Steering Committees

The parish/congregation steering committee provides for orderly growth, continuity and stability of the ministry within their church.  They also ensure that the guidelines are followed.

Selection and Composition

The committee is selected by the parish/congregation, with guidance as needed from the Board and/or Regional Advisory Council.  Essential characteristics include commitment and dedication to the ministry, openness in sharing and accepting ideas, setting an example of servant-leadership, and promoting unity in the ministry.  The composition and features of the committee are:

• Permanent members:  Married couples (usually 3), youth minister (if appropriate), and a spiritual director (clergy or religious).  The youth minister is included if the church has the Youth program.  If they have only the Youth program, the youth minister would probably be the leader of the steering committee, and there may be fewer married couples.  The steering committee married couples have a three-year commitment with staggered terms  --  i.e., one couple rotates off and a new couple/member rotates on periodically (e.g., each year).  One member/couple should serve as the chair-couple for the steering committee and the contact member/couple for the ministry.
• Temporary members:  The leader and co-leader couples for the up-coming program presentation.  They serve on the committee during the time they have responsibility for the program presentation they are assigned.

Responsibilities

General:

• Plan, coordinate, promote, and evaluate the ministry within their church.
• Ensure that guidelines are followed.
• Serve as resource, guide, advisor, and support for all ministry activities within the church.
• Serve as the church interface with the Board, Regional Coordinating Group, and Regional Advisory Council.
• Attend at least one leadership development or training function each year.

Program Presentations:

• Set dates for program presentations.
• Complete a Program Notification form for each program presentation and send to the ministry office several months prior to the presentation.
• Select and train leader and co-leader couples for program presentations.
• Work with the leader and co-leader couples to select team members.
• Obtain materials for the program presentation.
• Ensure that one couple from the steering committee attends the program presentation to provide continuity between presentations.
• After each presentation, provide Rosters, Program Summary form, and Program Fee to the Marriage Enrichment Office.

Follow-up Activities:

• Review and evaluate the presentation to improve future activities.
• Establish a follow-up program, such as the Celecrations of Marriage program.
• Encourage participant’s involvement in teams and follow-up activities.