Greater Mount Olive's Stewards are the trusted advisors and assistants to the pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Their primary responsibility is to support the spiritual health and growth of the congregation. While attending to temporal matters like church finances, the stewards' focus remains on the eternal - nurturing members' relationships with God and one another. To serve effectively in this role, stewards must exercise discernment, level-headedness and good judgment.
They must work harmoniously alongside the pastor as a unified team. When concerns arise, the stewards address them professionally, following proper procedures. At their core, AME stewards are people of strong faith, well-versed in Scripture and church doctrine. They possess natural abilities for leadership and spiritual guidance.
Stewards must have been AME members for at least two years before taking their post, unless they are establishing a new church. The AME Book of Discipline mandates no less than three and no more than nineteen stewards per church. With wisdom and care, these dedicated men and women steward the spiritual home entrusted to them.
The pastor serves as chair of the Steward Board and may appoint a temporary chairperson when absent. However, the pastor reserves veto power over decisions made in their absence. A Junior Board of Stewards functions under the pastor's direction, as does a steward training program. The pastor nominates new stewards for confirmation by the Quarterly Conference.
Stewards handle church finances transparently, providing for pastor, church, and community needs. They advise conference planning and arbitrate disputes. Seeking out the marginalized, stewards offer aid and comfort. Maintaining records, stewards document rites of passage and ready communion. Surveying membership annually, they gauge participation and support.
Reporting to the Official Board, Stewards certify the membership roll for the conference. Local boards answer to the Quarterly Conference, which can remove stewards for dereliction of duty. Between conferences, the pastor may suspend and replace stewards as needed. Ultimately stewards answer to church leadership, upholding discipline and doctrine.
The Trustees of a church are the officers entrusted by the Pastor and congregation to care for the church's physical assets. Their duties are manifold but their purpose is singular - to ensure the church's property and facilities best serve its spiritual mission.
As officers of the church's real estate, the trustees hold legal title to all property - church buildings, parsonages, land. They maintain these assets and make improvements when approved by the congregation. Securing comfortable housing for the pastor's family is a top priority. The Trustees also oversee utilities, insurance, and mortgage payments.
When church assets are bought, sold or mortgaged, the Trustees verify all transactions follow proper protocol. Any sale must be approved by the Church Conference, then the Quarterly Conference, before trustees give the final authorization.
To fulfill their role well, Trustees must be vigilant. Regular inspections ensure the facilities are clean, accessible, safe and welcoming. Trustees watch for burned out lights, expired fire extinguishers, trip hazards - anything that might hinder the spiritual life of the church. In all things, they act to ensure the church's physical plant serves its spiritual mission.
Greater Mount Olive Best in Class
Leader Among Leaders
Greater Mount Olive AME Church's Official Board is composed of influential members who steer the church's direction. This includes class leaders who mentor members, Exhorters who inspire worship, Deaconesses whenever present, serve the congregation, stewards who manage church affairs, trustees who oversee property, stewardesses who facilitate events, and presidents who lead church organizations. Youth leaders and youth organization presidents are also voting Board members, contributing funds alongside adults.
The pastor leads as Board chairperson. Local preachers serve as honorary members, participating in regular sessions. Annually, the Board elects a secretary, ideally a skilled steward, and a treasurer to document and manage finances. Altogether, this cross-section of passionate, devoted members governs church operations through visionary leadership and stewardship.