As a United Methodist Church, Oak Grove's structure is based on The Book of Discipline. Like our country, our governance is representative. We elect people to manage the temporal and spiritual affairs of the congregation. The Charge Conference is the highest governing body of the Church. It meets annually with the District Superintendent, a member of the Bishop's Cabinet, as the presiding officer. The Charge Conference consists of the Church Council, retired clergy in the congregation, and the District Superintendent. The Church Council meets monthly and serves as the executive agency of the Charge Conference.
The church has four major administrative committees. Trustees manage the property. Finance Committee makes provision for stewardship, oversight of the financial system, and compilation of the annual budget. Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPR) manages all personnel matters within a budget set by the Church Council. Nominations Committee recommends to the Charge Conference elected leaders for the church. United Methodist polity provides that personnel decisions are made by the Staff Parish Relations Committee. Votes on personnel matters never happen outside of SPR meetings with the exception of the approval of the total budget.
There are many ministry areas of the church. They are grouped under broad program ministry areas of Nurture, Education, Invitation, Service, Weekday Ministries (YCS preschool and Child Development Center), and Specialized Ministries. These groups provide the heart and soul of ministry at Oak Grove.
If you are interested in serving in leadership at Oak Grove, please contact Glenn Ethridge, 404-636-7558 or gethridge(at)ogumc.org. Most leadership positions are filled in the fall for the following calendar year.
Our church leadership values healthy communication among congregants and seeks to be open to input from members of the church. To foster healthy communication, the Church Council has adopted the following Communication Guidelines. These guidelines will help you know how best to contact your church governing committees.
