 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
What to Include in a Church Information Packet by John Vonhof (A sample 24-page church information packet is available through Footwork Publications. It shows in detail each of the sections described below. If you are interested in the sample packet, click here.) Information that describes your board, congregation and your ministries should be identified in the church packet. The areas listed below are key to providing a complete picture of who you are as a church. Ideally, put each of the areas below on a page, writing enough about each to satisfy the reader who you have to assume knows nothing about your church. Consider using a folder in which the information below can be secured in the center and has pockets on each side. This type of folder best displays the material you will send. Inside the packet, as the first page, add a cover letter to introduce the packet, explain the contents, and detail what will happen next. Our Vision and Mission - If your church has a vision and/or mission statement(s), include them in the packet. Other statements that guide ministries or committees can also be included. Some churches have a statement of core values. These all serve to show what guides the focus of the congregation. What is the energy level at this time? Our Congregation - This section can include information about the diversity of the congregation, numbers in worship, length of time percentages of members and friends have been associated with your church, age make-up of the congregation, percentages of members living different distances from the church, the ethnic percentages represented, and the mix of occupations represented. Our Structure - In this section, define your church structure, administration, and organization. Identify the structure of the board and the number of elders and/or deacons. Explain your ministry team or committee structure. If you have any policy manuals, structure manuals, or other organizational guidelines, identify them. Identify your staff and the percentage of time they work. Also identify the role of women serving in leadership roles in the board and in the congregation. Our Strengths and Weaknesses - This section needs to identify known strengths and weaknesses of the congregation based on your survey and soul-searching. You should be able to list at least six in each area. Be honest. Any unique challenges facing the congregation can also be noted here. Our Pastoral Ministry Needs - Identify your pastoral ministry needs in the areas of worship, leadership, relationships, fellowship, and outreach. Identify other areas that may be relevant to your congregation. Consider making "Because ..." and "We need ..." statement sections. Pastoral Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships - If you have any guidelines in areas of leadership, authority, commitment, vision development, personal giftedness, equipping and enabling, and relationships to the board, staff and ministry team leaders, include them here. This important section helps a pastor understand his areas of responsibility, especially as compared to the leadership responsibilities of the board, staff, and ministry team leaders sections listed below. Board Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships - If you have any guidelines or standards for board members, identify them. It can be helpful for a pastor to know to what standards the board is held accountable. Identify whether you have a Pastoral Relations Ministry Team. Staff Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships - Most staff positions should have well defined job descriptions. What and to whom, in basic terms, are they responsible for, accountable to, and supervised by. It is helpful for a pastor to know, ahead of time, what staff oversight roles he may have. Ministry Team Leader Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships - Under what standards do ministry team leaders operate. To whom are they responsible and accountable? Are their roles clearly defined? Member Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships - To what standards are members held? Are there areas of ministry, commitment, accountability, and relationships to which they are challenged? Friends of the Congregation - If you have any statements of guidelines for non-member friends of the congregation, identify them. Our Ministries - List all the functions and ministries of your church with a brief sentence or two about each. Consider boy's and girl's clubs, Daily Vacation Bible School, Church School, men's and women's groups, junior high and high school youth groups, children's worship, fellowship groups, Bible studies, social groups, youth and adult choirs. Do not identify all the subcommittees or positions - those should be identified on your organization chart. Our Goals - List your church's goals for the elders, deacons, and all the ministry teams or committees. If necessary, review and update any that are outdated or have existed for years without being realistic in the first place. Our Organizational Chart - If you have an organizational chart, include it here. It may be a formal computer generated picture like a flow chart, or as simple as a hand drawn picture. Either way, it is helpful for a pastor to see the reporting and organizational structure of the way that ministry teams or committees flow with the ministries they are responsible for. Our Facilities - Describe your facilities. How large is the sanctuary? How many classrooms are there? What is the size of the fellowship hall? How modern are the facilities? Is there off-street parking? Does the church own any other property? Are there any building or expansion plans in the works? Our Finances - What is the annual budget? Is it usually met? By what percent does giving exceed expenses or fall short of expenses--for last year and this year to date. Identify the major pieces of the budget picture. Our Pastoral Compensation Policy - What has been used to establish guidelines for pastoral salary and benefits? What is included in benefits? What reimbursables are allowed? Is there continuing education money and time built into the package? Is there a parsonage and/or is the church open to its pastor owning his own home? Our History - Write a page or two about the history of your church. In story format, tell what has happened. Identify previous pastors. Have there been areas of specific focus? Have there been significant events that have shaped the congregation, the mission, or the vision? Have there been building projects? Our Community - Write about the community. What type of neighborhood is the church located? What churches may be nearby? What is the general area like? What opportunities exist for culture, sports, and outdoor activities? What variety of Christian and public schools are available? Are there any colleges and/or universities nearby? Search Team, Board, and Staff Contacts - List the members of the search team, the board and staff by name and include their phone numbers. If the pastor wishes to contact any individual, the numbers are available to him. Additional Materials - The material below can be added to the pockets on the sides of the folder. Select those materials appropriate for your church.
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||
|
© 2003 Footwork Publications, All Rights Reserved. Last Updated August 9, 2003 |
|||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||