May Highlight: The LBA

Members (l to r)

Rev. Tom Burgett

Robin Brigham

Lori Hollenbaugh

Amy Turner

Debbie Cunningham

Pastor Tamar

Richard Maples

The LBA (Local Board of Administration) is responsible for stewarding Caring Community's mission and resources, for setting church policy, and for holding staff accountable. While staff and lay leaders make the day-to-day ministry decisions, the LBA sets overall church goals and ministry parameters (such as policies and budgets) for all ministry leaders to operate according to.

The LBA is comprised of six elected members, plus the lead pastor. Unlike secular boards, our goal is not to represent the will of the people, but discern the will of God, even when His will is counter-intuitive for us. We start our monthly meetings with an extended prayer time and learning about Holy Spirit-anointed leadership. We also study relevant issues, such as best practices in church finance, benevolence, staff hiring, building management, new laws relating to ministry, etc. Through our prayer times, study, and discussion, we try to discern how God is leading our church.

Here are quotes from each member on what serving on the LBA means to them:

Robin Brigham: "I think the greatest responsibility of the LBA is to make decisions for the church according to God’s will. Serving on the LBA has taught me the importance of praying before making decisions. What I appreciate about serving on the LBA is our ability to act in one accord and pray for each other."

Rev. Tom Burgett: "Serving on the LBA has allowed me to use the gifts God entrusted me with, alongside others doing the same."

Lori Hollenbaugh: "Serving on the LBA has taught me to listen more than speak; listening to discern God's plan for the church and speaking those plans to serve others."

Amy Turner: "Serving on the LBA has taught me the importance of setting aside my own thoughts and ideas and really listening to what God has to say.  The second part, and maybe the hardest for me, is when God gives me direction, it is important to speak up, even if it is not the general opinion."

Debbie Cunningham: "Being on the LBA has taught me what it means to honestly and humbly seek God's will alongside my brothers and sisters."

Richard Maples: "Serving on the LBA has shown me that God is working in our church, the lives of its members, and the surrounding community. Our church is growing and I enjoy seeing how God is working through our church to seek those who are lost."