DanH

Governance and Ministry: Why Worry?

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Makes the case for why leaders should care about governance — it is not bureaucracy but a way of enabling ministry and mission. An introduction to the G&M framework.

What Buck Stops Where?

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Addresses the common confusion about who is ultimately responsible for what — boards, clergy, or staff — and how to stop the buck-passing that leads to governance failures.

How to Delegate So Things Get Done

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Distinguishes between assigning tasks and truly delegating authority. How to give clear expectations, appropriate authority, and accountability to staff and volunteers.

Supplemental materials for 10/5/22 AIM Conference

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for participants in “Predicting and Shaping your Church’s Future”a workshop on 10/5/2022 with Dan HotchkissAssociation for Interim Ministers, Illinois & WisconsinDisciples of Christ & United Church of Christ Thank you for participating in this workshop. If you’d like to continue learning about any of the subjects we touched on, here are some options for you. … Read more

Becoming Staff – the 1998 classic version!

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by DAN HOTCHKISS When hiring staff, congregation leaders often ask, “Should we consider members?” Members have some obvious attractions. They are apt to be familiar with the congregation and its program, committed to its mission, and accustomed to working hard without pay. Furthermore, most staff roles pay too little to attract many strong candidates from … Read more

What to Say When Your Side Loses

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by Dan Hotchkiss “The ayes have it.” Curt put down his hand and looked across the table at Priscilla, who had also voted “no.” Priscilla smiled, shrugged, and joined the chatter about how to ask the membership to ratify the board’s decision. Curt was not smiling. By five to two, the board had voted to … Read more

What Size is Our Congregation?

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It’s harder to size up a congregation than it used to be. It’s still worth trying, though, because no one fact says more about a group of human beings than its size. A group of 20 people behaves differently from a group of 200, or 400, or 800. The question is: which number tells what … Read more

The Post-Construction Blues

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by Dan Hotchkiss
Few projects excite and galvanize a congregation more than a new building or a major renovation. People complain about construction delays, capital campaigns, and the general din and dust, but their blood pumps, their wallets loosen, and their enthusiasm rises. Lyle Schaller went so far as to generalize that congregations that build capital are happier than those that spend it. (read more)

Where’s Alban?

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by Dan Hotchkiss
The work of the Alban Institute continues—you just need to know where to look for it. Like rich man’s fortune in the Parable of the Talents, Alban legacy has been divided into three parts, each carried forward by a different group. (read more)