rates to attend programs at Wolf Trap. Service projects have included preparing lunch for the team of people working on the local Habitat for Humanity house.
Members can promote fellowship programs by attending events and encouraging others to come and bring their friends. The focus is to make everyone feel welcome and to meet someone new. Volunteers are always welcome to help setup and clean up for the large activities held here at the church. Signup sheets for events are posted on the bulletin board in the church foyer for several weeks before events are held.
Click here for a list of upcoming events
Web Links
Church picnic location: Algonkian Regional Park
Meets as needed to prepare church's financial statements. The Financial Board consists of the Treasurer, Treasurer-elect, Financial Secretary and the bookkeeper. They prepare a budget for the fiscal year September-through-August for review by the Church Council, and monitor the fiscal affairs of the congregation following the budget approved by the Voters Assembly. They make recommendations to the Church Council to keep financial affairs in good order.
The Mission Board decides how God's money can best be put to use in order to bring others to Christ. We focus on ministries providing Word and Sacrament to others - both in the United States and abroad.
Through donations to Raven Rock Outdoor Ministry we help spread the Word to adults and children involved in camps and retreats. This board also supports the newest church in our area, the Leesburg Mission, to help in the call process and then to support a pastor and his family. Resources are sent to Young Life to provide outreach to high school-age kids and provide strong, positive influences in the lives of young people.
Members can help in the Mission Board's programs by praying for the ongoing missions we support. There is also a role for people to participate in the communication from the various ministries to the congregation through newsletter articles, bulletin board displays or weekly worship folder paragraphs.
Through the gifts provided by our members we support programs in the following areas:
Meetings are usually held on the 1st Tuesday of the month.
The mission of the Outreach Board is to plan, promote and carry out an evangelism program in the congregation and in the community.
Responsibilities of the Outreach Board:
- Greeters - Welcome everyone in the congregation as they arrive for the worship service.
- Hospitality Team - Connect with first time worshipers and welcome them to GSLC.
- Publicity - Responsible for publicizing our worship services, programs and fellowship activities through local newspaper ads and articles as well as our website.
- Encourage an outreach focus in the activities of other boards.
- Connect with our community through local festivals and team sponsorship.
- Provide outreach tools for our members to invite people to come to GSLC.
Members can participate in the Outreach Board by making a note on the sign-in sheet in the worship folder or by contacting the church office at (703) 437-5020. New committee and hospitality team members are always welcome.
Meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of every other month.
The Pre-School Advisory Board serves as a liaison between the Church and School. In addition, in conjunction with the Director of the School, the Board discusses and decides policy issues for the school.
Anyone interested in serving on the Preschool Board should contact the Chairperson.
Click here for link to Preschool pages.
Meetings are usually held on as needed basis.
- The Property Board is responsible for maintenance and repairs for the church building and surrounding property. The board hires vendors to perform complicated repairs and volunteers assist with routine tasks.
- Some activities are made into fun parties, such as fall leaf raking and spring mulching of planting areas. Routine items include changing light bulbs and HVAC air filters, and occasionally painting or hardware repairs.
- The Green Thumb group adds the beauty of flowers and shrubs to the naturally wooded setting of our church property. Volunteers "adopt" and care for one of our flowerbeds for a season. Their efforts are enjoyed by all.
Stewardship Board, together with the Pastor, encourage the congregation as a whole as well as individual members, in the practice of proper stewardship of His gifts.
Meetings are held on 3rd Saturdays of the month at 9:30 am.
The mission of the Worship Board is to coordinate and train, with the help of the pastor, the Church members who make the worship services run smoothly so that the focus is on the Word and Sacraments.
Responsibilities of the Worship Board:
- Acolytes - Support the pastors during worship services.
- Altar Guild - Responsible for preparing the communion services, caring for the paraments, banners and altar linens.
- The seasonal arts group decorates the sanctuary for holidays and special services. Contact: Church Office
- Music - The purpose of our music program is to enhance congregational worship by leading the singing of the liturgy and hymns. Contact: Julie Stone
- Nursery - Childcare is provided for children under four in the nursery during regular worship services. It is staffed by a regular childcare provider and rotating parent volunteers. Contact: Mary Lou
- Marshall Readers - The Old Testament and epistle readings at each service by the readers.
- Ushers - The ushers assist the members of the congregation and guests to find seating before the service, hand out hymnals and worship folders, distribute the offering plates and direct people during communion. Members can participate in the worship services by making a note on the pink sheet in the worship folder or by contacting the church office at (703) 437-5020. Training is provided for all of the Worship Board duties.
To find out when the next training session is scheduled please contact the chairman.
Meetings are normally held on the Second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
The Youth Board's function is to oversee the Youth Ministry program which provides activities and fellowship for students to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and to lead the non-Christian youth of Northern Virginia to Christ.
The youth activities are divided into age appropriate programs. Students in elementary grades five and six are consigned to "Club 56." Students in grades seven and eight are eligible to join "Junior Youth." Students, who are freshmen through seniors in high school, join "Senior Youth."
To support Good Shepherd's youth programs please call the Church Office (703-437-5020) to request information on the age-specific programs being offered. Information on upcoming events is posted on the bulletin board located in the lobby outside the church office where students can sign up for events. Students are encouraged to invites friends to participate in many of the activities.
Calendar of upcoming events
Youth Ministry
|
