Resources

We know that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has become a worldwide concern and is on the top of everyone’s minds. The following email will provide some guidance for your and your leaders on how to handle this global concern.

First and foremost, God “has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Therefore, we serve in confidence that God controls all things. It also means we should lead with wisdom and insight, gaining the counsel of others (Proverbs 11:14).

Given the nature and gravity of the Coronavirus, your leadership now is more than spiritual; it has a communal nature and you should therefore practice a strong duty of care towards those in your ministry area. At this point, closing Sunday services doesn’t seem to be warranted but you should carefully monitor the situation, looking for the location of any recently reported outbreaks. Gauging the temperature of your congregants will also help you make such determinations. In the meantime, what should you do?

Let people know of the actions your church is taking.
Please consider the following items as a minimum level of response, by letting people know that:

You are dedicated to offering a clean and safe environment.
Your facilities are cleaned regularly.
In addition to hand soap available in the bathrooms, you have a supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizers available for use at every service time and location.
You plan to continue our weekly services but are monitoring the situation and following recommendations from state and local government agencies.

Provide examples of best practices for not spreading germs.
These include, but are not limited to the following:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home if you are not feeling well.
Cover your mouth and nose with your forearm when coughing and sneezing.
Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds at a time. Use soap and water when possible.
If no soap and water are available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.

Share encouragement through scripture.

The following verses provide hope and inspiration to God’s people in times of need.

Psalm 91:5-7: You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
Psalm 91:10-11: No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Luke 12:25-26: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Continue in prayer.
We know prayer is a powerful force and our prayers are the very thing our world needs right now. Be fervent in prayer (1 John 5:15; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Romans 12:12).

Stay informed.
The news around the Coronavirus is changing rapidly. Always refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state, and local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.

The State Office is available to you as a resource.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to find the support you need.

Balancing personal comfort and convenience with monetary expense can be difficult. The purpose of this policy is to ensure fair travel reimbursement while preserving resources for ministry. This policy applies to those who travel on behalf of TXM such as Board of Ministry members, recognized committees and teams appointed by the Board of Ministry. The policy expects each participant to use the cheaper form of travel unless approved otherwise. All questions on the policy should be directed to the state office (timothybwest@mac.com).

When using a personal vehicle, the reimbursement is $.30 per mile and must be relegated to TXM business use only. Mileage will be reimbursed for travel directly to and from the meeting/event location from the traveler’s home. Though not initially requested, please save records so that, upon request, you can submit either an odometer reading, with the beginning and ending mileage, or a printout from an internet-based map documenting the mileage.

NOTE: The traveler will be reimbursed for whichever is less — an airline ticket or mileage. If you drive and it would have cost less to fly, you will only be reimbursed for the cost of the airline ticket.

When traveling by public transit (air, train or bus), reimbursement will be given for coach fare and checked baggage as needed. Flights must be booked at least 21 days in advance of the meeting/event. Every effort shall be made by the travelers to find economical airfare. All flights are to be booked in the coach section. Any ticket over $300.00 must be cleared through the State Administrator or BOM Treasurer prior to purchase. If tickets are booked less than 21 days in advance of the meeting/event, the traveler may be asked to pay the difference.

Is Your Church Safe?

The policy and practice of the Church of God with General Office in Anderson, Indiana is that congregations generally hold title to their own properties. The Church of God, however, is more than an aggregation of location congregations; it is also a fellowship of believers with necessary organizations and agencies for administering local, state, and general church programs to promote and protect ministry. Thus we are interdependent upon one another.

A congregation, along with its governing body, must be concerned that the title to its property is in good order and that the property remains in the use of the Church of God for the purpose originally intended. Most congregations purchase or have purchased property through the generous donations of persons within the local congregation for use as a local Church of God. Sometimes these properties were acquired with the assistance of area, state, regional or national bodies of the Church of God. The donors were asked to donate and did so for the express intent and discerned vision for the ministry of the local Church of God congregation. This raises the issue of whose property it is when there is a question within the local congregation. Thus, there are some concerns about safeguarding the title to the property and its improvements to comply with the donor's intent.

It is often assumed that since a congregation exists today, in its current form, it will forever exist in that form. However, time changes all things, even local church bodies. With change comes the possibility of loss; wise church leaders seek to prevent this from happening. Consider the follow loss possibilities for a local congregation:

An imperfect or faulty title(s);
Inadequate organization of the local church for business purposes;
"Hostile takeover" from an outside person or group;
Disintegration of the local church and the power to act legally is stymied; and,
And individual of the congregation seeks to profit personally from the property.

Fortunately, the safety deeding process provides a high level of security that the properties donated and used by the Church of God congregation can remain in the Church of God family should any of the reasons for potential loss (noted above) come into play. The linked video below proves additional insights into the value and virtues of a Safety Deed Program.

http://youtu.be/7JRNIfrX23Q

(Note: if your congregation currently has a deed with words like Board of Church Extension or Anderson on it, then contact the church office today. These deeds may likely need repair.)

This CHILD SAFETY POLICY is designed to give you a helpful, thorough, and professional template to guide your Children's Ministry. Here are some recommendations in how to use it.

1. Read it carefully and make it your own. Change the name from "Your Church" to the actual name of your church. If you need the Word document, let us know. If you would prefer to pay someone to make the changes, we can have someone do this for you for a $25.00 fee.

2. Have your board officially adopt the statement. While this is not required legally, many churches find that a policy of this nature has better results when backed by the board.

3. Implement it. Read it and put it into place in your congregation.

4. Train your staff and teachers regarding the document. Make sure they understand it. If you would like help with this, contact Tim West.

5. Inform your parents. It is important that they know and understand a policy that affects their children.

6. Notify your insurance provider. Some companies offer a discount to churches that have a clear and enforceable protection policy.

For questions or assistance, please contact the TXM office. We are here to serve you!

Interns are to serve Texas churches only.
Only junior or senior level Christian Ministry degree seeking students from Church of God institutions are eligible.
Internship duration is a minimum of 10 weeks, generally conducted during summer months.
Prospective participants will first be screened, approved and recommended by the local academic institution through whatever means the institution determines effective for said recommendation. Coordination between the partnering academic institution and the TXM State Administrator’s office will be made to help ensure the recommended intern is matched to a suitable TXM congregation.
The scholarship distribution will be applied only to tuition up to the amount of $5,000, as designated by the academic institution. The academic institution from which the intern originates will also perform processing of all scholarship funds.

The internship job description will vary based on the discretion of the local church hosting the intern. This job description will be generated in concert with the State Administrator’s office.
The local congregation will be responsible for room and board. Additional stipends are encouraged and arranged at the approval of the State Administrator’s office. The recommended stipend is $150.00-200.00 per week, but generosity for ministry students should always be sought when possible.
The local congregation will develop a concurrent educational plan for helping interns thrive during this process. This plan should be developed in concert with the State Administrator’s office.
Interns selected are responsible for transportation to and from the internship site.

1. Submit request form to the state office along with supporting documents (not all requests for interns may be granted).

2. Complete job description.

3. Complete educational plan.

4. The State Administrator’s office will coordinate with the educational institution to provide the most viable match for the intern and congregation.

5. An interview between potential intern and congregation will occur.

6. When a “yes” for all parties exists, then the intern will formally sign the internship covenant.

7. Upon completion of the internship program, an evaluation will be provided.

Even Moses needed a hand. Exodus 17:12 says, "When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset." If Moses needed support, surely our pastors do, too.

Consider these statistics on pastors today:

According to Focus on the Family, 80% of today's pastors and 84% of their spouses are discouraged or dealing with depression.
75% of pastors consider quitting the ministry.
70% of pastors report they do not have someone they consider a close friend.
80% of pastors believe the ministry has negatively affected their family.
49% of pastors report that their family has suffered significantly as a result of their role.
6,000 Southern Baptist pastors leave the ministry each year.

And still, studies show the most effective ministry occurs under the leadership of long term pastors. To be effective in our ministries, we must help our pastors be leaders that last!

What makes a pastor's position so tough? They are on call 24/7. They deal with issues of life, death, and eternity. They are constantly invited into some life's hardest situations: crises, divorces, imprisonments, suicides, etc. These circumstances are high stress. On top of all this, pastors are essentially CEOs of small corporations, expected to teach and speak weekly!
How can we hold up our pastor's arms? We can pray regularly for our pastor and their family. We can have their back, discouraging others from speaking negatively about them. We can protect their days off, pay them well, and be generous with our appreciation. Plus, we can offer a Sabbatical.
What is a Sabbatical? A Sabbatical has biblical foundations in Genesis and Leviticus, which speaks of "Sabbath time" in terms of days, years, and land usage. A Sabbatical is a gift of rest for both renewal and hope. Scripture infers that regular, periodic rejuvenation is vital in all areas of life.
What's the purpose of a Sabbatical? A Sabbatical feeds the body, mind, and soul, resulting in renewed, refreshed, and revitalized energy to function as a shepherd and servant leader. Sabbaticals create opportunities for the minister to recapture a sense of vision, be nurtured in faith and skills, become introspective, rekindle spiritual passion, refocus priorities, review the ministerial journey, and reflect on the call of God for their life and ministry.

What else should I know about Sabbaticals? A Sabbatical is an opportunity to allow the minister to be away from the congregation for an extended period. It is not a vacation, but time for intentional exploration and reflection, drinking anew from God's life-giving waters through personal study and renewal. It allows our pastors to regain enthusiasm and creativity for the ministry.
What guidelines should be put in place for a Sabbatical? A minister should design a sabbatical that is unique to them. Sabbaticals should be planned with the church's leadership, with an agreed-upon purpose and goals for the time away. Sabbaticals are planned to give balanced time for personal relaxation and other components, like education and travel.
What should a Sabbatical Proposal include? A Sabbatical Proposal should include what the minister desires to accomplish during the time away, a timeline of plans and activities, detailed congregational leadership assignments, specific declaration of expected budget expenses, and the preparation of an evaluation form to assess church life during the Sabbatical.
What are the anticipated results of a Sabbatical? Following a Sabbatical, a minister often resumes congregational leadership with a fresh spirit and renewed passion. A healthier leader results in a healthier church!
How can I support my church during a Sabbatical? Pray for your pastor and their family during their time away. Remain faithful in your attendance, giving, and serving. Be ready to support new vision and passion for ministry upon your pastor's return!