The Church Office

Christian Safeguarding Services' Paul Harrison joins Gavin to talk through 5 common challenges with safeguarding in churches: 1. Poor governance 2. Low standards 3. Conflicts of interest 4. Not raising low level concerns 5. Lack of professional curiosity   We absolutely loved learning from Paul and are so grateful for his time and expertise. This is definitely an hour well spent! If you'd like to learn more about Christian Safeguarding Services, head to: https://thecss.co.uk/

Meet Emma Joseph, the Operations Manager at The Globe Church in London, who crafts sustainable rhythms of church life. The conversation dives into unexpected paths in church administration and the critical role of community connections. Emma shares her insights on the dynamics of working in a small church office, emphasizing teamwork and open communication. They tackle the challenges of fluctuating attendance and highlight the significance of embracing one’s gifts within the church community. It’s a vibrant discussion about fostering engagement and collaboration!

Join Manny Kemp, a dedicated deacon at Eden Baptist Church and a key member of the Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers, as he sheds light on the pivotal role of church treasurers. He discusses the unique challenges they face, including recruitment issues and the need for support among church leadership. Manny shares the joys of stewardship, witnessing generosity, and the critical importance of budgeting and effective governance. He also highlights ACAT's resources that empower treasurers and emphasizes mentoring future leaders in church finance.

We were thrilled to have Mark Jones from Edward Connors join us on the latest episode of The Church Office podcast. Listen in as Mark and Gavin discuss key areas of employment that churches can struggle with. They recommend a number of resources that might serve you in this area of church life. To find out more about the work of Edward Connor or get further support, head to: https://www.edwardconnor.com/  

Gavin recently had the joy of sitting down with Dan Peters and Andy Ferrett from Joyned. Joyned is a secure internal communication platform designed to grow and strengthen in-person communities. Joyned offers churches a great alternative to WhatsApp. Listen in as they discuss the benefits of partnering with them to better serve your church. To find out more information please check out their website. https://www.joynedapp.com

Welcome to The Church Office podcast, Richard Coekin!   Richard Coekin has recently joined Reach Ministries UK as their Director. Listen in as he discusses Reach Ministries' heart to serve and support church leaders as they shepherd their churches in godly and effective gospel ministry. The team helps church leaders to reflect on their current situation, clarify their vision, and structure their teams effectively.   They provide mentoring, diagnostic tools, and conversations to explore churches' needs.   To find out more about their work, head to: https://reachministries.uk/    

Gavin recently sat down with Evangelical Alliance's Director of Advocacy Danny Webster to talk about one thing- Martyn's Law. Listen in as Gavin and Danny discuss some of the changes this new law could bring for our churches. Thanks again to Danny for giving up his time. If you'd like to find out more, here's an article from the Evangelical Alliance on the topic:   https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/martyns-law-where-does-this-leave-my-church-and-christian-events

Gavin Smith, the seasoned church manager at Christ Church in Newport for 21 years, shares his insights on church administration. He humorously discusses social media's impact on church culture and the shift from 'rota' to 'team' dynamics. Gavin highlights the crucial roles church workers play and how their everyday tasks can foster community. He also emphasizes the importance of supporting administrative teams to empower their contributions. The conversation blends personal experiences with valuable lessons for church leadership.

Join Joe and Hannah as they dive into the art of church communications. They share their journeys into media creation, from drones to digital partnerships born out of pandemic networking. Discover practical strategies for effective outreach and how to engage newcomers via social media. The hosts also challenge traditional volunteer recruitment, advocating for diversity in skills. Listen in for insights on tailoring messages to meet diverse needs and the importance of authenticity in church messaging.

John Truscott, a friend of the podcast and an expert in church operations, dives into the often-avoided topic of reviews in church life. He and host Gavin tackle the importance of reflection and assessment for growth. They highlight how evaluating past events can enhance future performance and planning. The duo emphasizes the value of external perspectives in leadership, encouraging inclusive discussions to uncover hidden issues. Ultimately, they advocate for a culture of constructive feedback to foster collaboration and spiritual growth within the church.