In the UPCSA there are three levels of Leadership, namely the General Assembly — National; the Presbytery— Provincial; and then the local church. This article has its focus on the local church, namely, Somerset West United Church and primarily the Church Council it elects for general oversight of the Congregation.

(The Council’s role is different to that of its Minister_ In terms of United’s Constitution – Article 6 – its Minister is called or appointed to be its leader and guide in all matters of the Faith, to preach the Word of God, to administer the Sacraments, to exercise pastoral oversight of the congregation, and generally to build up the Congregation in its faith, its service and its witness to Jesus Christ The Minister is always a member of the Church Council and ex-officio Chairperson but may, as is the practice at United, delegate the role of Chairperson to a member of Council.)

By way of introduction to the concept of Leadership as exercised by Council, some insight from John C Maxwell’s book ‘Tally Wisdom for Leaders”, he writes:

‘Anyone can follow a trail, but only a leader can blaze one. That’s often not easy. If you’re a leader, a lot of people depend on you.

• Family andFriends need leaders who model purpose driven lives.
• Children need leaders to help them reach their potential.
• Churches need leaders who chart the course and equip the saints.
• Communities need leaders who create a better place to live”

John C Maxwell goes on to say, ‘Today He still calls leaders to step forward for every work — both large and small.”

At United, leadership of the Church is invested in the members of the Church Council as elected by the Congregation as per the Constitutive of Somerset West United Church. The Council is mandated to ensure that there is adherence to the Constitution. The Council chairperson is to report on behalf of Council to the Congregation OE various ministries, finances and forward planning among other things

Council currently has ten members (Chairperson, Minister, Treasurer, Admire Manager, Secretary plus five further members representing various gifts and or ministries). It is also the apex decision making body of the local church and endeavors to meet once a month. Members of Council can serve for a period of three to six years although some members such as the Minister and Treasurer are exempt of this rule.

In practical terms Council applies itself to and gives guidance in respect of the the church’s vision and mission, Annual Church Meeting, staff matters, church membership, office issues, financial matters, policy matters, fund raising, church procedures, safety, security, discipline, technical matters (sound, computers, internet etc.), the church calendar, social media, social action, communication, national disasters (e.g. lockdown), branding, ministries, property, buildings and maintenance, insurance, etc. Council also spends time considering and discerning what strategic issues to focus on, such as:

• Financial Stewardship (measuring and monitoring its financial performance),
• Communityship (its ministry and service to the people of Somerset West),
  Its Internal Processes (to improve the quality and efficiency of its offerings),
• Organisational Capacity (harnessing its peoples competencies, its
• infrastructure and technology as well as its culture).

Trusting the above gives some insight to the leadership as executed by the Council of Somerset West United Church