Devotions for Committees

The general idea of these devotionals to begin meetings is that they would open a short discussion as to how each committee sees itself in the wider life of Central Congregational Church.  Taking one sentence of CCC’s mission statement is meant to be a jumping off point for thought about this.  The questions to ponder are only suggestions to get you started.  You may think of other questions as well.

Mission Statement of Central Congregational Church

Central Congregational Church, a member of the United Church of Christ, believes in God who calls the world into being, creates humankind in the divine image and sets before us the ways of life and death.  We acknowledge the risen Christ as the ultimate example of God’s grace, a gift freely given to all.  We look to the Word of God in scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its redemptive work in the world.  We strive to be a community of God’s people in a way that calls each of us to active discipleship.  Our purpose is to work for the increase in the love of God and neighbor through worship, caring, sharing and outreach.

5 Devotionals to Begin Committee Meetings:

  1. “Central Congregational Church, a member of the United Church of Christ, believes in God who calls the world into being, creates humankind in the divine image and sets before us the ways of life and death.”  Question to ponder as a group: How does our belief in God inform the work this committee does?
  2. “We acknowledge the risen Christ as the ultimate example of God’s grace, a gift freely given to all.”  Questions to ponder as a group: How does this committee express the gift of God’s grace in its work?  How does this committee acknowledge the risen Christ in its work?
  3. “We look to the Word of God in scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its redemptive work in the world.”
    Questions to ponder as a group: Are there scriptures that come to mind that describe our work as a committee in this faith community?  Do we see the work of the Holy Spirit in our committee: in our interactions with each other?  With the church?  With the wider community?
  4. “We strive to be a community of God’s people in a way that calls each of us to active discipleship.”  Questions to ponder as a group: How does this committee express community?  How are we active disciples?
  5. “Our purpose is to work for the increase in the love of God and neighbor through worship, caring, sharing and outreach.”
    Questions to ponder as a group: How do we see this happening in this committee?  In our worship?  In our caring?  Our sharing?  Our outreach?

Endings of Meetings:

Kent Ira Groff writes of a practice where a group spends a moment or two to contemplate the following questions before an ending prayer is offered (either spoken or silent):

  1. Did we remain prayerful in our discussion and decisions?
  2. How well did we stay focused on the task and the persons and on the Presence?[1]
[1] Kent Ira Groff, Spirituality Matters for Committee Meetings, CTS Press, Decatur, GA, 1996, 18.