Tuesday, December 25, 2012

RESOURCES FOR THE CHURCH



We are expanding our Worship Leader's Guidebook to have a multitude of resources.  The worship resources  are still here - just click the Worship Leader's Guidebook below.  Some areas are still under construction, but the  office helps, sermons and worship materials are ready to use.

Administration -- help to hire, evaluate, terminate, and motivate staff members; sample policies; etc.


Children in Worship -- children's devotionals, Gospel Magic, etc.


Office Helps - how to put together a bulletin, an announcement loop power point for Sunday, etc.


Recreation for Church Groups - young and old

Sermons

Stewardship Resources

Volunteer Support

Worship Leader's Guidebook










Saturday, December 22, 2012

Some Steps To Starting A New Pastorate

To go to the main index, click here
  1. Ideally, move into the community two weeks prior to starting in the new ministry.  Let the family settle in.  Find new doctors, dentists, health clubs, etc.  
  2. Arrange to have a public start date that is different from your real start date.  Don’t announce the day you go on the payroll, but announce the date of your “first Sunday in the pulpit.”  This will allow you to be able to attend worship with your family.  Arrive at the last minute and take a seat in a pew like anyone else.  Join the coffee hour.  Observe how the elders and others greet you.  You will never again have this opportunity to access your new church from the eyes of a visitor.  This will also give you time to set up your office.  Before your first official visit, you’re your books on the shelves and the degrees on the wall.
  3. Remember that the impression you give in the first few months will be the expectation people have of you for years to come.  Do the things as you want to continue to do them for many years to come.
  4. Lay out a schedule for time off and stick to it.  It is tempting to work 7 days a week for the first few weeks.  Don’t.  Ministry, as we all like to say, is not a sprint but a marathon.  Pace yourself.
  5. Don’t focus on work.  Focus on people.  Focus on socializing and enjoying the company of the parishioners.   Let them enjoy and feel comfortable in your presence.  Get to know the sheep of your new flock.  It will help to have your first three months of preaching primarily from your last church.  There is nothing wrong with using a few oldie but goldies from your preaching barrel – especially now.
  6. Plan your installation service with care.  Sunday service time is best, but sometimes impossible in some churches or denominations.  Whatever time it is held, be sure that brevity is stressed to all participants.  Most installation services involve a number of people, with each person speaking a wee bit too long, so that taken together the entire service is way too long.
  7. No changes in the worship service the first week.  Change it with the leaders later.
  8. Focus on that first sermon.  This is not the sermon you can afford to mess up!
  9. Find out who is in the hospital the day you arrive, and visit them immediately. 
  10. Find out who the shut-ins are and visit them during the first month.
  11. Find out who the recently bereaved might be, and visit them during the first month.  Visiting the sick, shut-ins and recently bereaved quickly will help you to focus on the needs of the people, and it will help the people understand that you care about them.
  12. Make contact with the entire congregation in the first year – of course, in most congregations that will be impossible.  A good way to do this is to have someone organize small group meetings in the church and visit a dozen or two per week.  Not everyone will sign up for these small groups, but it will enable you to personally contact and interact with most of the congregation as soon as possible.  Since the smaller the church, the more there is an expectation of the pastor to visit than in the larger church – the larger the church the less vital it is to visit those who would not sign up for a small group experience.
  13. Make contact with the Inactive Members, if there is such a list.  The presence of a new pastor might be all the catalyst that is required for these folks to return to church.
  14. Get to know the staff.  Pay particular attention to the first staff meeting, but then take each pastor and program director out for lunch, one on one, or one on two.  Ask them to review their official job description and have them tell you what their real job is.  Ask them “what can I do to help you.”  Communicate that you want to work with them, not boss them around.  Build a sense that “we’re in this together as a team.”
  15. On day one, have the secretary place your desk the past three months of board and committee minutes.  Read these recent minutes and find out what has been happening recently. 
  16. At the first board meeting, go around the room and introduce everyone.  Ask the board for their personal hopes and dreams.  Assure the board you will be praying for them by name every day, and ask them to do the same for you.
  17. Meet with every committee of the church during the first two months. 
  18. Get to know the judicatory.  Visit the office of the presbytery, diocese, or district.  Introduce yourself to its office staff.  Make yourself available to them to serve them.  Ask if there is an orientation for new pastors in the judicatory.  If you are asked to serve on a committee of your judicatory, take it, but also ask that you need at least 6 months to settle in before taking on a task.
  19. Find out who the other pastors are in the area.  Take them out to lunch.  Pay attention to the other pastors of your denomination, but also the pastors of other denominations who are very close to your church.
  20. Find out what civic organizations the previous pastor joined.  Find out if there is an organization a substantial number in your church are part of, and join.
  21. Get to know the community, especially if it is a small community.  Be visible at community meetings.
  22. From the first week, start sending birthday cards to all of the parishioners.  Get a volunteer to help by addressing the envelopes and putting the birth date on the envelope where the stamp will go.  If a volunteer prepares these a month or two ahead of time, the pastor can sign the cards leisurely from time to time.  Sometimes the cards might be a simple signature, but at first these might have a note, “I’m honored to be serving as your pastor and hope that we can get to know each other” or “I want to thank you for being part of the choir.  I’ve been impressed by it during my first few weeks.”  These will help you get to know them and for the members to get to know you.  We rarely thank the usher who is there every week, or the one who pulls the weeds in the church courtyard and these birthday cards are a great way to offer a pastor such an opportunity.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Talking To Your Child About School Shootings And Other Traumatic Events

To go to the main index, click here

1.      Turn off the television for a while.  It is tempting to camp in front of the television, because we are hungry for news and answers.  Avoid having the television news on in front of young children today and tomorrow, but get your news quietly online.

2.     Acknowledge the events with children.  Allow them to talk about the events.  They probably don’t want information about what happened, but rather to be comforted that they are safe.  After a disaster in the news, a child wants to know, "Will my house be bombed,” or “will a hurricane hit my house,” or “will someone shot guns in MY school.”  Children tend to personalize events that happen on the world stage.   Explain how you've always been there to care for your child and how he has always been safe.  Confirm that you will help him stay safe in the future.

3.     Continue routines.  So much of a child's sense of safety and security comes from daily rituals and routine. Let the children eat lunch at the normal time. They need their usual afternoon nap. Let them go to their sporting events. 

4.     Respect your child's interest in the event.  Your child might not want to talk about the event today.  Next week it might be different.  Look carefully for nonverbal clues; listen intently to what the child says. Follow the child’s lead.  If your child asks, "What happened at that school," that is an indication the child wants to know and is ready to talk about it.  “Someone went into the building and shot some people,” may be all that is needed.  The child probably does not need a 10 minute discussion with a lot of details.

5.     Include the event in evening prayers.  Ask that God would keep all children safe, “especially us and our friends.”  (Remember, children are focused on themselves most, and a prayer for others may also include a prayer for us).


Children respond to traumatic events in many different ways. A child might have a reaction very soon after an event.  Others may seem fine for weeks or even months.  Parents should be aware of knowing the signs that are common at different ages.  This can help the family to recognize problems and respond appropriately.


Preschool Age

Children from age 1 to 5 find it particularly hard to adjust to change and loss. These children have not yet developed their own coping skills, so they must depend on parents, family members, and teachers to help them through difficult times.  At this age, the child may regress to an earlier behavioral stage.  Preschoolers may resume thumb sucking or bedwetting.  The child might become afraid of strangers, animals, darkness, or imaginary “monsters.” The child might become physically clingy, holding tight to a parent or teach or even a place. Changes in eating and sleeping habits are common, as are physical aches and pains.  Parents may also see in the child being disobedient or hyperactive.  The child may show behavior that is aggressive or withdrawn.  Preschoolers may tell exaggerated stories about the traumatic event or may speak of it over and over.


Early Childhood

Children age 5 to 11 may have some of the same reactions as younger children. They may also withdraw from friends.  They may not be interested in their usual play groups.  They may compete more for the attention of parents.  Fear going to school is not uncommon after a traumatic incident, so a parent might especially anticipate this type of behavior after a school shooting in the news. The child may find it hard to concentrate. These children may also return to more childish behaviors, such as asking to be fed or dressed.


Adolescence

Children age 12 to 14 are likely to have vague physical complaints.  They may ignore their usual chores or school work.  A child might compete vigorously for attention from parents and teachers, or they may also withdraw, resist authority, become disruptive at home or in the classroom, or even begin to experiment with

high-risk behaviors such as alcohol or drug use.


How to Help

  • Reassure your child.
  • Very young children need a lot of cuddling, as well as verbal support.
  • Answer questions about the event honestly, but without a lot of scary details.
  • Encourage children of all ages to express emotions through conversation, drawing, or painting and to find a way to help others who were affected by the disaster.
  • Try to maintain a normal routine
  • Temporarily reduce your expectations about performance in school or at home.
  • Acknowledge that you too may have reactions.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Bible Studies

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habbakuk

Zephaniah

Haggia 

 Zechariah












Recreation Index



Welcome to a place where you can find fun things to do for all ages - whether it is a senior citizen's dinner or a quick story or game to occupy young children waiting for the pizza to be delivered on youth night.

 

STORIES

 
 
 

GAMES

These games are arranged by the degree of physical activity - Low, Medium or High.  They are also arranged by the age group - Elementary, Youth, Adult, Senior Adult.  There is also a category for Intergenerational games.

 

 LOW ACTIVITY

Ah So Point
 Bumpity Bump Bump
Chicken and Grasshopper
Circle Person
Code Word
Coffee Pot
Commonalities
Countdown
Detective 
Famous People
Here's Johnny
Identity
In the Manner of an Adverb
Life Story
Lighthouse
Magazine Query
Minister's Cat
Name Your Neighbor - a good mixer for learning names
Numbers Line Up 
Popsicle Pictionary
Scavenger Bingo
Snickerdooldles
Song Tapping
Store
String Geometry
The Reporter
This Is My Nose
Three on a Couch
Toilet Paper - Mixer
Two Minute Drill - a mixer
Up Jenkins
Where Have Your Shoes Been?
Who Am I?
Who Is The Boss?

MEDIUM ACTIVTY

Arches 
Call Ball
Cereal Box Mixer


Group Juggle
Hog Call
Human Hose Knot
Indianapolis Speedway
Island
Jump One
Look Up - Look Down
Poison Pass
Post Card Charade 
Rock and Roll
Tranquilizer
Who Is The Boss?

ELEMENTARY

Arches
 Bumpity Bump Bump
Call Ball
Cereal Box Mixer
Chicken and Grasshopper
Group Juggle
Here's Johnny
Human Hose Knot
Indianapolis Speedway
Jump One
Lighthouse
Magazine Query 
Name Your Neighbor - a good mixer for learning names
Popsicle Pictionary
Post Card Charade 
Snickerdooldles
String Geometry
This Is My Nose
Toilet Paper - Mixer 
Tranquilizer 
Two Minute Drill - a mixer
Where Have Your Shoes Been?
 Who Am I?
Who Is The Boss?

YOUTH

Ah So Point
Arches
 Bumpity Bump Bump
Call Ball
Cereal Box Mixer
Character Reference
Chicken and Grasshopper 
 Circle Person
Code Word
Coffee Pot 
 Commonalities
Countdown
Detective 
Famous People
Group Juggle
Here's Johnny
Hog Call
Human Hose Knot
Identity 
In the Manner of an Adverb
Indianapolis Speedway
Island
Jump One
Life Story
Lighthouse
Look Up - Look Down
 Magazine Query 
Minister's Cat
Name Your Neighbor - a good mixer for learning names
Numbers Line Up 
Poison Pass
Popsicle Pictionary
Post Card Charade 
 Rock and Roll
Scavenger Bingo
Snickerdooldles
Song Tapping
Store
String Geometry
The Reporter
This Is My Nose
Three on a Couch
Toilet Paper - Mixer 
Tranquilizer 
Two Minute Drill - a mixer
 Up Jenkins
Where Have Your Shoes Been?
Who Am I?

Who Is The Boss?

ADULT

Ah So Point
Arches
 Bumpity Bump Bump
Call Ball
Cereal Box Mixer
Character Reference
Chicken and Grasshopper 
Circle Person
Code Word
Coffee Pot 
Commonalities
Community Scavenger Hunt - an evangelism tool
Countdown
Detective 
Famous People
Group Juggle
Here's Johnny
Hog Call
Human Hose Knot
Identity 
In the Manner of an Adverb
Indianapolis Speedway
Island
Life Story
Lighthouse
Look Up - Look Down
Magazine Query 
Minister's Cat
Name Your Neighbor - a good mixer for learning names
Numbers Line Up 
Poison Pass
Popsicle Pictionary
Post Card Charade 
Rock and Roll
Scavenger Bingo
Snickerdooldles
Song Tapping
Store
String Geometry
The Reporter
This Is My Nose
Three on a Couch
Toilet Paper - Mixer  
Tranquilizer 
Two Minute Drill - a mixer
Up Jenkins
Where Have Your Shoes Been?
Who Am I?
Who Is The Boss?

SENIOR ADULT

Character Reference
Chicken and Grasshopper 
Circle Person
Code Word
Coffee Pot 
Commonalities
Countdown
Detective 
Famous People
Here's Johnny
Identity 
In the Manner of an Adverb
Indianapolis Speedway
Island
Jump One
Life Story
Lighthouse
Name Your Neighbor - a good mixer for learning names
The Reporter
This Is My Nose
Three on a Couch
Toilet Paper - Mixer  
Two Minute Drill - a mixer
Up Jenkins
Where Have Your Shoes Been?
Who Am I?
Who Is The Boss?

INTERGENERATIONAL

Identity 
In the Manner of an Adverb
Indianapolis Speedway
Life Story
Lighthouse
Look Up - Look Down
Name Your Neighbor - a good mixer for learning names
Numbers Line Up 
Scavenger Bingo
Store
The Reporter
This Is My Nose
Two Minute Drill - a mixer
Up Jenkins
Where Have Your Shoes Been?
Who Is The Boss?

OFFICE HELPS


ACS - How to Enter Attendance on the ACS Database

BULLETIN -  How to Prepare a Weekly Bulletin

CALENDAR - ONLINE:  How To Maintain the Online Calendar

POWER POINTS - How to Prepare a Hymns and Scripture Power Point for Weekly Worship

POWER POINTS - How to Prepare a Weekly Announcement Loop Power Point for Worship

VIDEO EDITING - Editing the Sermon Video for Your Web Page Using Corel

VIDEO POSTING TO YOUTUBE - How To Upload A Video To Youtube.


A Sample Building Use Request Form

How to Handle Benevolence Requests That Come Into The Office





INDEX TO ADMIINISTRATIVE HELPS

Template for a Personnel Manual in a Presbyterian Church

Personnel Files - how to maintain them, what should be included or excluded

Steps Toward Hiring New Staff Members

Employment Tests

Interview Questions to Ask - And NOT to Ask

Evaluations and Annual Reviews - A Sample Form and Process

Evaluating the Church Music Director

Criteria for Merit Raises

Form for Disciplinary Action Regarding Church Staff Member

Terminating A Church Employee

Recognition for Departing Church Staff

Staff Appreciation

Staff Evaluation Forms
   Sample 1
   Sample 2
   Sample 3

Kitchen Clean Up Checklist

Food Safety Rules

Form For Handling Benevolence Requests

Parliamentary Basics

Steps to a Better Meeting