Session 2—Your Office: Organization, Personnel, and Job Description

Synopsis

Understanding your office begins with the Church Manual's definition: the Personal Ministries leader is elected by the church to lead in training and directing the church in active outreach service and serves as chairperson of the Personal Ministries Council. You follow a noble heritage of workers—Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Philip, and countless others across two thousand years who tirelessly won converts. Practically, your line of authority places you working closely with the pastor and as a member of the church board, while the community services leader, interest coordinator, Bible study leaders, lay evangelism and literature coordinators, and other outreach workers report to you. This is not a token position: the Handbook recommends devoting two evenings a week, or one evening and a Sabbath afternoon, to the work. Your duties include planning with other leaders, communicating regularly with members about witnessing opportunities, and managing programs with careful attention to detail—while remembering that every project is a process, not a goal, so no one need feel defeated if one approach fails. Above all, your role is one of service, not control: supply cabinets and resources exist to help others succeed, not to be guarded. Leadership in this office calls for prayer, faith, courage, and decisive action.