The leadership team consists of the leadership team chair, chairs of the ministry teams, the treasurer, the pastor, the church clerk, the deacon chair, and the moderator. The leadership team is invested with administrative powers to plan, coordinate, integrate, and supervise the ongoing program of the congregation.

The leadership team is primarily responsible for long-range planning, initiation or discontinuation of programs, and the setting of goals and objectives. The leadership team is empowered to act on behalf of the church council ad interim except for those actions specifically reserved for the church council as set forth in the congregation’s constitution and by-laws.

The leadership team is accountable to the church council. The leadership team shall assure that the mission and vision of the congregation are fulfilled by encouraging and empowering the development of new ministries by individuals and groups and also by evaluating existing ministries and modifying or discontinuing them. These ministries shall aid in fulfilling the mission and vision of the congregation and shall be faithful to the Church of the Brethren heritage and its understanding of the New Testament as the rule of faith and practice.

The chair of the leadership team is called for a three-year term by the church council. The leadership team chooses one of the members of the leadership team to serve as vice chair. The church clerk serves as secretary of the leadership team. The leadership team strives for prayerful consensus and unity in its decision making.

• assists in planning varied worship experiences, including encouraging the pastor and minister of music to work together to plan worship services
• oversees the flowers and decoration of the church
• plans historical and seasonal events
• arranges for pulpit supply

• provides for the Christian Education of all church members and regular participants of the congregation.
• provides opportunities and resources for informal study through house groups, intercultural groups, community affairs groups or other small groups, outdoor education efforts, camps and retreats.
• encourages specific fellowship groups within the congregation such as adult, you, and Christian education classes.
• plans congregational social opportunities.

The Witness Team leads the congregation in two important areas: spreading the Good News and serving others. Our focus is on fellowship with people outside our church walls. There are many opportunities for service together, some listed below. We hope to be Jesus in the neighborhood. Please join us!

• Lincoln Terrace and Hurt Park Elementary Schools Book Project. These two City elementary schools have a high percentage of students who are reading below grade level. By giving books to the students and to the school, we hope to increase the students’ interest in reading and thus increase their reading skills.

• BVS. The Brethren Volunteer Service Organization is hosted annually by Central COB for one project at Highland Park Elementary School, serving the pack-a-snack program, and one project at Camp Bethel, serving as counselor for their summer program.

• Project Warm. Chopping and splitting wood to deliver from Salem to needy residents in the Valley.

• CROP Walk. Donating annual funds to feed the hungry.

• Battery Brigade. Providing 9Volt batteries to local residents for their smoke alarms.

Click “Our Outreach Activities” button for more information about our service projects.

• educates and encourages members to be good stewards of their resources and encourages Christian giving including encouraging members to tithe.
• negotiates leases and rules for rental property and parking and arranges for adequate insurance coverage.
• monitors the financial health of the church.
• develops the annual budget for leadership team review.

• supervises the care, maintenance, and development of church property including the church buildings, the church grounds and the rental property.
• maintains and repairs major appliances, water heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators and ovens.
• oversees the children’s playground.
• coordinates snow removal.