Comments for Nancy's Views on the Landscape

Comment on Why This Ministry Matters by nheege

nheege — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:41:52 +0000

I have a couple of suggestions for you. You might buy a few copies of Big Ideas for Small Congregations: a Friendly Guide for Leaders, by Jane Dwinell and Ellen Germann-Melosh. It’s a great resource. Pass them around and take a few minutes at a Board or Committee meeting to discuss a chapter or two. Second, figure out ways to get members of your congregation to connect with members of another healthy congregation that’s nearby. Or send a delegation to visit another church; set up some a meeting with their leadership for that visit, and prepare some good questions to ask them. Good luck, Lizard!

Comment on Why This Ministry Matters by Lizard Eater

Lizard Eater — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:31:13 +0000

From my perspective, I think this is the greatest need in our denomination right now. My perspective: a member of 12 year old congregation that has struggled every single year. What we need most, right now, is someone to teach us how to “do church.”

Comment on All Too Common and Totally Preventable by nheege

nheege — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:10:35 +0000

Yes, Roger, I agree with all that you’ve said. Grooming our own replacements is a valuable service that volunteers can give to our congregations.

Comment on All Too Common and Totally Preventable by Roger Jones

Roger Jones — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:38:25 +0000

Thanks for bringing this up, Nancy.
The elderly mother of a high school classmate (and the mother-in-law of a family to whom I’m close in my midwestern home town) was sentenced recently for stealing from her Methodist church.
Of course, I trust all the treasurers of the churches I have served, but as with so many things this is about appropriate processes, both to protect volunteers from unfair accusations, to give confidence to members and prospective members that the church follows standard internal controls, and to make sure that other volunteers know how much work is involved in financial administration in church. Too often what the treasurer does is a mystery to people, and we are comfortable letting it stay that way for years. But it’s not good financial policy, it’s unfair to the volunteers, and it makes the transition to new treasurers very difficult. Ideally, I think, one of the additional financial volunteers is being groomed to step in when the treasurer is indisposed, or to step up when the treasurer’s term ends.

Comment on All Too Common and Totally Preventable by nheege

nheege — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:19:31 +0000

Yes, Jacqueline. And churches are sometimes reluctant to prosecute a church member or a staff member for stealing. Church leadership can be conflicted over their desire to be pastoral [depending on the "reason" for the theft] and their desire to see justice done [and the assets restored, if that's possible]. Better to put proper safeguards in place so that you never have to deal with this kind of situation.

Comment on All Too Common and Totally Preventable by jacqueline

jacqueline — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:10:41 +0000

This just happened in my town too. It was at the MCC church that rents from our UU church. The sad thing is it is a small town and if we had only known someone needed help I like to think we would have done something. She was fined and has to pay the church back something like $30,000. Terrible.

Comment on All Too Common and Totally Preventable by nheege

nheege — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:01:07 +0000

You’re right. They weren’t paying attention or they just didn’t know how to put the controls in place so this couldn’t happen.

Comment on All Too Common and Totally Preventable by h sofia

h sofia — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:49:31 +0000

That’s just ridiculous. I can’t believe one person was in charge of everything. It’s not even just about not trusting someone; it’s about not putting them in a position where they can be so tempted. Ridiculous.

Comment on Big Ideas for Small Congregations - a new resource! by Big Ideas for Small Congregations - a new resource! « Nancy’s Views on the Landscape « Vital Congregations

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:08:07 +0000

[...] Posted by Annette Marquis on February 14, 2008 Nancy Heege, District Executive in the Praire Star District, has posted some great information about a new resource for small congrgeations. Big Ideas for Small Congregations - a new resource! « Nancy’s Views on the Landscape [...]

Comment on Big Ideas for Small Congregations - a new resource! by nheege

nheege — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:19:14 +0000

Yes, John, I think it would be a great resource for “emerging congregations” [new or not yet affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association] because it’s so comprehensive. Glad to hear you’re going to Hutchinson! Safe travels!