Resources for Church Councils
Scavenger Hunt

1.	Spiritual exercises and group-building too
Strengthen your “muscles” for leading its true.
Begin and end meetings with this and you’ll see
It fits your agenda to a tee!

2.	Nominating Committee work no fun?
Do your current methods make folks run?
This practical, how-to book shows you bit by bit,
How to practice discernment and be led by the Spirit.

3.	A brand-new series from Augsburg Fortress for you
Each council needs the whole set, it’s true.
There are many books and they contain
Several facets of the leadership game.

4.	Part of the New Congregational Leadership Series, this book
Is Irene’s favorite and worth a look.
Although it’s title brings flow charts to mind
It puts vision and mission first, you will find.

5.	Is fun at church council meetings a waste?
Not when these books set the pace.
Trust building and teamwork make decisions fun
Go ahead, and try just one!

6.	An old, faithful stand-by, this book
Helps a church council take a look
At moving from maintenance to mission mindset
With practical suggestions, this one’s a good bet.

7.	The sacred cows of control and regulation
Get replaced by a ministry that gives permission.
Look in this book to see how it’s done
There is a chapter, it seems, for everyone!

8.	To celebrate God’s abundance each day,
Is counter-cultural, they say.
But our faith says, yes it’s true,
Stewardship and gratefulness is what we do.
These DVDs, power points and study guides are great
As a reminder that God’s children celebrate!

9.	Leadership development for Lutheran Church Councils—it’s great!
In video and notebook form, a workshop complete.
This can set your council on track
Going forward, and not drifting back!

10.	How do family emotional systems work in church life?
These books and videos can help us through the strife.
A non-anxious presence a leader can be
To help a congregation mature emotionally.

11.	A great parable about a trip to the city
Fear of speaking out and false consensus are not pretty.
To see and study what your group can do
Look at this DVD, study guide and power point, too.

12.	 “Evaluation,” is this such a dirty word?
Or can our ministry, pastors and leaders grow forward?
With help from this book on assessment of ministry
A council can gain direction with great integrity.

13.	A sequel to the fun video is our wish
How to keep the vision alive as seen in “Fish.”
A simple formula of just three things
Will help your leadership keep its wings
To fly aloft in effective ministry
Because everyone takes on accountability.

14.	Multigenerational—a congregation is called to be
“But how,” you ask, “in this age of diversity?”
This book provides tools for leaders to steer
A congregation through new practices and changes this year.

      15. A tour of ELCA Congregations that flourish
This video workshop is aimed to nourish.
A hospitality and discipleship how-to
Your congregational vitality it helps renew!

16.	Eugene Peterson, John Maxwell, to name a few
Have written a leadership training guide just for you.
A biblical passage attached to each of 12 themes
You thought this kind of devotion-training book appeared only in dreams!
 
17.	We want our children in church to be safe
These books will help you put policies in place
Our precious children to protect
By giving our kids a safety net.
18.	What to do in this time of chaos and change?
This video gives strategies for you to arrange
These two forces as positive tools
Where team-team work, creativity and productivity rule!

19.	Let’s talk about money, it’s not taboo.
If mission is focused, the money’s there too.
	This book provides a step-by-step guide
	So that on effective methods we can decide.

20.	Wow! Isn’t this website cool?
Click on the filing cabinet for many a tool!
From church policies to job description
A great help to council, that’s the prescription

21.	Administration, youth, worship, take your pick!
These and more to make ministries tick!
Resource Centers across the ELCA
Have sent these resources Greg Kaufman’s way.
Where he and his great staff post it for all to see
There isn’t even a user fee!

       22. For latest Synod news and views
At this website you can choose
Forms and files and Resource Center Connection
All posted for your information.   

        23.Ready-made Bible Studies that aren’t hard to lead.
You can find in this book devotions that succeed.
Compete studies run down the side-margin
Of this Bible—what a great bargain!

       24.Scanning the horizon for latest trends is a job
For council to keep ahead of the mob.
Cultural trends can impact the church
So this report can help in your search.

25.	Don’t have time to read a book?
Then in a magazine you can look
For practical ideas and resources galore
You couldn’t get this in any old store!