The Purpose of First Chinese Baptist Church

Phoenix, Arizona

The First Chinese Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona exists to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our church shall worship the Lord God, disciple His believers for growth and fellowship,
seek the non-believers for Jesus Christ, and serve the needy.

Ministry Descriptions

(Alphabetical Order)

Baptism

The purpose of the Baptism Committee is to support our Lord’s commandment of baptism. Through an outward profession of faith, and an inward acceptance of Jesus Christ, unchurched believers become members of our church by baptism. We help with the baptism process.

 Responsibilities:

·         Help candidates and pastor with baptismal gowns.

·         Coordinate the baptism program and take care of all the necessary items used in baptism.

·         Pray for potential baptismal candidates.

·         After baptism, encourage new members to attend worship services, Sunday school, discipleship training and fellowship opportunities.

·         Enlist new workers.

Career Sunday School Teacher

Grow the career group in knowledge of God’s Word and encourage application of the Word to their lives. (Make hearers and doers of the Word).

Responsibilities:

·         Prepare and lead Bible study during the Sunday school at least twice per month.

·         Participate in the Career Core Group meetings

·         With Career Core Group, develop a spiritual growth plan to grow people in 5 purposes.

·         Actively participate in growth plan activities

·         Pray for students and fellow teachers

·         Develop meaningful relationships with students by spending time, one-on-one.

Children’s Sunday School Teacher (grades 1-6)

The following are the purposes of the Children’s Department:

·      Teach and share the gospel and demonstrate God’s love to the children;

·      Teach the children scriptures and use of the Bible;

·      Facilitate Children’s Worship as a transition to participation in regular Sunday morning service;

·      Provide a time for children to interact and share what they have learned;

·      Support the children in their spiritual growth by providing an atmosphere of encouragement and nurturing;

·      Fellowship and minister to the needs of the children through outreaches, mail, phone calls and visitation

·      Worship and praise God through special programs such as the Christmas program, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Responsibilities:

·      Prepare for weekly lessons;

·      Take part in the planning and implementation of outreaches (about 4 times a year), special department programs, and department planning meetings;

·      Attend monthly teachers’ meetings.

Choir

Praise God with thanksgiving for what he has done for us through singing. Lead the congregation in magnifying the Lord through worship.

Responsibilities:

Because God has redeemed us, we have a special privilege to honor God through singing. We experience the cost, death and sorrow on the Lord’s part. Therefore, we can also experience the joy and elation that God’s victory brings. Because our commitment is group oriented, it is very important that every member tries to be faithful to support and uphold the choir by attending practices, Sunday worship, etc. It takes sacrifices, but God’s blessing and our benefits always outweighs what we give Him.

Church Clerk

Keep a record of all official actions of the church, namely of the business meeting, of the church council, and the like.

Responsibilities:

·         Take minutes of the church council meetings, usually occurring once a month on a Saturday morning (8:30 AM).

·         Take minutes of the church business meetings

·         All minutes are typed and submitted to the church secretary to be filed in the church records.

College Sunday School Teacher

Promote the 5 Purpose Driven Areas (Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Evangelism, and Ministry) within the College Department.

Responsibilities:

·      Attend monthly Sunday School teachers meetings and college planning meetings

·      Sponsor one of the 5 Purposes (i.e. Worship, Fellowship, Evangelism, Discipleship and Ministry)

·      Care for and minister to college students through prayer, phone calls, emails, etc.

·      Support and participate in various college events such as Tree Decoration, Sonrise Service, and Monthly/Quarterly Fellowship or Outreach activities. 

Deacon’s Fellowship

The purpose of the Deacon’s Fellowship is to care for our members and to reach out to unsaved/non-members.

Responsibilities:

1.       Pray for members daily

2.       Show God’s love through caring

3.       Prepare devotions

4.       Arrange for praise/worship

5.       Arrange for food/potluck

English Adult Sunday School Teacher

The English Adult Sunday School Teacher leads people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and builds on-mission Christians through a variety of Bible Study classes that connect people for:

§  Telling others about Jesus (evangelism);

§  Learning to live the life of a Christian (discipleship);

§  Sharing our lives with each other (fellowship);

§  Helping others when they are in need (ministry); and

§  Thanking God for what He has done for us (worship).

Responsibilities: (for teacher or leader)

§  Be a disciple or learner themselves;

§  Teach or lead Sunday School class in the study of the Bible;

§  Work with class to identify prospects and tell them the good news of Jesus Christ

§  Participate in church wide programs e.g. Sunday worship, Wednesday prayer, Visitation, business meetings;

§  Show God’s love by caring, encouraging, supporting, and nurturing each other;

§  Attend, contribute and lead in the planning and participation of department activities and events; and

§  Attend monthly teacher’s meetings.

Missions Committee

Support and promote opportunities for church members to participate in missions work.

Responsibilities:

·      Explore the possibilities for starting or sponsoring new missions

·      Advise the church about opportunities relating to missions

·      Establish and conduct projects and conferences assigned by the church

§  YSMP – attend YSMP planning meetings; organize training sessions for YSMP; make housing arrangements for yearly YSMP participants.

·      Encourage all church members to pray for and support missionaries and missions work.

Nomination Committee

Coordinate the ministry needs/opportunities with our members of the church. According to their gifts and talents, place them in the various committee/ministries. 

Responsibilities:

·         Work in consultation with the Church Council in the selection and enlistment of all lay leaders.

·         Consult the existing heads of church organizations and committee chairpersons.

·         Consult the Sunday School Director and the Minister of Christian Education for the nomination of the teaching staff.

·         Submit all nominees/resignees to the church council for approval and to the church for election.

·         Update the lay ministry description as the need of the church changes (addition/removal/modification of committees/ministries)

Nursery Worker/Teacher

The purpose of the Nursery is to provide a safe and caring environment for infants and toddlers so that their families feel comfortable in leaving them while they attend Worship and Sunday School; and to nurture the children by showing God’s love while caring for them.

Responsibilities:

·         Be early so that when the children enter your class you are ready for them and stay until the last child is picked up.

·         Be prepared to change diapers every hour or as needed. If caring for the toddlers, be prepared to care for their toileting needs.

·         Enforce rules concerning sick children so that healthy children are not at risk.

·         Keep the children safe – a teacher / helper must be present at all times.

·         Contact the toddlers who did not / do not attend.

·         Attend seminars and other church functions that can help you be a better teacher/help in the Nursery.

·         Feed infants their bottles and/or feed toddlers their snacks.

·         Be prepared to teach the toddlers about God’s love using the bible stories, crafts, and snacks to reinforce the lessons.

Outreach Committee

The Outreach Committee helps each church member share the Gospel of Christ by coordinating all evangelistic efforts of the church based on the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20.  The committee shall be comprised of 3-5 English and Chinese speaking members who have a heart for seeking the lost and sharing Christ.

Responsibilities:

§  Lead the church in an organized evangelism program to reach the unsaved for Christ;

§  Enlist, train and direct members to be effective witnesses;

§  Recommend to the church, programs designed to reach the lost;

§  Coordinate the revival services;

§  Lead outreach activities;

§  Coordinate a list of unsaved prospects and keep records of outreach contacts;

§  Active participation in church ministries and services;

§  Minister under the direction of the Sunday School Director, work with the Prayer Committee and Care Ministry Committee (which are also under the Sunday School structure) to address individual needs;

§  Coordinate with the Sunday School department and/or class outreach leader: each week prospect information is gathered and outreach visitation is scheduled;

§  Be faithful in accomplishing the above responsibilities.

Personnel Committee

The purpose of the Personnel Committee is to support and assist the Senior Pastor and Deacons in all personnel matters regarding the church staff.

Responsibilities:

§  Employment – recommend to the church, in consultation with the Church Council, the employment of all non-pastoral personnel. Manage all phases of the employment process which may include sourcing the candidates, interviewing, conducting reference checks, creating offer packages and ensuring proof of identity and legal authority to work in the United States. Oversee the updates of immigrant workers’ working visas to ensure compliance.

§  Employee Relations – works with the Staff, Council, and Deacons on staff relation issues which may include discipline and discharge.

§  Benefit Administration – review benefit programs with new staff. Enroll staff into plans. Stay abreast of cost and plan changes. Assist staff with questions and usage of the plan. Communicate any changes to Business Manager, Senior Pastor, Deacons and staff. Annually update annuity contribution to the Annuity Board. Research other benefit plan as needed to ensure cost and program effectiveness.

§  Salary Administration – research salary surveys and conduct informal salary surveys as needed. Annually recommend salary increases to the Church Council for church action. Recommend salary for job offers. Work with the Church Council, Staff, and Deacons to revise/develop job descriptions as needed.

Pianist and Organist

Support the music ministry by providing musical accompaniment for all church ministries.

Responsibilities:

Provide accompaniment for both choirs during rehearsals and worship services. Research, select and acquire music for use during worship services. Perform preludes, offertories and postludes, and provide musical accompaniment for congregational hymns during worship services. Assist all ministries and departments with accompaniment needs – including Sunday school assemblies, children’s choir and Senior’s fellowship.

Prayer Team

To administer the prayer needs of the church and to develop a vital and healthy prayer atmosphere in the church.

Responsibilities:

·         Collect prayer requests (prayer card, email)

·         Prepare English and Chinese prayer items for midweek prayer meeting as well the Sunday bulletin insert

·         Coordinate prayer meetings and fasting events

·         Pray for all the prayer requests unceasingly

·         Follow up with the prayer requestor for update

·         Encourage, educate, motivate, and reminder the church to pray (prayer workshop, reminder emails, flyers, events)

·         Maintain the prayer request list and ensure the prayer team and the church pray on them in a timely manner

·         Organize Prayer Meetings

Preschool Sunday School

The purpose of the Preschool is to teach & show the preschool children the love and caring nature of God and Jesus.  We care for preschool children but do not consider it a daycare - it is a Sunday School class.  We touch the families of the preschool children we teach with what the children learn at church.  We provide a safe & caring environment for preschool children so that their families feel comfortable in leaving them while they attend Worship and Sunday School

Responsibilities:

·         Be on time and come when scheduled.  Children and their parents will not know where to go if you are not there.

·         If you know ahead of time that you cannot come when scheduled, be considerate and arrange for one of your fellow teachers / helpers to substitute ahead of time to allow her time to prepare.  Be aware that you may also be called upon to substitute for someone else.

·         Must stay until the last child is picked up. 

·         Be prepared to teach the preschoolers about God’s love using the bible stories, crafts, and even snacks to reinforce the lessons.

·         Create / prepare a craft to reinforce the lesson that is appropriate to the skills of your preschoolers.

·         Provide a healthy snack for the children as part of your teaching duties so the children are not hungry.  Look at their registration forms to become familiar with any food allergies they might have.

·         Be prepared to take care of their toileting needs.  These are preschool children and will need assistance (potty training, wiping & drying).

·         Follow an established schedule so preschoolers become familiar with the routine at church.

·         Enforce rules concerning sick children so that healthy children who attend will not get sick and so that families feel good about bringing their children to our Sunday School.

·         Keep the children safe – they must be under the supervision of a preschool teacher / helper at all times.

·         Contact preschoolers who do not attend using post cards, telephone calls, and even visits to their homes to encourage them to attend, especially visitors / new prospects.

·         Attend teacher’s meetings, seminars, and other church functions that can help you be a better teacher/helper in the preschool.

·         Keep the Sunday School roll / attendance current and turn it into the office at the end of class and any offering to the Church Finance office.

·         Care for and play with the children so they can see God’s love in you

Property Management Committee

Maintain buildings and property of the church. Oversee maintenance and repairs, improvements and general day-to-day operations of the building, grounds, utilities, and other support equipment. The Committee shall be composed of two to four members.

Responsibilities:

§  Provide a safe, clean, and appealing environment for the church to worship and lead others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

§  Maintain a reasonable repair and improvement budget for the upkeep of the property.

§  Monitor the maintenance of the church vans.

§  Work with and direct the Church Custodian on janitorial and repair activities.

Sonbeam

As the publication ministry of the church, the Sonbeam committee will produce a bi-monthly bi-lingual newsletter. The purpose of this ministry is to Inform (communicate news), Inspire (edify readership spiritually), and Invite (to invite members to join church activities, and to lead people to Christ). The committee will seek to maintain Sonbeam as the relevant publication of our church life. Readership is composed of the church members, church quests, and friendly churches and organizations.

Responsibilities:

·      With the input from the Senior Pastor, decide the themes and/or articles for each issue.

·      Produce Sonbeam on or before the month of the publication. For example, have the March/April Sonbeam ready before end of February.

·      Solicit writers and their articles in a timely manner.

·      Edit, translate, typeset, and proofread the English and Chinese articles.

·      Layout the English and Chinese newsletters and produce the printer-ready output.

·      With the help from the church secretary, print and bulk mail the newsletter.

·      With the help from the Web Servant Committee, post it on the church website.

Stewardship and Finance

Lead the church members in seeking God’s will for our responsible stewardship of His provisions both individually and corporately as God’s church family.

Responsibilities:

·      Leading the church members to seek God’s will regarding our service and giving during Stewardship Emphasis Month. Also collecting and totaling member commitment cards received on Victory Sunday at the conclusion of Stewardship Emphasis Month.

·      Compiling and presenting annual proposed church budget for approval at a church business meeting.

·      Weekly counting, recording and deposit of church offering. At least two members of the Committee must be present at all times to verify and witness amounts received by the Church.

·      Weekly disbursing of Church funds to pay the expenses and ministries of the Church. All disbursements must be properly approved and documented. All checks must have two signatures of the Committee.

·      Presenting monthly financial reports of the various funds accounted for by the Church and its Finance committee. Also providing financial reports and information as needed and requested from various members of the Church Council.

·      Recording and distributing member giving statements.

·      Providing recommendations regarding other financial needs and policies of the Church.

Transportation

Minister to church members and non-members who need transportation to and from church functions.

Responsibilities:

§  Ensure safety of passengers and vehicles through prudent speeds, alertness, and care.

§  Have First-Aid/CPR certification and/or willingness to take the class.

§  Ability and willingness to drive or learn to drive a large vehicle.

§  Punctuality

§  Awareness of drive times

Trustee

The trustees shall hold in trust the church property and with the approval of the church, buy, sell, mortgage, purchase or rental of church property.  They shall also be responsible for the insurance program of the church and may revoke or appoint the statutory agent of the church. 

Responsibilities:

A trustee shall be a member of First Chinese Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ and called upon to serve as the legal officers through election.

·         The trustees shall

·         1 .hold in trust the church property;

·         buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer church property, with the approval of the church;

·         sign legal documents involving the purchase, sale, mortgage, lease or transfer of church property;

·         be responsible for the insurance program of the church, with the approval of the church; and

·         conduct an audit of the treasurer's records.

·         The trustees may revoke or appoint the statutory agent of the church.

·         The church business manager is a member of the board of trustees.

·         The pastor is ex-officio member and chairman, the church clerk is ex-officio member and clerk, and the treasurer is ex-officio member and treasurer of the board of trustees and the corporation.

Usher

Welcome members and guests to the church and assist the Pastor in conducting a successful service.

Responsibilities:

·         Serve as church greeter, welcoming members and guests, especially first-time visitors.  Notify pastor or deacon of first-time guests.

·         Assist attendees in finding available seats.  If necessary, escort attendees to their seats.

·         Pass out church programs or handouts.

·         Collect offerings during service.

·         Assist pastor in conducting the Lord’s Supper.

·         Ensure comfort level of sanctuary is maintained.

·         Ensure first-time visitors know which Sunday school class to attend after service.

·         Count the number of attendees of each service.

·         Be available for other special services.

Youth Sunday School Teacher

Teach and develop our youth (7^th grade to high school seniors) in Biblical truths and application of Biblical truths in their daily lives.

Responsibilities:

Teaching - Prepare and teach Sunday School lessons using the lesson materials provided to our Sunday School department.

Planning and Participating - Be present and involved in all youth officer and teacher planning meetings. Provide input to the planning and organization of activities.  Attend, support and participate in as many youth activities as possible such as Friday night Bible Studies, monthly outreaches and special youth sponsored events.  Lead with the youth, one of the Purpose groups (worship, evangelism, discipleship, ministry and fellowship) by planning and organizing activities related to specific purpose.

Mentoring – Be a mentor and friend to the youth. Get to know the youth and support them beyond the Sunday School hour and youth activities.