This is not an easy task, but it is necessary at times. First, each ministry should have stated goals that are in writing. Some ministries die out and are ineffective. Rerduce number of ministries by combining where possible. Work with those who are passionate about a ministry by helping them to state attainable goals. Then give six months or so to pray diligently for that ministry and with those involved in it. After the specified time period meet with the ministry leaders and discuss the reaslities of where they are at vs. stated (attainable) goals. When the handwriting is on the wall, most are willing to make the changes necessary or discontinue the ministry. Avoid long term committees and go for task oriented committees. When the task is complete, their time and resources are not wasted on monthly meetings that people lose interest in. Most people are more willing to serve when they feel needed and see goals being accomplished. Encouraging volunteers regularly and allowing as much freedom as possible in their task is usually quite beneficial for all concerned. Prayer is the key to discernment. Hope that is helpful, but feel free to ask more questions.
During the years from 1995-2007 I served as NY State Certified Umpire. Looking back on those years,I can see how some of the best training I had for the ministry happened on the baseball diamond. I had good mentors then, as well as in my earlier years of ministry. I learned something vey valuable: Let people have their say, even if they are spitting mad. DO NOT RESPOND IN ANGER! Wait a few days and go visit the person and you will likely diffuse future situations as well. If someone can get under your skin, they win. If you can hold your tongue and perhaps try to see them as God sees them, it is easier to deal with. Yes, there will be some that you cannot please (ever), but most often, people will back down and often apologize. I try to let the elders handle those with consistent negativity. Thanks Josh, Joy and Arnold for the your posts on this subject!
Thanks Randy. Last year I had to pull out a copy of the Letter of Call to remind them of their obligation. Some were stunned to see that in writing. It did change the previous decision and a raise was given. We need to keep everyone enlightened about their responsibilities. We take it for granted that everyone understands, but with changing council members it has to be brought to their attention. I am thankful for their understanding when they received the information.
While I support the idea of including deacons at Classis meetings, I wonder about the participation. It is hard to find deacons that are able/willing to take a day off of work for a Classis meeting. I often wonder about the possibility of deacons having their own meetings and reporting to Classis. A number of years ago I was in another Classis that made the change to include deacons. The attendance of deacons was minimal at best. We need full participation of deacons to make it work well.
The question is how to get deacons involved in Classis and Synod? Would a stipend for those losing wages be an effective measure? Some Classes have stipends for elders to attend Synod. Perhaps that is a route to explore...
Thanks, Terry for your remarks. I wonder what the participation rate of deacons is at Classis Atlantic Northeast? I left CANE in 2008 and at the time, deacons delegated to Classis was relatively new, but participation/attendance at Classis was not a very high percentage. Has that changed considerably over time? I believe Classes that allow women deacons will likely have a higher percentage of attendance than Classes that have not yet approved that measure.
Rachel, I just want to join the chorus and say Thank You for being the guide on this forum. Your work is very much appreciated! I do more reading than posting, but have been following along on this topic as time permits. May God bless and guide you as you move on to other things to write about.
Yes, we have been down this road before. However, I have a gut instinct that this time around will be differnt. That presentation/discussion is less than 24 hours away, but something tells me that Synod 2013 will be the turning point. I believe that nearly half the classes already have deacons attending their meetings, a big change from 1981 and previous. KP
I support George Vink's statements entirely. As a delegate to Synod 2013 and a few others, I think the current process works well. Pray for the right people to be elected and pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide the vote, as well as every decision. It is God's church, and I believe we can trust him t o lead and guide us in the work of Synod.
Thanks Andrea. Many of us in Wisconsin resonate with your thoughts on rain. The crops are drying up, the joy of watching rain (and dancing in it). We realize that much more rain is needed and that it is too late to save some of the crops. We pray that the church will come together with a comunal response. On your thoughts of the drought stricken souls, we must continue to pray for that "living water" that only Jesus can supply. God's grace is so powerful and yet, we often fail to recognize it. A Friday morning rambling:) KP
Having read (and appreciated) this article, I just ran accross this today... http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-centerpiece-of-sunday-worship This supports what you have found about the centrality of preaching God's Word.
We are never too small to make a difference. Case in point... I preached in April, about how in OT times, farmers left something around the edge for the poor to glean from. I asked a few simple questions that had been on my mind. We all live with excess, but are we leaving some of what we have been given for the poor to be cared for. I alsoshowed a short video from Foods Resource Bank (FRB) of World Renew. To date, some farmers have designated some acres for what we call God's Garden." Hopefully, there will be more who join the effort, and the congregation is planning an annual fundraiser for this purpose as well. The Christian communigty is a giving community, and all we have to do is ask and encourage participation. It is God who works in the hearts and minds of people to make this happen. Praising God! Ken
Posted in: Sticky situation: when is it time to discontinue a ministry?
This is not an easy task, but it is necessary at times. First, each ministry should have stated goals that are in writing. Some ministries die out and are ineffective. Rerduce number of ministries by combining where possible. Work with those who are passionate about a ministry by helping them to state attainable goals. Then give six months or so to pray diligently for that ministry and with those involved in it. After the specified time period meet with the ministry leaders and discuss the reaslities of where they are at vs. stated (attainable) goals. When the handwriting is on the wall, most are willing to make the changes necessary or discontinue the ministry. Avoid long term committees and go for task oriented committees. When the task is complete, their time and resources are not wasted on monthly meetings that people lose interest in. Most people are more willing to serve when they feel needed and see goals being accomplished. Encouraging volunteers regularly and allowing as much freedom as possible in their task is usually quite beneficial for all concerned. Prayer is the key to discernment. Hope that is helpful, but feel free to ask more questions.
Posted in: Time for Non-Compete Clauses for Clergy?
Perhaps we just need to imnclude it in the oath of office for ordination and installation?
Posted in: Stop and Soak in the Complaints
During the years from 1995-2007 I served as NY State Certified Umpire. Looking back on those years,I can see how some of the best training I had for the ministry happened on the baseball diamond. I had good mentors then, as well as in my earlier years of ministry. I learned something vey valuable: Let people have their say, even if they are spitting mad. DO NOT RESPOND IN ANGER! Wait a few days and go visit the person and you will likely diffuse future situations as well. If someone can get under your skin, they win. If you can hold your tongue and perhaps try to see them as God sees them, it is easier to deal with. Yes, there will be some that you cannot please (ever), but most often, people will back down and often apologize. I try to let the elders handle those with consistent negativity. Thanks Josh, Joy and Arnold for the your posts on this subject!
Posted in: Annual Compensation Review: Support for Pastors?
Thanks Randy. Last year I had to pull out a copy of the Letter of Call to remind them of their obligation. Some were stunned to see that in writing. It did change the previous decision and a raise was given. We need to keep everyone enlightened about their responsibilities. We take it for granted that everyone understands, but with changing council members it has to be brought to their attention. I am thankful for their understanding when they received the information.
Posted in: Diakonia Redux: Will Deacons Get a Voice?
While I support the idea of including deacons at Classis meetings, I wonder about the participation. It is hard to find deacons that are able/willing to take a day off of work for a Classis meeting. I often wonder about the possibility of deacons having their own meetings and reporting to Classis. A number of years ago I was in another Classis that made the change to include deacons. The attendance of deacons was minimal at best. We need full participation of deacons to make it work well.
Posted in: Diakonia Redux: Will Deacons Get a Voice?
The question is how to get deacons involved in Classis and Synod? Would a stipend for those losing wages be an effective measure? Some Classes have stipends for elders to attend Synod. Perhaps that is a route to explore...
Thanks, Terry for your remarks. I wonder what the participation rate of deacons is at Classis Atlantic Northeast? I left CANE in 2008 and at the time, deacons delegated to Classis was relatively new, but participation/attendance at Classis was not a very high percentage. Has that changed considerably over time? I believe Classes that allow women deacons will likely have a higher percentage of attendance than Classes that have not yet approved that measure.
Posted in: Sign On to Safe Church
Rachel,
I just want to join the chorus and say Thank You for being the guide on this forum. Your work is very much appreciated! I do more reading than posting, but have been following along on this topic as time permits. May God bless and guide you as you move on to other things to write about.
Posted in: Diakonia — We've Passed This Way Before
Yes, we have been down this road before. However, I have a gut instinct that this time around will be differnt. That presentation/discussion is less than 24 hours away, but something tells me that Synod 2013 will be the turning point. I believe that nearly half the classes already have deacons attending their meetings, a big change from 1981 and previous.
KP
Posted in: A Better Way to Select the Officers of Synod?
I support George Vink's statements entirely. As a delegate to Synod 2013 and a few others, I think the current process works well. Pray for the right people to be elected and pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide the vote, as well as every decision. It is God's church, and I believe we can trust him t o lead and guide us in the work of Synod.
Posted in: The Parched Place
Thanks Andrea. Many of us in Wisconsin resonate with your thoughts on rain. The crops are drying up, the joy of watching rain (and dancing in it). We realize that much more rain is needed and that it is too late to save some of the crops. We pray that the church will come together with a comunal response. On your thoughts of the drought stricken souls, we must continue to pray for that "living water" that only Jesus can supply. God's grace is so powerful and yet, we often fail to recognize it. A Friday morning rambling:) KP
Posted in: Sermon-Centricity on Sunday
Having read (and appreciated) this article, I just ran accross this today...
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-centerpiece-of-sunday-worship
This supports what you have found about the centrality of preaching God's Word.
Posted in: Is Your Church Too Small or Too Poor to Do Missions?
We are never too small to make a difference. Case in point... I preached in April, about how in OT times, farmers left something around the edge for the poor to glean from. I asked a few simple questions that had been on my mind. We all live with excess, but are we leaving some of what we have been given for the poor to be cared for. I alsoshowed a short video from Foods Resource Bank (FRB) of World Renew. To date, some farmers have designated some acres for what we call God's Garden." Hopefully, there will be more who join the effort, and the congregation is planning an annual fundraiser for this purpose as well. The Christian communigty is a giving community, and all we have to do is ask and encourage participation. It is God who works in the hearts and minds of people to make this happen.
Praising God!
Ken