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First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell

540 South Main

Kalispell, Montana 59901

Phone (406) 752-7488

Fax (406) 755-8130

email: info@pcusa-kalispell.org

http://www.pcusa.org

Elder's Ministry

As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God's Spirit and governance of God's  people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling Elders are so named not because they "lord it over'' the congregation (Matthew 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling Elders, together with teaching Elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office

At First Presbyterian Church-Kalispell, the Elders are organized into five ministry teams of three Elders with each member serving a three year term.  Each year the outgoing member of the team is replaced by a new Elder, ensuring continuity on each ministry team. The ministry teams and Elders currently serving are listed below:

Administration Ministry

This ministry oversees the building and finance, personnel, and legacy gifts of the   congregation.  The Building and Finance Ministry Team is responsible for the financial health of the congregation.  The Personnel Ministry Team cares for the staff, conducts annual reviews of our staff, and makes recommendations concerning the compensation our staff receives. The Legacy Gifts Ministry Team focuses on the special giving of our congregation and the distribution of memorials and special gifts.

Care Team Ministry

This “Faith in Action” Care Team ministry is a joint effort composed of three Elders and three Deacons working together, having shared responsibilities of serving the special unmet needs, on a temporary basis, of the congregation and community through providing and managing services in:

• Mission Outreach
• Light Yard Work/Light Home Maintenance
• Loaves and Fishes, and
• Transportation

Discipleship Ministry

This ministry oversees the education programs of our congregation. They work with  the nursery manager to ensure the young children of our congregation are cared for.  They are responsible for recruiting, training, and caring for the teachers in our Sunday  School program. They work closely with our youth director regarding the youth  program. Finally, this ministry is responsible for the coordination and implementation  of our adult education program.

Welcoming Ministry

The purpose of this ministry team is to bring people into a sense of belonging to  Christ’s family and Christ’s body, the church. This purpose is accomplished through:

• Worshipers feeling a sense of friendliness as they are welcomed on Sunday mornings
• Visitors being contacted during the week and invited to our new member class
• Encourage the involvement in the ministry of our congregation
• Genuine concern for those absent in worship, and
• Building a “family atmosphere” through various means of ministry, such as potlucks.

Worship Ministry

The purpose of this ministry is to provide a genuine worship experience where the  people of First Presbyterian Church encounter God in a deep and personal way and  God is worshipped and glorified by the community of faith. This ministry provides  various avenues for all ages within the congregation to express their God given talents  through creative mediums of art and music. Many dynamic methods are used to share  the good news of Christ through our regular and special worship experiences. This  team also oversees the administration of the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.