Committees are appointed by the church to oversee departmental interests and activities. Every church will appoint Elders, Nominating, and Stewardship Committees. Churches will appoint Education, Missions, Peace and Social Concerns committees or address these concerns in other ways. Additional committees such as Fine Arts or Administrative may be appointed as needed. Except as otherwise provided, each committee organizes itself by appointing a presiding clerk, an assistant clerk, and a recording clerk (or secretary). Other officers may be appointed as needed. Clerks of committees should determine that the various areas of interest and concern are responsibly represented.

Elders. The Committee of Elders is composed of three or more active members of the church (men and women) who are collectively responsible to the church for its pastoral leadership and for the oversight of its spiritual and moral welfare. Elders should be recognized for lives guided by the Holy Spirit and for spiritual discernment and maturity. They should be experienced in Friends practices and committed to Friends beliefs as set forth in this book of Faith and Practice. They serve for terms of three years, the terms of one-third expiring each year. Normally, service is limited to no more than two consecutive terms unless another qualified person is unavailable. When circumstances require, subcommittees or individuals may be appointed for special responsibilities, such as counseling, pastoral relations, evangelism, and fine arts if there is no separate committee; and some tasks may be delegated to the Administrative Committee. Although the Committee of Elders is to maintain oversight of the church generally, it is specifically charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Uphold the Christian beliefs of Friends as set forth in this Faith and Practice and see that officers, ministers, missionaries, and teachers affirm them.
2. Determine policies concerning worship and Christian fellowship; encourage members of the church to attend these meetings faithfully; appoint and supervise ushers and greeters for all regular church meetings.
3. Recommend to the church the calling of pastors and other ministers, with their terms of service, after consulting the general superintendent of the Yearly Meeting.
4. Support the pastoral ministries through cooperation and counsel.
5. Oversee programs of evangelism, discipleship, and community outreach; arrange for special and supply ministry in consultation with the pastor.
6. Seek out those whom God may be calling into ministry or missionary service, nurturing their spiritual growth, discerning and fostering their gifts, and, as appropriate, facilitating their process of recording if they are in harmony with the Faith and Practice of the Yearly Meeting.
7. Counsel members in respect to their spiritual welfare and maturity, possibly providing a loving discipline of members whose conduct is unbecoming the Gospel (dealing with offenders).
8. Review, prepare, and recommend applicants for membership.
9. Encourage private devotions and the practice of Bible reading and prayer in families.
10. Encourage the formation and maintenance of Bible study groups.
11. Foster a concern for mission points and extension churches, and help secure persons for such outreach ministry.
12. Nominate members to serve on the church Nominating Committee.
13. Keep in touch with nonresident members.
14. Consider a member’s request for short-term service within the Yearly Meeting.

Education. The Education Committee is composed of three or more persons appointed for terms of three years, the terms of one-third expiring each year. Normally, service is limited to no more than two consecutive terms unless another qualified person is unavailable. The Committee initiates and supervises the education of children, youth, and adults. Its concerns include Sunday school, day school, Friends Youth, vacation Bible school, clubs, camping and retreats, and the church library. With subcommittees or individuals appointed for special areas, the Committee carries these responsibilities:

1. Coordinate church education ministries, to avoid overlap and conflict either in schedule or personnel, and provide leadership training.
2. Appoint personnel involved in these ministries and nominate to the church the general superintendent of the Sunday school.
3. Cooperate with the elders in calling and appointing youth ministers or directors.
4. Select suitable curricula for all educational activities, using approved Yearly Meeting or Evangelical Friends International programs.
5. Recommend improvements in physical facilities and equipment.
6. Make sure that Friends beliefs are understood and taught.
7. Provide for nursery care and children’s worship.
8. Encourage the youth of the church to attend a Friends school or college; admonish all, especially those who attend secular schools, to maintain a consistent Christian witness.
9. Promote individual and church support for the schools sponsored by Northwest Yearly Meeting, such as George Fox University and local church-sponsored schools such as Greenleaf Friends Academy.
10. Encourage members to participate in local school organizations.

Missions. The Missions Committee is composed of three or more persons appointed for terms of three years, the terms of one-third expiring each year. Normally, service is limited to no more than two consecutive terms unless another qualified person is unavailable. Using subcommittees or individuals for special duties, the Committee carries these responsibilities:

1. Keep the church informed about missions and encourage prayer and financial support.
2. Cooperate with other churches in planning and conducting Area missions conferences.
3. Nurture the spiritual growth and gifts of those interested in missionary service, encouraging them to seek appropriate education and cross-cultural preparation.
4. Promote intercultural communication, visitation, and activities.

Peace and Social Concerns. The Peace and Social Concerns Committee is composed of three or more persons appointed for terms of three years, the terms of one-third expiring each year. Normally, service is limited to no more than two consecutive terms unless another qualified person is unavailable. Using subcommittees or individuals for special duties, the Committee carries the following responsibilities:

1. Provide programs of physical assistance to those in need, whether members or not.
2. Recommend and promote special relief and development projects, local and world-wide, giving priority to those sponsored by the Yearly Meeting Board of Peace and Social Concerns.
3. Foster throughout the church the Friends peace testimony.
4. Counsel youth about conscientious objection to military service.
5. Encourage careful preparation for marriage and promote programs that foster successful family living.
6. Provide instruction about dangers in the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
7. Encourage the church to support legislation conducive to sound moral principles and to protest morally destructive legislation or policies.
8. Support suitable sex education.
9. Provide guidance in respect to the popular media.

Stewardship. The Stewardship Committee is composed of three or more persons appointed for terms of three years, the terms of one- third expiring each year. Of these, three or more active members of the church are appointed to serve as trustees for terms of three years, the terms of one-third expiring each year. Normally, service is limited to no more than two consecutive terms unless another qualified person is unavailable. The Committee includes the church treasurer in its membership. Using subcommittees or individuals for special duties, the Committee with advice and assistance from the pastor carries the following responsibilities:

1. Prepare an annual budget in consultation with other committees, and present it for approval to the church in business session.
2. Consider and approve proposals for special offerings and non-budget expenditures.
3. Supervise the treasurer and provide for an audit of the books.
4. Plan budget funding in cooperation with the church.
5. Promote education in the stewardship of time, talents, and money.
6. Give guidance in estate planning.
7. Provide adequate retirement coverage for ministers, in cooperation with other churches.

The duties of the trustees as legal agents of the church are as follows:

8. Hold and care for all church properties.
9. Receive and administer all proceeds from wills, endowments, and other gifts as directed by the donors and the church.
10. Provide archival custody of all except current church records.
11. Transact real estate purchases and sales and execute mortgages and other legal instruments as directed by the church.
12. Secure and maintain adequate insurance.
13. Budget payable taxes and insurance premiums.
14. Employ and supervise custodial services.
15. Establish policies about the use of church facilities.

Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is appointed by the church upon nomination by the elders. It is composed of three or more active members of the church, the terms of one-third expiring each year. Normally, service is limited to no more than two consecutive terms unless another qualified person is unavailable. The Committee retains its identity throughout the year in order to act when there is a vacancy in any office under its jurisdiction. By the last business session of the church year, the committee with advice and assistance from the pastor presents nominations to the church for all offices and committee memberships, having endeavored to secure the best information possible regarding capabilities appropriate to the different offices. If so instructed, it designates by name the clerks of the main committees.

The Administrative Committee (optional). Some local or extension churches may find it useful to appoint an Administrative Committee. This committee is accountable to the church, and it reports its actions to the business sessions. It consists of the pastor, the presiding and recording clerks, the presiding clerks of the main committees, and at least one of the representatives to the Yearly Meeting. Other active members may be included at the discretion of the church. If the business sessions of the church are held quarterly, the Administrative Committee meets each month in the interim between sessions. Additional meetings may be called by the presiding clerk and/or the pastor, either of whom may be designated by the church to preside over the meetings of the Committee.

Fine Arts (optional). The Fine Arts Committee is composed of three or more persons appointed for terms of three years, the terms of one-third expiring each year. Normally, service is limited to no more than two consecutive terms unless another qualified person is unavailable. The Committee is accountable to the elders, but if no such committee is appointed, the duties devolve upon the elders. Using special subcommittees or individuals, the Committee carries the following responsibilities:

1. Plan music appropriate for worship.
2. Plan and implement musical programs for social occasions.
3. Encourage development and use of gifts in the arts.
4. Encourage programs utilizing drama for Christian purposes.
5. Foster an appreciation of the arts on a high moral and cultural level.
6. Plan exhibits of arts and crafts.