About Resourcing

How do you and your congregation choose and use a book, a consultant, or other resources effectively and faithfully? This question takes on greater urgency as the number of resources multiplies and congregations make more of their own choices.

Beyond this question lies others. For example, how do you adapt or apply a resource in a very small congregation—or a very large one? What about resources used in particular congregational settings (urban, suburban, rural)? Can evaluation tools from business be adapted to congregations in meaningful ways? And how closely should a congregational resource be tied to a denomination's polity or agenda?

We hope that the materials in this section will assist your own resourcing—as well as help you to understand the perspectives that have shaped the Congregational Resource Guide.

Getting the Most Out of an Educational Event. The Indianapolis Center for Congregations offers these four suggestions for getting the most out of an education event or seminar. These suggestions apply not only to Indianapolis-area congregations who attend programs sponsored by the ICC, but also to congregations and educational events generally.

"May We Help You?" and Other Dangerous Questions
Alban Research Director Ian Evison explains why a resoure provider's most basic attempts to be helpful can touch on troubling issues of denominational polity. He also offers ten points on how to be truly helpful to those who call or visit your resource center or denominational office.

Outside Help—When to Use a Consultant
Sue Weber of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations reminds us of the ways that an outside consultant can truly benefit a congregation. This article suggests some important things to consider when considering, choosing, and contracting with a consultant.

Working with Consultants. When congregations need an outside source of help, consultants can provide valuable support. Here are some wise thoughts on working with a consultant—including the advice to convene a core working group and to include the consultant's work in the prayer life of the congregation. Also featured are helpful boxes listing items to include in a contract, questions to ask a potential consultant, and common misconceptions about consultants.

Relating to Contractors. Here is a great list of important points to remember when hiring a building contractor. Emphasized is the importance of early planning, finding the right contractor for you, being proactive, and expecting the unexpected (among other things). With a "learn more " appendix of relevant resources, this document from the Indianapolis Center is a must-have for congregations needing to remember the essentials of wise contracting.

Is Resourcing a Trend?
Ian Evison examines the ways that denominations have moved away from "managing" congregations and towards "resourcing" them. Those who are most involved in the day-to-day work of resourcing will find these insights on current trends particularly valuable.

"Do You Have a Methodist Book on Strategic Planning?": Resourcing Godly or Ungodly
Ian Evison invites us to think about the role of faith in recommending resources. Acknowledging the tension between offering resources that honor faith traditions and offering resources that speak generically (even secularly) to a congregation's needs, he provides suggestions for being helpful from your own center of faith.