It's great to see the conversation about onboarding lay leaders happening here on Shareboard. It's certainly a significant issue across ministries.
On that note, a reminder that we have a resource on mentoring new board members you might find helpful. It's been posted since February, but with new people joining the platform all the time I wanted to draw your attention to it. You can view and download it here, and if you find it useful, let us know. Thanks!
Original Message:
Sent: 10-31-2023 06:32 AM
From: Bill L.
Subject: How do you onboard new lay leaders?
Hi, Cathy. Thanks for your question.
Members and staff from several churches across our circuit created a non-profit organization to take advantage of opportunities where we are stronger working together than as individual churches. Areas include service projects, training (for example, we have brought in speakers to help with evangelism, digital ministry and spiritual gifts) and cross circuit fellowship. Events are open to congregations across the circuit (and some events were extended to the district as well). A few of the congregations provide the financial footing for C-10's needs, and contributions from churches are optional. We have volunteers from a cross-section of the churches and our BOD consists of members and staff from 4-5 of the circuit's churches.
If you have more questions, I would be happy to put you in touch with C-10's president as he would be happy to discuss.
In Him,
Bill
Original Message:
Sent: 10/28/2023 11:09:00 AM
From: Cathy Walz
Subject: RE: How do you onboard new lay leaders?
@Bill L. -- could you share more information about this collaboration team across your circuit. Pastors benefit from meeting with their counterparts in their circuit and I feel that the lay leaders of the various churches could benefit as well. How was this lay collaboration group formed and how is it managed?
Thanks!
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Cathy Walz
St. John Lutheran
Original Message:
Sent: 10-27-2023 07:16 AM
From: Bill L.
Subject: How do you onboard new lay leaders?
Hi. For onboarding new leaders, we try to 1) set expectations ahead of time by writing a "job description" of what is involved in their role so they know what is needed and the time commitment desired from their service, and 2) the majority is "on the job training" from the person they are replacing to catch the new leader up to speed. That training is informal and what is covered is determined by those involved. I would also add 3) the new leader reads and understands the church constitution and bylaws.
Also, a collaboration team across our circuit churches created a series of Biblical Leadership videos. Each video (aside from the intro video) comes with a handful of questions meant to start reflective dialog. The videos and question sheets can be found here: www.c10ministry.com/leadership These can be used by existing leadership groups as well.
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Bill L.
SPLC
Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2023 04:43 PM
From: Dave Kuschel
Subject: How do you onboard new lay leaders?
We recently did a survey of lay leaders in the LCMS and 33% of those who responded said they had no orientation upon starting in their lay leadership role.
What about your ministry? How do you onboard and train new lay leaders? What has worked... and what hasn't?
Also, for some great ideas on helping new leaders be their best, check out our resource on a Board mentoring program.
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Dave Kuschel
Senior Director of Communications
Concordia Plans
St. Louis MO
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