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February 2001, Page 2.
Index of articles.
How Church works:
index,
PCC,
Sidesmen.
In this issue:
(February 2001)
Vicar's Letter,
The PCC,
Confirmation,
Question.
Me on the PCC? You're nuts!
The PCC - Parochial Church Council - is how a C of E Church is run. It is elected annually. Here's why you should think about it...
Jesus told his followers to meet together, to tell others about him, to love and care for each other, to forgive and to serve. He wanted us to be his church: his gathered ones who would worship, learn and pray in his name. The church is not optional for Christians.
But Jesus did not say how church life should be organised. The bible doesn’t give a blueprint for church government. We try to find ways of making sure that God directs what we do - but we can be sure that our church will be less than perfect. After all, we are still sinners!
The Church of England doesn’t rely just on the ordained leader being a one-man-band, nor do we think that the local people should reign supreme without anyone to check their cliques. Instead we have power-sharing: the minister and an elected PCC have to cooperate in the decisions about the church’s life.
All this means that the church needs people to represent the views of the congregation. Maybe it needs you for this?
If I join, will it help me in my faith? The PCC is not about helping people in their faith - if this is what you want, join a housegroup. It is not for people who aren’t sure if they believe yet. We need those who are committed followers of Jesus to pray and plan for the future of our church.
Do I have to know my bible backwards? No, but you do have to want the church to follow what the bible says, otherwise it will cease to be God’s people.
Surely you want the younger ones to lead the church forward into the next century? No, we want both young and old to be there, so that the church continues to have a ministry to every part of the community. We need both ancient and modern, so as to satisfy both.
I’m too busy to take on lots of new jobs. We want you to represent your point of view, not do lots of jobs: the PCC is not a work-party but a decision body.
I wouldn’t have time to read the agenda beforehand. Then don’t join, because we need people who have thought about the things which are to be discussed. You can’t represent if you don’t think and listen and do your homework.
I might join if the vicar asks me. It’s not the vicar’s job to ask you: the PCC is about representation of the people. The vicar will not be approaching anyone asking them to join the PCC.
John Hartley