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LAY TEAM MINISTRY IN HILLINGTON PARK CHURCH
Oct 2000 Kirk Session held a Conference in Quarrier’s Homes to
discuss the possible introduction of Lay Team Ministry.
Nov 2000 Kirk Session agreed to implement Lay Team Ministry
Lay Team Ministry Group set up to undertake the process of
implementing Lay Team Ministry. This Group is accountable to
the Kirk Session.
Nov 2000 – Mar 2001
All Elders’ Districts were disbanded and New
Neighbourhood Groups formed.
These were small geographical groupings in
various sizes between 4 and 12 households. Specific Groups
were drawn up for those in Care Homes and a Postal Group for
those living outwith the area. Where possible Neighbourhood
Contacts should be in their own group and these Contacts do
not require to be elders. The Neighbourhood Contacts deliver
the Church Magazine The Messenger 10 months of the year
and also Communion Invitations.
A Neighbourhood Booklet was drawn up and distributed to
Neighbourhood Contacts and Elders.
Notification procedures were set up for Changes and Church
Roll Distribution:
All Church Committees were disbanded and Teams were drawn
up with all groups and organisations under the responsibility of
a Team.
The Process of appointing Team Leaders and Assistants
commenced.
The Church Roll was computerised in two formats – one in
alphabetical order and one in Neighbourhood Groups. Both
contained the number of the group, the Neighbourhood Contact
and Neighbourhood Elder.
Mar 2001 Congregational Meeting held and Presentation on Lay Team
Ministry given.
Information Packs given to Congregation with information on
Teams and invitation to join Teams of their choice.
May 2001 Kirk Session approved Neighbourhood Contacts
Nov 2001 Neighbourhood Groups came into being.
Neighbourhood Elders have the spiritual responsibility of two or
three Neighbourhood Groups to visit and they work alongside
the Neighbourhood Contacts. The Elders give cards to their
members containing the contact details of the Minister, the
Neighbourhood Contact and Elder.
The Lay Team Ministry Group undertake the responsibility of m
maintaining the Neighbourhood Groups to ensure they are fully
staffed. They also ensure that all the Teams are running
effectively. This Group also look at updating any aspect of Lay
Team Ministry in line with the way forward of the Church.
The Team Leaders report once per year direct to the Lay Team
Ministry Group and this report is given to the Kirk Session
through the reports by the Lay Team Ministry Group.
The Lay Team Ministry Group organise an Annual Get Together
of Neighbourhood Contacts and Neighbourhood Elders where
updated information is given and there is an opportunity for
discussion.
The Lay Team Ministry Group organise an Annual Gathering of
Team Leaders who give an overview of the activities within
their Teams and report on how things are going.
At Present there are 10 Teams:
The Lay Team Ministry Group meet on a regular basis throughout the year. Each Team Leader attends a meeting and gives their report. The Group is continually looking at ways to take forward any new initiatives and keep the Neighbourhood Groups abreast of what is going on in the Church. The structures in place for Lay Team Ministry works well in Hillington Park Church and the congregation is kept aware of who is doing what and they are also given every opportunity to be part of the Teams.
Jan Blackie
Lay Team Ministry Group
Convener
