As an adjunct to the Best Practices in Church Management Series, Creativity in Church Management covers a number of topics that, while important, do not warrant their own volumes in the series. Topics include co-responsibility, managing parish diversity, and issues surrounding parish reconfiguration and consolidation.
This innovative and imaginative resource offers learning and worship activities and whole service outlines to help churches engage with the outside world and increase connectedness with the communities where they are placed, whether rural or urban. Current trends encourage us to reconnect with nature – schools are building outdoor classrooms, 11,000 organizations belong to the Wild Network which encourages children to get outside, while Forest Church, the Eco-congregation and the rewilding spirituality movements reflect this trend in the church. Definitely not just for energetic outdoorsy types, it creatively blends the Christian year with the natural seasons – such as an all-age Advent outdoor adventure, creating an outdoor Easter garden, kite flying at Ascension, building life-size David and Goliath, going on a prayer pilgrimage, autumn leaves and tree ribbons for remembrance, and much more.
Creative Ideas for Ministry with the Aged is a wise, timely and practical handbook that meets the urgent need for resources for ministry among the elderly. Written out of the author's own experience as a chaplain to a residential care community, it is suitable for ministers who visit the elderly; chaplains, pastoral visitors and caregivers; and all who help train others in elderly pastoral care. Part 1 explores the key theological elements of ministry with the aged, focusing on themes such as the sacrament of the present moment. It asks what constitutes spiritual care and conversation with those whose minds and bodies are failing? Part 2 provides simple service outlines for 'reconnecting with old treasures'; and includes liturgies for communion services, services of the word and remembering special days. Parts 3 and 4 offer imaginative ideas for pastoral practices and spiritual activities using prayer, song, laughter, memory, touch, anointing and more to address questions of loss, letting go, forgiveness, dying and resurrection.
A practical, accessible guide to help church leaders through the steps needed to ensure an effective, accountable, and transparent financial process in a parish.
Following "Management and Ministry" and "Leading Managing, Ministering", this third MODEM handbook explores an issue at the very heart of the Church - how can an ancient institution with so many encumbrances remain a living sign of the Kingdom of God?
For churches and religious nonprofit operations, the business of business is not business - it is ministry. Still, such institutions have to make plans. Because skilled organization is needed to accomplish specific tasks, a leader must train and motivate workers in progress and effectiveness. This second edition of Church Administration helps pastors and church staff become effective and efficient leaders, managers, and administrators. Among the topics discussed are: Adminstration Documents, Organizing the Church, Administering Personnel Resources, Financial Resources, Physical Resources, and Administering Risk Management. Writing for students as well as those already in this line of work, author Robert H. Welch promises, "If you understand the tenants of general administration and the techniques of ministerial leadership your job will be made significantly easier."
A companion to the popular Creative Church Leadership, this co-publication with "MODEM" focuses on the practical skills necessary for dynamic leadership in the local church. A wide range of experienced church leaders and management gurus reflect on key components of successful contemporary church leadership including: part one which discusses people, leading a team, choosing and mentoring assistants, leading lay ministers and volunteers, how to delegate, how to resolve conflict; part two which describes organisation, leading churches of different sizes, leading multiple congregations, relating to the local community, initiating and completing projects, how to chair meetings; and, part three which discusses up close and personal, what kind of a leader are you, getting your work/life balance right, thinking strategically, preaching with a purpose, and much more.
- Achieving excellence in church management - Vital information on proper, ethical conduct for God's servants - Clear information on achieving the frugal use of resources - A valuable and timely resume of the full-time ministry - Takes you beyond mediocrity in church administration One night while studying in a remove town of Ghana, God miraculously anointed Dag Heward-Mills as he waited upon the Lord. He supernaturally heard the words, "From now on you can teach..." This supernatural call is what has ushered him into a worldwide ministry. Today, his Healing Jesus Crusades are conducted throughout the world with thousands in attendance and many accompanying miracles. These phenomenal miracles, attested to by medical doctors have included the opening of the eyes of the blind, the restoring of hearing to the deaf, the emptying of wheel chairs and even the raising of the dead. Dag Heward-Mills, an author of several bestselling books also founded the Lighthouse Chapel International has become a worldwide denomination. His radio, TV and internet programs reach millions around the world. Other outreaches include pastors and ministers conferences and the renowned Anagkazo Bible and Ministry Training Center. Dag Heward-Mills lives in Accra, Ghana with his wife Adelaide and their four children: David, Joshua, Daniella and Paula.
This book, in applying the asset mapping theory of Kretzmann and McKnight (1993), developed a positive communication strategy for minimizing conflicts and building a more Collaborative Communities in Organizations and Churches, with much emphasis on inclusivity, consensus and commitment to common vision and ideals. While critically reviewing the traditional conflict theories in their approaches to conflict management; the book uses the new lens provided by the asset mapping theory, to recommend for a paradigm shift in the way people look at organizations and conflicts. A new emphasis therefore is on the positive elements in organizations, the assets that lie within individuals and groups, as the key to minimizing conflict in organizations. Besides, unlike the traditional conflict theories which sees conflict as a problem, this new lens, sees conflict within organizations, as functional and opportunities for growth. The book equally identifies some of the significant factors that cause ethnic conflicts within organizations; such as, Prejudices among Ethnic Groups; Differences of Ethnic Groups; Power Struggle among Ethnic Groups; Discrimination and Injustice against Groups; Lack of Participatory Communication; and Lack of Participatory Leadership. Finally, in reviewing the relevant literatures on Community Building, the book underlines the various variables that make Community Building possible. Such variables include: Discovering and Mobilizing the Assets of Individuals and Groups within Organizations; Building Relationships among Individuals and Groups within Organizations; Building a more Participatory Leadership within Organizations; Building a more Participatory Communication within Organizations; Creating more Awareness on the necessity of Collaborative Initiatives, as well as, Promoting the Common Cultural Values and Ideals that holds Individuals and Groups together within Organization.
The transition from classroom lectures and practice preaching into the real world of ministry is not always smooth. The anticipation of putting into practice the ideas arising from one’s education is dampened by the emergence of opposition. Experience leads the youthful pastor to recognize the need to balance zeal, knowledge, and enthusiasm with improved interpersonal skills.