'So What Does ABCORI Actually Do?'
Recently someone asked, “So what does ABCORI actually do?” Rather than being critical, the questioner seemed genuinely curious about what ABCORI does. Perhaps implicit was a second question: “And what difference does it make to my church and me?”
Some churches or individuals may think of ABCORI as a resource only in times of transition or crisis—pastoral searches or congregational conflict, for example. A key component of ABCORI’s ministry is to serve as a resource for its member churches and their leaders in such times, but ABCORI’s work is much broader than that.
A major part of ABCORI’s mission is to be an ongoing resource for its churches and their leaders and members. Here are some of the ways the organization is fulfilling that mission:
ABCORI has the goal of continuing to expand its offerings for member churches. It also will work to encourage more churches to avail themselves of the programs and resources it has to offer.
Recently someone asked, “So what does ABCORI actually do?” Rather than being critical, the questioner seemed genuinely curious about what ABCORI does. Perhaps implicit was a second question: “And what difference does it make to my church and me?”
Some churches or individuals may think of ABCORI as a resource only in times of transition or crisis—pastoral searches or congregational conflict, for example. A key component of ABCORI’s ministry is to serve as a resource for its member churches and their leaders in such times, but ABCORI’s work is much broader than that.
A major part of ABCORI’s mission is to be an ongoing resource for its churches and their leaders and members. Here are some of the ways the organization is fulfilling that mission:
- ABCORI offers original programs, such as the weekly Elder Care Ministries coffee chat series and the upcoming Gathering by Still Waters events for pastors.
- ABCORI staff create and facilitate congregational workshops on specific topics of interest or concern, such as loss, congregational care, and envisioning the future.
- ABCORI hosts fellowship opportunities, such as the recent summer gathering.
- ABCORI staff regularly field questions from church leaders on topics ranging from church sales-tax exemption to ordination criteria to personnel policies to education resources to concluding a church’s ministry.
- ABCORI maintains a list of available pulpit supply preachers, and its staff preach in a number of churches.
- And ABCORI is available as a guide through pastoral searches, congregational conflict, or other times of transition or crisis.
ABCORI has the goal of continuing to expand its offerings for member churches. It also will work to encourage more churches to avail themselves of the programs and resources it has to offer.
Board of Ministries Makes Presentation at Sharing Sessions
During two recent sessions, members of ABCORI's Board of Ministries shared a presentation about ABCORI's financial situation; the use of Canonicus Camp and Conference Center; the insurance-related complication; where the various factors have led; and where things currently stand. (Click here to read the presentation.)
During two recent sessions, members of ABCORI's Board of Ministries shared a presentation about ABCORI's financial situation; the use of Canonicus Camp and Conference Center; the insurance-related complication; where the various factors have led; and where things currently stand. (Click here to read the presentation.)
Board 0f Ministries Makes Decision About ABCORI Property
Making a difficult decision that will have significant impact is never to be taken lightly nor approached casually. That is why the ABCORI Board of Ministries devoted several years to serious discussion, prayerful reflection, and careful review of extensive financial data, two special task force reports, related information from a variety of other sources, and ABCORI’s challenging insurance situation before making a decision about the future of ABCORI’s property.
On July 9, the Board of Ministries voted unanimously to begin the process of selling ABCORI’s Canonicus Camp and Conference Center in its entirety.
The sale of the property will generate funds to expand the ministries and programs ABCORI provides for its member churches and their pastors, as well as to develop new ministry opportunities.
The details of the sale are yet to be determined. Possibilities include seeking a buyer(s) who would develop all or portions of the property for new uses and/or selling some or all of the property for conservation.
The board’s Executive Committee is to gather specific information about those possibilities. The full board then will discuss and vote on the specifics of the sale once that information is available.
The attached background information may provide a helpful context for understanding the ABCORI Board of Ministries’ decision. (Click here for the background information.)
Making a difficult decision that will have significant impact is never to be taken lightly nor approached casually. That is why the ABCORI Board of Ministries devoted several years to serious discussion, prayerful reflection, and careful review of extensive financial data, two special task force reports, related information from a variety of other sources, and ABCORI’s challenging insurance situation before making a decision about the future of ABCORI’s property.
On July 9, the Board of Ministries voted unanimously to begin the process of selling ABCORI’s Canonicus Camp and Conference Center in its entirety.
The sale of the property will generate funds to expand the ministries and programs ABCORI provides for its member churches and their pastors, as well as to develop new ministry opportunities.
The details of the sale are yet to be determined. Possibilities include seeking a buyer(s) who would develop all or portions of the property for new uses and/or selling some or all of the property for conservation.
The board’s Executive Committee is to gather specific information about those possibilities. The full board then will discuss and vote on the specifics of the sale once that information is available.
The attached background information may provide a helpful context for understanding the ABCORI Board of Ministries’ decision. (Click here for the background information.)