Book of Discipline: ¶ 252. The Church Council
The church council shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. It shall also provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life. It shall envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of the church. The church council shall be amenable to and function as the administrative agency of the charge conference. (Link to full description.)
Click here for 2026 Holman Nominations Slate and committee descriptions.
Biblical Grounding: Exodus 18:10-27 (Common English Bible)
As pastors, staff and elected members of the Holman Church Council, the responsibilities are not for elected leaders to do alone, but to recruit and delegate and empower leaders from among the congregation. Moses tries to do it all himself, but his father-in-law, Jethro, gives him sage advice:
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing isn’t good. 18 You will end up totally wearing yourself out, both you and these people who are with you. The work is too difficult for you. You can’t do it alone. 19 Now listen to me and let me give you some advice. And may God be with you! Your role should be to represent the people before God. You should bring their disputes before God yourself. 20 Explain the regulations and instructions to them. Let them know the way they are supposed to go and the things they are supposed to do. 21 But you should also look among all the people for capable persons who respect God. They should be trustworthy and not corrupt. Set these persons over the people as officers of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 22 Let them sit as judges for the people at all times. They should bring every major dispute to you, but they should decide all of the minor cases themselves. This will be much easier for you, and they will share your load. 23 If you do this and God directs you, then you will be able to endure. And all these people will be able to go back to their homes much happier.”
Transforming Church Insight Survey Report (June 2024) | Click image for detailed report
Through the Chaney Coaching Group, Holman Church participated in the Transforming Church Insight (TCI), a congregation engagement survey tool provided by Leighton Ford Ministries. The questions are not based or dependent on theology, but rather measure the congregant’s personal sense of engagement with the church they attend.
Worship Attendance Statistics | Click Image for details and more statistics from umdata.org
Data displayed on UMData.org is gathered from general agencies, annual conferences and districts through a variety of sources such as Business of the Annual Conference forms, annual conference journals, and annual statistical reporting. Data collected by GCFA is available to the public through UMData.org.
Worship Attendance & Area Churches Worship Times | Click to request access
Average worship attendance for January – February 2025 and chart of worship times for area churches and larger-membership United Methodist Churches.
Worship Time Discernment
Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born anew.” – John 3:3 (NRSV)
Coming through and out of the COVID-19 pandemic, worship attendance patterns for churches across the country (and the world) have greatly changed. This phenomenon is not unique to Holman as congregations throughout the community have wrestled with the next faithful step to grow in ministry.
In response, many Holman church members inquired as to whether the church should shift to having one service. Some observed lower worship attendance in-person with access to joining worship online, while others expressed cost-saving possibilities and potential for growing church school and small group gatherings. Others expressed the priority for growing worship attendance as having two services is important to meet the needs of worshippers at either 8:00 or 11:00 am on Sundays. All agree that our shared priority is to “step out on faith” and trust God in taking new directions in ministry. At its February 2025 meeting, the Church Council began a discernment process on worship times.
At its Saturday, March 1, meeting, the Holman Church Council shared the results of the surveys from their ministry areas. The council also reviewed membership and worship attendance data from the past twenty years (holmanumc.com/churchcouncil).
With a priority on discerning a path for Holman Church to grow in ministry (spiritually and numerically), the Church Council voted in favor of (1) shifting to one Sunday morning service and (2) for a task force to be assembled to recommend a time that would serve the needs of Holman and community.
The Worship Time Discernment Task Force discerned that the best possible times for one service would be 9:30 am or 11:00 am with potential benefits and risks for each time. As a Holman member and/or worshipper, the Pastors and Church Council request that you (1) pray over and review the Task Force presentation and (2) complete the following survey as the Church Council meets to discern Holman’s next most faithful step in worship.
Worship Time Task Force Materials
Handouts/Worksheets
Guiding Questions for Worship Discernment | Click for Download | **Click for Survey Results (March 2025)**
Confirming Church Council Responsibilities | Click for Electronic Form | Click for Download
Mission Statement Feedback | Click for Electronic Form | Click for Download