HDC Policy Manual Project by Gulf South Leadership Institute

HILLSIDE DISCIPLESHIP CHURCH

MINISTRY POLICIES & PROCEDURES HANDBOOK

Introduction

….............................................................

Welcome …………………............................................

HDC Unity Statement …………………………………..

HDC Conflict Resolution ………………………………..

HDC Mission ……............................................................

HDC Ministries …….........................................................

Leadership Qualities ……………………………………..

Shepherding Team …………………………………........

Pastoral Team ……………………………………………..

Ministry Team Leaders ….……………………………….

Ministry Teams …………………………………………….

HDC Organizational Process ........................................

Shepherding Team Policies and Procedures .............

Missions Ministry Policies and Procedures ...................

Outreach Ministry Policies and Procedures ...............

Fellowship Ministry Policies and Procedures...............

Care Ministry Policies and Procedures........................

Worship Ministry Policies and Procedures …………...

Connect Ministry Policies and Procedures ………….

Prayer Ministry Policies and Procedures ……………..

Education Ministry Policies and Procedures ………..

Property Management Policies and Procedures …

Finance Ministry Policies and Procedures …………..

Finance Ministry Policies and Procedures ………….

Personnel Policies and Procedures ………………….

Preaching Pastor ………………………………………..

Discipleship/Outreach Pastor ………….………….....

Worship Pastor …………………………………………..

Director of Children and Family Ministry …………..

Administrative Assistant ……………………………….

PURPOSE: Policies discussed in this handbook are statements of direction and purpose that allow Hillside Discipleship Church (HDC) staff, ministry leaders, pastoral staff and shepherds to exercise healthy judgment in the daily operation of the church and promote efficient use of resources by the congregation. These policies and procedures communicate how ministry is conducted at Hillside Discipleship Church and why it is carried out in that manner. The policies and procedures outlined in this handbook are not meant to be restrictive laws, but parameters within which we approach the Hillside Discipleship Church mission of “humbly leading people to become Disciples of Christ.” It is our hope and prayer that these reflect the reality that we are a faith community called to a relationship with God and with one another that allows all to grow into full maturity. HDC’s policies and procedures will reflect our church’s ministry approach of growing the body of Christ as each part does its work. As we strive to be a disciple making community, we believe that God’s love is best experienced by all who submit to Him, members of the church. Hillside Discipleship Church exists as a beacon and a place of refuge where God’s peace is embraced. This manual serves the purpose of facilitating a unified approach to ministry by offering guidelines to all ministry leaders, pastoral staff, pastoral shepherding team, and ministry team members. These policies and procedures are designed to increase understanding, eliminate personal decision making on matters pertaining to the ministry at HDC, and help establish a uniform approach throughout all ministries. As a way of assuring that uniform approach, this handbook will be distributed to all members of the Hillside Discipleship Church leadership team, and made available to members of the congregation.

OBJECTIVES: This manual is designed to:

 Communicate how By Laws impact the ministry of Hillside Discipleship Church  Help HDC leadership with guidelines for healthy decision-making  Help HDC leadership with accountability (i.e. communication, trustworthiness, reliability, etc.)  Help HDC manage legal risks and establish a peaceful and safe worship environment  Help HDC ministry leaders understand the “Team Leadership” approach to ministry  Help HDC ministry teams function within their guidelines  Offer clear guidelines for integrity and accountability for HDC’s Pastoral Staff Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Hillside Discipleship Church is an independent, non-denominational, disciple-making church. As a Bible believing and Bible teaching community of believers, we actively respond to the Christ’s command to “make disciples” through practical study and application of scripture. We hold the following doctrines to be essential: The inspired Word of God, (both Old and New Testament) is the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for Christian faith and life. (II Tim. 3:16-17, Heb. 4:12) There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:1, II Cor. 13:14, Matt. 28:19) Jesus Christ both divine and human in nature, was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, Jesus Christ arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High as our High Priest and Advocate. (Luke 1:28-35, Col. 1:13-20, 1 Cor. 15:1-4) Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin. We all have fallen short of God’s standard, and therefore in need of salvation. (Gen. 1:26, Gen. 3:6, Rom. 3:23, Rom. 5:12) Grace through the blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead, the only ground for justification and salvation for all who receive Christ in faith. (Eph.2:8-9) We are therefore saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. (Titus 3:3-7) Biblical teaching is an immediate response to that faith of repentance and Biblical baptism by immersion. (Acts 2:38) This will result in a life lived in total submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23) and by keeping in step with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that they received at Salvation. (Gal. 5:25, Rom. 6:1-14, Rom. 10:9-13, Acts 2:21) The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ by convicting the world of sin, regenerating sinners, and indwelling, guiding, instructing, and empowering believers for godly living and service. (Gal. 5:23-25, John 14:16-17, 26, I Cor. 12:13) The Lord Jesus will come again and this will be a bodily resurrection of the dead. Believers will spend eternity with Christ, while unbelievers will face judgment and eternal separation from God. (I Thess. 4:13-18)

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

“…that all of them maybe one Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21) At Hillside Discipleship Church we embrace the spirit of unity that our savior prayed for in John 17:21 and the freedom of believers in Christ. Our approach to ministry is guided by the word of God and “where the Bible speaks, we speak and where the Bible is silent, we are silent. To guide us in the application of this ministry approach we say, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things love.” At Hillside Discipleship Church we believe that Unity is of great importance to God than any disputable matters that may come up as we serve. Holding this belief, we therefore prioritize the unity of the Body and accept the diversity of conviction on matters non-essential to faith while encouraging the pursuit of unanimous agreement in indisputable matters or essentials of faith. As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ we pursue the things which make for peace and the edifying of the Body in staying faithful to the exhortation of scripture. We live and conduct our ministry roles and responsibilities conscious of the reality that the way we love one another and treat each other with respect as disciples demonstrates that God sent His son Jesus Christ into the world. The shepherding team, pastoral staff, ministry team leaders, and members of Hillside Discipleship Church believe that unity is one of the best ways to clarify the Gospel. It is very easy for us as disciples to obscure the Gospel by placing too much emphasis on disputable matters, thus we commit ourselves to pursue and preserve the clarity of the Gospel by holding steadfastly without compromise to the irrefutable matters, while allowing healthy discussion and personal convictions in matters of opinion. We commit to conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and God’s word in all things. In unity we come together to utilize the gifts that God has given each member of the body as we carry out the mission of “humbly leading people to become disciples of Christ” within our community. In unity we seek to be “the salt of the earth and the light on a hill that cannot be hidden” for all people that the Lord sends our way. In unity we commit to be a place of refuge, healing, and ministry.

--Romans 12:4-6, TEV Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Conflict Resolution Purpose Statement:

Although we desire to pursue and uphold unity in all our ministries, we understand the reality that the enemy will always find ways to attack that unity in order to cause division among us. This part of the handbook implements written procedure for resolution of grievances or conflict that may arise within the church as we do ministry. At Hillside Discipleship Church we prioritize the unity that we are called to and that our savior prayed for and because of that we seek to resolve any grievances or apply restorative discipline according to the guidance from scripture.

Procedure In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus outlined three steps to take to resolve a situation where one member has a grievance or misunderstanding against another. We define a grievance or conflict as any matter that negatively affects the fellowship of the congregation or disturbs the unity of some membership of the congregation. . The three steps are; (1) That there should be a one-on-one meeting between the two parties that are in disagreement (2) If a resolution cannot be reached then witnesses should be called in to help (3) If no resolution is reached then the matter is presented to the church for its contemplation and decision. When the resolution process reaches the second step then the guidance of the Shepherding Team is to be sought out to provide the witnesses. Members of the Shepherding Team by virtue of their calling and spiritual maturity will seek to counsel with the parties involved to see if solution can be reached. If at this stage there is no success in the efforts to resolve or reconcile, then that matter is to be presented to the congregation for consideration. When the matter is brought before the congregation, each party in the situation will be offered the opportunity to present his/her position to the church. Having heard each partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position, the members of the congregation will decide by consensus the action to be taken on the issue. The Shepherding Team will pronounce the final action steps decided by the congregation as ruling in the matter. In all matters of conflict, the Shepherding Team and the congregation will always pursue restorative judgment without bias or favor. The goal is always to restore relationships and reconcile people to each other for ministry to continue effectively. If the situation involves members of the leadership team, part of the decision will include temporary suspension from leadership roles to allow some time of reflection and restoration. During the temporary suspension period, the members of the Shepherding team will follow up with the party/parties to offer spiritual encouragement.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

ÂŠ Hillside Discipleship Church 2013

OUR MISSION: Humbly Leading People to Become Disciples of Jesus Christ by:



Teaching His way



Obeying His truth



Living His life

To prepare God’s people for works of service so the body of Christ may be build up/The whole body grows and builds itself up in love as each part does it’s work. Ephesians 4:12, 16

Everything we do serves to accomplish the abovementioned mission.

OUR CORE VALUES: These core values stem from that mission statement and guide our decisions as a church.

KEY SCRIPTURES THAT GUIDE MINISTRY AT HILLSIDE:



Ephesians 4:1-5

1. Humility



Ephesians 4:11-16

2. Leadership



Colossians 3:12-17



I Peter 5:1-6



Hebrews 13:7, 17

3. Discipleship 4. Biblical Truth 5. Action

HILLSIDE DISCIPLESHIP CHURCH MINISTRIES

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Oversees Local, National and Foreign Missions of Hillside Discipleship Church.  Benevolence  Missions Support  Footprints Ministry Oversees all events and activities of HDC.  Events  Functions  Dinners Oversees the Sunday morning and other worship times for HDC.  Technology (website, power point services, Sound, Recording, etc)  People involved in worship team and communion/offering servers. Oversees and reports all financial expenditures/income of HDC.  Treasurer  Financial Secretary  Others to count/accountability Oversees all HDC buildings and grounds maintenance.  Building and Grounds  Facility expansion  Event planning for facility in partnership with the fellowship team Works to ensure that HDC is a praying church.  Prayer Chain Special Event coverage  Daily Concerns Prayer sessions Oversees all aspects of Christian Education at HDC  Men’s Ministry Women’s Ministry  Children’s Ministry Teen Ministry  Small Groups Curriculum Responsible for working together to ensure that HDC is a disciple-making church by shepherding the flock.  Connect Ministry- visitors and volunteer follow-up  Hospital/Funeral/Care support  Discipleship (Life 2 Life)  General spiritual care for congregation This team works with our church administrative staff and helps organize the day to day activities, events, members, visitors, and schedules of HDC. This team works with our Discipleship staff and helps to get the church to be Christ’s heart, hands and feet in the community.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

MINISTRY LEADERSHIP QUALITIES: Members of the leadership team at Hillside Discipleship Church are encouraged to reflect high quality leadership characteristics in their service to the body of Christ. As a leadership team we commit to uphold the following leadership qualities in obedience to God’s word:



Steadfast, consistent and unwavering faith “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)



Committed and sold out to the leadership call and the life of a genuine disciple “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – Hs good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1,2)



Loyalty to God’s authority, fellow leaders and those we serve



Obedience to God instituted authority, His word, and His calling to ministry at all times “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans13:1, 2)



Humility that recognizes that God and other people are actually responsible for any achievement “Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may life you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)



Model a positive outlook to life that is affirmative regardless of circumstances “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. I can do everything through him who give me strength.”



(Philippians 4:8, 13)

Reflect a Servant’s Heart in situations and circumstances and in modeling the above qualities (Hebrews 12)

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Shepherding Team: Oversight of ministry at Hillside Discipleship Church is through a team of spiritual leaders nominated and confirmed through prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance by the congregation to serve as spiritual overseers and visionaries. The term shepherd is more fitting and better defines HDC’s shared leadership model of ministry and is a better preference from the three interchangeable terms used in 1 Peter 5:1-4 (overseers, shepherds or elders). The Shepherding team shall consist of seasoned spiritual men who embrace and reflect the characteristics outlined in the Pastoral Epistles. The Preaching Pastor called and hired by HDC shall also serve as ex-officio member of the Shepherding Team, and is involvement shall be within the scope of ministry vision casting and spiritual direction mapping and shall be protected from matters involving conflict of interest. By agreeing to serve as a member of the Shepherding Team, each leader commits to:



“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness” (1 Peter 5:2)

   

Be a servant to facilitate the carrying out of the purpose and mission of HDC in service to God.



Serve as the point Shepherd of one of the HDC ministry teams for purposes of communication and clarity in the function of each ministry within the scope of the church’s ministry.

Agree and understand that serving will require giving of time, energy and effort. Lead spiritually forsaking any and all personal agendas. Understand and clearly communicate the HDC mission, grow spiritually, and be guided by God’s word.

Pastoral Team: The Pastoral Team at Hillside Discipleship Church is made up of both men and women who are called to full-time ministry, trained, ordained and hired by HDC to serve as ministers in various capacities. This team shall consist of the senior pastor, associate pastor, worship pastor, youth pastor, children and family ministry pastor or director and any additional pastoral ministry positions that the congregation may implement. The Preaching Pastor by virtue of his calling to offer daily guidance and cast ministry vision for HDC shall also serve as a member of the Shepherding Team (Ex Officio). The service of the Preaching Pastor as a Shepherd will be specific to matters of the spiritual health and well-being of congregation, with limited participation when it comes to matters pertaining to business and financials as deemed necessary by the other Shepherds and the Finance Team to protect him from potential conflict of interest issues. Members of the Pastoral Team are hired by Hillside Discipleship Church under the leadership and guidance of the Shepherding Team based on the requirements, qualifications and criteria set forth in the Ministry Personnel Policies and Procedures of this manual.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Ministry Team Leaders: The shared leadership model of ministry at Hillside also includes the leaders of the various ministry teams. Ministry Team Leaders are men and women who extend the team leadership model from the shepherding team, and pastoral team down to each member of the congregation. Ministry Team Leaders are responsible for making sure that each member at Hillside Discipleship Church participates in the ministry by utilizing their spiritual gifts while serving with others who possess the same gifts or complimenting gifts. Ministry Team Leaders work with the shepherding team and the pastoral team to ensure that:

       

The vision and mission of HDC’s ministry flows down to the members of the congregation The vision and mission of HDC is clearly communicated and articulated to facilitate effective ministry Ministry policies and procedures are clearly communicated and embraced by ministry teams Each member at Hillside is involved in “humbly leading people to become disciples of Christ” The ministry team that they are working with is well budgeted for to function effectively They agree and commit to the policies and procedures that guide the function of their ministry team They maintain a healthy environment for members of the ministry team to serve They assist in addressing any conflict or misunderstandings within their ministry team without partiality

Ministry Teams: Ministry teams define the essence of Hillside’s ministry which is based on Ephesians 4:11-16. Each member of the congregation is called to participate in the mission of making disciples. The ministry approach at Hillside Discipleship Church takes into consideration the fact that all believers are called to be servants in God’s kingdom, and as such have been equipped with the spiritual gifts to use for service so that the body of Christ may be built up. Each member committing to be a part of Hillside Discipleship Church is guided through a gifts assessment process to identify the ministry they are best equipped to serve with. By becoming a member of a ministry team, members commit to:

       

Be involved in ministry according to spiritual gifts and in obedience to Ephesians 4:11-16 Model servant hood by contributing to the mission of HDC Be a spiritual team player by serving with others in a healthy manner that promotes the gospel Be the support system and driving force for ministry at HDC Live each day as the hearts, hand and feet of HDC in the community Participate in ministry and not spectate ministry Utilize spiritual gifts without seeking personal gains or glory while promoting the edifying of the body Be strong positive representatives of HDC wherever they are

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Organizational Process: The organizational chart representing Hillside Discipleship Church leadership structure is intentionally set to represent a process of team leadership rather than a hierarchy. We believe that we are all called to serve as members of the body of Christ in different areas of ministry in accordance with the spiritual gifts given.

Shepherding Team

God Ministry Leaders

Pastoral Team

It was He who gave some to apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (New International Version)

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

ÂŠ Hillside Discipleship Church 2013

HDC Shepherding Team Purpose: Hillside Discipleship Church identifies and appoints spiritually mature men who serve in the capacity of Shepherds or Pastoral Shepherds. These men reflect the qualities consistent with the servant role of a shepherd as communicated in the scriptures and serve as spiritual encouragers, visionaries, and inspiration for healthy and effective ministry. The highest expectation for shepherds is that they shall be men who feel the burden and responsibility of shepherding the flock under Jesus Christ, giving oversight and living as examples for the members of the congregation and the other ministry leadership team members.

Guidelines: To ensure active and healthy pursuit of the Hillside Discipleship Church mission Shepherds shall lead embracing the following guidelines:



Provide spiritual care and support for members of the body of Christ



Provide oversight for all ministries at Hillside Discipleship Church encouraging use of spiritual gifts



Model and encourage true spiritual humility of service and unity in all Christian ministry



Serving other members of the body and those in the community by ministering to every need



Inspire fellow leaders and members to see the vision of HDC’s ministry



Engage fellow disciples in pursuing the mission of making disciples



Embracing a faith-driven lifestyle that relies on God and His word



Work with the Preaching Pastor to initiate realistic ministry strategy and vision casting



Work with Ministry Team Leaders to carry out ministry service



Communicate very closely with the Finance Team to ensure good stewardship of ministry resources



Lead in the process of hiring ministry staff in liaison with the congregation and Finance Team



Protect the Preaching Pastor from conflict of Interest by excluding him from specific financial matters



Take the lead in guiding the proceedings of congregational meetings



Implement systems to provide security for HDC members and their families



Listen to concerns of members of the congregation and address them in the healthiest way possible



Model healthy and transparent communication for all HDC members and leadership teams



Lead in the revision of guiding documents when necessary



Facilitate a “consensus decision-making” process when necessary during congregational meetings



Work with Finance Team to implement, approve and manage all budgets for ministry at HDC

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Missions Ministry Purpose: The Missions ministry at Hillside Discipleship Church facilitates the propagation of the gospel throughout the world by managing the distribution of financial resources to various selected local, national as well as international missions. Our Missions Ministry represents the extent of our reach as we fulfill the Great Commission. Hillside will emphasize missions through prayer, sending out of missionaries into various mission fields, exposing the congregation to missionary endeavors, and accepting responsibility of involving the congregation financially with missionaries.

Guidelines: HDC’s Missions Ministry shall operate under the following guidelines to ensure that the purpose of reaching the world, the community around us, as well as those within our immediate fellowship is accomplished:



Providing oversight for all programs involving local, national and international missions



Communicate with the Shepherding Team for approval of selected missions



Execute God’s will and pray through distribution of resources to expand HDC’s ministry reach



Distribute support for missions quarterly based on the budgeted percentage allocated annually



Request and make available to all members informational reports from supported missions



Conduct an annual review of all missions to identify changes in ministry approach



Review relationship of the mission with Hillside to ensure constant communication and information



Highlight the work of each supported mission at least once a year to keep HDC informed



Organize a Missionary Conference or missions emphasis week featuring all HDC supported missions



Manage and account for the Missions Ministry checking account which serves as the financial source for all missions and benevolence support



Give feedback to the congregation through the Finance Team about distribution of funds



Supporting short term mission efforts and fundraising efforts towards short term mission trips



Determine and distribute benevolent requests based on established and written criteria



Ensure that the privacy act guidelines are applied in granting any benevolent support



Collect necessary data through the “Mission Team Request Form” for benevolent type requests



Maintain clear financial accountability records in partnership with Finance Team



Establish a mission selection process that is free of any bias



Intentionally educate the congregation about the HDC supported missions and what they do



Coordinate all mission trips that HDC embarks on whether short term or long term



Encourage members of the congregation to support local missions supported by HDC

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Outreach Ministry Purpose: Hillside Discipleship Church’s Outreach Ministry exists to encourage and inspire the church to be Christ’s heart, hands and feet in the community. Being a disciple-making congregation, the Outreach Ministry facilitates the concept of being the church in the community rather than inside walls. Our Outreach Ministry shall also be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the participation of HDC by enlisting and empowering members to serve in outreach capacities with words, works, and wealth.

Guidelines: Outreach is defined as an act of reaching out to our community and beyond. Hillside’s Outreach Ministry will function to get people involved in the mission of “humbly leading people to become followers of Christ” under these guidelines:



Yield to and support the vision and ministry strategy of the Discipleship and Outreach Pastor



Identify areas and situations where HDC members can become the heart, hands and feet of Christ



Seek opportunities to partner with other local ministries to assist members of the community in need



Be intentional about establishing genuine relationships with those is some type of crisis or need



Facilitate and provide meaningful outreach opportunities for members to give joyfully and help compassionately within the community



Design and implement outreach opportunities that align with HDC’s mission, vision and core values



Lead the congregation in sharing of blessings and resources beyond the church walls



Promote networking of outreach opportunities with suggestions from members of the congregation



Work closely with the Shepherding Team and Finance Team to ensure good stewardship of financial resources



Work closely with the Preaching Pastor to ensure that the outreach ideas are consistent with HDC’s mission



Work closely with Connect Team to design and implement a follow up system for visitors.



Focus any outreach programs on God’s unique call to Hillside, and the spiritual gifts available to use and share



Evaluate programs and events to avoid overextending and ineffectiveness



Manage an annual ministry budget approved by the congregation through the Finance Team

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Fellowship Ministry Purpose: Our Fellowship Ministry provides oversight for all events and activities that take place on the premises of Hillside Discipleship Church. These events include, but are not limited to dinners, functions, special services, festivals or family nights. Understanding that Fellowship is not only about food, but the development of relationships, our Fellowship Ministry also works with all the other ministries to help foster and encourage meaningful relationships within the body of Christ. Fellowship Ministry team members work very closely with members of the Connect Ministry Team to assume the hospitality duties towards guests and first time visitors. When called upon, the Fellowship Ministry offers close support to the Care Ministry by putting together care meals for the sick and shut in. In a situation where Hillside hosts a big event or function, the Fellowship Ministry collaborates with all other ministries to provide quality fellowship for all.

Guidelines: The function of the Fellowship Ministry is guided by the following guidelines:



Oversee and manage all food service responsibilities in church events where food is served



Maintain and care for the food service facilities and infrastructure (kitchen facility) at Hillside



Take the lead in coordinating food requirements for pot luck meals and similar HDC family programs



Manage special events calendar to ensure food service is in place for all such events



Ensure that the food pantry (if one is in place) supplies are available at all times



Establish guidelines for the use and cleanup of food service facilities



Serve with Connect Ministry Team on Sunday mornings to ensure visitors have coffee/tea and snacks



Consult with Care Ministry to ensure care meals are made available when needed



Work in conjunction with the Property Management Team on the maintenance of the kitchen main



Establish and manage an annual Fellowship Ministry budget approved by the congregation through the Finance Team

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Care Ministry Purpose: Hillside Discipleship Church extends care to those who are battling health issues and dealing with loss in the family through the Care Ministry. This Ministry team also facilitates communication of benevolent needs both in the community and within the congregation and works with the Missions team for resources to make sure those needs are taken care of.

Guidelines: The Care Ministry serves members of Hillside as well as members of the community under the following procedures in cases of illness, death or benevolent need. Illness HDC’s Care Ministry team reaches out on behalf of the congregation and sends cards to people within the congregation’s network who may be battling illness in the hospital or at home. If someone is in the hospital, the ministry team will send a thoughtful and prayerful message accompanied by flowers to encourage the patient. Following the patient’s release from hospital to recover at home, the team will continue to sending cards and flowers with to offer assurance of prayer and makes arrangements to provide meals and these meals can be provided directly by members of the Care Ministry or in partnership with members of the Fellowship Ministry. Death The Care Ministry also represents Hillside Discipleship Church in comforting those dealing with the loss of a loved one. This team carries out the mission of obedience to the calling to“…mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15. This ministry team facilitates the sending of flowers and a card on behalf of HDC to offer comfort. The Care Ministry team also makes sure that the family has meals provided if needed. Benevolence Benevolent needs are met through the Missions Ministry team’s budget, but as a way of working together the Care Ministry can refer a benevolence case to the Missions Team. In the event that a benevolence case can be dealt with by providing food or food items (groceries), the Care Ministry can meet the need or consult with the Fellowship Ministry for food pantry supplies if a food pantry is maintained. Hillside Discipleship Church commits to be a place where love is expressed though sharing and providing for the needs of others. Through the Care Ministry, HDC expresses obedience to the call to share with those in need. “32

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” (Acts 4:32-35) Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Worship Ministry Purpose: The Worship Ministry at Hillside Discipleship Church is responsible for overseeing and establishing biblically based and sound Sunday morning worship gathering and other worship times that may be scheduled for congregational gatherings. The calling on members of the Worship Ministry is high as they serve the purpose of leading God’s people to an intimate relationship with Him in times of corporate gathering, and extend a continuation of that worship into everyday experiences. The Worship Ministry helps HDC members Express joy and celebration in response to What God is doing in their lives individually and collectively as a congregation.

Guidelines: The HDC Worship Ministry serves the congregation by leading the different parts that contribute towards a biblically sound worship gathering. This team is made up of men and women who are spiritually gifted to help the congregation celebrate and express true joy as a response to God’s work in their lives. The Worship Ministry team leader will work with the Preaching Pastor to coordinate consistency of subject or theme between worship songs and sermons. The Worship Ministry team will utilize the spiritual gifts of each member to provide opportunities for thoughtful, meditative, enlightening experiences which serve to facilitate a deeper relationship with God and enable members to make positive behavioral choices in daily living. While providing lay leadership in worship and organization of worship services, the Worship Ministry team shall maintain and provide a meaningful physical worship environment. This team will also promote and organize any special worship services for Hillside Discipleship Church or the community. Promoting networking among Ministries is an important aspect of functioning as the body of Christ and HDC’s Worship Ministry will network with the Prayer Ministry, Connect Ministry and other ministries as deemed necessary to enhance the worship services. The Worship Ministry team is also responsible for ensuring that communion servers and meditation leaders are available and understand the order of the service. The team also initiates any pre-service preparation, service order orientation, or prayer sessions for those who will be participating in the worship service including audio and video technicians. This team coordinates with the audio and video technicians to ensure a high quality worship service for all. To enhance the quality of the services the Praise and Worship band shall rehearse with the audio and video technicians at the designated band rehearsal times. It is the responsibility and function of the Worship Ministry team to discern vision concerning the future of music and worship at HDC ensuring that it is consistent with the mission. This process may include exploring and encouraging worship team members to attend appropriate worship music seminars as well as developing and hosting seminars at HDC. The Worship Ministry team shall emphasize the spiritual responsibility involved with leading people and facilitating a deeper relationship with God in recruiting and orientation of all team members. The Worship Ministry shall work with the Finance Team and Shepherding Team to propose and maintain an itemized annual budget specific to Worship Ministry needs with allocation for miscellaneous expenses. Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Connect Ministry Purpose: Hillside Discipleship Church’s welcoming and inviting spirit is expressed through the Connect Ministry. This team Ministry team exists to serve as Hillside’s extension of the calling to love others as ourselves in living as disciples of Christ. The Connect Ministry bridges the gap by providing a hospitable environment for first time visitors, guests and members at any of the Hillside Discipleship Church services, special events or programs. Through the Connect Ministry HDC embraces guests and visitors by living out the context of Romans 12:13 “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Guidelines: First impressions are crucial and determine whether or not people who walk through the doors of Hillside Discipleship Church as visitors will come back or stay, and based on that the Connect Ministry intentionally and lovingly displays a w welcoming and hospitable spirit to all. This team makes it a priority to obey the New Testament challenge: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1-2) Connect Ministry as the name directly suggests is about connecting with people where they are whether they are members, guest, or visitors. The strategy of the Connect Ministry involves greeting members and guests every Sunday morning before the service. Members of the team meet each person that walks into the doors to enter the building with a big smile. In the case of a visitor, team members engage with the visitor in a very welcoming way, provide necessary information in the form of the welcome packet, and assist with seating. At the end of the service it is also the responsibility of the team to invite the visitor to a coffee and snacks reception in a designated room to meet the Preaching Pastor and Shepherding Team and get more familiarized with the mission of HDC. Connect Ministry works closely with the Fellowship Ministry to provide this welcoming reception atmosphere for first time visitors and guests. HDC’s Connect Ministry is responsible for maintaining a record of guests, follow-up information, and contact a database that facilitates connecting visitors or guests with the appropriate ministry team leader, Pastor or Shepherd. Members of the Connect Ministry will participate in training and orientation as often as necessary to facilitate evaluation and revision of strategy and to encourage higher standards of hospitality for guests. All of the ministry team’s activities will contribute to the process of “Humbly Leading People To Become Disciples of Christ.” The Connect Ministry team will also function as the guest services team together with the Fellowship Team for special events (concerts, conferences, seminars) that HDC will host. Like other ministries, the Connect Ministry will also prepare, submit and maintain an itemized annual ministry team budget each year as allocated by the congregation through the Finance Team. The Connect Ministry team will establish and maintain a roster of greeters and ushers to make sure that guests receive the warmest welcome and friendliest hospitality.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Prayer Ministry Purpose: The Prayer Ministry serves to uphold the congregation and its ministries in prayer and to educate, empower and inspire the congregation in their prayer lives. Our Prayer Ministry works to ensure that Hillside is a praying church through the prayer chain, daily concerns, special event coverage, and prayer sessions. Effective and successful ministry results from heeding God’s call and prayer. The Prayer Ministry shall seek to permeate Hillside Discipleship Church with prayer, provide and implement creative ways for members of the congregation to communicate prayer request directly to the prayer team, and offer assurance of confidentiality in cases where it’s desired.

Guidelines: The Prayer Ministry shall:



Receive and pray for concerns and requests submitted by individuals in the congregation



Be available to pray with people when the need arises



Cover all Hillside Discipleship Church ministries with prayer and receive their specific prayer concerns



Designate one of the rooms in the church as a prayer room



Make sure that the designated prayer room is a peaceful environment supplied with good prayer resources to encourage members of the congregation to pray



Share testimonies as often as possible through the website, bulletin or newsletter



Stand in the gap and provide a prayer shield for the Pastors



Facilitate and manage the prayer chain for the congregation



Take the lead on initiating congregational prayer and fasting



Discern and clearly communicate the direction and needs of the Prayer Ministry



Develop and manage an itemized Prayer Ministry budget in conjunction with the Finance Team with accommodation for miscellaneous expenses



Establish a roster of prayer warriors to be interceding every Sunday morning before, during and after the service



Work with Preaching Pastor to coordinate intercessors to pray with people following invitation at the end of each service if needed



The Prayer Ministry shall partner with the Worship Ministry to coordinate pre-service prayer for all who will be involved in the worship service.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Education Ministry Purpose: HDC’s Education ministry oversees all aspects of Christian Education – Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Small Groups, and Curriculum. This ministry implements and evaluates programs to make sure that curriculum is consistent with the mission of HDC and the word of God. Hillside Discipleship Church endeavors to provide solid Bible-based education in all teaching environments, and it is the task of the Education Ministry to make sure that this goal is accomplished. Our Education ministry also exists to foster deep knowledge of the Bible and great ability to apply it to everyday life.

Guidelines: 

Working closely with the Preaching Pastor, the Education Ministry creates the path for members to journey from being “Not Yet Believing Friends” to becoming “Reproducing Disciples”



Inspire a passionate love for the Word and create a culture of spiritual growth that results in a Biblically literate congregation from the nursery to senior citizens



Implement an educational strategy for the process of making disciples



Follow a uniform strategy for gradual development of disciples



Pay attention to the discipleship journey in creating curriculum



Create a learning environment that is friendly to all, even to visitors and people from the community



Take the lead in making sure that adequate preparation is made by those who facilitate or teach classes



Identifying, Purchasing, or designing curriculum that is Biblically sound and consistent with HDC’s mission



Lead in the planning and execution of teacher training seminars or workshops



Involve gifted, qualified, and spiritually mature members of the congregation to serve as educators



Prepare and maintain an itemized annual Education Ministry budget accommodating for miscellaneous expenses



Schedule regular evaluation meetings to find out how successful the ministry is functioning



Work closely with the Preaching Pastor to ensure that all education is consistent with ministry vision



Promote and clearly communicate all Christian education avenues that exist within HDC



Men’s Ministry and Women’s Ministry



Youth and Children’s Ministry



Small groups



Occasional seminars or conferences

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Property Management Ministry Purpose: The purpose of the Property Management Team is to oversee all aspects of the maintenance and care of Church properties and grounds. The Property Management Team exists to provide Hillside members with a safe, clean, comfortable environment for all our current ministries and to prepare for any future facility needs. Guidelines:



Oversee the physical appearance and accessibility of all Church properties



Develop and maintain appropriate guidelines for the care and maintenance of Church properties.



Acquire, through quotes, contractor services if and when those services are required



Upon the selection of each contractor, an agreement/contract between the contractor and the Church will be drawn and executed by both parties



Oversee the services of contractors when maintaining or updating the interior and exterior of all physical facilities and grounds for the Church



Develop and maintain appropriate guidelines to be adhered to by contractors while performing work on behalf of the Church



Perform certain maintenance functions within the scope of the team’s collective abilities



These functions will be limited to those as allowed by insurance and regulatory restraints



Functions will incorporate the highest level of safety to protect members of the team



Maintain maintenance schedules for all regularly scheduled facility maintenance



Plan for long-term capital purchases, including but not limited to, kitchen equipment, HVAC, and signage, in conjunction with the Finance Team



Coordinate and facilitate Church-wide facility “work days”



Prepare an annual itemized Property Management budget accommodating for miscellaneous expenditure



Maintain and keep all safety signage and handicap access points up to date



Work with the Director of Children’s Ministry to maintain a highly safe Children’s Ministry wing



Work closely with custodial personnel or volunteers to ensure safety of working environment



Establish an on-call system for emergency Property Management related situations



Maintain a consistent snow removal service to ensure safety of members on the church premises



Ensure that fire code regulations are followed and strictly adhered to



Prepare and post “Emergency Exit” instructions according to code regulations

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Finance Team Purpose: The Finance Team at Hillside Discipleship Church assists the Shepherding Team by combining expertise, thoughts, and ideas together to form a team of individuals that will prayerfully and carefully plan, manage, and evaluate the financial resources of the Church. This team will oversee the process of establishing and practicing biblical stewardship of financial resources entrusted to the congregation. The Finance Team forms the stewardship and accountability support system for the Shepherding Team and is comprised of men and women who are gifted and qualified as financial managers and administrators. This team’s gifts and expertise are utilized to provide transparent accountability in all matters pertaining to the Church’s finances. The Finance Team facilitates the establishing of budgeting trends for HDC’s entire ministry based on previous years’ income and expenses.

Guidelines: Accountability The Finance Team helps establish clear ways of communicating transparently, while protecting conflict of interest, the way Hillside Discipleship Church funds are allocated and used to keep with the mission of the church. Transparent accountability will be maintained through digital and manual financial records. The Finance Tam shall ensure that the records are consistent with financial accounting standards and IRS code pertaining to financial management for religions organizations. Accountability for HDC’s financial resources begins with maintaining records of weekly tithes and offerings collected in every Sunday service. After collection of each Sunday’s tithes and offering two or three members of the Finance Team will be tasked with the responsibility of counting and clearly recording the amounts received, making note of any and every designated offerings. The Finance Team is responsible for designing and implementing a receipt document for weekly tithes and offerings to be used for recording weekly giving by the congregation. The Treasurer and the Finance Team shall determine the financial software each member is familiar with to be used to generate accounting reports that each member of the congregation can easily understand. The Treasurer and the Finance Team shall maintain all books, records and accounts of Hillside Discipleship Church, and all books and records shall be considered the property of the Church. An open book policy shall be maintained to allow any member of the congregation to request financial information. The Finance Team is responsible for maintaining records of salaries paid, payroll taxes, and social security when applicable. Records of salaries will be maintained without disclosing names of those being compensated and how much they are being salaried to avoid conflict between employees. Information maintained in the salary records shall be consistent with information communicated in employees’ pay conditions in the contract of employment. To facilitate a reporting system that helps minimize questions and concerns, the Finance Team will make available to the congregation a condensed financial statement monthly and a detailed statement quarterly. Both the monthly and the quarterly statement shall not reveal the specific names or staff position when reporting salaries and payroll, but instead they shall reflect the combined amounts for all salaries and payroll taxes. Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

23 3 Finance Team Guidelines: Budget Process Hillside Discipleship Church, Finance Team works according to church procedure and instruction. As the Stewardship facilitators for the congregation, the team also makes recommendations as needed to ensure biblical stewardship principles are applied in handling God’s money received and disbursed through the church. The Hillside Discipleship Church budget will be developed by the Treasurer and Finance Team, working very closely with the Shepherding Team. Before the beginning of the fiscal year, each Ministry Team Leader will submit an itemized ministry budget proposal specific to that ministry’s annual needs with allocation for miscellaneous expenses. Upon receipt of the ministry budget proposals, the Finance Team shall consult with the Shepherding Team to review all itemized ministry budget proposals to validate their consistency with the ministry’s function and operation. Proposed ministry budgets will also be analyzed based on previous year needs and allocation of funds as well as projected income for the budget year. Through the annual budget process, Hillside Discipleship Church with the aid of the Finance Team establishes a plan for good stewardship and accountability of the financial blessings entrusted to the congregation by. In the event that a ministry has budgeted over the allocation deemed necessary by the Finance Team and the Shepherding Team, the itemized budget is kicked back with an allocated amount for the ministry team to revised and itemize according to the allocated amount. Final ministry budgets are incorporated into the overall budget and presented to the congregation through the Shepherding Team at HDC’s Annual General Meeting. The Finance Team shall retain a copy of the itemized budget of each ministry for filing purposes in case of an audit or request for financial records. The Finance Team’s role in budgeting for ministries shall be limited to determining the amount to be allocated for each ministry and shall in no way include determining the way each ministry will use the allocated amount. Each ministry will communicate how they plan to spend their allocated amount through the itemized budget. The Finance Team shall also provide for miscellaneous expenses in each ministry’s budget using a determined standard percentage for such expenses. As part of the budget process, the Finance Team and the Shepherding Team also share the responsibility of setting the amounts for staff salaries in keeping with the principles of fair compensation for existing staff positions. Any communication of revising staff salaries shall take place first between the Finance Team and the Shepherding Team before being announced to the congregation. Once determined by both teams as a healthy financial decision, the revision will be communicated to the congregation. All written records communicating staff salaries shall reveal the total amount allocated for payroll and payroll expenses to ensure privacy of individual staff salary details. In a situation where the revision of the budget is necessary, the Finance Team after consulting with the Shepherding team shall call for a special congregational meeting to address that specific purpose. Both teams shall clearly communicate valid reasons as to why a budget revision is needed and the impact it will have on the different ministry teams, compensation of ministry personnel, and payment of accounts. The Shepherding Team shall take the lead in facilitating a consensus decision to agree or disagree with the proposed budget review by listening to thoughts and reasons from all concerned parties. The final position shall be settled by prevailing consensus as analyzed by Shepherding Team during meeting proceedings. Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Finance Team Guidelines: Payroll Management and Administration

“For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain, ’and ‘The worker deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:18) The Finance Team by virtue of the expertise and gifts is also tasked with the responsibility of managing and administering Pastoral Staff payroll. In this role the tem consults with the Shepherding Team on all matter pertaining to Hillside Discipleship Church pastoral staff compensation, employment benefits and tax reporting. The Finance Team shall be responsible for establishing and authoring the pay conditions in consultation with the Shepherding Team for all Hillside Discipleship Church staff positions. The team shall communicate the compensation period for all employees (bi-weekly or monthly) as deemed necessary and manageable. In addition to determining the compensation period, the team will also determine the compensation date that each employee will receive a paycheck. HDC’s Finance Team shall calculate and determine each employee’s payroll deductions. If and when applicable the team is required to deduct from employees’ pay, federal and state income taxes and Social Security taxes. Any other voluntary deductions from an employee's paycheck (i.e. group health and life insurance premiums, etc.) must be authorized in advance in writing by the employee by completing a Voluntary Payroll Withholding Request and submitting it to the Finance Team. CONFIDENTIALITY OF SALARY AND WAGES Employees’ salary and wages are extremely confidential and are not publicly disclosed. An employee should not seek to ascertain information about a fellow employee’s compensation. If such information is inadvertently related to an employee, he or she is not to discuss it further. When compensation information needs to be shared for more general distribution (for example, during the annual budget development and approval process), payroll and other compensation data should be provided as a total value for the employee population and not by individual employee. PERSONNEL FILES AND RECORDS A personnel file for each member of the Pastoral Staff Team will be maintained by the Finance Team and the Shepherding Team, and each file will generally include documents such as a Position Description, offer of employment, IRS Form W-4, Acknowledgement of Receipt of this handbook, any necessary sign-up forms for employee benefits, and any other documents relating to the staff member. During their employment, employees will generally be allowed to review their own personnel records upon request.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

This section of the policies and procedures handbook communicates the guidelines that will be followed in the hiring or dismissal process for any Pastoral Staff position that may be available at Hillside Discipleship Church. The main objective of this section is to ensure that integrity and transparency of communication is maintained in the hiring or dismissal process. The following guidelines will be used for Pastoral Staff hiring:



The Shepherding Team in partnership with the Finance Team shall take the lead in the process of filling a vacant Pastoral Staff position



A search team will be assembled from both the Shepherding Team and the Finance Team to take the lead in the process of filling in the vacant Pastoral Staff position



Any vacant ministry position shall be advertised first within Hillside Discipleship Church through a verbal, newsletter, or bulletin announcement



A press release of the vacant Pastoral Staff position will be featured on the church website, in the local newspaper, and in Christian/Bible Colleges



A job application process must be implemented – online forms, hard copy forms etc.



A job interview must be conducted by a team assembled for such purpose



A successful candidate must be oriented to the policies and procedures and HDC’s mission



Pastoral Staff employee folders should be maintained for each employee and kept safe



Salary agreement shall be discussed personally with each employee and will not be made public in any financial reporting documents as a measure of protecting employees



Pastoral Staff members are expected to evidence a Christian lifestyle and conduct wherever they are as a good ambassador of Christ and of Hillside Discipleship Church



Once hired, a Pastoral Staff member should sign a contract of employment before assuming roles and responsibilities



Contract of employment for each HDC employee will clearly communicate the job responsibilities, expected office hours, working conditions, compensation, benefits, vacation time or leave, and professional development plan or expectations



In the event of a dismissal, the Shepherding Team shall take the lead and communicate with the staff member about the grounds for his/her dismissal bot h verbally and in writing



The congregation shall be informed of the dismissal and provided with details depending on the nature of the grounds for dismissal. In some cases the Shepherding Team shall reserve the right to provide details to save the integrity of the dismissed employee.



The Shepherding Team shall work with the rest of the Pastoral Staff to make sure that all records and information that is HDC property does not leave the premises with the dismissed staff member.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

PREACHING PASTOR The Preaching Pastor at Hillside Discipleship Church is a called and ordained spiritual visionary who commits to serve the body of Christ through preaching, teaching, overseeing the spiritual health and progress of all ministries. The Preaching Pastor shall lead the congregation at Hillside to fulfill its mission of ”Humbly Leading People to Become Disciples of Christ,” primarily through preaching and teaching, leadership, vision and administration, pastoral care and ministry expansion.

PREACHING PASTOR GUIDELINES The Preaching Pastor shall provide expository communication of the Word encouraging the congregation to grow in their understanding and application of the Word of God and to do the work of ministry together utilizing all the spiritual gifts that God has equipped Hillside Discipleship Church with. HDC’s Preaching Pastor is also required to lead, provide guidance, and communicate God-given vision to other members of the pastoral staff team, ministry team leaders and ministry teams for the purpose of enhancing the mission of “humbly leading people to become disciples of Christ.” He shall also provide Pastoral care to the body of believers at Hillside. Realizing that as a congregation we don’t exist in isolation, our Preaching Pastor shall also serve as our network coordinator by developing as many relationships with other Christian leaders and congregation within our demographic area. As a communicator of God’s word to the congregation, HDC’s Preaching Pastor shall regularly exposit and teaches Biblical teachings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, to inspire people to apply it to their daily lives. He shall use the word of God to call the congregation to personal faith in Christ, to repentance, spiritual growth, service and evangelism through biblically grounded teaching. In partnership with the worship ministry, the Preaching Pastor plans and executes the worship service. In partnership with the Shepherding Team, he will discern, develop, cast vision and implement God's vision for the future of Hillside Discipleship Church. Above all he will exhibit a heart for evangelism and missions in both church community and personal life. The Preaching Pastor’s pastoral care extends to being available to counsel families and individuals of the church; partnering with pastoral staff, Shepherds, and volunteers to provide hospital and home visitation; provide pre-marital counseling; and officiate at weddings and funerals. He will take the lead in providing new member classes and welcoming new members working together with the Shepherding Team, other Pastoral Staff members, Connect Ministry team members and Fellowship Ministry team. He will help cultivate a church culture that encourages creative ways for each person to use their gifts to help advance the Gospel and to live out and grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. His personal life shall reflect high integrity and transparency and he shall lead through personal example and in obedience to the following scripture passages: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28) Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

DISCIPLESHIP/OUTREACH PASTOR The Disciple/Outreach Pastor at Hillside will be tasked with seeking out and developing Large Group, Small Group and One-on-One Discipleship relationships. It is vital that these relationships be developed with the Hillside community and out in the local community. There are a few opportunities for discipleship and outreach already in place - Men’s Discipleship Group, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study, and additional small groups that meet in homes. The Discipleship & Outreach Pastor will assist established ministries and initiate some new small group discipleship relationships.

DISCIPLESHIP/OUTREACH PASTOR GUIDELINES Hillside Discipleship Church Outreach Pastor will partner with the Preaching Pastor and capture the vision that he communicates for the direction of ministry to implement effective discipleship strategies. At Hillside the Discipleship and Outreach Pastor provides leadership and direction to assist new and regular attenders in taking intentional steps for growth in their relationship with Christ, in developing Christ-like character and building healthy relationships, and discovering gifts for ministry in the church, in the community, and around the world Community Outreach: The concept of the Organic Church- or “planting” small group churches where people live, work and play, is vital to a disciple making church. The Discipleship/Outreach Pastor shall equip the congregation to participate in the multiplying of “Missional Communities.” These communities may establish in apartment complexes, coffee shops, gyms, homes, etc. Church Planting: The Discipleship/Outreach Pastor’s role in the context of church planting is to ensure that Hillside is equipping Disciples to reproduce their faith and be prepared for the day when a group from within Hillside would go and serve as the core of a new church plant. Although the Outreach Pastor may not personally be the one to lead the church plant, his work in laying the foundation is vital to the success of the vision. Pastoral Care: The role of any one on the Pastoral Staff Team will involve daily care and spiritual leadership of members of the congregation. Hospital calls, counseling, visitation will also be additional duties for the Discipleship and Outreach Pastor.

In his personal life, the Discipleship/Outreach Pastor shall live an exemplary life before those he serves, meeting the qualities that are essential for leadership - Humility, teachability, loyalty and personal holiness. He shall understand and support the church purpose, priorities, vision, and guiding principles. As a staff member, his heart and mind must be committed to serving others, supporting the staff and cultivating team ministry.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

WORSHIP PASTOR The Worship Pastor at Hillside Discipleship Church shall oversee the worship life of the congregation both in corporate gatherings and individual daily lives. As worship leader, the Pastor will facilitate the incorporation of music, multi-media, and technical arts in the traditional and contemporary styles of corporate worship of at Hillside. As a member of the ministry staff team, this Pastor works closely with the Preaching Pastor, Prayer Ministry Team, Connect Ministry and other leaders and teams to craft meaningful worship environments primarily for Sunday morning worship services (and other venues, as needed). The Worship Pastor supports the vision of Hillside through the worship experience at each individual service.

WORSHIP PASTOR GUIDELINES HDC’s Worship Pastor shall ensure that Hillside is a worshipping congregation by promoting worship as a way of life, not just a Sunday morning experience. The person serving in this position shall be a “team player” willing to assist and work with other members of the Pastoral Staff Team. The Worship Pastor shall serve as a visionary for the worship life of the church by initiative new avenues for worship that engage the entire congregation in meaningful, meditative and reflective worship. The Pastor should also be able to communicate vision and passion for the Worship Ministry members, the congregation and other teams that serve with the Worship Ministry. In developing the ministry team the Worship Pastor shall cultivate goals and objectives for the worship ministry in line with Hillside Discipleship Church’s strategic plan. Another part of the development plan for the ministry shall be identifying and recruiting worship leaders, musicians, technicians, and ministry volunteers, equipping them with relevant and necessary resources and training. The Worship Pastor shall work with the Finance Team and the Shepherding Team to propose and maintain and annual itemized budget for the ministry’s needs. Due to the high value of sound and visual equipment, the Worship Pastor and the entire Worship Ministry shall be responsible for overseeing and maintaining with worship equipment in the sanctuary and the tech booth and back stage. The Worship Pastor will also be responsible for resourcing and leading young adults with an objective of creating a thriving worship ministry and cultivating future talent. In terms of Pastoral Care, the pastor shall participate in activities including marriage services and funerals; assisting with hospital calling and other visits of need particularly as it relates to people of the worship ministry. Engaging and supporting the ministries at Hillside particularly outreach opportunities/events. The Worship Ministry Pastor serves as the leader to any worship ministry member. As leader, the pastor shall model qualities of spiritual leadership and integrity as well as embracing the heart of a servant and a true disciple of Christ. The Worship Pastor shall be a true worshipper, a prayer warrior, and a confident encourager whose life is consistent with the word of God.

Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

Director of Children and Family Ministry Hillside Discipleship Church’s Director of Children and Family Ministry is responsible for directing and leading HDC’s ministry to children and their families, while also collaborating with other ministry staff on lifelong Christian formation. In the context of the church’s mission our director of Children and Family Ministry ensures the laying of a solid biblical and spiritual foundation in the lives of children and their families.

Director of Children and Family Ministry Guidelines The Director of Children and Family Ministry shall work with the other member of the Pastoral Staff Team to advance the vision and mission of ministry at Hillside. While paying attention to children, the staff member in this position shall provide solid biblical teaching for all children’s ministry age groups in creative ways that enable them to understand and apply the teaching to their personal lives. It is the Directors main function to take the lead in planning, coordinating, and supervising a complete children’s ministry program (e.g., Sunday School, Wednesday Night Programs, Children’s Church, Preschool Worship, Nursery, Vacation Bible School, etc.) The Director or Children and Family Ministry shall lead in recruiting, training, motivating and supporting lay leaders to serve in the children’s ministry area. In the recruiting process, the director is required to make sure that all lay leaders or volunteers in Children’s Ministry clear background checks, and they have clear documentation to prove that which will be kept on file. Following the recruiting, the Director shall provide orientation and training to acquaint volunteers with Hillside’s Children’s Ministry and present the Hillside Discipleship Church Children’s Ministry Policy Handbook. The Director shall select curriculum that is relevant and effective for Children’s Ministry at Hillside or develop programs that are consistent with the vision of the church. The Director of Children and Family Ministry shall also be the lead planner for camps, retreats, service projects, and family fellowship activities for children and their families. The development and administration the annual budget for Children’s Ministries shall be led and coordinated by the Director of Children and Family Ministry with the help of the Finance Team. The Director will maintain consistent communication with parents/guardians that is timely, accurate and informative. Safety for Children is high priority of the Children’s Ministry at Hillside and the Director shall provide for the emotional and physical safety of all participants, advocate for children and family ministries within the church, and facilitate the spiritual growth of all Children who come through the doors of Hillside Discipleship Church. The Director of Children and Family Ministry shall commit to staying current with trends and Methods for growing an effective Children and Family Ministry at Hillside Discipleship Church by attending workshops, conferences and seminars in the field.

PLACE PHOTO HERE, The Director of Children and Family Ministry shall live aDELETE life that BOX models what it means to be a disciple. OTHERWISE Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT The Administrative Assistant at Hillside Discipleship Church provides assistance to the Pastoral Staff Team and performs basic administrative duties for the Preaching Pastor. The person serving in this position also offers administrative support too all ministries at Hillside Discipleship Church and oversees the day to day administrative operations of the church office. HDC’s Administrative Assistant will possess a pleasant personality and be able to keep confidences. Due to the nature of some church business, the individual serving as the administrative assistant must be discreet with the business of the church office.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT GUIDELINES HDC’s Administrative Assistant shall conduct the business affairs of the church with an awareness of and availability to the needs of others with an eagerness to help when possible and deals with interruptions pleasantly and is willing to help other staff members in the course of their assigned tasks as the needs arise. Since the Administrative Assistant works with some of the church’s records, confidentiality is required. Confidentiality should be maintained for every member of the church concerning personal information or records of financial giving or donations. This confidentiality is also maintained for staff with regards to any financial situations that should occur. The Administrative Assistant shall utilize his/her professional skills, personal maturity, strength of character, personal integrity, organizational skills, computer skills, and training to enhance the administrative work product of the Hillside Discipleship Church office. HDC’s Administrative Assistant shall serve as a welcoming voice to those who call and/or visit the church office. He/she will act as a coordinator in directing the activities of the church office and synchronizing the ministry calendars of events to make sure that the congregation is well informed about various ministry events and opportunities. Like any staff member at Hillside, the Administrative Assistant shall respect the property of the church and treat all intellectual information belonging to the church as church property. Contact information and any information on social media or the church website is church property and should be treated as such. The Administrative Assistant shall offer assistance to ministers in the preparation and mailing of correspondence such as letters, small newsletters, cards, etc., as needed for purposes or getting information out to members of the congregation or the community at large. Additionally in dealing with correspondence he/she shall receive and distribute incoming mail and deliveries as well as helping Compose, draft, and type correspondence as needed. The Administrative Assistant shall also help with ordering office supplies as needed, and he/she shall recruit and utilize volunteers for certain office tasks as needed. HDC’s Administrative Assistant shall maintain spiritual qualifications consistent with being a leader and demonstrate an attitude of service for the body of Christ and support for HDC’ Hillside Discipleship Church Ministry Policies & Procedures

HILLSIDE DISCIPLESHIP CHURCH 4025 N. Lapeer Road Lapeer, MI 48446 P: 810-793-6492 E: info@hillsidediscipleshipchurch.com www.hillsidediscipeshipchurch.com