Congregational Resources
Rev. Betsy Miller
Director of Congregational Leadership and Resources
Moravian Church Western District
edmdclr@verizon.net
toll-free 866.648.5373
mobile 920.723.4648
DCLR – “Equipping the Saints”
The mission of the Director of Congregational Leadership and Resources is to “Equip the Saints for the Work of Ministry to Build Up the Body of Christ.” (Eph. 4)
Equipping the Saints – provide leadership development for pastors and lay people in congregations so that they understand that God sends them into the world to live and share God’s love with all creation.
The Work of Ministry – the ministry of the church is to be salt and light in the world. As witnesses of the saving work of Jesus Christ, we go into the world to live 24/7 as disciples of the risen Lord.
Build up the Body of Christ – the goal is to build up the whole Body of Christ, which includes healthy, growing, evangelizing churches, gifted clergy and lay people who know, claim, celebrate, and offer their gifts for ministry, for the sake of the world.
The DCLR offers a variety of processes to equip congregations to do the work of ministry. There are no programs designed to fix congregations; through a variety of processes we discover together some new directions or approaches to mission and ministry. Jesus Christ established the church to be a sign, witness, and foretaste of the coming Kingdom of God, and everything we do together works toward that vision.
Workshops available
Who Is My Neighbor…And Why Should I Care?
Learn about your congregation and the neighborhood where your church is. Using demographic information from Percept and your own congregational data, we take a look at who you are and who your neighbors are and how you might care for them.
Caring for Your Community
Discover some ways to develop experiments to reach out in your community to meet genuine needs and assess their effectiveness. Part II of “Who Is My Neighbor?”
Joint Board Orientation
For new and returning board members. Framed from a biblical perspective, this orientation outlines opportunities, responsibilities, expectations and ways for boards to work effectively with pastors and lead a congregation toward fruitful ministry.
Exploring the Missional Church
What is the missional church and how is it different from a church focused on missions? Take a quick tour through history and discover a new-old gift from God.
Welcome to Our Church!
A
process to explore how your congregation can offer hospitality and the kind of welcome that makes a difference for first time visitors. More than a “program”, this seminar looks at ways to involve everyone in your church in offering the gift of hospitality. We will look at everything from the front door to the rest rooms, from the bulletin to the bulletin boards.
Who Are We and Why Does that Matter?
What is your identity as a church, and how would discerning that identity help shape and guide your ministries? We will explore your congregation’s self-image as expressed through “your” Bible story or hymn and create a picture of who you are and how who you are is how God wants to use you to make a difference in your neighborhood.
Developing a Mission-Based Ministry Plan
Does your congregation have a plan for ministry, or do events just occur year after year? We will look at the why of ministry from a biblical perspective and work on giving purpose to what you do and who you are. Then you will develop ways to use your mission as the guide for every aspect of ministry.
Thriving During a Pastoral Vacancy
Hhow to be about God’s work during a pastoral vacancy instead of just ‘treading water.’ Discover ways you can celebrate your gifts as a congregation and prepare to serve God with your next pastor.
Celebrating Gifts!
For everyone in the church, identify your spiritual gifts and explore ways to offer those God-given talents, to honor God and serve the world.
Missional Planning Process
Over an extended period (12-15 months) we work together to move toward discerning God’s will for your congregation and how you will respond to God’s invitation to go into your neighborhoods, participating in God’s mission to the world. Includes demographics on your congregation and context, extensive biblical reflection on key passages, experimenting in the community and developing a mission-based ministry plan.
How Many Moravians does it take to CHANGE a light bulb?
Zinzendorf once said, “I have observed that the preservation of the community is best assured through a process of continual change.” Explore some ways to lead change in a congregation, from the little to the big things. Look at resistance to change, ways to gain support and how to celebrate the little victories. Every living organism needs to change in order to live.
Pastoral Leadership Cohorts
Ssmall groups of clergy who gather for mutual learning, support and leadership discoveries.
Mentoring and individual learning plans as requested
Resourcing the district for education and leadership materials.
Rev. Betsy Miller
Director of Congregational Leadership and Resources
Moravian Church Western District
edmdclr@verizon.net
toll-free 866.648.5373
mobile 920.723.4648