Mission & Outreach Ministry Team

Second Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.

Joe Gettys Room

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“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Matthew 28:19-20

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“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

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The Mission & Outreach Ministry Team is charged with supporting the Westminster congregation in witnessing to the world about God’s love, which we know through Jesus Christ, and in ministering to our neighbors, our community, and the world with imagination and courage. The M&O Ministry Team provides leadership to the congregation in relying on faith as the foundation and energy source for our good works, which we offer to God’s glory in grateful response to God’s abundant love and provision.

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The Mission & Outreach Ministry Team has a special responsibility to ensure that all of its work conforms to the requirements detailed in the current PC(USA) Book of Order, especially W-5.03 – Worship and the Church’s Mission in the World.

 

In addition to general administration tasks, responsibilities for this ministry team fall into three areas:

• Evangelism

• Social Justice & Philanthropy

• Communication

 

The Mission & Outreach Ministry Team, in consultation with the Building & Grounds Ministry Team, has primary responsibility for managing the use and readiness of the following areas of the facility:

• Front yard banners

• Courtyard entrance welcome table

• Side hallway, including bulletin board and display table

 

M&O Special Membership Requirements

The ministry team is chaired by a Ruling Elder. Membership shall include the chair of the Worship on the Water ministry team. Other members are at-large volunteers with skills and interests aligned with the work of this Ministry Team.

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General Administration: Duties and Responsibilities

• Planning for and managing the Missions & Outreach budget, to include guidance for benevolent contributions to Trinity Presbytery, local charities, and global ministries

• Providing periodic ministry team status reports to Session

 

Evangelism: Duties and Responsibilities

• Being visible as the hands and feet of Christ in the community, glorifying God and demonstrating our faith through good works

• Inviting every unchurched person in our community to connect with the Westminster family and find out more about the God who created them and loves them

• Working with the Nurture & Education Ministry Team and Pastor to equip Westminster members and friends to effectively share the gospel with conviction and courage

• Working with other ministry teams to provide worship, mission, education, and fellowship opportunities for Westminster members and friends to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through individual connection and testimony, as well as through group activities

 

Social Justice & Philanthropy: Duties and Responsibilities

• Educating Westminster members and friends on the importance of supporting social justice and philanthropy as essential aspects of Christian life

• Promoting and coordinating Session-approved special offerings throughout the year, including but not limited to:

  • Souper Bowl of Caring for Greenwood Soup Kitchen (Jan/Feb)

  • One Great Hour of Sharing for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund (Mar/Apr)

  • Mother’s Day offering for Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina (May)

  • Camp Fellowship offering for camperships (May)

  • Joe Gettys Memorial for Columbia Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund (Oct)

  • Thanksgiving offering for Thornwell Children’s Home (Nov)

  • Christmas Joy offering for PC(USA) retirees and seminary students (Dec)

• Developing and executing a variety of local mission projects throughout the year, including but not limited to:

  • One Can Make a Difference, collecting food for Greenwood Food Bank

  • Flip-Flops for Friends, providing shower shoes to Pathway House

  • Walk to End Hunger, sponsoring water station for Greenwood Food Bank 

  • Angel Tree, providing Christmas gifts for a family in need (e.g., via MEG’S House)

• Serving as liaison to local mission agencies, such as Greater Greenwood United Ministries, Soup Kitchen, Community Initiatives, MEG’S House, and others to learn about community needs and to support those agencies in working to meet those needs

• Supporting national and global mission work, especially those aligned with PC(USA)’s mission focus areas (e.g., Disaster Assistance)

• Encouraging and supporting those individuals who feel called to participate actively in efforts to dismantle structural poverty and eradicate systemic racism, in alignment with PC(USA)’s Matthew 25 mission priorities

 

Communication: Duties and Responsibilities

• Establishing positive connections with the local community and the region via external channels, including informational literature, social media, and traditional media

• Supporting the Session and other ministry teams in identifying their external communications needs, developing communications plans, executing those plans, and monitoring their effectiveness

• Analyzing demographic data for our adjacent neighborhoods to ascertain their needs, ministry preferences, and preferred communication channels 

• Ensuring that the website is up-to-date

• Supporting creation of the communication channels, such as Westminster Times newsletter, yard signs and banners, flyers, mailings, and social media presence

• Establishing and maintaining a positive and growing network with local churches, colleges, communities, developments, municipal governments, and related agencies