The members of the Board of Stewards are the chief officers of the local church. They promote the overall program of the church and encourage the membership to support it. The Stewards receive all funds collected for the church and provide for the salary and comforts of the pastor. They address the needs of those suffering emergencies by providing food, clothing and other assistance. The Stewards also assist in providing the elements for the “Lord’s Supper,” and seek to increase the membership through revivals and evangelistic programs.

BOARD OF STEWARDS

Stewards are appointed, annually, by the pastor and thereby become the pastor’s cabinet. In order to spread the responsibility of the Stewards to all on the Steward Board, committees are established. They are: Church Growth & Development, Christian Education & Special Nurture, Christian Social Action & Outreach Ministry, Class Leaders, Health Services, Membership & Evangelism, Stewardship & Finance and Worship.

STEWARDESS BOARD

Stewardesses assist the Stewards in the discharge of their duties which includes preparation for the sacraments–Baptism and Holy Communion. Additionally, they have the responsibility of assisting the clergy in delivering communion to those who are sick and shut-in. Stewardesses comprise (3) boards: Stewardess Boards #1, 2 and 3.

DEACONESS BOARD

. The duties of the deDeaconesses are consecrated by the bishop during the District Conference after being presented by their pastor as a highly-esteemed personaconesses are many: to encourage, foster, and improve the general interests of the church; promote the comfort and solicit the friendship and sympathy of the general public; cheer the fallen; feed the hungry; clothe the naked; seek out the homeless; encourage thrift; visit the sick and shut-in, and witness to those who are outside the church.

CLASS LEADERS’ COUNCIL

Class Leaders are definitely principle officers of the local church. Acting as an assistant to the pastor, class leaders visit their class members, provide information for them; fellowship with them concerning their faith; and inquire about their health and welfare. Reports of the Class Leaders’ findings are provided regularly for the pastor through regular meetings of the Class Leaders’ Council. In a time of need, sickness, or bereavement in a class member’s life, their Class Leader is among the first to offer assistance and condolences. Class Leaders serve as an agent for change by encouraging all class members to register to vote.

The Class Leaders’ Council meets every other month on the 3rd Saturday. Class Members are invited to celebrate with their Class Leaders as they are recognized for their untiring efforts through an Annual Class Leaders’ Banquet that is held the 3rd Saturday of September.

DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Department of Christian Education is responsible for developing a comprehensive and unified program of Christian Education which leads to a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, the Christian Religion and the Christian Church, and implementing these values in our daily lives. Within this department resides the Christian Education Commission, which is a group of spirit-led people that develop and implement programs designed to establish a church learning environment that stimulates and enhances knowledge of, interpretation of, and the living and doing of the Word...thus promoting Christian growth, development, and service.

CHURCH SCHOOL

This ministry is offered every Sunday from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM. Church School provides classes for all ages, pre-school to adult. These classes are designed to present students with a challenging and comprehensive look at God's Word, and to make God's Word alive in their lives.

TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

This class provides an extensive, yet transformative, uplifting and inspirational study of God’s Holy Word on an organized basis. Each lesson is structured to reach students of varying levels of Bible knowledge and to cover specific topics each week. Classes are taught Tuesday nights at 6:45 PM.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRAYER BAND

A church that prays together; stays together! The primary goal of this spirit-filled group is to strengthen the bond of Church and community through the indisputable and irrefutable power of prayer and share the goodness of God and His grace and mercy through individual and group prayer, praise, worship and testimony. Members of this group also make-up the Intercessory Prayer Band and stand ready to petition God on behalf of another in need. The Prayer Band meets Wednesday at 7:00 PM.

NEW MEMBERS’ WELCOME MINISTRY

New members to the church family are welcomed into a nurturing environment when they attend our (4)-week New Members’ Orientation and Training classes, which have been designed for them. During these sessions, new members are given much needed information about both the A.M.E. Church and Bethel Church. They are given the opportunity to express themselves on a number of spiritual and Biblical topics, and are encouraged to determine and put to use their spiritual gifts by becoming active members...as soon as possible. This ministry has become a vital part of Church and offers new members an excellent "first step" into service in our church.

THE JAIL MINISTRY

Members of this group volunteer their time by ministering to the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women and youth. They are also available to, and provide spiritual support and uplifting to those same men, women and youth once they are back home. The Jail Ministry is there to assist them in making the transition back into society and in their continued desire and efforts to stay close to God and His word.

THE HELPS MINISTRY

This group’s primary goal is to create and provide an atmosphere of spirit and faith-based health care and delivery in Bethel Church and the Saginaw community while assisting individuals in becoming active participants in their own health maintenance. Complimentary blood pressure and blood glucose screenings are provided by the members of this ministry every 3rd Sunday and special activities are sponsored to bring awareness to many important health concerns of today. The HELPS Ministry is comprised of individuals who are both advocates and trained professionals in the healthcare industry.

THE USHER BOARD

The usher, or doorkeeper, serves as a worship greeter and directs worshippers’ entry into the sanctuary before and during service. Ushers locate and identify available seating, distribute service-related materials and lift the offerings. Bethel’s Usher Board consists of (3) individual boards and each serves on a rotational basis: Usher Boards #1, 2 and 3 (youth ushers).

THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

The purpose of Bethel’s Music Department is to provide a ministry that leads and facilitates the congregation in true worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through music and song. Their ultimate goal has a dual role; 1) to bring glory and praise to God and 2) to strengthen and unify the church body and community through praise and worship to Christ through music and song. This ministry includes the following groups, choirs and chorales: