The structure of the United Church of Christ is based on the local congregation. Christ is the only acknowledged leader of the church. No official hierarchy manages local affairs, as each congregation practices its own forms of organization, worship, education, and mission. The affairs of the church are managed by the members of each congregation. Individual UCC congregations work together through associations and conferences. The General Synod speaks to the whole UCC and oversees its worldwide work. Special agencies, mostly elected by the General Synod, carry out the UCC Christian World Mission.

Congregation

The Bethel congregation is made up of its members and pastor who each have a voice in the setting the budget, engaging in worship, and shaping programs.

Church Board

At Bethel, the Church Board is the governing body of the congregation. Seven members elected at large by the members of the congregation each serve a three year term. The pastor, clerk, and treasurer assist the Church Board. The moderator of the Church Board is responsible for leading the group. The Church Board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Narthex Room. The Church Board is responsible for

• strategic planning and program evaluation
• financial matters, including meeting fiscal objectives, yearly budget, gifts and memorials, planned giving, stewardship and pledges, and the annual audit
• personnel matters, including personnel policies, evaluation, contracts, and job descriptions
• coordinating communication among committees and overseeing standing committees such as Mission and Outreach, Faith Development, Diaconate, Facilities, and Nominating
• assisting auxiliary groups

Staff

The staff of Bethel includes the Pastor, Church School Facilitator, Youth Leader, Director of Music Ministry, Accompanist, Organist, Office Manager, Treasurer, Custodian, and Nursery Attendant. Staff recruitment, contracts, and evaluation are the responsibility of the Church Board.

Committees

Committees are established and coordinated by the Church Board, each responsible for an area of church life. Current standing committees include:

• Mission and Outreach, responsible for social awareness and education, service projects, Food Cupboard, ESL Program, related activities. The Mission and Outreach Committee generally meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 12:30 in the Narthex Room.
• Faith Development, responsible for coordinating church school for children, youth groups, adult education, bible study, and camping ministries. The Faith Development commiteee generally meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Chapel.
• Diaconate, responsible for worship, music direction, social activities, evangelism, hospitality, and shepherds. They generally meet the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Narthex Room.
• Facilities Management, responsible for insurance, building use and maintenance, furnishings, equipment, and grounds. The Facilities Management Committee generally meets the second Sunday of the month at 11:30 pm in the Narthex Room.
• Nominating, responsible for recruiting members of the Church Board and other committees and presenting a slate for election by the congregation. The Nominating Committee does not have regularly scheduled meetings.
• Personnel, which sees to the personnel-related responsibilities of the Church Board. The Personnel Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm in the Narthex Room.

Auxiliary Groups

Auxiliary groups at Bethel serve special needs within our community. These groups include Morning Star Circle and the Ladies Night Out. Services provided by Bethel include: teaching English to immigrants in the community, providing meals with our food cupboard, working with Habitat for Humanity and other Westside UCC churches to provide housing, and providing meals at the Glisan Street Mission.