While we will use this blog to keep you posted about new ...]]> As you begin using this website, please start by going through the forum. The forum is where discussions about ministry will take place, but it is also where you will find information that will help you with this website. 

While we will use this blog to keep you posted about new features or new content, the “About This Website” forum is a must-read for all users. It is where you can find out how to use the site, what issues we’ve already listed, and where you can also give us feedback. But please, do read the posts under “About This Website” and it should answer many of your initial questions.

There is a tremendous amount of content available ...]]> The new way to find help with your ministry is now accessible where you expect it: at your fingertips, with the click of a mouse. This website represents the convergence of resource development by multiple ministry entities and the progression of web technology.

There is a tremendous amount of content available through this web portal. At the heart of it is the search and browsing tool for finding resources. Next are the ministry forums that allow you to plug into a network of congregational leaders from thousands of churches. Then there are the training videos that allow you to easily navigate through a growing library of seminars and workshops without wasting time to find what you need. There is even the Best Practices newsletter that you can subscribe to to keep resources coming to your inbox. And every single day we upload more and more content to help you in your journey as a leader.

With all the resources already here, we would like to point out one in particular, the “Stained Glass” documentary series. These films represent an unprecedented effort to document the lives of three different churches that have decided to take the plunge and share themselves with the rest of North America for the sake of understanding, inspiration, and dialogue on the critical issues that congregations tackle today. The first is Episode 1 of 4, following the leadership in the young, urban, and newly reshaped Hollywood Seventh-day Adventist Church. You will find this episode in the “Featured Resources” section of the front page of this website.

To get you started with the website, we have written several posts in the “About This Website” forum, where you will find information on some of the features of this website. Many of you, however, will find things fairly intuitive.

Please be patient with us as this launch represents a beta test. You will notice the occasional glitch, error, or even feature that doesn’t operate yet that can easily annoy or distract from your online experience. As a work in progress, we just couldn’t wait to share the initial result with you, hoping that it will be an empowering tool for you despite its flaws.

Happy surfing.

–the Vervent team

We all intend to introduce “best practices” to our ministry (and we do), but our best ideas inevitably ...]]> A core reality in church life is that our effectiveness in ministering in and to our communities––over the long haul––is driven by the ideas and resources we can bring to the table.

We all intend to introduce “best practices” to our ministry (and we do), but our best ideas inevitably run their course, and nobody is so creative or innovative that he or she can come up with an endless flow. So, where do we go to find “the best of the best,” that will enable us to be continually relevant and adaptable? 

The good news is that great ideas and innovative resources are “out there.” Pastors and other congregational leaders all over North America are experimenting with great ideas and developing effective resources. The bad news, until now, is that it was difficult for local church leadership to find these ideas and resources—difficult for us to dig through all the “tares,” looking for the good “wheat.” Just attempt to “Google” what you think might help and you’ll understand the problem. Or just purchase some resource that promises to address your need and see that it is largely promotional—or must be heavily “screened”  or “qualified” to be used in your setting. 

The arrival of this NAD Church Resource  Center represents a seed change. It means the introduction of constantly building inventory of great ideas and helpful resources, organized to enable you to browse resources or search for a specific resource. It’s a place to go look for what might help, and then to come back again and again to see what’s new. It’s also a place to engage in conversation with other church leaders through our powerful forums, where you can find out from those doing your specific ministry how to innovate for success. 

We don’t want to raise your expectations beyond what we can accomplish—and to some degree this is inevitable, particularly in these early stages of the process, where we’re building the inventory. It will take some time for the inventory to be fully realized; however, we believe a structure has been developed, finally, that will begin delivering the goods, providing what churches need.

You can help us with this, suggesting resource ideas, sharing with us what is working in your setting, and pointing out resources that we might not know about. Please do so. Please consider this your site, made better by your contributions. 

As the person accountable for leading out in this effort, I want to note that the North American Division has invested heavily in making these resources available, as have the Local and Union Conferences. This has been done both because the need was obvious (and the benefits clear) and because those in leadership were willing to “adventure” in developing this new digital capacity—even in the face of the risky proposition change represents. This is good news for all of us and we’re excited to play some small part in your ministry.