A Resource Team is a temporary group that carries out specific tasks identified by the Ministry Development Team. Resource Teams vary in the number of members, based on the gifts needed and the task to be done.
Resource Teams exist to respond quickly to the needs of congregations within the Ohio Conference. As a need is brought to the Ministry Development Team, the Ministry Development Team, along with the Gifts Discernment Ministry, will form a Resource Team to carry out a response to the congregational need.
Currently, Ohio Conference has several Resource Teams pending, and numerous Resource Teams working on various programs and projects. If you have an idea for a Resource Team, please consider completing a Resource Team Information Sheet.
Ohio Conference is considering creating a Resource Team which would focus on increasing the peace witness of Ohio Conference congregations. If you are interested in joining this Resource Team, please contact Bill Seymour.
Ohio Conference is considering creating a Resource Team which would provide support to various Hispanic ministries throughout Ohio. So far, several people have begun preliminary inquiries with Hispanic ministries in the state to determine how the Conference could best support them. If you are interested in joining this Resource Team, please contact Dan Greaser.
Brazo en Brazo consists of a group of congregations in the Lima area which minister to Hispanic immigrants in the area. For more information about Brazo en Brazo, contact Bill Seymour.
This Resource Team seeks to equip people working with youth — both lay leaders and pastors. The name E3 stands for “Equip, Encourage and Empower.” The purpose of E3 is to help youth leaders more faithfully communicate the gospel to teens as well as to nurture lifelong Christian disciples. Plans call for E3 to hold a youth leaders’ seminar once a year for three years. The first seminar, which featured speaker Duffy Robbins, was held in May 2008. A second seminar is tentatively planned for September 2009. For more information about E3, contact Joe Troyer.
LifeBridge is a new church plant in Dover, Ohio. This Resource Team is exploring ways that Ohio Conference congregations can support this new congregation. For more information about Lifebridge, contact Matt Hamsher.
At Ohio Conference’s 2008 Annual Conference Assembly, delegates approved a resolution calling for people in Ohio Conference to work at reducing poverty in Ohio. A Resource Team focused on this task has begun to meet. For more information about this Resource Team, contact Crandall Miller.
This Resource Team will plan a retreat for interested Ohio Conference pastors and their spouses. The retreat is intended as a time of equipping and renewal for pastors and their spouses. If you are interested in joining this Resource Team, please contact Bill Seymour.
This Resource Team is focused on promoting prayer throughout the Conference. The Team has recruited a network of people committed to praying for prayer requests from around the Conference. If you would like more information about the Prayer Ministry Team, or you would like to become one of the prayer partners, contact Mattie Marie Mast.
This Resource Team is working to create a prayer labyrinth at Camp Luz. For more information on this Resource Team, contact Mattie Marie Mast.
This Resource Team is working on a project called “Alternatives to Military Enlistment: Resources for Guidance Counselors.” The aim of this project is to provide guidance counselors in Ohio schools with resources they can share with students. The materials give students alternatives to military enlistment. For more information about this Resource Team, contact contact Tom Kauffman.
This Resource Team is working to create a DVD with information about Ohio Conference which can be distributed to all Conference congregations. This DVD will be available for congregations to introduce the Conference to new members and reacquaint long-time members with the work and importance of the Conference. For more information about the Conference DVD, contact Tom Kauffman.
Norma Duerksen, pastor of Summit Mennonite Church, is the Resource Advocate for Ohio Conference. In this role, she is responsible for making congregations aware of the vast array of resources that Mennonite agencies create. She has conducted several workshops to introduce these resources and show how they can be used effectively in congregations. If you would like to learn more about the Conference Resource Advocate program, contact Norma Duerksen.
This Resource Team performed a theological review of Central Christian School in Kidron.
This Resource Team worked with Dover Christian Fellowship to help determine what should be done with the building that housed the congregation, as well as how to promote the coffeehouse which was an important part of Dover Christian Fellowship’s ministry to the community.
This Resource Team sponsored a project called “Revitalizing Testimony in Worship,” which focused on sharing time in Mennonite worship services. This project was made possible through a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Mich., with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.