Administration

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (“St. Luke’s”) is a Christ-centered servant church where every member has a ministry.

St. Luke’s is a connectional church that is part of the United Methodist Church and the Texas Annual Conference, whose mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world to the glory of God.

St. Luke’s is governed by and operated in accordance with The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. In cases where this Plan and The Book of Discipline conflict with each other, The Book of Discipline shall be followed. The St. Luke’s charts of organization (the “Charts”) are attached hereto and incorporated herein as part of this Plan. This Plan and the Charts govern the organizational structure of St. Luke’s and are designed to support and enhance the mission of St. Luke’s and the Texas Annual Conference. The chair of each board, commission, and committee shall be responsible for developing guidelines to ensure continuity of leadership and operations.

The Executive Committee shall review this Plan annually and make recommendations for any necessary amendments to the Church Conference for approval. The Executive Committee may authorize temporary changes to the Plan until they can be submitted to the annual Church Conference for approval.

• Church Conference

  The Charge Conference shall be convened as the Church Conference and shall meet at least annually. The Church Conference is the connecting link between St. Luke’s and the General Church and is the ultimate governing body of St. Luke’s. The Chair of the Church Council (referred to herein as the “Board of Stewards”) shall call the Church Conference to order, and the District Superintendent shall preside.

• Board of Stewards (Church Council)

  The Board of Stewards is subject to and reports to the Church Conference and is the general governing body of St. Luke’s. The Chair of this Board shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Senior Pastor. This Board shall meet at least quarterly and as scheduled by its Chair.

• Lay Leadership Committee

  The Lay Leadership Committee is subject to and reports to the Church Conference and shall be generally responsible for recommending candidates for lay delegates to the Texas Annual Conference and all positions created by this Plan or required by the Book of Discipline, and for selecting individuals as recipients of the Distinguished Life Award. The Senior Pastor is the Chair and shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Lay Leader. This Committee shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Executive Nominating Committee

  The Executive Nominating Committee is subject to and reports to the Lay Leadership Committee and shall be generally responsible for recommending candidates for the Executive Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee and the Board of Trustees. The Senior Pastor is the Chair and shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Chair-Elect of the Board of Stewards. This Committee shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Audit Committee

  The Audit Committee is subject to and reports to the Church Conference. This Committee shall be generally responsible for working with a reputable certified public accountant to produce financial statements for St. Luke’s on an annual basis. This Committee shall also report its findings to the Executive Committee. The Chair shall preside over meetings. This Committee shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Board of Trustees

  The Board of Trustees is the statutory Board of Directors of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church of Houston, Inc., the nonprofit organization which owns St. Luke’s property, such as securities, land, buildings and bank accounts. The Board of Trustees is subject to and reports to the Board of Stewards and shall be generally responsible for the long-term care, maintenance and insurance of St. Luke’s property. The Chair shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Director / Executive Pastor of Finance and Administration. This Board shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Executive Committee

  The Executive Committee is subject to and reports to the Board of Stewards and shall be generally responsible for the day to day governance of St. Luke’s and for overseeing the implementation of the ministries, policies and programs in accordance with the budget as approved by the Board of Stewards. If any person is unable to fulfill any position elected at the Church Conference, this Committee may fill such position until the next Church Conference. The Chair of the Board of Stewards is the Chair and shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Senior Pastor. This Committee shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Personnel Committee (Staff-Parish Relations Committee)

  The Personnel Committee is subject to and reports to the Executive Committee and shall be generally responsible for overseeing employment decisions, policies and procedures, including salaries. The Chair shall be the immediate past Chair of the Board of Stewards and shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Senior Pastor. This Committee shall meet at least quarterly and as scheduled by its Chair.

• Finance & Administration Commission

  The Finance and Administration Commission is subject to and reports to the Executive Committee and shall be generally responsible for overseeing the human, physical and financial resources of St. Luke’s, including recommending an annual budget to the Executive Committee. The Chair shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Director/Executive Pastor of Finance and Administration. This Commission shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Worship Commission

  The Worship Commission is subject to and reports to the Executive Committee and shall be generally responsible for the ministry areas involved in personal and corporate worship, including prayer, music and fine arts. The Chair shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Director / Executive Pastor of Worship. This Commission shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Outreach Commission

  The Outreach Commission is subject to and reports to the Executive Committee and shall be generally responsible for ministry areas involved in outreach, missions, evangelism, involvement (volunteers) and communications. The Chair shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Director / Executive Pastor of Outreach. This Commission shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Discipleship Commission

  The Discipleship Commission is subject to and reports to the Executive Committee, and shall be generally responsible for ministry areas involved in growing and equipping disciples within the church community, including stewardship, caring ministries, and age level education and programming. The Chair shall preside over meetings in partnership with the Director/Executive Pastor of Discipleship. This Commission shall meet as scheduled by its Chair.

• Councils, Ministries, Guilds & Other Entities

  All councils, ministries and guilds included on the Charts approved by the Executive Committee shall be subject to and report to the Commission under which they are organized. Each board and committee may create task forces as necessary, and each commission may create task forces and other entities as necessary, but such other entities shall not be called a board, committee or commission.

• Board, Committee & Commission Membership

  All members selected for each position listed herein will not serve in any one role for more than two years unless specifically authorized by the Executive Committee or otherwise permitted by this Plan or The Book of Discipline. Each of the following boards, committees and commissions shall be comprised of the following positions and members, and each position and member listed below shall be initially elected by the Church Conference. Unless otherwise indicated, all members of each board, committee and commission shall have a vote.

Our Administrative Staff