Presbyterian church trustees are responsible for overseeing the church’s physical property, managing finances, and ensuring legal and fiduciary duties are met. Their duties include maintaining buildings and grounds, overseeing insurance policies, managing bequests and investments, and ensuring the property is used according to the church’s mission and policies.
They operate under a fiduciary duty, meaning they must act in the best interests of the congregation with loyalty, trust, and good faith.
Trustees are members of the congregation elected according to the church’s constitution and manual of operations.
Key responsibilities:
Property management:
- Conduct annual inspections and maintain all church property, including buildings and grounds.
- Ensure facilities are accessible and develop plans for energy efficiency.
- Organize maintenance schedules for equipment and perform necessary repairs.
Financial oversight:
- Oversee the financial matters of the church and develop financial policies.
- Manage bequests, wills, trusts, and other investments, ensuring donor intent is honored.
- Work with the finance committee to develop a funding plan for their work.
Legal and fiduciary duties:
- Hold property in trust for the benefit of the corporation, as required by law.
- Manage insurance policies, including property and workers’ compensation.
- Develop guidelines for building use and ensure adherence to safe sanctuary policies.
Administrative tasks:
- Manage the use of church facilities for events, weddings, funerals, etc..
- Manage memorial funds.
- Work to maintain property tax exemptions.