In our denomination, the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales, we have two people available, through M & M (Ministry and Mission), to help our churches get ESL Ministry off the ground or to develop it further:
- ESL Coordinator: Judy Rowlands
- CCM (Cross-Cultural Ministry Coordinator): myself
Here are some of the prior things that need to happen before an ESL ministry is launched:
1. Initial Ownership.
Make sure the leadership of the church owns this ministry at the outset. We recommend that the leadership body (in our denomination the Session) indicates and minutes its commitment to support and own this ministry.
2. Adequate Volunteers.
Ensure that there are sufficient volunteers available to run a viable program.
3. Initial Meeting.
An initial meeting is convened by the pastoral leadership and key volunteers with the ESL Coordinator and the CCM Coordinator to get the best professional advice. This will also serve to help the church understand what resources the denomination has to offer.
4. Communication with M & M.
The leadership of the church formally communicates with Ministry and Mission that it is committed to developing this ministry and agrees with the protocols set out in a document that will be given to the church.
5. Prayer.
Make sure that at this foundational stage the leaders, volunteers and the entire church community are encouraged to ground this new ministry in prayer. Establish a core group of prayer warriors who will pledge to pray daily for this ministry and the students who come.
6. Second Meeting.
A second meeting is convened by the pastoral leadership and key volunteers with the ESL Coordinator and CCM Coordinator to address specific issues and questions.
7. Discussion with Session.
The ESL Coordinator will formally seek permission from Session for herself and the Cross-Cultural Ministry Coordinator to meet with the leadership body to discuss the implications of starting an ESL Ministry.
8. Arrangement of Oversight.
The leadership body appoints one leader to provide loving oversight for this ministry and report back to Session.
9. Church Awareness.
The church community is made aware of this new ministry and constantly encouraged to pray for it and support it. The ESL Coordinator and CCM Coordinator are available to participate in church services and/or at some other meeting(s) to help in preparing the church community for the implications of this cross-cultural ministry initiative.
10. Church Seminars.
The church invites the CCM Coordinator to run seminars on cross-cultural communication so that church members may be properly prepared to relate well with any from other ethnic and cultural backgrounds who are being reached through the ESL ministry.
11. Training Volunteers.
The ESL Coordinator trains the team of volunteers who will be engaged in this ministry.
12. Budget.
The church agrees on a budget for the ministry.
13. Organising Resources.
Appropriate lesson materials will be chosen and acquired for use in the ministry. Many print and media resources are available from Judy.
14. Promotion.
The ministry will be promoted through various media, e.g. signage, brochures, articles and advertisements perhaps in other language publications.
www.facetofaceintercultural.com.au
Posted October 28, 2009
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