Churches, like families, have opportunities and responsibilities that require prayerful attention, thoughtful discussion, and timely action. In order to bring the shepherds and members of our church together in a consistent and timely way, our shepherds adopted a model referred to as a Governance Council. This group of five men and women serve to elevate and prioritize shepherding by our elders. The GC provides operational and ministry guidance so that the full eldership can focus on shepherding our church.

About the Governance Council

There is not a biblical blueprint for how churches make plans and carry them out, but there are biblical principles.

• The Holy Spirit moves in the hearts of people to apply their gifts to the mission of God.

• The shepherds of the North Atlanta church provide care, equipping, and oversight.

• The ministers provide care, equipping, and practical guidance according to their gifting, training, and experience.

• Everything we do should aspire to align with the life, teachings, and mission of Jesus Christ.

• Every member of our church is vital to our ministry and mission in the world.

In order to provide prayerful and timely guidance to ministry opportunities and responsibilities, our shepherds adopted a model referred to as a Governance Council. This group of five men and women serve under the oversight of the full eldership. The structure and responsibilities of the governance council are as follows:

• The purpose of the GC is to elevate and prioritize shepherding by our elders. The GC provides ministry and operational guidance so that the full eldership can focus on shepherding our church.
  

• Three elders serve on the Governance Council (GC) at all times. All of the elders can serve a rotation on the GC for specified terms, and all are invited to serve on the GC when and if they desire to do so.
  
  The terms elders serve on the GC are staggered so that there is consistent awareness of the needs, opportunities, and operational responsibilities of our church.
  
  An elder is chosen by the full eldership to serve as the chairperson of the GC for a specified term. At the end of their term, another elder is chosen to serve as chair.
  

• Two female members of the North Atlanta church family serve on the GC at all times, for specified terms. Under the guidance of our elders, the church family nominates female members of our church to serve on the GC. Those who are nominated must have a strong history of service in our church family, be people of Christ-like character, and have gifts related to administration (1 Corinthians 12). The terms of the members who serve are staggered to insure consistent awareness of the needs, opportunities, and operational responsibilities of our church.

All elders and ministers provide insight and guidance that informs the work of the GC. The GC is responsible to the full eldership, the ministers, and to North Atlanta as a whole to advance our mission and ministry through responsive dialogue and sound strategic planning. If you have any questions about the role and responsibilities of the GC, please contact one of our shepherds or GC members.