Resources e-letter 12:5 - October 2012

NEW: Creative prayer diaries

Many churches regularly produce printed prayer diaries. These notes on a communications theme provide three ideas for a more creative approach than is normal. In each case there are examples of the same four entries to show how each approach works in practice. The three are:

Start each entry with the word ‘Imagine’
The idea here is to help people imagine themselves into each context so that they can pray as if they were themselves in the position described.

‘Look’ into each situation
If the first appeals to readers’ minds, this one appeals to their eyes. The reader is asked to view a scenario and fill in the detail themselves. As with the first idea, the wording can ask questions, in this case ‘What do you see?’.

Make it personal
In this third idea you tell the reader they are the person being prayed for (who can be real or imaginary). This is a variation on the first idea.

Training Notes TN69, Creative prayer diaries, are now available in the Training Notes listing of the Resources section of the website. As always you are welcome to download the notes and/or print up to 30 copies without charge.

NEW: Do’s and don’ts for a new leader

The second set of notes for October is designed for Ministers taking up a new appointment, although most of the principles adapt easily to other leadership roles too.

There are 16 brief case studies, alternating between a ‘Do’ and a ‘Don’t’. Do’s include:

• get to know people
• ask questions
• identify the gatekeepers
• learn from the community’s stories.

The ‘Don’ts’ include:

• try to prove yourself
• arrive with a fixed plan
• criticise your predecessor
• ignore natural grief.

Training Notes TN70, Do’s and don’ts for a new leader, are now available in the Training Notes listing of the Resources section of the website.

Do use the resources subject indexes

While on the subject of ‘Do’s’, do make use of the different listings on the website. The Resources section lists all 104 items in two different ways. There are pages for each of Articles (3,000-9,000 words), Training Notes (no more than 2,000 words) and Health-checks (two detailed tools) listed by their reference number with the most recent first.

Then there are six pages where the same items are listed by category: Leadership, Management, Structures, Planning, Communication and Administration. I try to ensure that the portfolio maintains a balance across these six areas.

I am aware of the following ways in which these items are put to use, but please tell me if you use them in different ways:

• personal reading and study
• individual staff training
• clergy or church staff team study and training
• leadership team / elders or deacons / church council input