New Online Ministry Event Planning at Ebenezer Relevant, Effective, and Impactful Ministry

Transcription

1 New Online Ministry Event Planning at Ebenezer Relevant, Effective, and Impactful Ministry I. What is happening? We re looking forward to a new year of impactful ministry services and programs as every ministry will be able to plan and collaborate ministry activities online. Over the next several months, Ebenezer will be moving to a new centralized ministry planning system in which ministry leaders will be asked to submit online their ministry profiles and event and meeting requests for the upcoming year. In September, we are making available the online ministry profile tool and in November, we will be releasing new capabilities that will allow you to plan, align, and submit your 2015 Ministry Events Calendars and Goals. This will make it significantly easier for ministries to develop a full ministry event plan including the events, dates, time, collaborations, rooms, location, support needs, expense needs, etc. for all the outreach, missions, conferences, workshops, worship services, and much more! II. Why is the new system being implemented? Our vision for ministry at Ebenezer is that: We are engaging ministries in worship, evangelism, discipleship, mission and fellowship initiatives that align with the Vision and Mission of EBC. We see larger, stronger and more purpose-driven ministries in the church that are focused on growth both spiritual and numerical. We see more members actively involved in ministry and worship services weekly. Ebenezer has experienced positive growth in recent years, becoming a congregation of approximately 5,000 members. Yet, that growth has resulted in some operational inefficiency, with both existing and emerging ministries often duplicating efforts and having limited articulation of their goals or how their goals connect with the overall mission of the church. In support of the need for effective and maximized planning of the church s resources and to continue to strive for improvement in the programs and service we offer, a Centralized Ministry structure will be deployed. This system will enable ministry leaders as well as the ministerial staff to track the efforts of all ministries, helping them align their activities with the mission of the church and encouraging them work more collaboratively, avoiding the duplication of efforts. Every ministry will benefit from this new opportunity and contribute significantly to the church s goal and priority of relevant, effective, and impactful ministry. Additionally, this system will be of value to leaders and the entire body of members as they will be able to search for ministries that they are interested in joining and submit a contact request online. Ministry leaders will be excited to see how simple it is for a member to get involved and connected to their ministry of choice. 1

2 III. What changes does this involve? There will be several key changes impacting ministries and ministry leader responsibilities. 1. To support the overall goal and mission for ministry at Ebenezer, all ministries of Ebenezer will be engaged in the ministry planning activities. 2. Ministry leaders (and appropriate designees) will be asked to attend communication sessions and training workshops. 3. Ministries will need to submit online ministry profiles. 4. Ministry leaders will be asked to maintain their online ministry roles and responsibilities. 5. Ministry leaders will be asked to plan their ministry goals and events in alignment with the stated ministry vision and purpose areas. 6. Ministry leaders may determine that it is necessary to restructure their ministry roles, positions, or accountabilities to support alignment with the new objectives. 7. Ministry meetings and room reservations will continue to be handled by the church administrator but will require that a ministry profile and appropriate contact be completed online. 8. Any ministry events or activities that are on the church or ministry calendars will need to be submitted via the defined event planning process. 9. Ministry events will be reviewed and/or approved by the council and will need to be submitted at least 90 days prior to the event. 10. Members, guests, and others will online access to the ministry information, ministry calendars, contact/volunteer, registration (including ticket purchases), etc. 11. Ministries will be responsible for periodic communications and reporting on their goals and events. IV. How will the new system be implemented? This new system will be implemented in stages. Before ministry leaders are actually requested in this September to submit their event-activity requests online for the upcoming year, they will need register their ministry and Create a Online Ministry Profile prior to September 1st: A. Add a user account for their ministry 1 B. Add a user account for each ministry leader who will have some responsibility for either updating their ministry profile, updating their ministry event plans, or updating their ministry goals. C. Create an online profile of their ministry In November, ministry leaders will be able to submit their events. Details will follow. 2

3 V. When will ministry leaders actually begin submitting their event-activity requests online? All ministry leaders were asked to submit their ministry profiles in September 2014 and complete the steps above registering their ministry and creating an online profile. In early November, leaders will be will sent instructions regarding how to begin event planning: A. Submitting their event-activity requests beginning in November. B. Attending the November training sessions. Register for training online. VI. What else do ministry leaders need to plan for? A. In November and December, ministry leaders will need to plan to meet with their ministries to discuss the events plan for Event plans will be submitted beginning November 9, B. Speaking with council leaders on specific questions or concerns regarding event planning. Making plan adjustments as feedback and recommendations are made based on the council review. C. Ensuring that ministry event requests are submitted based on the council meeting schedule and deadlines. D. Completing any updates to their ministry profiles by November 23 rd. VII. What is the specific council timeline for the ministry leaders? By This Date Ministry Leaders can/will need to: 11/2/2014 Register for Event Planning Training Sessions. 11/9/2014 Begin submitting 2014 Ministry Event Calendars 11/9/2014 Attend Cyber Café Training Session 11/11/2014 Attend Online Training Session 11/16/2014 Attend Cyber Café Training Session 11/18/2014 Attend Online Training Sessions 11/23/2014 Attend Cyber Café Training Session 11/23/2104 Complete updates to ministry profiles 12/07/2014 Attend Cyber Café Training Session 1/11/2015 Attend Cyber Café Training Session 1/25/2015 Attend Cyber Café Training Session For more information on the Ministry Council Timeline for Leaders. VIII. Who is responsible for implementing this new system and tracking the activities of the ministries that have registered and created an online profile and who will eventually submit their event-activity requests online? The Ministry Council is the body accountable for implementing and tracking this new system so that all ministry activities align with the vision and mission of the church. The council will seek to provide 3

4 leadership for engaging ministries in worship, evangelism, discipleship, mission, and fellowship initiatives. The Council is made of ministerial staff and selected ministry leaders with specific responsibilities of: 1. Serves as the primary administrative body and oversees the management and programming of the church ministry 2. Plans and carries out programs that fulfill the congregation s nurturing, outreaching, and witnessing ministries 3. Leads the visioning and strategic planning process within the church ministry 4. Approves/Recommends the ministry budget and assists in the ensuring that the financial needs of the church are met and ministries secure the funds they need 5. Communicates and disseminate important information to ministry leadership 6. Communicate ministry issues and concerns on the ground IMPORTANT NOTE: The upcoming dates in which the Ministry Council will review the event plan submissions are: Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 6:30 pm Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 6:30 pm Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 6:30 pm Thursday, February 26, :30 pm. Other dates in 2015 will be published in January of For more information on the Ministry Council. Ministry Council Timeline for Leaders. IX. Who do I direct questions that I have regarding the directory and the planning tools? Questions regarding the directory and planning tools should be directed to: Ministry Services Leader, Francine Allen [email protected] X. Where can I find more information? Ministry Leaders will be able to find instructions, assistance, electronic file downloads at the web address: You should also be sure that you have registered your individual profile so that you your name will be included on the communications list for ministry leaders. 4

5 (443) Ebenezer Ministry Council Communication to Ministry Leaders: Ministry Planning Direction November 1, 2014 XI. Who do ministry leaders contact if they have questions or concerns regarding the ministry council? Council First Name Last Name Cell Birth Month Clubs Jimmi Littles, III Youth Ministry Rev. Michael Worthem Children's Ministry Rev. Clevette Ingram Children s Ministry Alyson Morrissette [email protected] Women's Ministry Sarah Finch [email protected] Women's Ministry Jacque Lott- Jackson [email protected] Men's Ministry Bob Pickens [email protected] Young Adult Ministry Candace Stanciel [email protected] Senior's Ministry Rev. Walter Hughes [email protected] Senior's Ministry Verdell Thompson [email protected] Christian Education James Abson [email protected] Christian Education Francine Allen [email protected] Community Engagement Clyde Chapman [email protected] Community Engagement Natalie Moore [email protected] Special Interest Ministries Ron Walton [email protected] Worship & Arts Ministry Dr. Tony McNeill [email protected] Worship & Arts Ministry Cynthia Terry [email protected] Ebenezer Events Glenda Boone [email protected] Media & Communications Cassandra Henderson [email protected]