The Congregational Resource Guide
Is one-stop “shopping” for many resources. This is basically the “Google” for congregational resourcing!
Counseling | Coaching | Mental Health | Congregational Care
If you are in need of mental health or coaching resources for yourself or your congregation we highly recommend the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Capital Region. Samaritan has offices around the Presbytery is is our go-to resource for clergy and congregations. Contact Dr. Keli Rugenstein who is the Director of the Clergy and Congregation Consulting Program. Keli’s group can assist your congregation with needs around organizational change, conflict management and they administer the Congregational Assessment Tool through Holy Cow! Consulting.
Mental Health Resources
Congregational Resource Guide (CRG)
You can stay informed about mental health resources on the Congregational Resource Guide (CRG). The CRG features web resources, organizations, books, articles and more to help your congregation increase knowledge about mental health and how to support those with mental illnesses and their families.
CRG resources are curated by our staff. Descriptions are written by us and additional topic information is provided by the experts. If you’re looking for information on other subjects, go to the CRG and type your topic into the search bar.
A New State of MindA New State of Mind is a one-hour documentary unfolding the stories of everyday people. Yet, notables, such as Patrick Kennedy, also relate their recovery journey from mental health challenges. Award-winning actress and mental health advocate Glenn Close narrates the film. Professionals, politicians, blue collar workers, veterans, family members and those living on the streets share testimonials of hope and resilience. Click here to read more.
Mental Health Ministries is dedicated to providing resources that help faith communities become more caring and supportive of people and families living with mental illness. The DVD Caring Congregations provides a five-step model of education, commitment, welcome, support and advocacy. It is also available in PDF format. These materials are beneficial for small group discussion health ministry teams developing education and awareness programs. Click here to read more.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Education, support, advocacy and research are central to NAMI’s national, state and local activities and goals. NAMI offers, at no cost to participants, a variety of peer-led education courses and support programs for family members, individuals with a diagnosis and the general public. Read more…
Pathways to Promise is an interfaith organization promoting supportive faith-based ministries for people with mental illness and their families. With liturgical, educational, awareness and networking resources, Pathways equips clergy and lay leaders at all levels of religious groups – local, regional and national. Faith groups can download training manuals to develop a mental health team, a mental health training collaborative or a companionship ministry. Read more…
Congregational Coaching
Silver Bay Presbytery Meeting, June 4, 2016
Associate for Congregations Report, The Rev. Dr. Timothy Coombs
Congregational coaching seeks to bring a group of representative leaders together to discover and plan for a new path forward for the church. Can a congregation do all this without a coach? Perhaps, but why would you want to do so. It is much easier with a coach. A congregation is less likely to get off track than without one. You can learn more in Tim’s blog: Congregational Coaching.
Communication Resources
- Online Communication Resources – A list of resources, ideas and suggestions for people looking to set up communications within their church community. We plan to update this document as it evolves and encourage you to share your ideas, resources, your experience on what has worked and what hasn’t.
- E-News – Subscribe to E-News, How to Submit Information for E-News: Click Here
- Communications Overview – Article and Video
- Communications plan – where do you start? – What does biology have to do with communications?
- Website – How the Right Website Strengthens Communications
- Blogging – Blogging with the Presbytery?
- Facebook – 6 Questions and Answers about Facebook
- Engagement: How do we get out the word? – Engagement is the Key to Sustainability
- Free online tool for creating graphic images – Images that Make an Impact: Video
(The “Work Version” is also Free for Non-Profits. Just complete this application.) - Albany Presbytery Website Video Overview: Phase 2 Updates – Jan 2017
Online and Social Media
- #chsocm (Weekly Twitter class for congregational leaders about social media best practices)
- TechSoup (an online shopping center for nonprofits where you can get software at a discounted rate)
- NonProfit Tech for Good (great webinars, resources and best practices. Hosts a weekly informational newsletter)
Educational Resources
- Association of Presbyterian Church Educators
- Theocademy Membership Training, Elder and Deacon Training, Confirmation via Open Source Video
- Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
- PCUSA Curriculum
Worship
Stewardships/Funds Development
- Lake Institute
- Presbyterian Foundation (click on their resources tab for congregational resources)
- Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate
- New York Council on NonProfits (Albany Presbytery is a member and they have excellent resources on just about everything)
Congregational Change
- I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church (we are reading this across the Presbytery during 2015 in the COM and Regional Congregational Groups)
- Tom Rainer’s Blog
- A Church for Starving Artists
- Faith and Leadership at Duke Divinity School
- NEXT Church
We continue to build resources all the time!
If you have resources to add please send them to [email protected] and we’d be glad to add them to this growing resource list.
