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Region 7 Resources

Rev. Elder Brock is dedicated, as are all the Elders, to providing relevant and useful resources.  If you have any suggestions for area-specific resources that might be useful for Region 7 Churches, Clergy, or Laity, or if you have a particular request for a resource, please contact the Region 7 Resource Specialist, Rev. Dr. Sharon Bezner.  Regional resources found on this page are developed for and by regional staff, teams, and volunteers. Scroll down to view the resources available through the Region 7 office.  For other resources available at MCC, visit the main MCC Resources page.

To inquire about any of the listed resources, contact the Region 7 Resource Specialist, Rev. Dr. Sharon Bezner via email.

Small Group Studies

• Back to Faith (download the .zip file) – A 6 week series for those who are new in their faith or attempting to revisit and reclaim their faith.
• Spiritual Well Being (download the .zip file) - The series is organized to offer your church an individual study session or an entire year of Bible study.  The larger .zip file (all RTF files for easy formatting!) is  organized into two sections: Administration and Lessons.  The Administration folder includes your reference bibliography (.doc, .rtf, .pdf), a sample schedule flyer for a year-long series (.doc, .rtf), and a sample bulletin insert to advertise the year-long series (.doc, .rtf).     In the Lessons folder you will find each lesson set, including questions to prompt discussion.  You may also download each lesson set individually below!  The series has been compiled and provided to the Region 7 Office by Rev. Charles Garrison, Pastor of Central Texas MCC from the Heart in Waco, TX.
  • God is My CEO (.doc, .rtf, .pdf) – A 5 week series that includes topics like Success, Courage, Patience, Yielding Control and Tough Decisions
  • Talking About Genesis (.doc, .rtf, .pdf) – A 6 week series that explores very important but often “touchy” subjects, including Creation and the Apocalypse.
  • A Study of Other Faiths (.doc, .rtf, .pdf) – A 5 week series that offers a comprehensive look at other Communities of Faith and what they believe.  This is an opportunity for myths to be unraveled and respect to be garnered for our brothers and sisters in other religious traditions.
  • Life:  The School of Experience  (.doc, .rtf, .pdf) – Part I of this series includes 5 lessons about the some of the common, yet difficult, experiences of life.  Part II covers 3 lessons of additional topics.  Together they include Loneliness, Friendship, Love, Sorrow, Regret, Pain, etc.
  • Parables of Jesus (.doc, .rtf, .pdf) – A 4 week series that includes reflection on the parables of the Sower, Good Samaritan, Widow and the Unjust Judge, and the Father and his Two Sons.
  • A Study of Job (.doc, .rtf, .pdf) – A 4 week series that honestly explores suffering and our freedom to ask God, “Why?”
  • A Transgender Study (.doc, .rtf, .pdf) – A 4 week series that explores the issues that surround transgender issues and some of the Biblical stories that give light and insight to transgender sacredness.

Administrative Resources

• Board of Directors Handbook – available in hard copy or electronic file
• Pastoral Evaluation Kit  - includes Guidelines for Effective Reviews, Sample Rating Tool and Directions for Utilizing Rating Tool
• How to Create a Personnel Handbook
• Keeping Your House in Order Handbook – a notebook with a place to store important documents and numerous tips, directions, information about subjects like Workman’s Compensation in different states, role of lay delegates, risk management, bylaws and SOP’s, etc.
• Risk Management Guide – prepared by our denominational attorneys, Robert Brockman and Neal Meyers
• Writing Pastoral Contracts – prepared by Judy Dale, former chair of our Board of Administration
• Giving God Our Best – A Customer Service Survey for Churches developed by Rev. Jon Haack

Ministry Tools

• Becoming a Vibrant Church – includes workshop notes, PowerPoint slides and handouts as well as supporting devotions and newsletter articles. Click here!
• Church Vibrancy Assessment Tool – assists congregations in determining what areas of ministry need attention in order to bring them to a place of vibrancy.  Click here!
• God’s French Fries – a comprehensive tithing program which includes kick-off sermon, support materials, follow up strategies and all documents are available on CD.    Also downloadable here.
• Membership Class Support Materials – includes a PowerPoint presentation of talking points that review the History of MCC along with a Fun Facts Quiz.  A DVD of our history is also available.

Training Programs and Workshops

• Keys to a Vibrant Church – Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
• Let’s Talk About the AIDS Years – Joshua Love
• Deconstructing Met/Deconstructing Me – Joshua Love
• Clergy and Lay Leadership Training – Meth and HIV/AIDS – Joshua Love
• HIV/AIDS and Activism – Joshua Love
• Using Conflict to Transform Rather than Destroy – Dr. Jonelle Neighbor
• Developing Strategy and a Plan for Successful Ministry – Julie Krueger
• The Change Cycle:  Managing Transitions – Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
• Equipping Church Boards for Maximum Effectiveness – Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
• Rich Relationships – Lillie Brock and Juley Andersen
• Creating Programs for Effective Congregational Care – Rev. Dr. Sharon Bezner
• Managing and Equipping Volunteers – Rev. Dr. Sharon Bezner
• Mobilizing Communities for Social Action – Rev. Nori Rost and “Just Spirit”
• Fundraising Strategies for Every Size Church – Rev. Lea Brown
• Reaching 20 and 30 Somethings – Joshua Love
• Creative Worship – Rev. Colleen Daraugh
• Integrating Black Gospel Music into Your Music Program – Rev. Candy Holmes
• Large Church Transitions – Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
• Becoming a Visionary Leader (How To Lead and NOT Get in the Way!)) – Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
• The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Leaders – Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
• Developing Dynamic Music Ministries – Rev. Dan Koeshall
• Embracing the Transgender Community – Rev. David Wynn

Consultation/Intervention/Support

• Conflict Transformation Team
  • Conflict Intervention
  • Developing Covenants for Dealing with Conflict
  • Facilitation of Healing and Health
  • Programming for Transformative Conflict
  • Contract negotiation and Mediation
  • One-on-one mediation
  • Worship service evaluations and feedback
• Business Management Team
  • Review legal contracts
  • Assist in developing strategic plans, work plans, etc.
  • Assist with budget preparation
  • Assist with data base acquisition and management
  • Assist with online communication strategies and tools
  • Assist with fund development and asset management
  • Assist with the development of personnel policies and procedures
  • Assist with implementation of performance evaluations
• Community Connection Team
  • Intercessory Prayer Warriors
  • Send cards, make calls of congratulations, sympathy, get well, etc.
  • Provide a monthly e-letter to update region on prayer requests, celebrations, etc.
• Worship Resource Team
  • Provide specific worship support:
    • Do bulletins, orders of worship
    • Provide music, liturgy, etc.
    • Train worship leaders
    • Provide alternatives to sermons
    • Support lay ministers of worship
  • Pulpit fill when needed
  • Resources for different styles of worship
  • Support for excellence in worship
  • Hands on intervention during pastoral transistions

• Interim Pastor Network
  • Assistance in finding a trained and qualified Interim Pastor
  • Education Offerings
  • Support System for Interims

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