For the last workshop in our introduction to the areas of specialisation in Church Consultancy, we looked at Vision and Strategic Planning consultancies. Some time was spent on understanding the theology and spirituality of listening to God in the context of visioning. We explored processes of assisting churches to surface their vision and to engage in strategic planning processes. As usual notes are our DropBox. A highlight of the day was hearing Rev Ian Duncum outline his findings from his D.Min. research on the effectiveness of this model of consultancy on 10 Baptist Churches in NSW.
Churches of Christ Consultancy Training–Victoria / Tasmania Workshop 9
This Tuesday the Churches of Christ Consultancy Team looked at Phase 2 of Recovery Processes for churches impacted by professional misconduct. Along side some practical skilling in meeting processes and a case study on abuse, we looked at how to facilitate services of healing, hope and comfort in times of distress. Notes have been updated in the team DropBox.
Presbyterian Consultancy Team Training–The Venue, Bellambi
I am just home from another enjoyable few days from Wednesday to Friday catching up with the Presbyterian Church Consultancy team at the Venue in Bellambi. Apart from reviewing current consultancies, we looked at Vision work in local churches, Supervision Processes and the Leadership Practices model as a basis for work with pastors.
Our team DropBox has been updated with the new materials and also some resources mentioned in training.
Salvation Army Northern Cluster workshop on Sabbatical Rhythms
I enjoyed catching up with the Northern Tasmania Salvation Army officers in Elizabeth Town for our first cluster group this year. We looked at the practice of the Sabbath Principle in Ministry and explored ways to incorporate dimensions of the Sabbath into daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal and life rhythms.
Training in Local Church Governance
Many churches are currently rethinking their models of governance and the practices that flow from these. I enjoy opportunities to work with local churches on principles and practices of governance and it was fun to do this today with a church in Brisbane.
We looked at a model I call the Tear-drop and spent some time examining five developmental practices around this. Following this we looked at how to review a senior pastor and also a congregational conflict resolution policy.
Some of these resources are available on my Katartizo weblog.