In New Life through Shared Ministry, Judith Urban creates a pathway for building a shared ministry system. She assists readers in transforming their congregation into one where members are invited into volunteer ministry; people are matched according to their gifts and interests with ministry opportunities; volunteers are offered support, training, and appreciation; and all grow to spiritual maturity through that ministry. This comprehensive guide is based on Urban's consulting, training, and planning with shared ministry directors and teams the past 12 years, her experience building a shared ministry system in a congregation, and her own studies in the field of volunteer management. Urban observes that shared ministry is a way of being church together that creates a distinctive congregational culture. It encompasses the many ways members of a congregation serve their faith community and the wider community. It is based on the concept that all are called to participate in the work of the church bringing the good news of God s saving grace to the world. It is also a system of interrelated parts that work together to bring the concept into reality. Congregations that grow a shared ministry culture are able to facilitate the unique work God gives each member and the community as a whole, creating a system that supports the people of God as they carry out excellent, effective ministry.
Judith A. Urban has been a consultant for fifteen years, working with congregations on volunteer issues. She served on the education committee of the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration, is the past chair of the Association of Directors of Church Volunteer Ministries in Minnesota, and has six years hands-on experience building a shared ministry system for a growing congregation.
Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1: What Is Shared Ministry Anyway? Chapter 2: Why Shared Ministry? Chapter 3: Working with Staff Chapter 4: Creating a Base of Support Chapter 5: Taking the First Steps Chapter 6: Doing a Churchwide Recruitment Drive Chapter 7: Celebrating Ministry, Expressing Gratitude Chapter 8: Keeping Everybody Safe Chapter 9: Understanding the Place of Gifts in Shared Ministry Chapter 10: Putting the Pieces Together Conclusion Suggested Resources Notes
The new life that comes from a respectful and healthy shared ministry system is felt by all: the congregation, the individual, the ministries, and those they serve. Through this book you get the insight of someone who has done this work. -- Jan Frederickson, Director of Shared Ministry, Nativity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN Judy Urban not only offers a comprehensive and thorough roadmap for growing a culture of shared ministry in your congregation, but clearly delineates the benefits of doing so. -- Sally Carlson-Bancroft, Coordinator of Volunteer Support & New Member Welcome, The Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis, MN Church people often ask me, 'So, just how do you get 3,000 volunteer ministers involved?' If you read Judy Urban's thoughtful book and work through her steps, you too will have the answer. Soon others will be asking you, 'Just how do you get all those volunteers ministers involved?' -- Barb Orzechowski, Pastoral Associate for Shared Ministry, Church of St. John Neumann In New Life through Shared Ministry, Judy Urban has provided congregations a masterpiece both for revitalizing their congregations and for being faithful to God's call to all people to be ministers in the church and the world. -- Jean Morris Trumbauer, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, United Theological Seminary in Minnesota Building a culture of shared ministry in a congregation is essential for engaging members as partners in the work of the church. New Life through Shared Ministry is an invaluableresource to help a congregation get started. -- Marion Clark, Director of Shared Ministry, St. Bartholomew Catholic Faith Community
