By Edith Gholson, Director, Ministry Council
To one person seated in a pew (or a folding chair) the “new structure” of the Ministry Council and Ministry Teams may have little relevance. In this person’s mind, the workings of the larger Church may lack importance in the responsibilities of his or her personal life and to the routine of his or her congregation. As long as the activities around him or her remain comfortable and familiar, and expectations are met with satisfactory regularity, there may be little interest in or inclination to support a denominational grouping.
To another person in the pew (or folding chair), the Ministry Council represents access to resources, opportunities for persons and groups to grow in discipleship beyond the confines of his or her sanctuary, and a way to strengthen the larger Church by helping to strengthen that individual’s congregation.
In November, the Ministry Council and Ministry Teams joined together for a weekend retreat near Memphis. Time was invested in building relationships and hands-on activities that required participants to step (sometimes blindfolded) out of the comfort zone of familiar groups and bump up against new ideas, new responsibilities, and new people. In February, the Council and Teams met concurrently for planning and to continue to define what this “new structure” means for the Church and for those persons in pews and on folding chairs.
The Ministry Council structure is “new” and yet not so new. While it has affected the manner in which the church administers its programming, the model for the structure has been in place in every Cumberland Presbyterian congregation since inception. For example, in a congregation, if a committee or individual wants a new program to be launched, that group or person invests time in fact-finding in regard to needs, recruitment of volunteers and participants, and identification of resources. A recommendation is then given to the session. The resulting program moves forward following the session’s discussion and approval. So it is with the Ministry Teams. They continue to serve as program development and implementation, with overall administrative responsibilities carried by the Ministry Council.
The Ministry Council is an intentional method to enhance use of resources—the most valued of course, human resources—to help bring people to Christ. The Ministry Council recognizes that while Ministry Teams (former separate, autonomous boards) have some different goals and objectives, they also share many goals and objectives and through collaboration, can positively affect more people, more congregations. Two examples of this collaboration: “Healthy Congregations” and the Pastor Blog.
Healthy Congregations (HC) is a partnership between the Missions and Pastoral Development Ministry Teams that engages pastors and congregations in establishing a positive approach to conflict resolution. Using a model of active prevention, HC training allows congregations to recognize that as long as there are people and personalities in churches, there will be conflict. Instead of a standard “reactive” method that has failed so many and resulted in damaged relationships, either by avoiding conflict at all costs or through indirect, political maneuvering irreparably squashing those affected, congregations can now be better prepared both to avoid conflict and to deal with it when it occurs.
In late February, the Pastoral Development and Communications Ministry Teams launched an exciting new communication tool for Spanish-speaking pastors. Hosted by PDMT Leader Milton Ortiz, the blog is engaging pastors in Colombia and the United States in discussion; the Confession of Faith, worship styles, and leadership development are just a few of the initial blog topics.
These collaborations as well as others lining up at the gate all have a new requirement: outcomes measurement. Each ministry team will implement a periodic evaluation of all programs, reviewing their efficiency and effectiveness. This process will allow teams to look critically at the needs of congregations and to address whether or not those needs are being addressed satisfactorily. Team members and Ministry Council members will also participate in an annual self-evaluation, helping to recognize opportunities for leadership development and new service.
While necessity dictated that much of the Ministry Council’s attention be given to putting policies and procedures in place for the “new/old” structure, the time and attention given that has paid off. Both ministry team and Ministry Council members have said that they are feeling that we’re moving on to more of “the doing” of bringing people to Christ. I invite you to be part of the doing by learning more about and supporting the Ministry Council.
