Leadership

Structures

The Uniting Church is organised not by a hierarchy, but by groups of women and men, lay and ordained, consulting together, usually making decisions by consensus, in each area of the church’s life.

The church is committed to being a series of inter-related councils — local churches, regional presbyteries, state synods, and the national Assembly. Each council has its distinct tasks, and each council recognises the limits of its responsibilities in relation to other councils. Hierarchy occurs when a group decides it knows what is best and has the power to impress that decision on others. The Uniting Church is committed to a more shared process … and realises the need to keep working at it.

Church Council

The Church Council is made up of members from the congregation who have been elected to this role and the ministry team.  It is the responsibility of the Church Council to handle the day to day operations of the congregation, to set worship times, to dream and scheme for the future of the congregation and to set ministry and mission goals of the congregation.  The Church Council also oversees the non-ordained staff and reports to the Presbytery on behalf of the congregation.

The members of the Church Council are:-

Alison Campbell Rate – Chair

Greg Pressey – Treasurer

Co-opted member Rachel Dart – Minute Secretary

Dave Robinson – Correspondence

Doug Faram

Margaret Reid

Rev Jay Robinson

Kelly Skilton

Tai Alphred

Erin Robinson

Eldership

Murrumbeena Uniting has just recently re-established the role of Elder within the congregation.  The Elders are called to share with the minister in spiritual oversight. They are responsible for building up the congregation in faith and love, sustaining its members in hope, and leading them into a fuller participation in Christ’s mission in the world.

Elders can take on a number of different roles depending on the gifts and skills that they bring to Eldership. These can range from pastoral visitation and care to assisting in worship.

Our Elders are:

Doug Faram

David Robinson

Peter Barnes

Roger McCowan

Bruce Robinson

Andy Hughes

Anne Don

Margaret Reid