Berkshire & Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit

What are Circuit Stewards?

Circuit Stewards, together with the Superintendent Minister, are corporately responsible for providing leadership for the spiritual and material wellbeing of the Circuit and for upholding and implementing the decisions of the Circuit Meeting.

They provide continuity across the Circuit and its local churches, offering strategic leadership and supporting the development of the Circuit’s mission.

Time Commitments:

Circuit Stewards meet regularly, approximately every six weeks, as a Stewards’ Team with the Superintendent; approximately every six weeks as part of the Circuit Leadership Team; and three times per year for the Circuit Meeting (the Circuit’s governing trustee body).

Each Circuit Steward is assigned a number of local churches. In this capacity, they serve as members of the relevant Church Councils and provide primary support to the minister of those churches. It is the Circuit’s desire that each Circuit Steward support at least one minister and attend the associated Church Council meetings as far as possible.

Specific Responsibilities:

Exercise general pastoral care for Circuit staff and their families.

• Invite ministers to serve within the Circuit, interviewing Church Stewards, preparing church profiles, and hosting visit from prospective ministers.

• Providing a warm welcome to new ministers and their families, supporting them as they settle into their roles.

• Meet regularly to ensure the effective governance and management of the Circuit.

• Act as a link between local churches and the Circuit, District and Connexion.

o Maintain an overview of the life and mission of the Circuit.

o Develop and maintain an understanding of Methodist policies and procedures.

• Oversee Circuit properties, with professional support from the Resource Coordinator.

• Ensure Circuit finances are properly managed, with professional support from the Finance Officer.

Your particular gifts:

There is a lot of opportunity to make the role your own, using your God give gifts and skills and working in you own way to enrich the diversity and efficacy of the whole.