Called To Serve: The Work of the Nominating Committee
Discerning Leadership Together
One of the most important ministries in the life of our congregation happens quietly each year. Long before ballots are prepared or leaders are elected, a small group of Covenant Members begins the prayerful work of discerning who God may be calling to serve.
That group is our Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee does much more than simply fill vacant positions. Their task is to help the congregation identify people whose gifts, experiences, and sense of calling align with the leadership needs of the church.
This is a ministry of discernment, not recruitment.
Listening for God's Call
Throughout Scripture, God calls ordinary people to extraordinary service.
Moses was tending sheep.
Deborah was serving as a judge.
David was caring for his family's flock.
Mary was living an ordinary life in Nazareth.
Again and again, God's call comes to people who may not have imagined themselves as leaders.
The Nominating Committee enters this same spirit of prayerful listening. Rather than asking, "Who is willing?" they begin by asking:
- Who demonstrates wisdom and compassion?
- Who has gifts that would strengthen the congregation?
- Who works collaboratively with others?
- Who lives out our covenant of faith?
- Who may be hearing a call to serve?
Sometimes those individuals have already considered leadership. Sometimes they haven't. Part of the committee's ministry is helping people recognize gifts they may not yet see in themselves.
Representing the Whole Congregation
The Nominating Committee serves on behalf of the entire congregation.
Their responsibility is not to represent one ministry, one board, or one group of members. Instead, they seek to consider the overall health of the church and the gifts needed to support its mission.
This means prayerfully thinking about questions such as:
- Do our leaders reflect the diversity of gifts within our congregation?
- Are we inviting both experienced and newer members into leadership?
- Are we building leadership for today while mentoring leaders for tomorrow?
- Do we have the skills and perspectives needed to faithfully guide the church?
Healthy leadership is strengthened when different experiences, talents, and generations serve together.
Summer Preaching Series on David
David: A Heart for God
A Six-Week Summer Sermon Series
Some of the most beloved stories in Scripture come from the life of David—but they are far more than ancient history. They are stories of ordinary people discovering extraordinary courage, wrestling with failure, building lasting friendships, waiting with hope, and learning to trust God through every season of life.
Beginning Sunday, July 19, join us for a six-week journey through the life of David as we explore what it means to become people after God's own heart. Together we'll discover that God often calls those the world overlooks, equips us to face our greatest challenges, surrounds us with companions for the journey, forms us through seasons of waiting, meets us with grace when we fall short, and invites us to leave a legacy of faith for generations to come.
Whether you have been reading the Bible for years or are simply curious about faith, this series offers an opportunity to reflect on the ways God's story continues to intersect with our own.
Worship Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
At Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ, we believe everyone is welcome exactly as they are. Wherever you are on life's journey, there is a place for you here.
Come discover how the ancient story of David can inspire faithful living, courageous hope, authentic community, and deeper trust in God's presence today.
July 16th "The One No One Expected"
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1–13
Theme: God sees possibilities where others see limitations.
________________________________________ July 26th “When Faith Meets Fear”
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32–50
Theme: Faith enables us to confront challenges larger than ourselves. ________________________________________ August 2nd “What God Has Brought Together” Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1–5; 20:1–17
Theme: We are not meant to journey alone. ________________________________________ August 16th “The Cave and The Crown” Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1–12
Theme: Trusting God's timing requires patience and restraint.
________________________________________ August 23rd “When Our Worst Meets God’s Best” Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1–15; 12:1–13
Theme: No one is beyond the need for repentance. ________________________________________ August 30th “For Those Who Come After” Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:10–18
Theme: A faithful life points beyond itself to God's ongoing work.
