Best practices and innovative ideas for congregational life
Fostering Engagement and Connection in Online Church Gatherings
A resource about digital engagement in the context of Christian ministry to help congregations not only meet online but also to connect, build relationships, grow as disciples, discern together and creatively engage with the many different aspects of faith.
Ways to Be a Church that Visitors Will Want to Call Home
Ty Ragan and his family searched for a church home for a long time before they decided to stay at Centennial Presbyterian Church in Calgary. It was not the big things that inspired them to stay at Centennial, but the small things. Being a church that visitors will want to return to is about being like Jesus. The tips in this resource, modelled on Jesus’ way of welcoming others, will help your church be the kind of place that people will want to call home.
Ways for Churches to Create Partnerships in their Local Communities
God is already powerfully at work in the community, and your church was put there for a reason. This resource contains tips for how your church can build relationships and create partnerships with other organizations and people doing God’s work in your community.
Recommended by Presbyterian Leaders in Canada: 12 Must-Read Books
Presbyterians love to read! We get asked for book recommendations on all different topics related to ministry on a regular basis. This time, we decided to ask you—leaders in Presbyterian ministries in Canada—what books you’d recommend for other leaders. Responding to the question, “What book has most influenced your ministry in the last year,” your colleagues and peers provided the 12 must-read recommendations.
Ways to Be a Great Church Greeter
Greeters are a vital part of a church’s ministry by ensuring that all who enter receive a warm greeting, the information they need to feel comfortable, and a friendly connection they can rely on before and after the service. As you strive to be the greeter that others remember as having warmly welcomed them into the church, this resource contains some important things to keep in mind.
How to Support Young Adult Leadership
In May 2018, fourteen young adults, aged 18–28, participated in a consultation to discuss mission and ministry. Although the participants had differing perspectives on many issues, they had one important thing in common: they cared about the PCC and they want to be a part of it. This resource shares their suggestions on how congregations can support young adults to fully participate in the life of church.
Ways to Be a Caring Church Community
Pastoral care is one of the most powerful ways we can demonstrate the love of God to one another. It must not be left to the minister and elders alone; God calls all of us to love each other. How well we care for each other will influence how well we care for our neighbours. This resource will help you build or strengthen the culture of caring in your church.
Joining the Joyful Feast: From Food Ministry to Worship
People are hungry for deep conversations and meaningful relationships. Whether a congregation is feeling called to start a dinner church or to strengthen an existing ministry, it is important to prioritize relationship-building and truly celebrate the loving bonds that Christ makes possible for us to have with each other. In this resource, you will find tools that can be used to foster strong and genuine relationships in your ministry.
Addressing Conflicts of Interest
Life in a community is filled with joys but also conflict and fostering a community of trust and transparency is an important and perpetual task for leaders if they are to maintain a ministry focused on mission and service rather than one preoccupied by avoidable distractions. This resource explores church-based examples of conflict of interest, responsibilities of the individual and governing bodies to help inform the creation of a conflict of interest policy.
Trust: The Boundaries of Community
Trust is an essential aspect of all relationships. Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries related to discretion and confidentiality are ways healthy pastoral relationships are forged and nurtured. This resource focuses on the considerations that church leaders (elders, church school teachers, camp staff, youth leaders, ministers, parish nurses and all others who are in positions of leadership and trust) should take to ensure the safety of those in their community and circle of care.
Volunteering in the Church
It is simply mind-boggling to imagine what could happen if every member of Christ’s church were actively engaged in some form of volunteerism within the church and community. What things might be accomplished for the kingdom of God! This booklet is a practical guide to equipping the people of God for ministry in the local congregation.
A Focus on Leading with Care
The PCC is actively committed to training and supporting teachers and leaders so they are equipped for their ministry tasks. This resource contains tips on the second phase of implementing Leading with Care, focusing on working with teachers and leaders, and includes a checklist that congregations (ministries) may use as part of the required annual reporting to presbytery (or supervisory body).
