Well-Being and Excellence in Ministry: A Practical Resource for Ministers and Caring Congregations
This is a practical resource for ministers and caring congregations that encourages healthy attitudes towards ministry and life-work balance by educating both the congregation and the minister. The purpose of Well-Being and Excellence in Ministry is to provide practical assistance for ministers and caring congregations as together they seek these qualities in ministry. It is written for ministers and pastor search committees as they give thought to the beginning days of their lives together. It is for ministers and personnel committees as they share the ebb and flow of congregational life day after day. It is for ministers and deacon bodies who serve one another and are served by one another. It is for those who share the journey of discovering a flourishing Christian way of life.
Introduction to Well-Being in Ministry
[download chapter]
The Renewal of Ministers
[download chapter]
Storying Together
- Hardy Clemons: A seasoned minister with a track record of positive self-care and team staff ministry [download chapter]
Also see these resources:
·Units of Time article
·Staff Covenant Resource
·Sermon, "How to Decide When to Hold Em and When to Folm Em," Hardy Clemons, 11.16.2008 [mp3]
·Sermon, "Stress can be your friend/How Jesus dealt with stress," Hardy Clemons, 1.11.2009 [mp3]
- LeAnn Gunter Johns: A young minister being intentional about developing patterns of self-care [download chapter]
Also see these resources:
·Ministry Residency Program
·Master of Divinity Internships
- Doyle Sager: A seasoned minister still passionate about ministry [download chapter]
Also see these resources:
·Sabbatical Resource
·How to Support Your Pastor [Powerpoint]
- Daniel Glaze: A young minister developing a foundation for longevity in ministry [download chapter]
Also see these resources:
·Sermon, "The State of the Church," Daniel Glaze, 2.24.2008 [mp3]
·Clergy Appreciation Book
·Encouraging Your Minister's Continuing Education
- Julia Ledford: A minister tending the spiritual [download chapter]
Also see these resources:
·Semon, "Creating Your Life with God," Julia Ledford, 3.09.2008 [mp3]
·Peer Learning Group Resource
·About the Initiative for Ministerial Excellence [Brochure]
- First Baptist Church of Asheville, N.C.: A church committed to well-being and excellence in ministry [download chapter]
Also see these resources:
·Sample Personnel Policies for Medium to Large Churches
·Sample Personnel Policies for Small Churches
This resource has been developed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Initiative for Ministerial Excellence, thanks to a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. The goal of the Initiative for Ministerial Excellence is to influence the culture of CBF, providing an environment that leads to healthier pastors who embody ministerial excellence. The Initiative provides support and nurture for three historic tasks of ministry: proclamation, worship leadership, and caring for community. This initiative features a sabbatical resources, peer learning groups across the country, ministerial residencies and teaching congregations.