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Published byBryanna Broadaway Modified over 10 years ago
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Why a course on administration? I. Support the Mission of God – Clear proclamation of what we are called to be and do – Raise up spiritual gifts and avenues of service – Emphasize call of all baptized – Be efficient about the abundant work of the whole body – Awareness of larger faith community
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Why a course on administration? II. Build Trust – Consistency in how decisions are discussed and made – Consistency in information provided to leadership and membership – Prevention of one individual or group manipulating the process (including the pastor or council)
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Why a course on administration? III. To Equip the Saints for the Work of their Ministries – Some duties prescribed by constitution and bylaws (ex. parochial reports, records, congregational meetings) – Training of lay leaders in leadership and ministry skills – Congregational care – financial, spiritual, relational, to build trust
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Why a course on administration? IV. Some Observations – In rural congregations the pastor is often the only full-time staff, and the only one who sees the entire ministry of the congregation – Integration of ministry for efficiency and effectiveness – Synod statistician work has allowed me to see disorganization or shifting of duties – tools to help – Time management for all ministry duties
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What do you think of when you hear the term “rural”? What have you heard others say about “rural”?
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Ways to Define Rural Demographic – Rural / Urban: Pre-2000 Census Post-2000 Census – Metropolitan/Micropolitan/Neither Pre-2000 Census Post-2000 Census
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2000
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Other Ways to Define Rural Economic activity Cultural markers
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Some Cautions Not all rural is agricultural – Extractive industries: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining – Recreational, Retirement Not all rural is in decline – Extractive industries: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining – Recreational, Retirement Not all rural is isolated: rural/urban interface
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Some Cautions (cont.) Not all rural congregations are small – Note that some denominations use the term “small church” to be the same as rural church – For Lutherans, there are many large rural congregations In ELCA the term is Small Town and Rural (STaR) Ministry
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Most rural contexts are characterized by economic and social stress The important point is that rural is very diverse, and the type of rural depends on the context – Not all rural is agricultural – Not all rural is small – Not all rural is declining
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Seven Thresholds of History of Administration in the Church From Bacher and Cooper-White, Church Administration, chapter 1 Bible Times and Afterward – Exodus – Kingdom – Exile – Nehemiah – Disciples – Acts
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Seven Thresholds of History of Administration in the Church (cont.) Establishment in Roman Empire Reformation The Enlightenment and Rationality Rediscovery of Human Nature Systems thinking Institutionalization
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Augsburg Confession, Article VII. – Church is what? Sacred treasure in earthen vessels (II Cor. 4: 7) Simul Justus – both members and leaders I Cor. 12: 28, list of appointed offices, in 1952 RSV one is translated as administrators
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