Because a church is “owned” by its mission, I am motivated by the vision that a congregation embraces as its reason for being. Having shared goals helps everyone work collaboratively even as they are responsible and accountable within their specific areas.
When supervising staff and volunteers, I am keenly aware that different people have different skills and preferences. Some times our differences can cause conflict. Rather than avoid open conflicts, I have found that engaging in conflict directly can help clarify misunderstandings. Honest and compassionate communication can strengthen our relationships.
Stewardship is one aspect of organizational development that holds a special place in my heart. When we nurture a paradigm away from “fundraising” and more towards “sharing our extra abundance,” we are tapping into the spiritual gifts of gratitude, generosity, and engagement. By crafting narrative budgets, we help one another envision the world we want to create — and ensure that we are funding our mission and programs.
I encourage congregations to discern the best ways to give their “3 Ts” (Time, Talent, and Treasure), always mindful of the interconnected web within and beyond the Beloved Community. When we care for the relationships we have amongst us, we are truly caring for a congregation that began before us and will continue long after we leave.
When engaging in “ad-ministry”/administration, I am mindful of Jones and Okun’s White Supremacy Culture characteristics and their antidotes. Particularly in the administrative realm where efficiency and written communication are the expectations, I seek to live into the antidotes that counteract a “sense of urgency,” “only one right way,” “power hoarding,” and “progress is bigger, more.” I look forward to the ongoing work of co-creating Beloved Community in a way that embraces the gifts of multiple perspectives.
“Carin is very organized and skilled in many, many areas of administration. She is an accomplished and well-practiced researcher, and her librarian skills greatly accentuate her resources in a variety of arenas.”