Framework for Ministry 2011
“In the world as it is, congregations that persist at practices that worked in generations past find themselves in slow decline. Among those practices are the board-centered and committee-centered modes of governance that emerged early in the 1900’s. In their place, congregations are experimenting with alternatives. The most successful of these efforts focus strongly on the congregation’s mission – rather than on organizational life for its own sake.“
Source: Governance and Ministry by Dan Hotchkiss, Alban Institute, 2009
One of the observations in the report from the Committee on Ministry following the Situational Support Consultation conducted at Mt. Zion in November of 2007, was the need for a review of the committee structure at Mt. Zion. Essentially the consultation concluded the committee framework was broken and needed to be fixed. Additionally, members were saying at that time, we want to do ministry — we do not want to serve on committees.
This was further reinforced in January, 2010, when Mt. Zion members met with Rev. Paul Nickerson, to begin our participation in the Road to Vitality. Echoing what Dan Hotchkiss wrote, Rev. Nickerson said, no longer do people join the church for the prestige of serving on a board or committee as they did in the 1950’s. People come to the church to be part of a faith community that makes a difference in the world.
Thus in late 2008 and 2009, we began organizing in a new way to do ministry here at Mt. Zion. Below and in the coming months, we will be sharing more with you about how this all works and most especially how you can be part of it!
Let’s begin with a chart comparing the Committee based structure with the new Core Planning and Team approach:
|
Core Teams
|
Committees
|
|
Discipleship
Model
|
Administrative
Model
|
|
Permission
giving
|
Supervise,
giving direction
|
|
Assess
needs/gifts
|
Gather
& disseminate information
|
|
Fluid
& evolving
|
Static
|
|
Draws
from a large pool of participants
|
Draws
from small pool of participants
|
|
Variety
of short term commitments
|
Long
term commitments
|
|
Mission/ministry
oriented
|
Task
oriented
|
|
Plan
in accordance with gifts and calling
|
Operate
according to predetermined events
|
Church Council and the staff, identify “CORE” areas of ministry, such as WORSHIP, SPIRITUAL FORMATION, COMMUNITY LIFE, OUTREACH, MISSION, MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES and this year we are adding the YOUTH Core.
The second step is to have a CORE PLANNING SESSION of ALL persons with a vested interest in a particular area of ministry come together one evening or one Sunday afternoon to:
1. Identify goals for the coming year
2. Review events of the previous year, evaluate and decide to continue or alter.
3. Determine if there are persons who have the energy or passion to carry out these events.
4. Determine what needs are not being met in this core area and if they can be addressed.
5. Self-elect at least two people plus a Council liaison to serve as mem-bers of the Core Team for the coming year. This group provides over-sight of this area of ministry along with the designated member of the staff and are consulted regarding changes or additions to the ministry focus as established at the Core Planning Session.
The CORE PLANNING SESSION, provides an annual forum to discuss new ideas, suggestions, etc. centering around this particular aspect of ministry. Instead of trying to address all of these areas in one or two annual congrega-tional meetings, the community has an annual venue to focus on this one par-ticular area. Beginning the first week in August and into September, these ses-sions will be taking place to determine worship schedules, Bible and book stud-ies, youth activities, fellowship events and much more for 2011-2012. Instead of saying, after the fact, “we should be doing this,” come to the appropriate ven-ue, share your ideas for the coming year and prayerfully consider how you can contribute to this ministry. At the conclusion of these sessions, at least two people are identified as members of the Core Team for the coming year. These people are contacted (frequently via e-mail) if there are changes or issues to be addressed relative to this area of ministry.
The CORE TEAM approach provides each member the opportunity to serve in a variety of ways in the coming year – be a member of a Worship Min-istry Team, participate in one of Mt. Zion’s food ministries, help with one fel-lowship event and in doing so build upon our relationships with one another.
WORSHIP PLANNING SESSION
Wed. August 3 – 6:30 PM – Fellowship Hall
We will be reviewing worship ministry teams, special services (this year Christmas Eve is on a Saturday), worship times, music, services of healing and communion in order to establish the worship calendar for the year.
COMMUNITY LIFE & YOUTH PLANNING SESSION
Wed. August 17th – 6:30 PM – Fellowship Hall
Pastor Danielle is forming a Youth Core Team this year. Come with your ideas for fellowship events for families, youth, children and adults. We review events of the previous year, such as Lenten dinners and breakfasts. Come help us cre-ate a year with opportunities to foster community and fellowship.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION PLANNING SESSION
Wed. August 24th – 6:30 PM – Fellowship Hall
Come with ideas for Bible and book studies for adults. Come to review and brainstorm educational opportunities for children and youth such as our rotation model used this past year.
MISSION PLANNING SESSION
Wed. September 21st – 6:30 PM – Fellowship Hall
If you have ideas for the recipients of our monthly Special Benevolence offerings – join us! Help us set the calendar for event like Cook’s On the Road and the Compassion-York Food Run.