Week 3 "Parliamentary Law"-Taylor Shanks

Robert's Rule of Order: 

For Fair and Orderly Meetings & Conventions

Provides common rules and procedures for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same language. The conduct of ALL business is controlled by the general will of the whole membership - the right of the deliberate majority to decide. Complementary is the right of at least a strong minority to require the majority to be deliberate - to act according to its considered judgment AFTER a full and fair "working through" of the issues involved. Robert's Rules provides for constructive and democratic meetings, to help, not hinder, the business of the assembly. Under no circumstances should "undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members or limit full participation. 

The fundamental right of deliberative assemblies require all questions to be thoroughly discussed before taking action!

The assembly rules - they have the final say on everything! 
Silence means consent!

• Obtain the floor (the right to speak) by being the first to stand when the person speaking has finished; state Mr./Madam Chairman. Raising your hand means nothing, and standing while another has the floor is out of order! Must be recognized by the Chair before speaking!
• Debate can not begin until the Chair has stated the motion or resolution and asked "are you ready for the question?" If no one rises, the chair calls for the vote!
• Before the motion is stated by the Chair (the question) members may suggest modification of the motion; the mover can modify as he pleases, or even withdraw the motion without consent of the seconder; if mover modifies, the seconder can withdraw the second.
• The "immediately pending question" is the last question stated by the Chair! Motion/Resolution - Amendment - Motion to Postpone
• The member moving the "immediately pending question" is entitled to preference to the floor!
• No member can speak twice to the same issue until everyone else wishing to speak has spoken to it once!
• All remarks must be directed to the Chair. Remarks must be courteous in language and deportment - avoid all personalities, never allude to others by name or to motives!
• The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations! When presented to the assembly and the question is stated, debate begins and changes occur!

The Rules

• Point of Privilege: Pertains to noise, personal comfort, etc. - may interrupt only if necessary!
• Parliamentary Inquiry: Inquire as to the correct motion - to accomplish a desired result, or raise a point of order
• Point of Information: Generally applies to information desired from the speaker: "I should like to ask the (speaker) a question."
• Orders of the Day (Agenda): A call to adhere to the agenda (a deviation from the agenda requires Suspending the Rules)
• Point of Order: Infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in speaking. Must be raised immediately after the error is made
• Main Motion: Brings new business (the next item on the agenda) before the assembly
• Divide the Question: Divides a motion into two or more separate motions (must be able to stand on their own)
• Consider by Paragraph: Adoption of paper is held until all paragraphs are debated and amended and entire paper is satisfactory; after all paragraphs are considered, the entire paper is then open to amendment, and paragraphs may be further amended. Any Preamble can not be considered until debate on the body of the paper has ceased.
• Amend: Inserting or striking out words or paragraphs, or substituting whole paragraphs or resolutions
• Withdraw/Modify Motion: Applies only after question is stated; mover can accept an amendment without obtaining the floor
• Commit /Refer/Recommit to Committee: State the committee to receive the question or resolution; if no committee exists include size of committee desired and method of selecting the members (election or appointment).
• Extend Debate: Applies only to the immediately pending question; extends until a certain time or for a certain period of time
• Limit Debate: Closing debate at a certain time, or limiting to a certain period of time
• Postpone to a Certain Time: State the time the motion or agenda item will be resumed
• Object to Consideration: Objection must be stated before discussion or another motion is stated
• Lay on the Table: Temporarily suspends further consideration/action on pending question; may be made after motion to close debate has carried or is pending
• Take from the Table: Resumes consideration of item previously "laid on the table" - state the motion to take from the table
• Reconsider: Can be made only by one on the prevailing side who has changed position or view
• Postpone Indefinitely: Kills the question/resolution for this session - exception: the motion to reconsider can be made this session
• Previous Question: Closes debate if successful - may be moved to "Close Debate" if preferred
• Informal Consideration: Move that the assembly go into "Committee of the Whole" - informal debate as if in committee; this committee may limit number or length of speeches or close debate by other means by a 2/3 vote. All votes, however, are formal.
• Appeal Decision of the Chair: Appeal for the assembly to decide - must be made before other business is resumed; NOT debatable if relates to decorum, violation of rules or order of business
• Suspend the Rules: Allows a violation of the assembly's own rules (except Constitution); the object of the suspension must be specific

List of how I might change Robert's Rules:

1. I would begin by arguing that we should maintain the language of Robert's Rules since it creates order and professionalism among peers within a group, i.e. the body of Christ
2. If they wish to be lead by the Spirit, there shouldn't necessarily be a moderator or someone who "chairs" any time of meeting because that means someone has precedence, but the Holy Spirit does.
3. There shouldn't be debate because that includes personal opinion, instead there should be prayer for the leading of the Holy Spirit because that would promote His leading rather than any form of personal opinion.  Making decisions would be based on the outcome of prayer.  

Three Problems with new method:

1. These groups who reject parliamentary law would never get anything accomplished because if they feel that it is a win/lose situation, how will they ever come to a consensus on something if no one wins?  
2. Second problem is the Holy Spirit could be leading people in different ways. Just because the body of Christ is being lead by the Spirit, it doesn't mean that they are all going to be lead in the same direction all the time.
3. Each person may have different convictions about a certain issue, so how can we possibly come to a consensus if the majority can't win at anything?

Week 3- "Hours Worked in Ministry" Taylor Shanks

I interviewed Ryan McCarty on January 29, 2009 at 3PM.

1. Study 3-4 hrs.

2. Administrative Work 8 hrs.

3. Services 4 hrs. (Sunday Only)

4. People 4-6 hrs.

5. Other job 20 hrs.

technology/website 2-3 hrs.

Family--rest of his time

Observations:

1.  The other pastors who I have known spend much more time on their sermons because of the way they prepare, their exegetical work takes much more time.  Ryan's way of preparing is a bit more unconventional so he spends less time than most. 

2.  Pastor Ryan also holds another part time job, which takes up 20 hours of his week, which is different than most full-time pastors, he does this to have extra support for his family.  

Week 4: Church Administration Melissa

Week 4: Administrative Work

I interviewed Jil Mazellan on Wednesday January 14th

2. List of how she spends her time:
- 20 to 30 hours a week of administrative work
- 4 hours working with children
- 6 hours in meetings
- ½ hour on time sheets
- 2 hours getting placements for Sunday
- 4-5 hours doing evaluations
- She is always returning e-mails as well

3. Observations:
- Jil is supposed to be part-time but it appears that she works full-time
- Even though she’s in ministry most of her time is spent in meetings
- She is more involved in equipping people for doing ministry than actually teaching/preaching herselfShe always has to be on top of administrative work for the ministry to go smoothly

Week 2 “Administrative Work” Tuesday Blog-Taylor

Week 2 “Administrative Work” Tuesday Blog

1) Who’d you interview and when?  I interviewed Pastor Ryan on Monday 1/26/09 at 2:30PM.

2) How much administrative or “office” work does he do? Pastor Ryan says depending on the week when he is working he could put in from 20 to 40 hours.  This week he said he would be putting in at least 40 hours. 8 of those hours include the billing and the mailers.  The other hours include sermon preparation, meetings, training, counseling, graphic art for marketing and for the website.  He didn’t give me the exact break down, but this seemed to be what he had for me.

3) I think this is a good reminder that there is a lot more that goes along with being a pastor than just preaching and teaching. Obviously, there are many hours that go into other tasks to help keep the church moving and keeping up in this society and time.  I recognize that I must prepare and be ready to take on such tasks that go along with being a preacher.  Basically it’s a WAKE up call to those who think being a preacher is going to be easy.  Balancing all these things plus having a family and maybe even an extra job like Pastor Ryan does reminds us of how busy a life of a pastor can be. 

 

Taylor Shanks-Essay on Leadership--Thursday Week 2

Week 1 1/15, What is leadership?

1)    What is leadership?

Leadership can be defined as a multitude of things depending on who is in the leadership position and to what he or she is leading whether it be a movement, a cause or a group of people. Leadership takes place in numerous scenarios taking on many different manifestations.  When I think of those who are leaders, each individual has led in his or her own unique way because God has used them regardless. 

Leaders are those who have abilities to guide others, assist decision-making.  They are not necessarily assertive, having the same personality type, but may carry a quiet leadership quality.  Those who are leaders are balanced individuals who have gifts and characteristics or influence over others. They are people who can be leaders in many realms of life differing in career paths, different ages, political and religious beliefs and differences of all kinds. 

Leaders are those who stand up for what they believe, religious or not.  In the realm of ministry, they take what they believe to death.  They dare to dream big and pursue them with endless heart.  Leadership takes al of someone, not part of them. 
2) What are several kinds of leadership in the Bible and example of each?

I was doing some research on the Internet and came across three types of leadership that comes from the Bible.  These include: “Leading the Unleadable,” “ Leading Yourself First,” and “Leading by Influence.”[1]  I wish to explain and share each of these types of leadership and show their importance to each Biblical story and example.  For example, Adam was the first man here on Earth, who had a direct relationship with God with no sin holding him back.  He could be defined as one who lead by influence because God created him to be the man of the household, the caretaker and the breadwinner.  Eve did the same as she led by influence over her children.  One could argue that both of these Biblical examples were also both leaders by example, because they are our first Biblical examples of a man and a woman.  If you take a look at Noah, he lead himself first because he had to follow God, and he went after the dream God gave him, heart and soul.  There are many more examples that we could think of…but this is what I’ve decided to include.

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[1] www.christianitytoday.com/let/2006/spring/13.33.html?start=1

Taylor Shanks-What do Evangelicals Believe About Tithing- Thursday-Week 1

            Tithing is both a necessary and important concept to the Christian faith and to be a good steward of the finances that God has blessed you with. It IS Biblical because the Israelites were required by law to give 10% of their income back to the Lord.  The Israelites are God’s chosen people and the Law was God’s commandment to us to obey.  As far as I am concerned disregarding the Old Testament would be heretical.  This new wave of evangelicals deciding for themselves about tithing and whether it is important or not, amplifies our individualistic culture.  See these verses to understand the Law about tithing, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:26, Deuteronomy 14:24, and 2 Chronicles 31:5.  It is disappointing that people can be so dismissive when it comes to something as serious and authoritative as Scripture. 

            We are called to give our full, our all to God.  He did not merely call us to be good, but to be great.  Doing, “the best you can do,” is not sufficient.  You should be able to trust the Giver of your paycheck to take care of your check.  It wasn’t your originally, give back what isn’t yours.  Ever heard the phrase, “return it better than you found it,” that should apply to tithing, return the money to where you found it better, possibly with an offering. 

            I have faith that there are enough Christians out there who still believe in the inerrancy of Scripture to understand that tithing is not an option, but a command.  As much as I am guilty of questioning the necessity of tithing, struggling financially can either motivate to move one away from tithing or to the Lord in obedience. As a good preacher once said to me, “You were born buck-naked, and you will die buck-naked.” Just remember this when you are keeping your money (which is His) from God.  

Week 2 - Essay on Tithing - Rachel

To me, tithing makes sense. After all, it’s not really our money. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” We are simply giving back what God has blessed us with. Besides, how else would churches function without tithing? The church is made up of people, and it’s the people who must support the ministry. No one is going to do it for them.

The Lord knows what we give and also what we are capable of giving. Although we don’t partake in sacrificial offerings anymore, the story of Cain and Abel comes to mind. Greed is a powerful thing and easily gets in between our Lord and us. We should give our very best to the Lord, just like the widower did in Mark 12:41-44: “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’”

Week 1 - Essay on Leadership - Rachel

What is Leadership?

I would describe leadership as what happens when a person is able to influence people around them no matter what position that individual is in. Leadership is about believing in something and helping others to work and reach “goals”. However, successful leadership only happens when the leader first handles him or herself correctly. A leader is willing to step up when no one else will and sets the example for others.

What are several kinds of leadership in the Bible?

Courage – David (Goliath)
Faithfulness and Loyalty – Esther
Wisdom – Solomon
Boldness – Paul
Vocal – John the Baptist
Compassion / Leading by Example– Christ
Determination – Moses

Melissa Curran's Leadership Essay

Week 1: Leadership Essay

Leadership is influence. It is the ability of a person to influence others. “A biblical leader is a person with God-given capacity and God-given responsibility to influence a specific group of God’s people towards His purposes for the group.” (J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader) A leader knows where they are going and they are able to persuade others to go along with them. They work to build a team that can achieve the common vision.

There are several kinds of leadership in the Bible and a variety of examples of each. Throughout Scripture there is the leadership of Christ. This is shown in Mark 3:13 when Jesus personally picks those that he wanted to work with. Then in Luke 11:1-13 Jesus leads through demonstration as he shows his disciples how to live. In Matthew 10:1-8 Jesus leads by getting involved in the practical needs of those around him. Then in Mark 6:30 Jesus shows leadership through accountability. Nehemiah is a great example of a leader from the Old Testament. In 1:3-4 he identifies with the people and then he has a vision. Peter and Paul are other key leaders in the book of Acts that take bold actions after having visions. In Nehemiah 2:6-9 readers learn that he leads from developing a plan or strategy. The Early Church did this by setting up a council of leadership to handle church matters. Nehemiah inspires those around him and encourages them. Then in chapter 3 he leads the people through delegating specific things for them to do. A great leader always enlists the people around them. In chapter 5 Nehemiah is always communicating with the people, much like the prophets throughout the Old and New Testament did. He doesn’t take advantage of his position but places himself as a servant to the people around him, like Jesus did.

Taylor Shanks- Church Budget- Week 1

Considering I had SUPER limited time to even obtain a budget from an already overly busy pastor, I decided to search online on a budget to dissect that might do for a substitute in trying to decipher the importance of church finances. 

So I choose the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's overall budget, which includes millions of dollars!

Here is their budget:

7.6 % spent on facilities, and communication and development services

19. 8% spent on denominational support and missions

20.7% spent on ministers and staff 

45% programs 

3 Observations:  

The most amount of money is spent on programming.

You would think they would be paying your staff more, more than on missions.

What are communication and development support besides helping facilities?

Taylor Shanks

Melissa Curran Week 1 Church Budget

Melissa's Church Budget:

Week 1: Church Budget

College Wesleyan Church
Interviewed Anne Bainbridge and Jil Mazellan Friday 01/09/09

46.6 % Ministers and staff incl. benefits

37.7% Facilities incl. Debt payments

7.2% Programs (education, evangelism, ect.)

8.49% Denomination support & missions



Three Observations of What I discovered:

The Church has grown in monetary support from last year
They are under their percentage of money allotted to programs Junior High and Senior High Ministries spent less money compared to last year