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The Church Office
United Kingdom
Приєднався 19 жов 2020
The Church Office exists to support the work of ministry that happens behind the scenes. Bringing helpful and encouraging content to equip and support those involved in Church Administration, Church Leadership and Structuring Church Life.
Practical Shepherding
A couple of months ago, I had the privilege of attending a conference for Elders and church leaders from FIEC churches, where the theme centred around the role of the shepherd. It was a powerful reminder of how scripture paints the image of the shepherd as one who is both caring and wise, a protector of the flock. As we reflected on this beautiful metaphor, I was struck by the depth of God's love and care for His people, echoed throughout the Bible-from Psalm 95:6-7, where we are reminded "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under his care"; to the comforting words of Jesus in John 10:11, declaring Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. We also see this theme continued in other places in the Bible like Matthew 2:6, Matthew 9:36 and John 21:15-17.
The conference focused on the calling of Elders and Pastors as under-shepherds, entrusted with the care of God's flock. But as I listened and reflected, I couldn't help but think about how the role of administration and operations plays a vital part in supporting this shepherding work.
Elders are called to:
1. Know their flock
How can we support Elders to better know their flock? By knowing the gifting of the church members and understanding their passions and experiences, we can help Pastors know their flock and invite them into our church family life. Keeping the church member database well maintained and organised also plays a big part in our Church Leaders ability to get to know their flock.
2. Feed their flock
Elders and Church Leaders are called to feed their sheep but how much easier can we make it by ensuring the room is set up well for everyone to hear - ensuring it's warm, the chairs are set up comfortably, the room is tidy. Some of us will be booking in speakers, making sure the sermon is quickly accessible online for those who missed it, distributing resources for small groups or managing and organising the book shop - these all play a key role in feeding the flock.
3. Lead their flock
From communications being sent to the church to organising diaries to allow for pastoral visits to take place, our coordinating can help Elders to lead their flock.
4. Protect their flock
Administration covers a lot of the practical protection of the flock. One way to protect the flock is ensuring the policies, procedures and risk assessments are all up-to-date, insurance is in place where needed, our buildings are well maintained and our staff and volunteers are trained to carry out their roles safely. This frees up our Church Leaders to think through how else they need to protect the flock.
5. Search for lost sheep
Supporting, organising and communicating evangelistic events like Visitor Sundays and Alpha Courses as well as keeping the website and social media updated allows for sheep to be brought in.
So, I'm not called to be a shepherd but shepherding involves administration and shepherding needs administration. How does this affect me today? Maybe when you get a chance, stop for about 10 minutes and think it through. How can I apply this in my role?
Also, it's worth remembering that as we work alongside our Elders and Church Leaders, every shepherd is also first a sheep. So how can we pray for our Elders and Church leaders today?
If you are involved in administration or operations then you have been called to support shepherds in shepherding.
For you,
Gavin Smith
The conference focused on the calling of Elders and Pastors as under-shepherds, entrusted with the care of God's flock. But as I listened and reflected, I couldn't help but think about how the role of administration and operations plays a vital part in supporting this shepherding work.
Elders are called to:
1. Know their flock
How can we support Elders to better know their flock? By knowing the gifting of the church members and understanding their passions and experiences, we can help Pastors know their flock and invite them into our church family life. Keeping the church member database well maintained and organised also plays a big part in our Church Leaders ability to get to know their flock.
2. Feed their flock
Elders and Church Leaders are called to feed their sheep but how much easier can we make it by ensuring the room is set up well for everyone to hear - ensuring it's warm, the chairs are set up comfortably, the room is tidy. Some of us will be booking in speakers, making sure the sermon is quickly accessible online for those who missed it, distributing resources for small groups or managing and organising the book shop - these all play a key role in feeding the flock.
3. Lead their flock
From communications being sent to the church to organising diaries to allow for pastoral visits to take place, our coordinating can help Elders to lead their flock.
4. Protect their flock
Administration covers a lot of the practical protection of the flock. One way to protect the flock is ensuring the policies, procedures and risk assessments are all up-to-date, insurance is in place where needed, our buildings are well maintained and our staff and volunteers are trained to carry out their roles safely. This frees up our Church Leaders to think through how else they need to protect the flock.
5. Search for lost sheep
Supporting, organising and communicating evangelistic events like Visitor Sundays and Alpha Courses as well as keeping the website and social media updated allows for sheep to be brought in.
So, I'm not called to be a shepherd but shepherding involves administration and shepherding needs administration. How does this affect me today? Maybe when you get a chance, stop for about 10 minutes and think it through. How can I apply this in my role?
Also, it's worth remembering that as we work alongside our Elders and Church Leaders, every shepherd is also first a sheep. So how can we pray for our Elders and Church leaders today?
If you are involved in administration or operations then you have been called to support shepherds in shepherding.
For you,
Gavin Smith
Переглядів: 12
Відео
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Great work
Thank you 👍
Amen
Thank you
You are very welcome, bless you Gavin
God loves you sooo much! John 3:16✝️
Thanks. I needed the reminder.
Glad it was helpful!
I have accepted a job offer today for a role of Administrator in a church in the Midlands. I didn’t expect at all to be chosen. I come from a voluntary background at a charity and have been a lone parent for over a decade. I am a combination of nervous and excited. There is a lot to learn but I am ready for the challenge! Your channel is incredibly informative, thank you!
That's great news! Congratulation, welcome to the weird and wonderful world of church administration. When you get up and running drop me an e-mail and maybe we could arrange for you to come and visit Christchurch. Glad you are enjoying the channel. Bless you Gavin gavin@thechurchoffice.co.uk
Transparency, good contracts, job descriptions, healthy boundaries, and handbooks yes please! It’s Christlike to be upright!
Totally agree William, thanks for sharing. Gavin
Less yeah... Yeah... Yeah... Yeah please
how much did it cost for people to hear Jesus preach on the mountain and how much was a piece of fish and bread? just wondering because Jesus was the best preacher ever. And to see other preachers can now cost $100 or more. to attend their conferences..
Well done project. Great thoughts from the right people supporting the community
Thank you
Jesus drove out the money changers because they were making huge profits von selling animals to sacrifice to cover their sins. This is very different.
Wow. Thanks
You are very welcome, thank you for your encouragement.
Yeah...yeah...yeah
What’s next making a mini shopping mall in the church, Jesus would be with his whip whipping all your tails.
Jesus fed thousands. He didn't have to buy the groceries. These people are doing this at low prices, providing a place for fellowship for others.
Do not all these churches run like a business? I mean seriously. Tax breaks and all.
@madhavi.tinsley you can find tax breaks in a lot of things. Just gotta know where to look ;)
Thank you, it was very helpful.
Thank you for your encouragement Lhendup.
This was very helpful. God bless you both for taking the time to bring light around workflows.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. Gavin
Thank you so much for this, I often thought maybe I am just too much of a critic but this interview has vindicated me. I think the church workers/volunteers are not appreciated enough really and to think that they actually are the engine to every service rendered is saddening. I am a Worship Team leader and Sound Engineer in my local church... we have 4 services weekly and also have rehearsals with the band, all the sacrifices and the commitment means nothing to my pastors they only summon me for meetings when there are problems, but its very rare to hear a "'thank you".
Hello this was a very good pod cast. I am from the US and I am very interested in getting into church administration. I did a little a few years ago at a church I was attending with a small congregation and it really caught my interest. Unfortunately the church closed and I have not found another church yet. Keep doing what you are doing!
Hi Heather, thank you so much for your message and encouragement. Praying that God would lead you to find another church were you can use your gifts. Many Blessing. Gavin
Gavin thank you for this valuable information. God bless you and your ministry a lot more
Th is is such a great explanation. So much wisdom. Thank you. I particularly love the example of the oil in the car.
Thank you for your encouragement and feedback, much appreciated. Gavin
Read John 2 v. 15 thru 22. A church a capitalistic enterprise? You seem sincer and I recognize that. I wonder what Jesus would say?
Thank you so much for this👏👏
Thank you for your encouragement, you might find our website www.thechurchoffice.co.uk a helpful resource, many blessings.
thank you this video..I'm about to send my application to our church. I don't have any experience but Im a volunteer in our church really looking forward to be hired. God bless you.
Thank you for your encouragement, let us know if you get the job. God Bless!
Thanks for this
Thank you for your encouragement, much appreciated.
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I could listen to Mr. Ring all day! This has been so inspirational. Gavin, I’m so happy I came across this channel ❤️
Thank you so much for your encouragement, it is so good to know these videos are making a difference.
praise the lord, excellent presentation. high Regards Brother Biswanath Nayak, India.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. Many Blessings
Thank you. Really a blessing. I've been doing the work of an administrator without ever thinking of it as an office or calling. Yes, I've seen administration in the giftings but it wasn't in the "five fold list" and it just didn't sink in that it can stand by itself in church operation and leadership. We're in a pastoral transition at our church and this video will be extremely helpful for me as an elder, teacher and interim pastor in navigating next steps.
Hi Mike, thank you so much for your encouragement, it is lovely to hear how the video's has been a blessing. Below is a link from a video I filmed with my senior pastor at church. I wonder if it might be useful for you navigating the next steps. www.thechurchoffice.co.uk/blog/pastors-perspective-on-church-administration-video-1
Very interesting to see what goes on in your week. I'm about to start a new job as Parish Administrator of an Episcopal parish here in the US so was poking around the web to see what I might learn and came across your channel. Thanks for doing this and blessings on your work.
Hi Sonja, lovely to hear from you and thank you so much for your encouragement. I wish you all the best in your new role as Parish Administrator. Hopeful our channel and website will be a useful free resource as you get started in your role. www.thechurchoffice.co.uk Many Blessing Gavin
How is it going for you? I’ve been offered a job doing this & a bit scared to leave my teaching job.
GREAT DISCUSSION AN EYE OPERNER...Bravo!
Thank you for your encouragement Charles.
Thank you for this excellent talk. It is really helpful.
Thank you for your encouragement, you might find our website www.thechurchoffice.co.uk a helpful resource.
Well done Gav, excellent service and full on. Just shows how adaptable you and the Office have to be.
CAP?
We are looking to start a Christians Against Poverty centre. Should be good!
I’m an Administrative Pastor at a church in Tennessee, USA, and this content is awesome! Stuff I’ve been needing. Please keep it up!
Hi Seth, thank you for your encouragement. Much appreciated Gavin
Church administration is the engine that drives the whole aspects of the church forward.
Bible
Cheers Gav! Looks awesome and will give it a go 😁🥳
Lovely to hear from you Lee, I will look forward to seeing the pictures. I might have to organise a drive past with the family.
This is the best Church video ever!!!!
Thank you for your encouraging feedback Daisuke.