Church Governance
Strong, Spirit-led governance creates space for congregations to thrive in mission and ministry. In the Horizon Texas Conference, we believe effective church leadership is not about control – it’s about clarity, collaboration and accountability rooted in faith.
Whether your church follows a traditional committee model or a Simplified One-Board Structure, faithful governance helps your congregation stay focused on our common United Methodist mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In the Horizon Texas Conference, we do this by becoming followers of Jesus seeking the loving, just and free world that God imagines for all people.
Through training, coaching and practical tools, we are here to help lay and clergy leaders align structure for the faithful and effective achievement of mission.
No matter the size or context of your church, faithful governance is possible and essential.
Simplified One-Board Structure
Simplified One-Board Structure is a streamlined governance model where one Leadership Board takes on the roles typically held by multiple committees (Finance, SPRC, Trustees, etc.). The Nominations and Leadership Development Committee remain separate. This board is accountable for spiritual leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight.
Benefits of the Simplified One-Board Structure include:
- Fewer meetings, more mission
- Clear lines of accountability
- Stronger leadership development
- Unified decision-making
This structure is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires intentional training, culture change, and deep trust. Churches exploring this model can find resources, coaching, and policy templates to guide the process.
Standing Committee Structure
Many churches continue to thrive using the traditional leadership model with committees such as:
- Finance
- Staff/Pastor Parish Relations (SPRC/PPRC)
- Trustees
- Nominations & Leadership Development
- Church Council
- Lay Leader and Lay Member to Annual Conference
This structure emphasizes shared leadership and broad engagement. Our conference offers updated role descriptions, best practices and training materials to support committee members in their work.
Leadership Development and Training
From new lay leaders to seasoned committee chairs, every leader can benefit from ongoing formation. The Horizon Texas Conference offers self-paced and downloadable trainings for local church leaders in key roles. Topics include:
- Finance best practices
- Trustee responsibilities
- Lay leadership roles
- SPRC/PPRC guidance
- Nominations and leadership development
Resources
