Christchurch has a Leadership Team made up of the Minister, up to two Elders, the Officers (Secretary and Treasurer), and up to ten Deacons. Overall, this team is responsible for:
- maintaining the life of the church
- overseeing the spiritual health of its membership
- developing a vision for the future
- taking decisions on day-to-day church matters
- making recommendations to the Church Meeting on more significant issues
The Minister and Officers each have specific responsibilities; the Elders and Deacons have more general roles that are shared between them, some of which also apply to the Officers. These include:
- providing and demonstrating assistance and support to the Minister
- providing leadership to the church in support of its current activity and progress towards its vision;
- playing an active part in the life of the church, especially its worship, prayer and study, and (in particular the Elders) from time to time leading these;
- providing points of contact for church members, regular attenders, and visitors, and supporting communication to and from them.
In support of some of these roles, Deacons participate in rotas for stewarding, preparing and serving Communion, etc. However, much of the activity involves leading by example, taking collective responsibility in supporting decisions, and being available to the church as a whole.
In addition, some Deacons may take on other specific positions within the church (for example as youth work, fundraising, buildings maintenance), as co-ordinators and/or active participants, as an expression of their general leadership role.
Currently the Deacons are:
- Mrs. Liz Collins
- Mrs. Elly Dickinson Smith
- Mrs. Ruth Dickinson
- Mrs. Reena Franklin
- Mrs Rhiannon Jones
- Mr. Ian Kelly
- Mrs Alison Ridgway
- Mrs Pauline Seath
- Mr. Ian Travis