HOME
Letter from the Editor
Apostles Linda Booth and Ron Harmon on the Pastors and Leaders Field Guide
High bandwidth streaming media for cable modem/DSL connections Low bandwidth streaming media for dialup connections download WMV video file Help
New Pastors: Getting Started
Alphabetical Index of Practices and Tools
Topical Index of Practices and Tools
 
Print by Sections
Order from Herald House
Share Comments

print pdf		 Exploring Mission

Resources:
Descriptions and Locations

by JAN MARSHALL 

Foundational Concepts

Effective leaders do not need to “know it all.” Competent leaders do need to know where to find information or answers when needed! In addition, staying connected with what’s happening in Community of Christ throughout the world helps congregations know they are part of a worldwide faith community engaged in Christ’s mission. That sense of connection is uplifting and encouraging, giving us a sense that our small part is linked with other efforts.
           
Effective leaders also stay current through resources available for the congregation, and for enriching their own ministry and spiritual growth. Congregations expect their leaders to be informed and equipped to lead. Leaders should give their best efforts in their roles. The church offers three types of resources to help pastors and leaders stay connected and informed:

  1. People resources
  2. Community of Christ website
  3. Printed or DVD resources

People Resources

Your mission center president and financial officer are your primary “go to” people resources. Their role is to support you and your congregation. Don’t hesitate to seek them out. They want to help!

Take advantage of opportunities to attend events like mission center conferences, retreats, reunions, and priesthood training events. These are great places to connect with knowledgeable people who can help in a variety of ways. If possible, plan to attend World Church events such as World Conference or the annual Peace Colloquy. Introduce yourself to your apostle, apostolic assistant, and field missionary coordinator. Their ministry will enrich yours.

People resources are priceless, but printed, DVD, and online resources are also immensely valuable.

Community of Christ Website

You will find the most up-to-date information on the church’s website, www.CofChrist.org.  Click “Tools for Ministry” and then “Online Resources” to find an alphabetical list. If you do not have a computer, use your local library or ask someone in your congregation to help you access the information. See the list of electronic forms available on the website at the end of this article.

Print and DVD Resources

Subscribing to the Herald (printed or electronic format) keeps you up-to-date with official information, thoughtful articles, and testimonial stories from around the world.

Pastors are automatically included in the distribution of the 10-Minute News, a short newsletter with brief updates on what’s happening in the church. Periodically International Headquarters mails a DVD to pastors for sharing with the congregation. An example is the highlights from World Conference DVD.

Printed books and other materials are available for purchase from Herald House, www.HeraldHouse.org. Some items are in more than one format (bound and printed, CD, DVD, or downloaded file).

Must-Haves for Every Pastor

The following Community of Christ resources are available in printed copy or as download files from the website. They are essential for every pastor.

  • Church Administrator’s Handbook, 2005 edition—(order from www.HeraldHouse.org or download from www.CofChrist.org/policy). This resource contains answers to many of the administrative questions that arise in the life of the church.
  • Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs, 2nd edition. This is a foundational “identity document” for the church. Contains the enduring principles; statements on Christology, scripture, history principles, and Basic Beliefs. Individual documents and related videos or DVDs on these sections can also be found at  www.CofChrist.org/discernment/weshare/default.asp.
  • The Priesthood Manual, 2004 edition—(order from www.HeraldHouse.org)
  • Worship Resources (produced each year and available from Herald House at www.HeraldHouse.org)
  • Daily Bread or other spiritual renewal resource—keeps you grounded in Christ, as a reminder of the importance of balancing time with God. Order from www.HeraldHouse.org.

Must-Haves for Disciple Formation

Must-Haves for Congregational Mission

The May and June 2011 Herald issues contain President Veazey’s addresses to the church (information central to understanding the church’s mission, also available in video format www.CofChrist.org/presidency/sermons/default.asp#2011).

Witnessing Resources Subject Guide (Where can I find it?)—(www.CofChrist.org/seventy/resources.asp) includes Hospitality: Sharing God’s Welcome, Understanding the Way, A Witnessing Community. These are hands-on practical helps for the congregation in its witness.

Other articles in this field guide are designed to help, especially “Invitation, Witness, and Hospitality” and the following in the section on “Exploring Mission”:

Electronic Forms (available on the website)