The Leadership Council Nomination and Affirmation Process

Note:  This process would be initiated in February every two (2) years.  It serves as a guideline and can be adjusted based upon the needs of the Leadership Council.

Sunday February 7 - 28, 2010 - Members and regular attendees may nominate individuals to the role of Leadership Council member of Crosswinds Community Church.  Nominations may be made by emailing or calling any Leadership Council member before Feb. 28, 2010. Nominated individuals who accept the invitation to enter the process will be announced to the church family.

Wednesday March 10 and 17, 2010 - Two required Leadership Council Orientation Meetings will be hosted on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday April 4, 2010 -  After attending the Leadership Council Orientation Meetings, all individuals will be invited into the Application Process, which includes a written application, character references (which will be checked), and personal interviews.

Monday June 28, 2010 - Application Process to be completed by June 29, 2010. After the interviews, applicants who desire to continue in this process and are affirmed by the Leadership Council will be invited to be a 3 month probationary member of the Leadership Council.

Tuesday August 3, 2010 - Those continuing on in this 3 month probationary period will begin attending Leadership Council meetings.  During the probationary period individuals will be invited to fully participate in all decisions.

Sunday November 21, 2010 -  After this probationary period is completed, the Affirmation Process will be initiated.  All Leadership Council nominations will be presented to the church family for affirmation during a Family Meeting.

Individuals who are members and who regularly attend Crosswinds Community Church will have one of two options during the Family Meeting.

1) To affirm the new and acting Leadership Council members by placing a check in the appropriate box on the Affirmation Form handed out to the Crosswinds family, or

2) To voice a concern or issue: Using the Affirmation form handed out during the Crosswinds Family Meeting.  Give your name, phone number and indicate that you have a concern. You do not have to write the specific concern at this time. A current Leadership Council member will contact you within the week to set up a time to meet and discuss your concerns. Depending on the outcome of that meeting, we may initiate meetings of resolution with the necessary individuals to follow the model or reconciliation in Matthew 18:15-20.  We truly want your input and value your concerns as they may help us identify that an individual is on the right path but is not ready for this role of leadership.  Anonymous forms, or forms that are marked with an unwillingness to meet will not be considered.

The affirmation process involves receiving a unified affirmation among three groups of people: 

1) The individual’s aspiration to the role of Leadership Council member,

2) the church family’s affirmation, and

3) the Leadership Council’s evaluation of the individual’s readiness to serve on the LC.

Leadership Council Spiritual Characteristics

1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5

Please pray...pray...pray that God would raise up and affirm the right individuals who are spiritually gifted, called and mature. These characteristics are equal to husband and wife (even when God has only called one to a specific ministry).  We believe men and women can serve at any or all levels or roles within this Body to which God has called them.

We believe our mandate is to recognize and empower each believer based on spiritual gifting, calling, and maturity without bias or restriction in regard to race, age, gender, or socio-economic status.

At Crosswinds, we are built upon a Biblical leadership and serving model, which is based upon Spiritual Gifts, Calling and Spiritual Maturity.

1. Honest, open, truthful, trustworthy, blameless, married to one person; an individual whose children are respectful and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

2. Humble, of pure heart and motive, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

3. Hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and self-disciplined.

4. Holds firmly to God’s Word.

5. A proven leader, already leading and   influencing the church.

6. Understands personal spiritual gifts and empowerment, and how to lead through them.

7. Active member of the Church for more then 1 year, and are committed to her vision, values and leadership model, including serving and tithing.

8. Demonstrates a passion and commitment to maturity by Looking to the Word, Listening to the Spirit, Leaning into Community.

9. Committed to handling and working through conflict in a Biblical manner.

Servant Leadership Model

At Crosswinds, We believe the church is to be led by leaders, who are led by the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and community.  We believe God has anointed the Leadership Council with a God-given vision for a healthy church body.  We believe God has called and empowered this leadership team to lead the body toward that vision. 

This vision calls for the Church to be led by a plurality of leaders.  We are not a congregationally led body.  We believe this leadership team carries the responsibility to lead relationally, and to  shepherd and shape this body which is ultimately answerable to God for their care of His congregation.

We are committed to fostering an environment that cultivates, encourages, challenges, and releases leaders to serve.  We are committed to building ministry around the model of team leadership.  Jesus worked and developed teams.  Teams are vital for relationship, encouragement, accountability, and the sharing of serving responsibilities. We expect all leaders to build teams.

We expect leaders to be led by the Holy Spirit in everything they do.  Our intent is for leaders to look where God is working and join Him there.  We seek to be growing in our relationships with God so we are ready to cooperate with Him. We believe God’s Word (II Timothy 3:16-17), the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25) and community (Colossians 3:12-14, 23-24) are the tools needed for leadership.

Leadership Council Purpose, Calling and Commitment

The Leadership Council exists to provide strategic vision and leadership; and it shapes the body through: Servant Leadership, Honesty and Integrity, Accountability, Prayer, Encouraging one other and Sensitivity to the leadings of the Holy Spirit’s and the Word’s Direction.

Key Role: Protection of Crosswinds’ Vision and Values, Wisdom, being Attentive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, to the Word, and to Prayer, and being Attentive to the people.

The Leadership Council is made up of 4 - 9 team members. 

•  Lead Pastor (Constant member)
•  Leadership Council Members as nominated by the body of Crosswinds.
• Others as needed (Task Force Leaders,  commissioned by the LC to perform temporary assignments for the Task Force and the LC)

Calling

• Calling affirmed by God, self, the body and the Leadership Council.
• Spiritual Gifting and Maturity.
• Desires to serve in this role.
• Committed to the Crosswinds Vision, Values, and Serving Leadership Model.
• Note: Members of the Leadership Council may NOT be related by blood, marriage or adoption to another member.

Commitment

• Has been actively attending and involved in Crosswinds for a minimum of 1 year.
• Is actively modeling the vision and values of  Crosswinds, including serving and tithing.
• Is actively pursuing full maturity in their  relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Is committed to a minimum term of 4 years. (All existing LC members will be re-affirmed during the Affirmation Process every 2 years.)