Logistics > Developing a Working Plan

by Rick Labate rickl@pcsda.org

This section gives a sample outline overview of how a ministerial director can schedule his duties. It may or may not work for your context so tweak or change as necessary.

WORKING WITH PASTORS

A. Building Trust and Credibility

1.The majority of job description is working with pastors. Keep that focus

2.Support them when needed in times of crisis through personal contact

3.Remember special days such as birthdays and other significant events that are fixed or as they occur with phone call and/or card

4. Provide each pastor with a professional growth book at least once per year

5. Visit each pastor as often as possible during the year. Track these visits in database

a. First visit

• Begin the process of getting to know the pastor

• Begin seeking to win confidence and trust

b. Second visit

• Review Core Competencies from the NAD Ministerial Department

• Review comments from previous visit

c. Third visit

• Review Seven Characteristics of Healthy Disciple-Making Churches

• Review comments from previous visit

d. Fourth visit

• Review Mission, Vision, Values

• Review comments from previous visit(s)

e. Fifth visit

• Review Church Growth Plans

• Review comments from previous visit(s)

f. Subsequent visits

• Assist in a mixture of troubleshooting, encouraging (a lot!), accountability and whatever is necessary

B. Coaching

• The resource “547 Coaching Questions” is an excellent resource.

• Follow up any implementations on next visit or coaching session

VISITING THE CHURCHES

A. Church Boards

•Attend as many as possible

•Keep database of notes and observations

•Build relationships

•Help churches to get to the next level of what that means in their context

•Work from larger to smaller churches

B. Peaching

•Keep record of sermons preached, dates, key people/leaders met at church

•Work from larger to smaller churches

C. Conflict Resolution

•Maintain Christlike demeanor

•Practice assertiveness training

•Practice conflict resolution skills

PASTORAL MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT / CONFERENCE

A. Events

•Assist in planning and running the Elders Retreats

•Assist in planning and running EQUIP

•Serve on church assessment team when applicable

•Continue to lead Valley LEAD group

B. Teamwork

•Be a team player

•Model servant leadership

•Attend and support pastoral ministries department meetings

•Support Vice President for Pastoral Ministries and others on team

C. Vetting/Networking

•See working document and follow the procedure

•Keep database of prospective names, source of names and resumes

D. Financial

•Keep and submit all receipts to conference treasury on a monthly basis

•Submit monthly expense report

PERSONAL GROWTH

1. Read one professional growth book per month or quarter

2. Attend continuing education events whenever possible

3.. Counseling as needed

4.. Practice effective stress management

•Regular exercise

•Prayer and meditation

•Regular and evenly spaced vacations

•Any other technique that works for stress reduction