This committee began as a network of primarily hearing denominational staff who met annually to share information and resources and cooperate on several projects of mutual need. Since 1990, its size has tripled and its composition has changed dramatically. Now approximately two-thirds of the committee are deaf and most members are not denominational staff but volunteer representatives of their denominations or related to church organizations. Some are lay people and others pastoral workers. The committee continues to meet annually but its focus has shifted. Now, in addition to resource sharing, networking, and mutual project work, much energy is given to leadership development of deaf persons who desire training to become leaders in deaf ministries. Overall, the goals of the committee have come to express the aspirations of deaf people and to reflect their energies and dreams.
A brochure entitled "A Time to Listen" has been produced by the committee and is distributed nationally. An American Sign Language (ASL) videotape is in production to accompany the brochure.
An NCC policy statement, "No Barriers for Deaf People in Churches," was adopted at the General Assembly meeting in November 1997. The text of the policy statement can be read by clicking on its title above.
An ecumenical Christian Deaf Lay Leadership Training curriculum is in the process of being developed into a book / disk format.
Staff to the committee is Garland F. Pierce.
Contract Services Position Open
Committee: ____Deaf Ministries Committee_____________________________
In some instances, the Education and Leadership Ministries Commission (ELMC) may employ an independent contractor to serve particular program committees or projects. The chief responsibility of the contractor is to oversee the program and growth of the committee. Contractors work in close consultation with the designated leadership of the committee and with the Associate General Secretary of ELMC. Each committee will choose its own leadership and will design its pattern of working together. The contractor works for the committee and is evaluated by the committee as well as by the Associate General Secretary of ELMC.
The following lists describe specific tasks required of the contractor. Each committee may add to these expectations in the designated space at the end of each category.
Provide leadership to the committee
· Nurture and maintain effective relationships with denominational staff and staff of affiliated organizations in order to mobilize support of the committee’s work
· Serve as a representative of and an advocate for the work of the committee
· Develop strategies and materials to interpret and promote the committee’s work
· Support the chair/convener(s) during meetings
· Recruit and orient new and replacement members
· Assist the committee in implementing its goals and strategies
· Consult with and provide support as needed for projects generated by the committee
· Attend all necessary meetings to maintain presence within the NCCC structure
Organize meetings of the committee and executive/steering committee
· Secure site and make local arrangements: appropriate meeting space, meals, equipment, hospitality, interpreters
· Send committee members announcement of meeting
· Register all participants
· Prepare name-tags, display material, handouts, etc.
· Assist the chair/executive committee in planning the agenda
· Distribute minutes of meetings within one month of the meeting
Communication
· Write annual report for Education and Leadership Ministries Commission
· Update roster whenever necessary and distribute to committee members and Education and Leadership Ministries Commission staff
· Submit information related to the committee work to the Associate General Secretary of Education and Leadership Ministries Commission for her/his reports to the NCCC Governing Board
· Send web site revisions to NCCC web master
· Answer all correspondence related to the committee’s work
· Be available to the press or other public media when requested
Clerical
· Arrange conference calls
· Maintain a current database of membership
· Maintain resource file for distribution
· Maintain archives for the committee
· Do all copying, mailing, and shipping needed for committee’s work
Financial
· Request denominational annual commitments
· Develop an annual budget for the committee
· Keep ledger of all revenue and expenditures for the committee
Other
· Participate in the annual Education and Leadership Ministries Commission program board meeting
· Participate in the annual Education and Leadership Ministries Commission independent contractors meeting
· In collaboration with the designated committee leader and the Associate General Secretary of Education and Leadership Ministries Commission, conduct a year-end review of the contract and an assessment of needs for the coming year
Reports to: Garland F. Pierce, AGS for Education and Leadership Ministries
Education and Leadership Ministries Commission will provide stationery. Other supply costs are reimbursable. Reimbursable expenditures include: travel and meeting costs, mailing, phone, duplication, faxes. Reimbursable expenditures are not to exceed $1,200 in a fiscal year.
All travel must be pre-approved by the director of Education and Leadership Ministries Commission before tickets are purchased. Tickets must be purchased at least twenty-one (21) days in advance.
Term of contract: July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007
Amount of contract: $6,000
Contracts are not based on hours or days of service, but on a set of tasks agreed upon between the contractor, the leadership of the committee, and the Associate General Secretary of ELMC.
Beginning in 1978 when 23 representatives of six denominations gathered in San Francisco to discuss common concerns, PAACCE has grown to a movement whose mission is to:
PAACCE continually identifies new issues and concerns for Pacific Asian North American churches. To better meet the needs of these churches, PAACCE functions in two regional divisions, PAACCE West and PAACCE East. The western group is entering its second decade of ministry with a commitment to youth and young adult leader development. The eastern group, organized in 1984, focuses on training "leaders of leaders" who work as educational consultants both within their own congregations and in neighboring churches.
Click here for the Committee's 2005 report
The Committee on Black Congregational Ministries evolved in 1991 after the Joint Educational Development (JED) partnership dissolved. Firmly committed to an Afri-centric perspective, it addresses the concerns of African-American congregations related to curriculum, biblical and other religious publications, special days, and other educational issues that impact these communities of faith. The mission of this committee is to nurture member communions and others in bringing an Africentric perspective to their work of resourcing congregations, especially those with persons of African descent. Seventeen members meet annually in the fall for work and consultation.
An updated and greatly expanded edition of An Annotated Bibliography of Africentric Resources has been compiled by Mary A. Love in cooperation with the Committee on Black Congregational Ministries and Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, N.C. The cost is $6.95 plus shipping and handling. Order by phone at 212-870-2151 or by e-mail to btilley@ncccusa.org
Click here for the committee's 2005 annual report.
Click here for directory of Resources for Special Days.
Staff support is provided by
Garland F. Pierce.