Terms of Reference, Roles and Responsibilities (Parochial Church Council)
In The Handbook for Church Council Members, “An ABC for the PCC”, the function of the PCC is defined as: “co-operation with the incumbent in promoting the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.” During 2013-14 a great deal of thought has been given to developing our own understanding of that mission and of the ways in which we might best achieve it.

At the PCC Away Day which took place in May 2013 and then in January’s meeting in 2014, the PCC devoted their time to planning for the future and deciding on our church’s priorities for the coming year. The SWOT Analysis produced in May identified five broad areas of church life for development: spiritual life, buildings, children and young people, external links and communications. January’s meeting responded in detail to questions from the Diocesan Growth Framework and suggested six “SMART” targets for us to achieve during the next two years, not only to promote numerical growth but to enable our community to develop spiritually and become more deeply involved in church life:

• to create an induction process for new PCC members;
• to review prayer and Bible study at St Nicholas’;
• to explore ways of making services more welcoming and accessible;
• to introduce occasional evening services;
• to explore ways of helping people to mature in their faith and to become a community “hub” by introducing cafe church; and finally
• at its last meeting before the 2014 APCM, the Standing Committee looked at ways of strengthening our PCC sub-committees, empowering them to make an effective contribution to the achievement of these goals, while at the same time encouraging more members of the wider church community to feel genuinely involved in planning for our future. Each committee’s areas of responsibility were therefore allocated with these priorities in mind. A list of core committee membership is included with this mailing, but it is envisaged that additional members will be co-opted from the wider church community.

During 2014 and 2015, the PCC will meet every two months, instead of monthly as was the case during 2013. Sub-committees will meet between PCC meetings, and sub-committee meetings will be formally minuted, and minutes emailed to the PCC Secretary during the week before the next Standing Committee meeting, so that suggestions and recommendations, including any cost implications, can be included on the next PCC agenda. While responsibility for approval and oversight of any course of action remains with the PCC, sub-committees will have a better opportunity to put ideas into practice using their own knowledge and expertise.