A Guide to Congregational Health and Vitality
Many of The Congregational Handbook 's resources focus on using a process—rather than a recipe with a predetermined outcome—to deal with congregational complexities. Congregations can use these processes to make a decision, discern their next steps in development, or embark on a culture transition. The Handbook is intended to be user-friendly and tailored to your congregational size; it offers examples of processes for congregations that are just starting up, for small congregations (with fewer than 150 members), for mid-size congregations (with 151 to 550 members), and for large congregations (with more than 550 members). It also includes options that congregations can adapt to their unique situations.
Contents
Conflict is Part of Congregational Life
From The Congregational Handbook
All congregations experience conflict. While many people’s stomachs knot up at the idea of conflict, conflict itself is not bad. Actually, conflict can present great opportunities for creativity, growth and transformation. How we handle conflict is the key.
Building Security and Safety in Churches
From The Congregational Handbook
Personal Safety of Congregation Members Clergy Misconduct Complaint Process The Safe Congregation Handbook: Nurturing Healthy Boundaries in Our Faith Communities Background Checks Liability Insurance: Search "Liability"on the Church Mutual Site Trauma Response Resources Minister to Those Who Have...
Guided by Vision, Mission and Covenant
From The Congregational Handbook
Vision, mission, and covenant are resources for congregational development and health. Congregations without a compelling and shared vision may too easily lose track of what they should be doing.
Money Matters: Financial Management for Congregations
From LeaderLab
Introduction As organizations largely staffed by volunteers who may not have a business or accounting background, congregations will want to establish systems, policies, and procedures to reinforce financial health and vitality. It’s also vital to prevent the opportunity for mistakes or...
Effective Congregational Governance
From The Congregational Handbook
How members of a congregation make decisions together reflects on who they are and what they believe. Whose voices are heard? Who is included in discussions? Is there room for quieter voices? Is time given for reflection and inclusion? Governance and Ministry In Congregations Dan Hotchkiss's...
Assessments
From The Congregational Handbook
Congregations, like all organizational systems, need feedback loops. Regular assessment of the ministry is essential to group self-awareness and growth.
Maintaining Databases, Records and Archives
From The Congregational Handbook
The Unitarian Universalist Association recommends putting church records on CD-ROM and storing multiple copies in several locations for greatest safety. All your financial record keeping and official church documents should be backed up on the computer, periodically. When the threat of a severe...
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