Author: DahliaPalmer

Emmanuel Baptist

Church Manual

Reformatted June 2010

CONTENTS
History ………………………………………… 4
Pastor’s job description …………………… 6
Membership …………………………………. 7
Members’ meeting …………………………. 8
Deacons’ board ………………………………. 8
Officers’ meeting ………………………….. 10
Ushers ………………………………………….. 10
Class leaders ………………………………….. 11
Mission & Evangelism …………………….. 11
Education Department ……………………. 12
Social Ministry ……………………………… 15
Finance Committee ………………………… 16
Property ……………………………………….. 16
Fellowship & Hospitality ………………….. 17
Family Ministry ………………………….. 17
Youth Department ………………………….. 18
Older Adults/Golden Age Ministry ….. 18
Prayer/Cell Groups ………………………… 19
Music & Arts ………………………………….

Brief history of the
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Emmanuel Baptist Church was established in 1828, and was formerly known as The Port Maria Baptist Church. It is the second oldest church in St. Mary next to the Annotto Bay Baptist church and Bray Head in 1829.
The Emmanuel Baptist Church building has its own fascinating history, and has withstood the ravages of time. In 1907, the building was badly damaged by the great earthquake. The roof was replaced during the time of Rev. Edward B. James, who also, lead in the renovation of the building. In the 1944 hurricane, disaster struck again, removing the entire roof. In the interest of the town’s people the building was repaired. During the time of the repairs, the membership found it inconvenient to continue worshipping tin the building, so the Methodist Church in Port Maria allowed the members of Emmanuel to use their Chapel until the replacement roof was completed.
The rebuilding of the walls of “Jerusalem” was great. The estimate showed that a substantial sum of money was required. It was suggest that a smaller chapel be erected but Deacon Bennett did not agreed. It was felt that there would be need for a bigger size building in the future and history has since proven this right.
In more recent history, a number of pastors have served faithfully such as the Rev. Spurgeon Smith from 1953-1967. Rev. Dudley Stokes succeeded him and served between 1967-1974. Rev. Stokes laid the foundation for the first phase, i.e. the ground floor of the Christian Education Building. Rev. Heckford Sharpe continued the good work by adding the first floor of the Christian Education Building. He served during the period 1974-1977. The Christian Education Building currently houses the basic school. Rev. Harry Jarrett continued from where the fathers have trod, by seeing the need for renovation to create a better physical atmosphere for worshipping, and so an overall renovation took place including the tiling of the chapel. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Anderson who commenced ministry on January 1, 1984. Since then, extensive renovations of the chapel to the tune of almost quarter of a million dollars was done!.. This included the installation of a new roof. He also introduced the cell group ministry and encouraged a very active children’s church ministry, which caters for children from ages three to twelve.
Today the church continues to grow and bear fruit. By the grace of God with the roots grounded on the Rock of Ages, we are confident that it will stand

Pastor’s Job Description
The pastor is ultimately responsible and accountable for the overall administration of the pastorate. This involves giving effective leadership towards the proper running of the business of the pastorate, seeing to it that statutory meetings are held, relevant records are kept, reports are submitted and accountability maintained at all levels.
The pastor is directly responsible for the overall worship life of the pastorate. This includes administering the sacraments, being personally committed to the faithful preaching of the Word, teaching of the faith and giving leadership in creative and effective liturgical forms and expressions.
The pastor is expected to ensure that relevant and adequate preparation is afforded to gifted members of the churches of the pastorate for participation in the preaching and teaching ministry, and for leadership at various levels in the life of the churches.
The pastor is expected to exercise overall consistent and sustained watch-care responsibilities in the pastorate. These include but are not limited to visiting, counselling, comforting, peacemaking, disciplinary and nurturing activities.
The pastor is expected to lead the pastorate in its understanding and vision of the ministry and mission of the church, both in its immediate and wider contexts. This will also include understanding of the nature of shared relationships that give expression to the church’s life, denominational affiliation and commitment, parish association and ecumenical participation.
The pastor is expected to be chief representative of moral and spiritual authority in the pastorate. This includes being chief spokesman on the church’s beliefs, regulations, code of ethics, and practice.
The pastor is expected to lead a life that is worthy of faith confessed in the Lordship of Christ and the call to the ordained ministry of the church of God. Under the guidance and enabling of the Holy spirit, the pastor is therefore expected to be an example of Christ-likeness in every way
Membership
Membership of the church is through baptism or by transfer from another church.
Candidates for baptism are expected to attend baptismal classes usually for six weeks in preparation for baptism. In these classes, basic principles of the faith are taught.
Where a letter of transfer cannot be obtained, attendance of a new member’s class and a testimony are accepted.
Loss of membership
A person ceases to be a member of the church upon request of a letter of transfer.
When a person is absent from the communion service for four consecutive months without explanation or discussion with the pastor or deacons in charge of the class, that person may be removed from the membership.
Before a person is removed from the membership list, the following procedure shall be observed
The class leader and/or deacon in charge of the class shall visit with the member to ascertain the situation and offer help, guidance and counselling where needed.
If there is no apparent improvement, a second visit will be made by the deacons’ board representative or the class leader.
If there is still no change, the pastor shall make contact
If there is still no improvement, the church shall regard the person as no longer interested in membership.
Restoration of membership
When a person wishes to be restored to membership attendance at new membership class and a meeting with the deacons is recommended.
Members’ meeting
Membership meetings are held twice per year. The half yearly meeting is held in April and the annual general meeting in early October. All members are eligible to attend as an account of the church’s stewardship is given as well as the vision for the new year.
Deacons’ Board
The general responsibility of the deacons’ board is to assist the pastor in caring for the members of the church and in administering the affairs of the church
Special duties
Care for members by:
a) visiting the sick and shut-ins
b) ensuring that communion is administered to shut- in members on a monthly basis. This should be done with the assistance of group leaders
c) counselling, praying for those who are troubled and in spiritual and other crises
Overall responsibility for the classes
Administering discipline: the deacons’ board shall act as the church’s disciplinary committee
Serve at communion
Assist in the administration of the church’s affairs
Duties of deacons on duty:
To ensure that service begins on time
To ensure that all is in place for worship
To provide hospitality:
a) if there is a visiting preacher, he/she is to be greeted and taken care of
b) if there are persons visiting the church, they should be greeted and made comfortable and the necessary hospitality extended.
In a case where a preacher is absent it is the duty of the deacon in charge to either preach or find a replacement.
The deacon in charge has the option to receive and bless the offering.
Any other duty that will serve to enhance worship.
Officers’ meeting
The Emmanuel Baptist Church council (officers’ board) acts on behalf of the church in between members’ meeting, under the chairmanship of the pastor. The council meets monthly to carry on the business of the church. It consists of the pastor, deacons, class leaders, heads of departments and auxiliaries.
The Ushers’ Board
The members of the ushers’ board play a vital role of ushering the people into the presence of God for worship. Their main task is to make people feel welcome in the house of God to assist in the maintenance of order, an important requirement for the worship exercise.
Specific duties
The duties of the ushers include, but are not limited to the following:
Welcoming worshippers and conducting them to their seats where necessary
Distributing order of service, hymn books, bulletins and other printed materials
Administering the registration of visitors to the church
Ensuring that visitors are comfortable and have necessities for participating in the worship service
Collection of the offering
Helping to maintain order in the chapel
Class leaders
Class leaders shall assist the pastor in the general care of the membership.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:
in consultation with the deacon in charge of the area, take an interest in the welfare of members through visiting, counselling etc
Report on the stats of members in an area (e.g. illness, mourning, any particular crisis, for prayer and assistance)
Keep record of all members attending the communion service
Assist the deacons in serving communion to all shut-in members
Ensure that all group meetings are held within the class
Mobilize the members to participate in the church’s programme.
Mission and Evangelism
The general responsibility of the mission and evangelism department is to work in close collaboration with the minister in the mobilization of the whole church for effective perennial mission and evangelism.
Specific duties
To propose, plan and offer leadership in a program of perennial evangelism through
Prospect evangelism
Visitation evangelism
Personal evangelism
Other forms of evangelistic activities
To coordinate the altar counselling programme
Identify possible altar counsellors
Organize training for these counsellors
Develop roster of counsellors
To coordinate the follow-up programme for new converts
Assemble decision cards
Assign members to visit decision-makers
Monitor visits to support young Christians
To assist in the preparation of believers for church membership through the conduct of:
Candidates’ class
New members’ class
To coordinate and organize evangelistic teams and mission in Jamaica and overseas
To sensitize and enlist the church in overseas mission
Education Department
The general responsibility of the education department is that of coordinating, in consultation with the pastor, the education ministry of the church.
Specific duties:
Bible study
Maintain an interest in the church’s corporate bible study programme;
Seek to promote members’ support for this programme
Keep an accurate record of bible study attendance
Advise the pastor on themes and subjects which members express a need to be informed about
Sunday School
Administer the affairs of the Sunday School. This includes the following:
Recruiting students and staff
Promoting the importance of school in the life of believers
Planning for the effectiveness and growth of the school
Making requests for the procurement of literature and equipment
Organizing training and fellowship opportunities for staff and students
Promoting and coordinating the conduct of the Sunday school examinations as organized by the Jamaica Baptist Union
Preparing the school for anniversary and other celebrations
Vacation Bible School
Organize and coordinate an annual Vacation Bible School
Church Library
Direct the operation of the church’s library. This includes:
Developing and implementing plans to make the facility responsive to felt needs
Procuring and cataloguing books and magazines
Staging exhibitions on special occasions
Motivating members to make use of the service offered
Publicity/Publication
Coordinate plans for the publication of church bulletin, newsletters to members overseas and members studying out of the area
Assist with other publications of the church, including original Christian educational materials
Publicize church programmes
Literature distribution
Promote the use, and coordinate the distribution of the Jamaica Baptist Reporter, and devotional literature (including the Daily Bread published by the Student Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union—SCFSU)
Department composition
Officers: Chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary and assistant secretary
Bible study secretary
Sunday school leaders: superintendent, assistant programmes, secretary, treasurer, assistant secretary/treasurer
Vacation Bible School coordinators and principal
Library coordinator and assistant library coordinator
Publications/publicity coordinator and assistants
Literature distribution coordinator
Social ministry department
This department coordinates the church’s social ministry as a means of facilitating the church’s corporate expression of Christian love towards the needy.
Specific duties
Healing ministry: Develop a programme marked by a holistic approach to healing and encompassing the service of a total health team, including nursing, medical, dental, optical, prayer and counselling services.
Skills training: Design programmes to equip particularly the unemployed to develop skills to assist their personal development and realization of the image of God in them.
Welfare service: Develop a programme to assist the desperately poor, especially the elderly, obtain food (through feeding programme), clothing and medicine.
Cooperative programme: Consider ways of cooperating with other Christian groups or agencies designed to help relieve the suffering of humankind.
Other: Conceive and develop other programmes whereby the church may make the love of God in Christ incarnate in the lives of those overcome by the difficulties of life.
Department composition
Officers: Chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary and assistant secretary
Healing ministry coordinators
Skills training coordinators
Welfare assistants
Other persons as needed
Finance committee
The committee is responsible for maintaining the financial affairs of the church.
Specific duties
Collecting, recording and dispersing all the church’s finances
Preparing the church’s annual budget in consultation with the pastor and input from the various committees and departments
Advising the church on matters of investments and business partnerships
Preparing monthly statements for the officers’ board and half yearly membership meeting
Coordinating fund-raising activities of the church
Property department
This department is responsible for the maintenance of all properties belonging to the church as well as supervising and coordinating all building programmes of the church.
Specific duties
supervising the cleaning and general preparations of the church building and yard
Effecting all needed repairs
Advise the church on property acquisition
Fellowship and Hospitality Committee
Specific duties
Entertaining of persons who are visiting to participate in worship services (e.g. visiting preachers, evangelists).
Provide refreshments for the leaders and preachers each worship day.
Have overall responsibility for the kitchen
Floral decoration of the church and general preparation of the church for worship
Preparation of communion emblems
Organizing and providing refreshments/meals at church socials and meetings
Organizing church socials and other occasions for corporate fellowship
Ensure appropriate expressions are extended to members celebrating (birthdays, birth of a child, marriage), mourning the loss of loved ones or illness.
Family ministry
The aim of this ministry is to promote and maintain healthy, wholesome family life in the church and wider community.
Specific duties
Organize and execute activities such as seminars, talks, discussions on subjects relevant to family life and to organize family retreats
Provide information (verbal, literature, video, CD and audio cassettes) on related subjects
Organize support groups to assist persons in dealing with issues related to family life
Providing staff for the St. Mary counselling services
Coordinate an evangelistic ministry to families
Youth Department
This department shall be responsible for coordinating youth activities in the church.
Specific duties
To give oversight to the youth fellowship
To supervise, coordinate and implement all activities of the Junior Fellowship
Have full responsibility for the children’s church
To set up Boys/Girls Brigade
Older adults/Golden age ministry
The aim of this ministry is to organize effective ministry to older adults in the church and to assist in their integration in the church.
Specific duties
Organize and execute programmes where members of the church maintain close relationship through visiting and inviting out older adults in the church. An ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ movement could be instituted or Grandparent/mother/father/aunt of the month.
Organize occasional fellowship
Sensitize members to available benefits e.g. NIS, Health Fund, pension plans, etc
Educating membership on issues of aging, caring for the aged and relating to the aged.
Prayer/cell groups
The coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating the prayer and cell group ministry of the church.
Specific duties
To monitor the report on the activities of the cell groups
To organize and monitor prayer groups within the church (the aim is to have a small group in prayer at the church everyday).
Coordinate the prayer and fasting services on the 1st Wednesdays.
Plan special prayer emphasis on special occasions such as chain
Music and Arts

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