Commissions

Adult Discipleship Commission

The purpose of the Adult Discipleship Commission is to help people grow closer to God, from wherever they are, through relationships and education. It is responsible for evangelistic outreach to the unchurched, for timely response to visitors, for assimilation of new participants, and for the spiritual development of church members. The members of this Commission organize Inquirer's Classes for regular visitors and Bible studies for church members. Two recent initiatives arising from this commission are the Alpha Course and the Eggcellent Easter Extravaganza.

Chairperson: Erik Larson

Children's Education Commission

This Commission oversees our educational ministry to preschool and elementary school children. They are responsible for organizing the nursery, the children's Sunday School, the children's fellowship groups, children's recreational outings, and our Vacation Bible School, which has had over 200 participants in recent years. Children's Sunday School is held during morning worship from September through June, and teachers serve on a rotating basis (normally, about once a month). Our children are encouraged to memorize Scripture and to make a personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ. A wide variety of creative techniques are used to "bring the message home." Students at all levels are recognized for faithful attendance, and graduates of our 4th and 5th grade class are presented with their own Bibles during worship.

Chairperson: Karen Ederer

Student Ministries Commission

The Student Ministries Commission oversees our educational and relational ministry to middle school, high school, and college aged young people. They organize Youth Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, and "Hang-Out" (a non-threatening community outreach) every week. They also organize youth Sundays, youth camps, youth weekends, and mission trips. They contact church youth regularly and encourage them to participate in worship, fellowship, and service. They also seek responsible volunteers to assist with this ministry.

Chairperson: Karen Ederer

Membership Commission

The purpose of this commission is to cultivate a spirit of hospitality within our church. The Commission maintains the membership rolls of the church, supports members with birthday wishes and generally oversees most of the social groups of the church. There are several committees under this commission that work toward this goal. The Family Ministries Committee organizes the annual Family Camp, the annual Church Picnic, a fall “Harvest” trip, and various social outings throughout the year. The Women's Ministry Committee organizes the annual Women's Retreat, a Women's Luncheon, the annual Christmas Desert, and women's Bible studies. The Membership Commission provides oversight for the church's Athletic Program, including an informal league softball team and several volleyball teams (of varying experience levels). The Commission also oversees our church's long standing “Mariner's Ministry”: these groups are social and spiritual extensions of the church family for adults of all ages (most of who are not connected to the sea). These groups each schedule their own programs and/or Bible study curriculum.

Chairperson: Cam Beck

Mission Commission

The Mission Commission supports a wide variety of humanitarian and evangelistic work in our city and throughout the world. Well over 10% of our budget is earmarked specifically for this purpose. Within Southern California, these funds support ministries to drug addicts, mentally ill persons, abused women, adoptive families, foster families, and the homeless. Outside of Southern California, these funds support several full time missionaries.

We increase awareness of Mission Opportunities through an annual Mission's Fair, an Alternative Christmas Market, a variety of missionary speakers, and the annual CROP walk for world hunger. In partnership with the Student Ministries Commission, we also encourage short-term mission trips, including a recent project in West Virginia. A major project of this commission is the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, which has distributed several thousand boxes of food and gifts to needy families in our community throughout the years.

Chairperson: Shirley Gonzalez

Nominating Committee

This commission seeks to discover the individuals that God is calling to be elders and deacons in our church. In making this decision, they prayerfully consider stewardship, attendance, giftedness, spiritual maturity, and willingness to serve. In a typical year, they seek at least 7 elders and 11 deacons. This process takes several months of work.

Chairperson: Ruper Loyd

Personnel Commission

This commission recruits, hires, and evaluates both full and part-time staff for the church. They maintain up-to-date job descriptions for each staff member. They evaluate each staff member at least biannually, they recommend salary changes, and they work to resolve significant performance problems that may occur. They also work to resolve any inter-personal problems or conflicts involving staff members.

Chairperson: Jim Waters

Stewardship Commission

This Commission manages both the finances and the property of our church. They count the weekly offering and oversee the investment funds of the church. They supervise the financial secretary, they monitor financial reports, they create an annual pledge campaign, and they recommend an annual church budget for approval by the session. They oversee the maintenance and repair of church property. They also approve the use of church property by outside groups.

Chairperson: Jerry Drenckhahn

Worship & Music Commission

This commision is responsible for all aspects of church worship and music. Through the music staff, they organize music rehearsals and plan the music for each worship service. Through designated volunteers, they furnish liturgists, ushers and sound technicians each Sunday. They organize elders to serve the elements on each Communion Sunday, and they provide a sound technician for weddings and funerals when requested. They are also responsible for banners and seasonal decorations in and around the sanctuary.

Chairperson: Paul Purdy