Resources e-letter 18:1 - February 2018
The first Resources e-letter of 2018 gives an outline of two new sets of Training Notes just added to the Resources section of the website. TN105 gives practical advice on preparing a voicemail message or 'out-of-office' email. TN106 encourages Ministers and lay leaders to discuss how the Sabbath principle of time off work can be applied in their different cases.
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NEW: ‘Recording a voicemail message’
If you record voicemail messages on your phones or set up ‘out-of-office’ responses for your email, it is important to get them to do their job well, both in what they say and how they put this across. Many churches and Christian leaders could make significant improvements by following some straightforward principles.
These notes give practical advice in:
- The basics of recording a good voicemail message
- The content (personal, positive, sensible, short, simple, truthful)
- The style (natural, welcoming, varied, clear, professional)
- Setting up an out-of-office email
If you want to create a helpful, caring impression with your messages, read Training Notes TN105, Recording a voicemail message, now available on the Training Notes page of this website.
NEW: ‘Talk about taking time ‘off’’
These notes set up a discussion for Ministers and church leaders on issues to do with both ‘work’ and ‘rest’. They highlight the need for greater understanding of practical issues that arise for a Minister’s ‘day off’ and a congregational leader’s time outside working hours.
The following are covered:
- Key principles (such as Sabbath, rhythm, pride, sloth)
- What is ‘work’ for different groups of church members?
- What is ‘rest’ (issues of sleep, relaxation, recreation, routines, relationships, discipleship)?
- Issues for time ‘off’ and holidays
Each section suggests discussion questions; the notes are designed to bring out the issues for a group to work at more than to provide easy answers. This topic is rarely shared in this way.
Talk about taking time ‘off’, is now available at TN106 on the Training Notes page of this website.
Events for Church Administrators
The UK Church Administrators Network (UCAN), now completely separate from my own work (although I shall be taking part in the Area Training Days), have the following events coming up. Details on their new website.
27th February – central London
Day on volunteering in churches designed for senior-manager members of UCAN.
17th April – Belfast
Area Training Day open to all Church Administrators in Northern Ireland.
May-June
Further Area Training Days in Manchester, Bristol and Leeds are being planned – watch the website for further information.
Thank you for your interest in the Resources section of my website and with my warmest good wishes