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Study 03 of 13

Session 3—The PM Council, the PM Secretary, and Cooperating With Others

Effective Personal Ministries leadership depends on a functioning council, a faithful secretary, and close cooperation with the pastor, board, and every church leader.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

No Personal Ministries leader works alone. The Personal Ministries Council, which you chair, guides the outreach efforts of the church under the direction of the church board and should meet at least monthly. Its broad membership—from the PM secretary and pastor to the Dorcas leader, interest coordinator, and youth leader—exists so that every ministry of the church can be coordinated toward soul winning. The council's duties include arranging outreach meetings, enlisting members in specific activities such as literature distribution, Bible course enrollments, and Community Services, planning Ingathering, training members in witnessing methods, and authorizing the use of Personal Ministries funds. Working alongside you is the Personal Ministries secretary, whose behind-the-scenes labor—ordering supplies, keeping minutes, handling correspondence, and submitting quarterly reports—is essential though often unseen. Beyond the council, your success depends on cooperating with the pastor, who plans evangelism with the board; with the board itself, which coordinates all outreach programs and departments; and with every other departmental leader, since Personal Ministries touches nearly every ministry of the church. This spirit of cooperation, not competition, allows the whole body of Christ to function in coordinated mission.

Key points

  • The Personal Ministries Council guides the church's outreach under the church board and should meet at least monthly.
  • Council duties include enlisting members in specific outreach activities, training workers, and authorizing PM funds.
  • The Personal Ministries secretary handles vital behind-the-scenes work: minutes, correspondence, supplies, and quarterly reports.
  • The Personal Ministries leader must cooperate closely with the pastor, church board, and every other departmental leader.

Key texts

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12
  • Ephesians 4:11-12
  • Acts 6:1-4

From the book

Session 3 · Handbook pp. 8–10; Leader booklet pp. 13–15 · Read the handbook

  • “The Personal Ministries Council guides the outreach (missionary) efforts of the local church and works under the direction of the church board.” (book p. 14)
  • “The work of the Personal Ministries secretary is behind the scenes, but it is very important.” (book p. 9)
  • “The church board is responsible for coordinating the work of all church departments.” (book p. 27)

Put it into practice

  • Schedule your first monthly Personal Ministries Council meeting with the full recommended membership.
  • Meet with your Personal Ministries secretary to clarify responsibilities for minutes, supplies, and reporting.
  • Request a standing agenda item with the pastor and board to report on outreach progress each quarter.
  1. Comprehension

    1. Under whose direction does the Personal Ministries Council function?

  2. Comprehension

    2. How often should the Personal Ministries Council meet?

  3. Scripture

    3. Name three duties of the Personal Ministries Council.

  4. Scripture

    4. What are the main responsibilities of the Personal Ministries secretary?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. Why does the Handbook describe the secretary's work as 'behind the scenes, but very important'?

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. What responsibility does the church board carry regarding outreach programs of different departments?

  7. Contrast

    7. Why is broad membership on the Personal Ministries Council—including Dorcas, youth, and health leaders—important?

  8. Application

    8. Which relationship—with your pastor, secretary, or board—do you anticipate needing the most intentional effort to build well?