Leadership

We are a congregational church

There are no bishops or other outside authorities who direct our activities or make decisions for us.

We are a covenantal church

“Believing in the Creator, in the Christ, and in the Holy Spirit: we covenant together in this church to walk in the ways of God known or to be made known to us. As a community of concern, we pledge to worship together, learn together and work together to build loving relationships with all people and to live in healthy balance with all of God’s creation.”

We choose our own pastors

We form a search committee of members. They are assisted by the Wisconsin Council United Church of Christ, but themselves develop a profile of the church and a job description. The committee responds to candidates, interviewing some, and ultimately inviting one to lead worship at ORUCC on a “candidating Sunday”. The congregation then votes on whether to call the candidate.

We meet annually to vote on our officers and budget

We select a Leadership Team consisting of a Moderator, a Moderator-Elect, a Treasurer, a Clerk, and five at-large members. The past Moderator also serves on the Leadership Team, and the pastors are ex officio members.

Five Ministries do much of the church’s work

Ministry of Resources

Ministry of Adult Faith Formation

Ministry of Youth Faith Formation

Ministry of Christian Witness and Service

Ministry of Congregational Life

Pastors and Leadership Team members support the work of each Ministry

Each Ministry is “staffed” by a pastor, and an at-large Leadership Team member is designated a liaison to one of the Ministries.

Mission Teams are formed as needed

These teams focus on particular needs or ongoing programs and report to one of the Ministries. They may consist of just two or three members, or many more. They may have a short duration, or they may persist indefinitely.