How did PLACE begin and how was the curriculum developed? PLACE was launched in 1999 at Council Road
Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where Jay McSwain,
president and founder of PLACE Ministries, served
as Associate Pastor of Ministry Development. Since that time, many
churches of various
sizes and from different denominations have participated
and responded positively by discovering their PLACE of ministry or
realizing they
need to serve in a ministry where they can better
maximize their unique design. The curriculum was developed by a multi-faceted
team.
Pastors, business executives and a psychologist teamed
together for design and accuracy. How does PLACE work?
Participants are led by a facilitator through a
comprehensive exploration of personal discovery. The
facilitator also helps them understand the biblical mandate for ministry.
Additionally, a one-on-one consultation helps direct them toward ministries
within the church where their gifts and abilities can be the most
effective and where they can find the most fulfillment.
Why do you call it a “process” rather than a “program”?
Aren’t the two synonymous when it
comes to churches? A program fills positions according to the need of the program, not
according to a person’s God-given design. Programs focus on
enlisting people for specific events or to head off a crisis. A process
is “a way of doing church.” Processes are people-centered,
not position-centered. Who are the best target groups for participating in PLACE within
a local church?
- “Pew warmers”.
- New church members.
- Potential church members.
- New Christians.
- Uncommitted members.
- Busy people.
- Senior Adults.
- Members with nonstandard work hours.
What PLACE Resources are needed to implement the process within the
local church?
- An Implementation Guide for beginning the process within a church.
- A
Facilitator’s Guide for leading the PLACE workshop within
a church.
- A Participant Set for each workshop
participant.
- A Consultation Guide for those who
will guide recent workshop participants through
their completed profiles and on to discovery of ministry
opportunities.
- Other resources and tools are available
to enhance the PLACE process.
Other than workshop training and curriculum, what do we need to implement PLACE in our church?
- Prepare wholeheartedly to implement PLACE as a process, not an
event.
- Realize processes take time.
- Commit to persistence, endurance and
patience in implementing the process.
- Start the
process where you are, not where you desire to
be.
- Be willing to give members more responsibility
and empower them to carry out ministry.
- Recognize
that the makeup of the church will determine the
ministries: make programs fit
people’s needs rather than
people fit the programs ’ needs.
- Train people for
ministry.
- Make sure you have teachable
people.
How do the ministries of my church receive the names
of potential volunteers?
PLACE Ministries has developed an online database so
that each church can input its PLACE profiles and then make that information
available to the ministry leaders. Also, upon completion of a consultation,
the consultant will refer the participant to the appropriate ministry
leader and notify the ministry leader of the interests of the participant.
Should PLACE be taught to the whole church at one time?
Ideally, no. This is primarily because of the one-on-one
consultation held between a trained PLACE consultant within your
church and the workshop participant. The consultant can best facilitate
the process if he or she accepts no more than four consultations
each month or one a week. To teach it to the entire church at one
time would take an unreasonable amount of time to complete.
Is PLACE implemented the same way within each church?
NO! Flexibility is key. You have the curriculum and
training to mold PLACE to the particular needs of your
church. No two places will be the same in carrying out the process.
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