Career Ministry Best Practices Conference

12/10/2009

How are you helping those in your community that are looking for work? The jobless rate in Georgia for the fifth consecutive month is in double digits. We continue to hear stories of strangers, friends, family, and church family who are being laid off their jobs. Naturally the pinch is also being felt in our churches and many churches are letting staff people go. It is a stressful time for many and people need a word of hope. In response to this time, The Office of Connectional Ministries, Roswell United Methodist Church Job Networking Ministry and the Crossroads Career Network are joining together to teach area churches how to improve, grow or start a Career Ministry in your church. This is the ideal way to minister to others - when they have a real need.

This is an opportunity for churches to reach out to parishioners and the community to provide support and encouragement in the spirit of Christ. We need churches that will train and support job seekers. It is a chance for those looking for work to get some practical professional tips and for the church to extend a hand of hospitality and encouragement. Perhaps your church was created for such a time as this. One such church is Roswell United Methodist Church . They have a job networking ministry that reaches 250-350 people twice a month. Less than 5% of the job seekers attending are RUMC members. This is truly a community outreach. Some of their job seekers show up on Sunday morning, too. Other United Methodist churches with similar ministries are Peachtree Road, Cascade, Ben Hill, Snellville and Northbrook.

Please save the date and join us on February 27, 2010 at Roswell UMC. This event is for both Lay Leaders and Pastors. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. and the seminar will start at 9 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. and includes lunch. Look for more details including cost, coming soon on the Connectional Ministries webpage. Also check out the Advocacy webpage and look for the heading “Joblessness” to find information about those churches already engaged in this ministry.