Leadership Development

In these meditations Bishop Charleston presents congregations in search of reconciliation with a way to come together to reflect on their discipleship to Jesus Christ in the midst of disagreement. The issues may vary, but the challenge for Christians is to work through them in a way that strengthens community.

2 copies of DVD; 1 of discussion book

Meeting on New Ground – ECUSA, 2007

This resource looks at cultural diversity and how it effects recruitment of minorities into the ordination process. It deals with all the different people and committees that are involved in the ordination process and gives them information on handling cultural diversity in positive ways to encourage more vocations. The material is available in both English and Spanish; there is a DVD curriculum to go with the notebook.

(CD) Funding Future Leaders: a National Endowment for Episcopal Seminarians – Funding Future Leaders; 2009

A power point presentation and other resources to explain how a person/congregation can help in solving the problem of seminarian debt.

Spiritual Wholeness for Clergy – Donald R. Hands and Wayne L. Fehr, Alban Institute, 1993

This book is subtitled: A New Psychology of Intimacy with God, Self and Others; it is intended to help clergy deal with being “human”, not super-human.

Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome – Kent and Barbara Hughes, Tyndale House; 1988

A book helping clergy who struggle with the problem of defining success and dealing with failure in life and ministry and offering practical, biblical advice to all who participate in Christian service.

Church Fights: Managing Conflict in the Local Church – Speed Leas and Paul Kittlaus; 1973

Provides concepts, experiences, processes, and tools so that leaders can manage conflict in constructive ways; the appendix includes choosing a conflict consultant, as well as practical experiences to try.

(Video) Why You Should Develop a Pastor-Parish Relations Committee – Roy M. Oswald, Alban Institute, Washington DC

Deacons:

The Diaconate: A Full and Equal Order, Revised Edition – James M. Barnett, Trinity Press; 1995

Deacons and the Church – John N. Collins, Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg PA; 2002

This book looks at the work of Deacons in the church today and gives the history and the origin of deacons in the Early Church.

Many Servants, An Introduction to Deacons, Revised Edition – by Ormonde Plater; 2004

An introduction to the history of deacons and a discussion of their place in today’s church. 210 pgs w/bibliography and index

See also:

Music & Worship – Liturgical Planning

Deacons in the Liturgy – Ormonde Plater, Morehouse Publishing; 1992

This little book helps deacons understand their role in the liturgy and perform it with grace.

Clergy Transition:

The Interim Pastor’s Manual – Alan G. Gripe, Geneva Press, Louisville KY; 1997

The author looks at how to choose an interim pastor, what are the tasks of the congregation and what are the tasks of the interim while under interim clergy oversight, and the interim’s relationships with the congregation. Although specifically written for the Presbyterian Church it offers guidelines for all interims.

Critical Moment of Ministry: A Change of Pastors – Loren B. Mead, Alban Institute, Herndon VA; 1986

Another, older, look at the transition period between the departure of a former rector and the coming of a new one.

Temporary Shepherds – Roger S. Nicholson, Alban Institute, Herndon VA; 1998

This is Alban Institute’s understanding of the role of clergy and congregation during the interim period. In addition to discussing the challenges to clergy and congregation it gives some tools or ways to meet the challenges. It also contains a good bibliography for further exploration of questions.

Beginning Ministry Together – Oswald, Heath & Heath, Alban Institute, Herndon VA; 2003

This book on transition begins with the time before the departing pastor actually leaves a congregation and follows all the way into the settling of a new pastor. It looks at the transition time from both the perspective of the congregation and of the clergy-departing, interim, and new.

Pastoral Search – John Vonhof, Alban Institute, Herndon VA; 1999

This looks at the whole process of calling a new rector from the organization of the search committee to the letter of call and the transition to the new pastor. As with most Alban materials the appendix includes many samples of charts and letters to help you create ones for your congregation.

For more information or to borrow a particular item, contact Marnie Bash,

Coordinator, Ministries Resource Center: mpbash@ameritech.net or 989-839-9364.