Great Plains logo

Council and Leader Resources

You’ve answered “yes” to the call to serve on a church committee or team. But now what? 

Although churches have a variety of structures in their councils and committees, we’ll do our best to help explain what is needed of you and how you can perform your duties in the best possible way.

For Church Officers: Council & Leaders

Browse a list of documents to help you stay organized, get answers, grow your church, and more. Click on the blue links to view the forms, reports and resources listed in each section. 

Council & Leader Resources

Staff-Parish Forms

  • Assessment forms
  • Appointive recommendation forms
Council & Leader Resources

Finance and Giving

  • Calculator
  • Mission agency support
  • Conference Advance
  • General Advance and Special Sundays
  • Why we apportion
  • Stewardship resources
  • Mission share formula explanation
  • Kansas Area Foundation
  • Nebraska Foundation
Council & Leader Resources

Year-end Reports

  • Stats: table entry, instructions, FAQ, tutorial and forms
  • Fund balance report with instructions
  • Local church audit guide
  • Local church audit policy/procedures
Council & Leader Resources

Business Matters

  • Churches and politics
  • Church incorporation
  • Church management software
Council & Leader Resources

Charge Conference Resources

  • Vision and Goals
  • Members and Assets
  • Lay contact information
  • Other forms
Council & Leader Resources

Human Resources 

  • Employment and Staffing
  • Employee or Contract Labor
  • Equitable comp guidelines & application
  • Labor Laws
  • Mileage Rates & Reimbursement
  • W-2 and W-3 Forms
  • Workplace posting requirements
  • Work comp
  • Hiring forms 
  • Sample church handbook
  • Insurance
Council & Leader Resources

Records Management

  • Records guidelines
  • Electronic records guidelines
  • Closed church records
  • Membership records management
  • Archives contacts
Council & Leader Resources

Sample Policies

  • Accountable reimbursement
  • Facility use agreements
  • Sexual ethics
  • Local church media crisis plan template
  • Local church disaster response
  • Child protection
Council & Leader Resources

Simplified Board Structure

Council & Leader Resources

Vital Signs Dashboard

Council & Leader Resources

Professional Associations

Council & Leader Resources

Safe Gatherings