April: Power, Authority and Influence
Purpose:
Downloads:
Handout 1: Who holds the formal authority in your congregation?
Handout 2: Who holds the informal authority in your congregation?
Handout 3: Evaluating agreement and trust.
Handout 4: Strategies for dealing with allies and opponents.
Power Analysis of a Congregation by Roy M. Oswald -- Available through the Alban Institute as a PDF Download for $7.00
William, eds. Studying Congregations: A New Handbook. Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, 1998 – contains a helpful discussion of authority vs. leadership (see pp. 170 – 173).
Oswald, Roy M.; Heath, James M.; and Heath, Ann W. Beginning Ministry Together: The Alban Handbook for Clergy Transitions. Herndon, VA, The Alban Institute, 2003 – contains an alternate power analysis and some good descriptions of power dynamics (see pp. 132 – 141).
March: Choosing Worship Music and Parish Finances
Jonathan has asked Alan Lewis (director of music at Calvary) and Bob Eley (parish treasurer) to be available at Calvary that day.
Alan will discuss music in a parish setting and cover topics such as how to choose music for worship, working with an organist, seasonal variations, resources for different size congregations, expectations, and so on.
Bob will do a basic parish finances session that every clergy person needs to know such as reading a church budget, endowments, profit and loss statement, and all those words we hear about but never learned in seminary.
Purpose:
Downloads:
Handout 1: Who holds the formal authority in your congregation?
Handout 2: Who holds the informal authority in your congregation?
Handout 3: Evaluating agreement and trust.
Handout 4: Strategies for dealing with allies and opponents.
Power Analysis of a Congregation by Roy M. Oswald -- Available through the Alban Institute as a PDF Download for $7.00
William, eds. Studying Congregations: A New Handbook. Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, 1998 – contains a helpful discussion of authority vs. leadership (see pp. 170 – 173).
February: Organizational Systems Theory
Purpose:
Downloads:
Noted Resources:
Mann, Alice. “Ministering to the Soul of a Community”. Conversations. Online. December 12, 2008. Alban Institute, 2008 (www.alban.org/conversations) – a brief essay on the intersection of location and narrative in creating a congregation’s mission.
Mead, Loren B.; and Alban, Billie T. Creating the Future Together: Methods to Inspire Your Whole Faith Community. Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2008 – case studies of the use of large systems methods in church settings.
Watkins, Jane Magruder; and Mohr, Bernard J. Appreciative Inquiry: Change at the Speed of Imagination. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, 2001 – a good primer on Appreciative Inquiry and how to use it.
Weisbord, Marvin R. Organizational Diagnosis: A Workbook of Theory and Practice. Reading, MA: Perseus Books, 1978 – the classic description of the six box model with step-by-step guidance on how to use it.
Downloads:
Noted Resources:
Weisbord, Marvin R. Organizational Diagnosis: A Workbook of Theory and Practice. Reading, MA: Perseus Books, 1978 – the classic description of the six box model with step-by-step guidance on how to use it.
January 20: Leading Planned Change
Purpose:
Main Points:
This material is extremely relevant to the changes we are going through in our diocese.
Many of you may not be ready to lead planned change as yet. As we move forward in mission, a mission focus will require you at some point to Lead Planned Change. You will at least be somewhat familiar with the principles and steps from this class. These resources are here to help you when the time comes.
Downloads: Handouts:
Change Readiness Assessment - Word.doc. For class, please print and bring with you. For yourself, bold the number which most accurately reflects your current readiness, date the doc. and save as. Next year, download again and check your score. Have you grown in your readiness to adapt, manage or lead change?
Resources for Leading Change - Word.doc. Includes the Assessment as well as the 3 Handouts for this module.
Leading Planned Change in our Diocese Word.doc 3 Handouts customized to think in terms of the Diocese of Pittsburgh's Mission focus: Public Gospel,
Missional Communities and Leadership Formation.
Learn the basic steps for effectively implementing planned change, assess your own readiness to meet change creatively and assess your congregation's readiness.
Main Points:
This material is extremely relevant to the changes we are going through in our diocese.
Many of you may not be ready to lead planned change as yet. As we move forward in mission, a mission focus will require you at some point to Lead Planned Change. You will at least be somewhat familiar with the principles and steps from this class. These resources are here to help you when the time comes.
Main Points:
This material is extremely relevant to the changes we are going through in our diocese.
Many of you may not be ready to lead planned change as yet. As we move forward in mission, a mission focus will require you at some point to Lead Planned Change. You will at least be somewhat familiar with the principles and steps from this class. These resources are here to help you when the time comes.
Downloads: Handouts:
Change Readiness Assessment - Word.doc. For class, please print and bring with you. For yourself, bold the number which most accurately reflects your current readiness, date the doc. and save as. Next year, download again and check your score. Have you grown in your readiness to adapt, manage or lead change?
Resources for Leading Change - Word.doc. Includes the Assessment as well as the 3 Handouts for this module.
Missional Communities and Leadership Formation.
______________________________________
December 18: Planning for Effective Ministry
Purpose: Clarity
of mission and vision are the foundations for good goal-setting, and on-going
review and reflection are needed to keep focused on God’s call.
Assessment and planning as spiritual discipline are essential.
At his ascension, Jesus charged his disciples to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) It is up to us to plan how to fulfill that charge.
Downloads:
Noted Resources:
McCullough-Bade,
Robin and John. Our Mission: Discovering God’s Call to Us. Minneapolis, MN:
Augsberg Fortress, 2002 – another model for strategic planning; contains useful
resources for worship, commissioning of a planning team, etc.
The
Episcopal Church’s Book of Occasional Services (2004 edition) contains services
for the Discernment for a New Church Mission (pp. 223-228) and a Litany for the
Mission of the Church (pp. 246-248)
People of
the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity, Zscheile, Dwight J.
This is
the book being read and shared by the Strategic Planning Committee, Task Force
on Formation
__________________________________________
November: Family Systems Theory-- The Congregation as a System
Purpose: By looking at a congregation (or other systems
such as vestries, dioceses, or committees) systemically, participants can more
easily recognize connections between
people and understand the effect those
relationships can have on group
function and congregational dynamics.
Downloads: The Congregation as a System
Handout 1: Mapping Your Church Family System
Handout 2: Newcomers and Restoring Equilibrium
Handout 3: Cycle of Differentiation
Handout 4: Handling Anxiety in the System
PowerPoint Summaries
Resources:
Friedman, Edwin H. Friedman’s Fables. New York, NY, The Guildford Press, 1990 --a collection of short fables which, when used with the accompanying discussion guide, can illustrate family systems theory effectively; “The Bridge” is a favorite fable to use with Fresh Start groups (page 9).
Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue. New York, NY, The Guilford Press, 1985 – one of the “Guilford Family Therapy Series”, this book focuses on Family Systems Theory and how congregations can be studied like a family system.
Gilbert, Roberta M. Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions. Minneapolis, MN, Chronimed Publishing, 1992 – Developing successful personal and professional relationships through the understanding and practice of self-differentiation.
Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach. Herndon, VA, The Alban Institute, 1996 – a follow-up to How Your Church Family Works (above), this publication explores deeper the congregation as an emotional system and how congregations can improve health by dealing with stress and anxiety.
Richardson, Ronald W. Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership, and Congregational Life. Minneapolis, MN, Augsberg Fortress Press, 1996 – discussion and overview of anxiety in a church system and the issue of emotional triangling.
Richardson, Dr. Ronald W. Family Ties That Bind: A self-help guide to change through Family of Origin therapy — Birth order, our parents’ relationship, and the “rules” we were brought up with can affect our self-esteem and relationships with spouses, children, and other family members. Family of Origin therapy and techniques can help you create better relationships.
Gerson, Randy. Genograms in Family Assessment. New York, NY, W.W. Norton and Company, 1985 – How genograms (family diagrams) can be used to analyze and see deeper into issues of family and other systems.
Downloads: The Congregation as a System
Handout 1: Mapping Your Church Family System
Handout 2: Newcomers and Restoring Equilibrium
Handout 3: Cycle of Differentiation
Handout 4: Handling Anxiety in the System
PowerPoint Summaries
Resources:
Friedman, Edwin H. Friedman’s Fables. New York, NY, The Guildford Press, 1990 --a collection of short fables which, when used with the accompanying discussion guide, can illustrate family systems theory effectively; “The Bridge” is a favorite fable to use with Fresh Start groups (page 9).
Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue. New York, NY, The Guilford Press, 1985 – one of the “Guilford Family Therapy Series”, this book focuses on Family Systems Theory and how congregations can be studied like a family system.
Gilbert, Roberta M. Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions. Minneapolis, MN, Chronimed Publishing, 1992 – Developing successful personal and professional relationships through the understanding and practice of self-differentiation.
Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach. Herndon, VA, The Alban Institute, 1996 – a follow-up to How Your Church Family Works (above), this publication explores deeper the congregation as an emotional system and how congregations can improve health by dealing with stress and anxiety.
Richardson, Ronald W. Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership, and Congregational Life. Minneapolis, MN, Augsberg Fortress Press, 1996 – discussion and overview of anxiety in a church system and the issue of emotional triangling.
Richardson, Dr. Ronald W. Family Ties That Bind: A self-help guide to change through Family of Origin therapy — Birth order, our parents’ relationship, and the “rules” we were brought up with can affect our self-esteem and relationships with spouses, children, and other family members. Family of Origin therapy and techniques can help you create better relationships.
Gerson, Randy. Genograms in Family Assessment. New York, NY, W.W. Norton and Company, 1985 – How genograms (family diagrams) can be used to analyze and see deeper into issues of family and other systems.
___________________________________________
October 2015: The Art of Dialogue: Searching for Common Ground
Purpose: Dialogue can help
people of profound differences stay in relationship.
Downloads:
The Art of Dialogue - Handout 1: Guidelines
for Dialogue Participants
The Art of Dialogue - Handout 2: Questions
for Group Dialogue Exercise
The Art of Dialogue - Handout 3: A
Prayer Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
The 15 Certified Coach Proficiencies -
Required Listening Skills for Coaches
from
the Public Conversations Project website: www.publicconversations.org, a
step by step guide.
Questions to Ask Ourselves When Framing Questions
• Is this a genuine
question to which I honestly don’t know the answer?
• Am I trying to evoke a particular answer based on my assumptions?
• What do I want this question to accomplish; i.e., what kind of conversation, meanings and feelings do I imagine this question will invite?
• Is this question likely to be heard as confronting, or as an invitation to reflect?
• Is the intent of this question to elicit facts, or to stimulate interest in what is more subtle or unnoticed?
• Is this question familiar enough to connect – and, is it different enough from what the respondent expects to evoke a new response?
• How likely is this question to help people see themselves and others in their world in more complex ways than before?
• Is this question likely to be heard as one which comes from a collaborative stance, or from a stance which implies “I’m the expert”?
• Am I trying to evoke a particular answer based on my assumptions?
• What do I want this question to accomplish; i.e., what kind of conversation, meanings and feelings do I imagine this question will invite?
• Is this question likely to be heard as confronting, or as an invitation to reflect?
• Is the intent of this question to elicit facts, or to stimulate interest in what is more subtle or unnoticed?
• Is this question familiar enough to connect – and, is it different enough from what the respondent expects to evoke a new response?
• How likely is this question to help people see themselves and others in their world in more complex ways than before?
• Is this question likely to be heard as one which comes from a collaborative stance, or from a stance which implies “I’m the expert”?
• When I ask this question,
what tone or affect on my part is likely to develop a sense of fit, expansion,
or violation in the person I am asking?
Remember that questions for dialogue:
•Are open-ended and do not assume you understand what others think and feel.
•Encourage reflection.
•Invite collaboration.
•Focus on specific personal experiences, both tangible and intangible, and their meaning for and effects on the person sharing them.
Remember that questions for dialogue:
•Are open-ended and do not assume you understand what others think and feel.
•Encourage reflection.
•Invite collaboration.
•Focus on specific personal experiences, both tangible and intangible, and their meaning for and effects on the person sharing them.
______________________________
September: Decision-Making -- Style and Clarity
Questions for further
thought:
1- Have you ever had the occasion to analyze the decision-making style of the congregation you are working with and explore its consequences?
2- What do you imagine
might happen to call for such an occasion?
3- What is the most
significant tool for facilitating the decision making process in a congregation
are you taking away from this class?
4- How does what you have
learned or known compare with the Fresh Start material?
5- What
do you know from other resources about how decisions in the church should be
made?
Downloads:
Decision Making Handout 1 --
Consensus Building Techniques
Decision Making Handout 3 --
Tips for Reaching Consensus in Difficult Situations
Bibliography
Dudley,
Carl S., and Ammerman, Nancy; Congregations in Transition: A Guide for
Analyzing, Assessing, and Adapting in Changing Communities; San Francisco,
CA; Jossey-Bass, 2002 – outlines how to do an analysis of congregational
decision-making style, including a sample diagram and questions for reflection
(pp. 79-84).
Fisher,
Roger; Ury, William; and Patton, Bruce; Getting to Yes: Negotiating
Agreement Without Giving In, 2nd Edition; New York, New York, Penguin
Books, 1991 – the classic work on consensus from the co-founders of the Harvard
Negotiation Project.
Frykholm,
Amy Johnson. “Out of Silence;” Christian Century, April 3, 2007;
pp. 34-38 – an article on the importance of consensus decision making as part
of discernment.
Hofstede,
Geert and Hofstede, Gert Jan. Cultures and Organizations: Software of
the Mind, 2nd Edition. New York City, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005 –
Hofstede’s dimensions of culture are so classic that they are almost
universally used in any discussion of cultural diversity; this book is very
research oriented. For a summary of his theory, go to his web site (www.feweb.uvt.nl/center/hofstede).
Ury,
William; Getting Past No: Negotiating Your Way from Confrontation to
Cooperation; New York, Bantam Books, 1993 – the follow up to Getting
to Yes, with an emphasis on reaching agreement in difficult
situations.
__________; The
Power of a Positive No: How to Say NO and Still Get to Yes; New York, New
York, Bantam Dell, 2007 – how to say “no” and stay in relationship.
Decision
Making
________________________________
May: Church Size and Its Implications
Purpose: To expose participants to church size
theory and have them apply it to their current ministry situation. Looking
at the theories and data of church size, along with our own experience and that
portrayed in scripture, helps us to understand better the living work of the
Spirit in our midst and will better prepare us for ministry.
Noted Resources:
Beaumont, Susan. “Beyond
‘Corporate’: New Insights on Larger Churches”. Congregations,
Summer 2008, pp. 6 – 11 – a new theory using operating budget rather than ASA
to look at church size transitions in larger congregations.
Mann, Alice. The
In-Between Church: Navigating Size Transitions in Congregations. Herndon,
VA, The Alban Institute, 1998 – step-by-step approach to church growth with an
emphasis on the impact the change has on congregations and their systems.
_________. Raising
the Roof: The Pastoral-to-Program Size Transition. Herndon, VA, The Alban
Institute, 2001 – Specifically focused on this particularly difficult size
transition; contains methodology for congregation to decide whether it should
grow and if so, what might be needed.
Martin, Kevin C. The
Myth of the 200 Barrier: How to Lead Through Transitional Growth.
Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, 2005 – an exploration of the cultural
differences between a “small church” and a “large church” with some questions
for reflection about leadership and relationships.
McCollum, Marlis.
“Congregation Size: What the Research Tells Us”. Winter 2005, The Alban
Institute. Download from www.alban.org (click on Publishing,
then on Congregations and go to the Winter 2005
issue) – a summary of research from a variety of sources; would make a good
handout.
___________. Staff
Your Church for Growth: Building Team Ministry in the 21st Century. Grand
Rapids, MI, Baker Books, 2000 – a detailed explanation of the impact of church
size on staffing and ministry.
________________________________
April: Finances - What You Need to Know
Purpose: To help participants quickly understand the basic financial situation of their parish, and gain understanding of relationships and parish health.
“For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
~Luke 12:34, see also Matthew 6:21
Where parishes spend money
directly relates to their understanding of mission and ministry. As a new
clergyperson in a parish, looking quickly at the financial situation can help
discern a key piece of the parish's identity. A cleric's comfort level with
financial issues can aid in ministry.
As Jesus asked people many
times and in various ways to consider their use of financial resources, so,
too, parishes must examine their financial situation, and new clergy should be
acquainted with this important aspect of parish life.
Handout 1: What You Need to Know
Handout 2: Sample Budget Categories
Handout 3 Sample Vestry End of Year Report Summary
Resources:
Manual for Business Methods in Church Affairs:
- CD-ROM or hard copy version available through
Episcopal
Books and Resources at www.episcopalbookstore.org
- Download PDF file at www.episcopalchurch.org/finance
- These topics are covered:
Financial Management
2.Internal Controls
3.Bookkeeping
4.Taxes and the Episcopal Church
5.Clergy Discretionary Funds
6.Audit Guidelines for Congregations
7.Insurance
8.Parochial Reports
9.Records Management
10.Principles of Computerization
Financial Management
2.Internal Controls
3.Bookkeeping
4.Taxes and the Episcopal Church
5.Clergy Discretionary Funds
6.Audit Guidelines for Congregations
7.Insurance
8.Parochial Reports
9.Records Management
10.Principles of Computerization
1.F
Rector's
Discretionary Fund should be:
• In parish’s name – (e.g.
“St. Luke’s Rector’s Discretionary) – never in the clergy’s
personal name
• Audited with all other
accounts
• Handled confidentially,
but with controls
If you get an honorarium
from a parishioner, that should go into the discretionary fund.
If it is from someone or
group outside the church, that is your personal income - not to be added to the
Rector's Discretionary Fund.
Taxes: For help with taxes, you can call the tax person at the National Church: Matthew Chew at the Church Pension Group.
Endowments: The membership network of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes offers training, other resources, and support for endowed parishes. Dues vary depending on the size of the endowment. If you are interested in finding out more, go on-line to www.endowedparishes.org.
Books:
Bauer, Gerald W. Congregational
Endowment Funds: Empowering the Vision of God’s Coming Kingdom. Bethesda,
MD, the Alban Institute, 2001 – this paper provides useful questions for
congregational leaders to consider when dealing with endowment funds; download
as a PDF file from Alban (www.alban.org – go to “Digital Downloads”
in the Bookstore).
Domestic and Foreign
Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of
America. Manual for Business Methods in Church Affairs; New
York, NY, 2000 – this downloadable manual contains all you need to know about
parish finances in the Episcopal Church, including a complete reprinting of
Title 1, Canon 7 (go to www.episcopalchurch.org/finance/ and
click on “Manual for Business Methods in Church Affairs”). The manual may also
be ordered on CD-ROM or in hard copy from the Episcopal Church Bookstore (www.episcopalbookstore.org).
Mead, Loren B. Endowed
Parishes: Pros and Cons. Bethesda, MD, The Alban Institute, 2001 – this
paper lays out the reasons why a parish might want to (or not want to) consider
setting up an endowment; download as a PDF file from the Alban web site (www.alban.org –
go to “Digital Downloads” in the Bookstore).
Siciliano, Gene, Finance
for Non-financial Managers, New York, McGraw-Hill, 2003 – written by a CPA,
this is a readable introduction to financial reports, what is in them and how
to read them.
Consortium of Endowed
Episcopal Parishes – this membership network offers training and other
resources to assist endowed parishes in their stewardship of their resources;
information at www.endowedparishes.org.
________________________________
March: Power, Authority and Influence
Purpose:
To help participants
understand the dynamics of power, authority and influence in their
congregations by conducting a power analysis and looking at dimensions of trust
and agreement among those with formal and informal power.
Downloads:
Handout 1: Who holds the formal authority in your congregation?
Handout 2: Who holds the informal authority in your congregation?
Handout 3: Evaluating agreement and trust.
Handout 4: Strategies for dealing with allies and opponents.
Resources:
Power Analysis of a Congregation by Roy M. Oswald -- Available through the Alban Institute as a PDF Download for $7.00
William, eds. Studying Congregations: A New Handbook. Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, 1998 – contains a helpful discussion of authority vs. leadership (see pp. 170 – 173).
Oswald, Roy M.; Heath,
James M.; and Heath, Ann W. Beginning Ministry Together: The Alban
Handbook for Clergy Transitions. Herndon, VA, The Alban Institute,
2003 – contains an alternate power analysis and some good descriptions of power
dynamics (see pp. 132 – 141).
_____________. Power
Analysis of a Congregation, Revised and Updated Edition. Bethesda, MD, The
Alban Institute, 2001 – a classic reference on power in the congregation;
download as a PDF file from the Alban web site www.alban.org .
_____________________________________
