The Columbia Partnership

Priorities for Church Pastors and Staff

The Columbia Partnership held its semi-annual board meeting last week, and is seeking to project key areas of focus for the fall, winter, and spring. One focus will be on senior/solo pastors and church staff and their high priority ministry issues. Help us to help you by telling us how important it will be for you to address the following issues over the next year or so. 

 

Take the Survey

 

After you take the survey you will be able to click on a link to see the survey results thus far.  This is round one of this survey research and will be open through Friday, July 8th. Round two will follow in 30 days or less.  Thank you for helping us serve you better as you seek the vital and vibrant future God has for your congregation.

Let's Do the Math

A Travel Free Learning Article

By Ruben Swint, Ministry Colleague with The Columbia Partnership

Voice: 404.314.7273, E-mail: RSwint@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, Web Site: www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org

Download Swint, Let's Do the Math, 6.28.11 Edition

TCP Dialogue, Ruben Swint on Let's Do the Math

When I was in seminary I studied the Old Testament, the New Testament, Hebrew, Greek, Theology, Church History, Ethics, Pastoral Care, Preaching, Church Administration and innumerable electives. I do not recall any course in which math was a component of the syllabus. I learned “ministry math” in the routine duties of budget planning, salary administration plans, setting up preventive maintenance plans, shopping for insurance, and planning for building expansion.

What are some of the practical ways to analyze and plan for ministry year-to-year? Let’s do the math.

Dispensing Advice to the Clueless

How do you Redirect Sincere Blindness?

A Travel Free Learning Article

By Norman Jameson, Ministry Colleague with The Columbia Partnership

Voice: 919.607.4991, E-mail: NJameson@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, Web Site: www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org

Download Jameson, Dispensing Advice to the Clueless, 6.21.11 Edition

As a “professional” minister who lives each day involved in the lives of others, calling, nurturing, admonishing and encouraging them toward the Christ life, you’ve probably counseled some who were considering directing their lives in the path you’ve chosen.

As a minister you’re complimented. Perhaps something you’ve said or done triggered their inclination and you’re justifiably pleased to hear them say so.

Or perhaps instead, you know this person well enough to realize that a destination of “professional minister” would be the absolute wrong address for them to set in their spiritual GPS. You love them, you’re complimented but your gut reaction is to shield your eyes from the looming wreck.

What do you do?

Listen to Recording of Dialogue with Authors of Going Global

Listen to this special edition of Travel Free Dialogue with Gary Nelson, Gordon King, and Terry Smith who are authors of the newest book in the TCP Leadership Series entitled Going Global: A Congregation's Introduction to Mission beyond Our Borders.

Chalice Press has a special sale on the book through July 31st. Click HERE for details and to purchase the book at a 40% discount.

TFL Dialogue, Nelson, King, and Smith on Going Global

 

Followership: The Neglected Skill?

A Travel Free Learning Article

by Ken Kessler, Ministry Partner with The Columbia Partnership 

Voice: 804.338.5058, E-mail: KKessler@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, Web Site: www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org

Download Kessler, Followership, 6.14.11 Edition

TFL Dialogue, Ken Kessler on Followership, The Neglected Skill

Do you remember the childhood game, Follow the Leader? We would choose a leader. Then everyone had to follow the actions of our designated leader. If you did not follow the moves of the leader, you lost and had to wait for the next game. If you followed every move of the leader and were the last one standing, you won.

We always thought the most important person in the game was the leader. She could make all of the moves to trick us. We would follow whatever she did just to win the game. I would suggest, though, the follower was just an important as the leader. How much fun would the game be without the followers mimicking the leaders?

This game mirrors life. We justifiably talk a great deal about leadership. Thousands of books have been written by many great men and women about the values of leadership. A leader provides vision and focus. He encourages the group to tackle the biggest challenges. She serves effectively as a servant and a great team builder. We need great leaders!