Time to challenge your current thinking about ministry! Probe your assumptions about congregational well-being. Address your assumptions. Open the possibility of unleashing a significant new wave of Christian mission. Find new, fulfilling opportunities. In our time of specialization, it is of little wonder that we have left the trained and skilled professionals in charge of our churches and ministries. But did you know that full-time ministry is a relatively recent phenomenon? It’s Real Ministry: How Part-Time and Bi-Vocational Clergy Are Challenging and Empowering the Church reveals the richness that has existed and can exist again in part-time and bi-vocational ministry. It breathes hope and richness into what are often seen as depressed or impoverished communities of faith. And it offers insight into where congregations and clergy need to make choices and adaptations. Anchored in the findings of the largest survey of part-time, bi-vocational clergy that has been undertaken in a mainline Canadian denomination, It’s Real Ministry begins to address the current issue of declining congregational attendance, delves into the meaning that part-time and bi-vocational ministries might have for local communities of faith, and discusses new ways of imagining leadership. While the data is specific to the United Church of Canada, this study offers points of reflection for many denominations in Canada and beyond, offering positive insight and a starting point for clergy and laity to rethink of what they consider as age-old traditions.
Is your congregation shrinking? Is the church building showing its age? Are you struggling to fill committee slots? Are you unable to offer quality programming? Can you no longer fund a full-time minister? Are you feeling tired, depressed, or frustrated with the state of your church? Many committed Christians despair about the future of their churches. But, while It Works for Us: Exploring Best Practices in Partially Funded Ministry acknowledges the current challenges most churches face, it drives toward potential solutions and uncovers how churches might thrive with fewer resources. Discover how other churches have explored best practices for establishing long-term health and vibrant ministry, and test their innovative practices. Experiment with identified vitality components to discover how you too can determine the strength and potential in your congregation. Respond to issues with creative, practical, and positive action. Find your good future. Grounded in clear empirical data, gleaned from a nation-wide survey and from mainline Canadian denominations, It Works for Us analyses the trends in current ministry, explores aspects of congregational morale, encourages courageous, uncomfortable, and tender conversations, and offers hope for the future of the Christian church in Canada. It is a natural follow-up to the author’s previous study, It’s Real Ministry: How Part-time and Bi-vocational Clergy are Challenging and Empowering the Church and is a valuable tool for today’s clergy, lay persons, and congregations.
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