Leadership Development

This document has three purposes: to help vestry members understand their role; to help them understand some of the universal issues that face leaders; and to help them know there are resources and educational tools available to help. Included in the guide are prayers and other simple helps to make the job smoother and more visible to the congregation.

Help for Small Groups – Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (Seattle WA); 1991

A very simple, basic book looking at small groups and how each member can help or hinder the process of the group. 3 copies

Bringing Home a Conference – Episcopal Diocese of Olympia

An excellent resource to give someone before they leave to go to a conference; it includes ideas for getting ready, things to do at the conference, and ways to reflect on what was learned when they get home. We no longer need to put money into someone’s attending a major conference and then never hearing about it again! 3 copies

(Video) A Clear Vision of One Church – Episcopal Diocese of Texas; 11/22-24/98

Vol. 8 - Lay Empowerment and Resources

The Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry – Sue Annis Hammond, Thin Book Publishing, Plano TX

Appreciative Inquiry is a process to help a group build goals and objectives based on what works. The book gives an introduction to the process and tells where you can find follow up information. Training in this process can be acquired from the Episcopal Church Center/Children’s Ministries Group. (3 copies available)

From Survival to Celebration – Howard Hanchey, Cowley Publishing, Cambridge MA; 1994

New Loving God with All Your Mind – Thomas R. Hawkins, Discipleship Resources; 2004

This book looks at ways we think: how our minds grow, change, and develop; how creativity is developed; how this can help us in our teaching, etc. It’s interesting and excellent theory about using our minds to love and serve God.

(Audio Cassette)The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day – John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville TN

Biblical study to consider the people of the Bible who displayed leadership; a daily plan to help you grow as a leader

(Video) Blessed Usherance – Nelson Video Library, Nashville TN; 1994

This training video for ushers and greeters is a bit simplistic and occasionally humorous; you may not agree with everything as presented but it gives a good jumping off point for discussion for someone trying to train others in this important role. 15 min.

Making Small Groups Effective - Arlan J Rothauge, Episcopal Parish Services, New York NY

Part of the Congregational Vitality Series, this explores how to develop healthy and growing small groups w/effective leadership

Caring for Inactive Members – Tebunah Ministries, St Louis MO; 1990

A 10 session resource that helps clergy and lay leaders encourage and welcome inactive members

How to Mobilize Church Volunteers - Marlene Wilson; Augsburg Press, Minneapolis MN

(2 copies); This book points out common problems, establishes management principles, and answers questions; includes 6 chapters of discussion and variety of forms to help meet the challenge of volunteers

Mobilizing Church Volunteers - 2 Volumes; 69 min, 85 min

Gifts Discernment

(Video) Network - Bruce Bugbee, Don Cousins, Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Resources (Zondervan)

A program with 8 sessions, includes video, leader guide

Discovering Our Place in God’s World - William A Easum, Easum-Bandy Associates; 1993

Exploring the world of spiritual gifts

Discerning Your Spiritual Gifts – Lloyd Edwards, Cowley; 1988

This book looks at how you might discover and use your spiritual gifts rather than at what the specific gifts might be. While he lists several different types of gifts he sets them in the context of their use and leaves out some gifts mentioned in other studies. He is very clear, however, on how gifts can and should be used for ministry.

19 Gifts of the Spirit – Leslie B. Flynn, Cook Publishing, Colorado Springs CO

The author looks at the various gifts listed in the Bible and discusses if they may be used to day; he discusses the individual gifts within groupings, and concludes with discovering gifts.

(Video) Exploring Type with Meyers Briggs Type Indicator - Sandra Krebs Kirsh

Mutual Ministry

Mutual Ministry – James C. Fenhagen, The Seabury Press, New York NY; 1977

This is one of the classics in discussing the “ministry of the baptized” and the development of mutual ministry or total ministry teams in small churches.

New I Have Called You Friends… - Kevin Thew Forrester; Church Publishing, New York NY; 2003

Forrester draws on his experience of working with mutual ministry in the Diocese of Northern Michigan to express how each baptized member of a congregation is called to ministry.

Total Ministry - by Stewart C. Zabriskie, The Alban Institute

A discussion of the "total" or "mutual" ministry process as it was experienced in the Diocese of Nevada, includes notes and questions in the back

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

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

If you are a member of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, you may contact directly the listed church,

or, for items found at the Diocesan Center, Saginaw, contact Marnie Bash as listed above.