A message from Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley, as printed in the March 10, 2020 eNews email: Dear Friends, In response to the Coronavirus, I have received numerous guidance-offering emails. I suspect you have too. Some of that information is included with this e-blast. There is no shortage of direction from the Center for Disease […]
Resources for Faith-Based Preparedness
These documents are recommended by Rev. Karl Jones, PSEC Disaster Response Coordinator, for churches and leaders considering how to prepare their faith community for a possible disaster. If you have questions about Disaster Response resources available to your church, contact Rev. Jones at kjones275@comcast.net. Active Shooter in a House of Worship: This “Be a Ready Congregation” […]
United Church of Christ Equipping the Journey resources
The United Church of Christ has released a booklet entitled “Equipping the Journey: Resources for Mission and Ministry in the Local Church and Beyond.” This includes a list of all of the UCC resources that exist in support of local churches, Associations and Conferences. This version was last updated March 2019: UCC Equipping the Journey – […]
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Worship Resources for Disaster Recovery
“Give us the vision and patience to live and labor faithfully though this season of response and recovery.” [Rev. Eddie Weathers, UCC Southern Conference] HYMN: “O God, We’ve Prayed in Wind and Rain” by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Tune: ST. ANNE CM (“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”) O God, we’ve prayed in wind […]
Possible steps toward shared ministry among UCC congregations
Possible Steps toward Shared Ministry among UCC congregations The following process details the steps for the structure of a shared ministry. This is not a process for yoking or merging. This process is for two or more churches that are seeking to do ministry together. These churches would need to be willing to have a […]
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Actions for Churches in Decline
Pray – Pray-Pray – Be open and trusting in God. Don’t be limited to your ideas and agendas but really listen and look to where God is leading you. Don’t wait until you are burned out. It’s hard to feel energized in the name of the Lord, when you’re doing all the work. The theme “better […]
Characteristics of Growing Churches
This article from Outreach Magazine is recommended by the PSEC office. 10 Characteristics of Growing Churches 1. They have leaders that lead! “For God so loved the world that He did not send a committee!” Not sure where I heard that…but it’s true! 2. A desperation for God’s power! Prayer isn’t a good luck charm […]
Characteristics of a Healthy Church
This article by Christian A. Schwartz, Natural Church Development, ChurchSmart Resources, 1998, is recommended by the PSEC office. 8 CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH Empowering Leadership Leaders of growing churches concentrate on empowering other Christians for ministry. They consider it as one of their most important tasks to help Christians develop greater degrees of empowerment, which […]
Secrets of Church Revitalization
This article by Ron Edmondson is recommended by the PSEC Office. 5 Secrets of Church Revitalization I’ve written frequently about church revitalization. As one who has planted a couple of churches, I know the challenges are unique. One thing I’ve noticed is the number of pastors who enter revitalization thinking the church just needs new […]
The Smaller Congregation – Pathways in Challenging Times
The Smaller Congregation – Pathways in Challenging Times was originally created for the Alban Institute’s “Congregational Resource Guide,” at a time when many small congregations were feeling the impact of the nation’s financial crisis. The aim was to promote congregational vitality and illuminate options for decision-makers in smaller congregations as they faced common challenges. While new models […]
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