Two volunteer groups who work mostly behind the scenes in support of parishes across the diocese--the Congregational Business Consultants and the Congregational Coaches--have announced that they are joining forces in this new year so that they can continue to do what they do best by doing it together.
As these consultants and coaches--about 50 in all--make their way around the diocese helping parishes with payroll systems, annual audits, vestry retreats and strategic planning, they are doing work that "we don't talk about from the pulpit" but which can be "deeply spiritual," Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE said during a joint meeting of the two groups on Dec. 17. "I wanted to be here today to say thank you, because you've taught me over the years that this ministry is critical to building up the body of the church. You've preached a sermon to me through your work," Shaw said.
"What you give to the life of the diocese isn't just practical. There's a creativity and a kind of hopefulness that you offer when you help a congregation see that there is an answer to a problem or when you bring a wider perspective and a sense of not being alone that wasn't there before," Shaw said.
Tracy J. Sukraw
Consultant of the Year Joyce Harrington with Bishop Tom Shaw
The group used the occasion to honor two of its own by naming Joyce Harrington of St. Barnabas's Church in Falmouth as Congregational Business Consultant of the Year and Philip Whitbeck of the Parish of St. Paul in Newton Highlands as Congregational Coach of the Year.
The Congregational Business Consultants were first convened in 2004 and now comprise about 20 volunteers from parishes around the diocese who come from various business professions. Their mission is to foster sound business practices in churches, and they are available to consult with congregations about things like annual budgeting and audits, property and building issues and financial planning.
The Congregational Coaches came into being around the same time. They number about 30 professionals, also from diocesan parishes, who have been trained to work with congregations to promote health and vitality. That work includes leadership development, mutual ministry reviews to assess how lay and ordained leaders are working together to accomplish goals, strategic planning and conflict mediation.
It makes sense for the two groups to work in concert, their coordinators say, since their members have complementary skills and often find overlap in their work.
Tracy J. Sukraw
Bishop Tom Shaw with Coach of the Year Philip Whitbeck
"A business consultant might go into a parish nominally about a money problem that ends up being a symptom of some deeper congregational issue that requires a coach, or the other way around," Chris Meyer said. He is the coordinator of the Congregational Business Consultants and a member of the Parish of St. Paul in Newton Highlands.
Better coordination is also a goal of the merger. "Coaches and consultants often play a dual role, and we've been seeing an increasing need for a coordinated team approach and cross-training," the Rev. Karen Montagno, Director of Congregational Resources and Training, said. She coordinates the coach program. "By coming together we also increase our numbers and capacity," she said.
Payment is voluntary for services provided to congregations by consultants and coaches.
"You have to think of this as a volunteer group, and a really dedicated and active one," Meyer said. "It is people who want to give back to their church and who have a specific set of skills that they believe can be of use. That passage from Romans about the body of Christ having many members with different functions? That's almost the mantra of the consultants these days."
--Tracy J. Sukraw
New consultants and coaches are welcome. To learn more contact Chris Meyer (cmeyer@diomass.org or 617-527-2739) or the Rev. Karen Montagno (kmontagno@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 413).
The Congregational Business Consultants will offer their annual business practices workshops on Feb. 22 and March 1, 8 and 22 at locations, still to be determined, around the diocese.