|
In 2005, the B.C. conference launched a new idea – to produce an event to equip and train local church administrators. The event was called ChurchWorks. It was well grounded in both need and Scripture. The apostle Paul, in Romans 12:6–8, said however you preach, teach, or support and encourage, do it well, with a glad heart. Take the responsibility seriously. The 2005 training event worked so well it was repeated in 2006, with added sessions to broaden its base. 
Ron Toews of MBBS–ACTS leads a workshop on strategic church thinking |
This year, course topics were broadened again to include not only office personnel, but pastors, program leaders, and lay workers. More than 200 people came. A second day was added to the schedule. Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford offered free use of its facilities, saving costs. Twenty different presenters offered a variety of workshops. Again, the Canada/US Pacific Border Chapter (a local chapter) of the National Association of Church Business Administrators participated in the training program.
B.C. conference administrator Marilyn Hiebert says ChurchWorks has been a long-time dream. The people who come are really appreciative and the workshops provide practical help to local church leaders. In late May, conference personnel will offer a similar program for the first time in Prince George in central British Columbia.
Training sessions this year were diverse. There were four tracks – office administration, financial/ legal and human resources, governance, and ministry. Courses included sessions on office organization and data management in churches, effective church boards, strategic thinking and planning in a church setting, new rules from Canada Revenue Agency governing charities, and “the secrets of generous churches.” 
Corwin Hiebert leads a workshop on Microsoft Outlook |
Keynote speakers reminded leaders that Jesus told Peter it’s his church, and that the best and most scriptural way to empower others is to encourage them.
Attendees praised the practical nature of the help they received. And, they said, they were encouraged!
—Barrie McMaster
Speakers say encouragement greases the cogs
B.C. conference minister Steve Berg flatly declares, “The church . . . works!”
Opening the first day of ChurchWorks 2007, Berg told local church leaders it’s sometimes marvellous to see how effectively churches can work. But, he said, there are other times when one is disappointed. That’s when he takes encouragement from Scripture.
“I’m filled with this kind of hope for the church, because the Bible itself declares that God’s church works,” he said. “The church works because we’re connected to Christ and to each other in his church.” That’s how God designed it, and that’s our promise, said Berg.
Associate conference minister Bob Friesen, in his keynote address, urged leaders to be encouragers. Many church leaders give up because they’re discouraged, said Friesen. “Discouragement is deadly and the evil one knows that he can render us ineffective if he can get us to lose courage.”
Friesen said, “The Bible has given us one of the easiest and most effective ways of empowering people and that’s to encourage them.” We can empower people by training them, giving them resources, and mentoring, he said. “But you already have the power to be used by God to change lives in a powerful way. God has commanded us to be encouragers.”
—BM |
| 
