The present leadership structure is still provided by the Christian Evangelistic Mission of Iowa. As the presiding church planting board, they will continue to meet with the staff of Encounter until Encounter is a self-supported entity. A sub-committee of three CEM board members meet with the staff once a month. This meeting is designed to give general accountability to the church plant. The staff of Encounter is the only official leadership for the church at this time. It is our goal that by 2008 a leadership team and ministry team will be in place. By this time the church should be self-supported and as leaders rise to serve they will be appointed to official positions by the lead planter.

The Leadership Team This team will be the highest level of leadership and consist of the Elders and Lead Planter. They will be required to meet the leadership requirements that Paul mentions in Timothy and Titus. The Elders will be men who are mature in their faith and this team will provide the overall leadership of Encounter.

The Ministry team This team will be the level of leadership just under the leadership team. They will be the Deacons. This group of leaders will be those who are over various aspect of ministry at Encounter. The leadership team will give direction to the ministry team. The lead planter will be a member of the leadership team. He will also oversee the staff and give the direction of the church plant. A team-based model will be the foundation to leadership at Encounter. We believe God desires to work through those working together.