Over four weeks, the Rev. Joel Sherbino shared lessons he’s learned in helping build a thriving worshipping community at Paris Community Church. Discover how they developed their vision for ministry, made decisions about their building, share financial needs, say thank you and report back on gifts, partner with others, and discern what programs/activities to do to further their ministry. See what might inspire ideas for your congregation!
In the first week of this series, The Rev. Joel Sherbino introduces the ministry of Paris Community church and the core values that guide their ministry, how they develop their vision/strategies/plans and how they have adapted ministry to reach a changing community.
In the second week of this series, The Rev. Joel Sherbino explores the decisions Paris Community church has made around the use of the building – including their decision to keep or to go, how they have funded a significant capital campaign and what they do to raise support for ministry, all while building a culture of generosity, both within and for the church.
Health Churches - Paris – Week 2, Presentation
In the third week of this series, The Rev. Joel Sherbino explores how Paris Community church decides what programs to run as they seek to be “for Paris”. They try not to do anything that doesn’t fit their vision or have an ‘outward’ looking posture – but they also don’t seek perfection and learn from their mistakes. He touches on building the volunteer teams that facilitate and help run programs and that they follow the energy and enthusiasm of the leaders – if there isn’t someone to lead, the program doesn’t happen, allowing Joel to focus on being a pastor to the community.
In the final week of this series, The Rev. Joel Sherbino recaps how the ministry of Paris Community Church has developed over the years. He explains how they design the programs and events so that they have a mix of opportunities to prepare people to be open to a relationship with Christ, give them time to explore what a faith relationship is like, decide to become followers of Christ and embark on a journey of life-long transformation as a disciple. They offer opportunities for people begin serving the community as soon as the express interest – seeing how serving can help build community and grow faith at the same time. Joel explains that embracing change has been a key part of the life of the church over his 17 years of ministry there; change that is rooted in a vision to connect people to Christ and be a church for their community.
