Administration
Administration is the behind-the-scenes work that supports all other ministries. This forum is a place to share resources we’ve found, procedures we’ve developed and bits of wisdom we’ve gathered; all while supporting each other in this important, if under-recognized ministry.
Take care
Busy? Exhausted? A message from The Community’s friendly parish administrator: “we’re still here, and our door is always open.” Continue reading
Gratitude
So then, how do I show gratitude? How can I show someone how much I appreciate what they have done for me? Is it enough to just say thank you? Is it enough to only reciprocate? Have I done my part in communicating this clearly? Continue reading
What are the odds?
I was born January 15, 1986, 13 weeks premature. Like most premature babies I had underdeveloped lungs and was required to be put on a vent. Another common trauma faced by many preemies are brain bleeds. I was no exception, and suffered a significant bleed in the right hemisphere of the brain. Continue reading
Kindness
This person certainly didn’t need to give me such a compliment. They could just as easily have taken what they needed, and left the office. Later, I paused to think about what they had said, and one word came to mind: kindness. Continue reading
The bulletin: not just another piece of paper
All of these things put together tell the story of your parish. And just like the best dessert, the smallest things make the biggest impact. Continue reading
How can I help you?
Our role is varied. We do everything from the weekly bulletin and answering phone calls and e-mails, to lending an ear when it’s needed, reassuring a stressed out bride, and sometimes, comforting somebody when they have lost a loved one. It is our job to be able to anticipate the needs of others before they ask, or sometimes even before they are aware they need it! Continue reading
Back to Church Sunday
Back to Church Sunday (B2CS) is the largest local-church invitational initiative in the world. It is based on the simplest and shortest step in evangelism: inviting a friend to our church. Sounds simple enough but this is a world-wide event so there are some expectations that we’re not inviting people to our usual Sunday service; we’re inviting them to An Event. Continue reading
Work and Worship
Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)
It can be hard to work and worship at the same place – the lines between staff member or volunteer and church community membership are easily blurred. In this post I talk about how I’ve tried to balance the two and ask what do you do to balance work and worship? Continue reading
The Gift of Administration
Though it may not be listed in Paul’s letter, administration – the ability to manage the temporal affairs of the church enabling the clergy to meet its spiritual needs – is a gift! Just ask those who have had to manage parish or outreach ministries without the benefit of an administrative assistant. Continue reading
