Steering Committee (SCC)
Purpose
The Steering Committee is the operational and executive body of the Small Christian Communities (SCC) in the parish. It is responsible for planning, coordinating, monitoring, and strengthening SCCs while promoting community building throughout the parish.
Membership
The Steering Committee consists of:
SCC Director (Chairperson)
Parish SCC Coordinator
Community Coordinators from all SCCs
Parish Priest
Spiritual Directors (as required)
FILMC members / Resource Persons (when required)
Secretary (appointed from among the members)
Why a Steering Committee?
The Steering Committee:
Ensures every community is healthy and active.
Encourages teamwork and mutual support.
Distributes responsibilities effectively.
Brings a multidisciplinary approach to solving problems.
Ensures continuity despite changes in clergy.
Oversees and coordinates all SCC activities.
Responsibilities
Parish SCC Coordinator
Provides overall leadership.
Convenes meetings.
Prepares the agenda.
Chairs Steering Committee meetings.
Secretary
Records minutes.
Maintains community records.
Keeps official documentation.
Steering Committee Members
Meet regularly (monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly; at least once every three months) to:
Monitor implementation of community activities.
Review progress of each community.
Plan future activities.
Address problems and challenges.
Organize leadership formation.
Arrange publicity through the parish bulletin.
Support and guide Core Groups.
Communicate Steering Committee decisions.
Annual Responsibilities
The Steering Committee will:
Set annual parish SCC goals.
Strengthen functioning of all communities.
Coordinate with the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC).
Organize at least two animator training programmes every year.
Develop new community leaders.
Support weaker communities until they become active.
Steering Committee vs Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
Parish Pastoral Council | Steering Committee |
Advisory body for pastoral matters | Executive body for SCC |
Includes representatives from Cells, Associations and SCC | Includes only SCC leadership |
Focuses on parish-wide pastoral activities | Focuses on SCC community life |
Parish Feast, Christmas, Lenten Services, Sacraments | Family visits, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Outreach, Community programmes |
Guidelines for Productive Meetings
Plan well in advance.
Prepare the agenda beforehand.
Focus on issues, opportunities and challenges.
Encourage discussion in small groups.
Use short presentations to begin discussions.
Share the agenda with members beforehand.
Recommended Meeting Agenda (90 Minutes)
Welcome and introduction of new members
Approval of previous meeting minutes
Gospel Sharing
Reflection on Bishop's Monthly Letter
Review of community functioning
Discussion and planning
Announcements and follow-up
Concluding hymn/prayer
Small Christian Communities (SCC)
Vision
Small Christian Communities help parishioners:
Grow in faith.
Build stronger neighbourhood relationships.
Participate actively in parish life.
Care for one another.
Carry out parish activities at the local level.
Each community generally consists of 10–100 families.
Community Structure
Community Animator
Responsible for:
Caring for 8–10 families.
Building relationships.
Facilitating communication.
Encouraging participation.
Supporting family needs.
Cluster
A cluster consists of:
One Community Animator
Approximately 8–10 families
Clusters encourage:
Greater participation.
Shared responsibilities.
Leadership development.
Core Group
Each community Core Group consists of:
Community Animators
Parish Pastoral Council Member
Community Coordinator
The Core Group drives the functioning of the community.
Community Coordinator
Responsibilities:
Represents the community in Steering Committee meetings.
Communicates Steering Committee decisions.
Keeps the Core Group informed.
Coordinates implementation of parish SCC programmes.
Terms of Service
PPC Members and Community Coordinators serve 3-year terms, renewable once (maximum 6 years).
Community Animators are considered long-term servants of the community.
Before stepping down, every leader should mentor a successor from within the community.
Key Message
The SCC model is not simply an administrative structure—it is a ministry of accompaniment, leadership, and community building. Every leader is called not only to serve but also to form future leaders, ensuring the continuity and growth of the parish's Small Christian Communities.
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