Congregations Cooperating for Mission Dwelling in the Word

Congregations Cooperating for Mission

Dwelling in the Word 1 Kings 19: 1 -18 �What jumped out at you, caught your attention? �How does this connect with you today? With your congregation?

A KEY TO SUCCESSFUL SHARING MINISTRY

How are we building trust? Kum-ba-yah Moments

Transparent �To be open, easily readable, vulnerable. �What you see is what you get

Responsive �Give honest feedback �Respectfully �Spontaneously �Non-judgmentally

Use Caring �Whatever I say or do comes from my heart �My behavior is �Compassionate �Affirming �Understanding

Sincere �To have integrity �To keep my actions in line with my values

Trustworthy �To be honest �To honor my word �To keep my covenants and promises

Building Trust Takes Time It’s a Process

TRUST BUILDING STORIES �Baby Steps �Watershed Moments Along the Way

A KEY TO SUCCESSFUL SHARED MINISTRY Communication

Miscommunication

�Gossip �Passive-Aggressive �Blame �Mind-Reading Miscommunication

BLAME GAME

Mind Reading � Believing you know what someone means without asking for clarification

Tips, Continued �When you feel insulted or slighted, your first assumption needs to be that there was miscommunication �Ask them to repeat what they said, using different words than they used the first time. If you still feel insulted, ask them, “are you saying…? ” �You are not good at mind-reading. Ask them

Antidotes to Miscommunication �Speak directly to each other; do not involve a third party �Do not listen to gossip; tell them you will go directly to the source for information �Use “I” statements �Control the tone of your voice; avoid speaking in anger �Speak in complete sentences �Put words to your feelings/ideas to avoid guessing �Look for common ground; build bridges not walls. Say “Yes, and…” rather than “No, but…”

Within each congregation �Negative people/gossip in Fayetteville �Change of leadership in Ellinger �Council retreats – clear vision and roadmap �Use all means of communication available bulletin, announcements, phone calls, Facebook, emails, texts

Between congregations �Congregation of Councils �Council retreats – advertising & more �Calendar �Technology, including website �Newsletter �Bulletin – prayer concerns �Personal interaction of members

Pastor and people �Publish pastor’s contact information – someone knows how to reach pastor �Mutual Ministry Committee �Encourage direct communication �Enforce the 8 th Commandment – speak kindly of one another, assume the best �“Body of Christ” – we do this together

WORKSHOPS 1. Administration & Finance 2. Structure (staffing, governance, decisionmaking, church size characteristics) 3. Programming

NEXT STEPS Where to from here?

CREATING A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION &COOPERATION

Find a partner for the blessing. Blessing Receive the ☩ sign of the cross on your forehead, a sign of God’s endless love and mercy for you. That you may hear the gospel of Christ, the word of life, receive the ☩ cross on your ears. That you may see the light of Christ illumining your way, receive the ☩ cross on your eyes. That you may sing the praise of Christ, the joy of the church, receive the ☩ cross on your lips. That God may dwell within you by faith, receive the ☩ cross on your heart. That you may bear the gentle yoke of Christ, receive the ☩ cross on your shoulders. That God’s mercy may be known in your work, receive the ☩ cross on your hands. That you may follow in the way of Christ, receive the ☩ cross on your feet. You belong to the Body of Christ; your body is + blessed and strengthened for love and service. C: Praise to you, O Christ, the wisdom and power of God.