Leaders Guide to the special Cooperative Ministries edition of The Tennessee Annual Conference REVIEW for October 3, 2008

By the Rev. Joe Bowers*

Cooperative ministries can take many forms; typically the ministries involve two or more churches working together as partners for a common mission purpose. Cooperative ministries also include churches working in partnership with other groups to provide ministries that go beyond the local church capabilities.
Here are a few suggestions that you might find helpful.

Suggestions for utilization of the Review:

*After reading the articles have participants with missional interest discuss and seek a common understanding or definition of Cooperative Ministries as it pertains to your church.
(Find a working definition and common ground with key people.)

*Assess your local church’s current cooperative ministry activities.
(What are we doing? Do any of the ministries reported in the Review resemble our ministries?)

*Reflect on previous cooperative ministries in which your church has been involved.
(What have we done?)

*Prayerfully consider possibilities that God has placed on your hearts for ministry in cooperation with other churches and/or non church groups.
(Brainstorm about possibilities, how can we see the need?)

*Search for persons in your local church who have gifts for potential involvement in current ministries or could give support to developing future cooperative ministries.
(Assess and tap your resources.)

*Hold a church wide event to share with your congregation what is going on and explore future possibilities for cooperative ministries.
(Promote cooperative ministries and educate your congregation.)

*Plan to co-op with other churches in you district to expand your ministries and connect with others in mission by requesting an educational training event utilizing conference and general board resources.
(Seek to reach outside your church for expansion and training.)

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The lead article in the October 3rd issue of THE REVIEW is by Julia Kuhn Wallace, a staff person with the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. A book she has written with Edward A. Kail can be used with this guide and the October 3rd REVIEW to expand a local church’s exploration of Cooperative Ministries.

Partnersteps
Developing Cooperative Ministries Today
By Edward A. Kail, Julia Kuhn Wallace
This resource is a workbook to form healthy cooperative ministries. It provides a process and guidelines to move from mission to shared ministry. This book is especially useful for ministry teams, any church wanting to work cooperatively, and those already sharing a pastor.

$13.00 Ten or More: $11.05 each 96 PagesISBN# 0-88177-357-3, order at gbod.org and use order# DR357

*Joe Bowers is an active member of the Tennessee Annual Conference Cooperative Ministries Committee.