Council Resources
2023 Lenten Resource Booklet
Our Journey. 40 Days of Reflection on the Journey that is the Christian Life. A Devotion and Prayer Booklet produced by the
International Council of Community Churches is available here.
Our Journey. 40 Days of Reflection on the Journey that is the Christian Life. A Devotion and Prayer Booklet produced by the
International Council of Community Churches is available here.
2022 Annual Conference Bible Study Materials
Rev. Dr. Leah Schade led our Annual Conference Bible Study: Navigating the Red-Blue Divide. Her materials are available post conference. To view or download, click on the following:
Rev. Dr. Leah Schade led our Annual Conference Bible Study: Navigating the Red-Blue Divide. Her materials are available post conference. To view or download, click on the following:
Theologies of Conflict Worksheet
How Can We Promote Racial Equity in 2022?
At the 2022 ICCC Annual Conference, Dr. Linda Abington presented a workshop on Racial Equity in 2022. If you would like to view and download the resources used for the workshop, click here.
How Can We Promote Racial Equity in 2022?
At the 2022 ICCC Annual Conference, Dr. Linda Abington presented a workshop on Racial Equity in 2022. If you would like to view and download the resources used for the workshop, click here.
Living in Community
A new resource is available to introduce laity and clergy to the International Council of Community Churches and the Community Churches Movement. The booklet “Living in Community” is a study guide designed to be used by local churches to educate their members on their relationship to the ICCC. Click here to download.
A new resource is available to introduce laity and clergy to the International Council of Community Churches and the Community Churches Movement. The booklet “Living in Community” is a study guide designed to be used by local churches to educate their members on their relationship to the ICCC. Click here to download.
Fund Raising 101
The purpose of this resource packet is to provide you with some basic fundraising information and resources, and some ideas that you might consider using to raise funds for your ministry. Click here to download.
A Pastor’s Annual Performance Review
Local congregations have a variety of ways of assessing their pastors’ performance. A few actually vote on re-appointing the pastor each year, thus providing a very final and annual “pass-fail” judgment on their servant-leader. Some congregations elect or appoint a pastoral relations or personnel committee with instructions to meet with the pastor on a regular basis, reviewing the pastor’s activities and making suggestions in a variety of areas. To learn more, click here to download the document “A Pastor’s Annual Performance Review.”
Local congregations have a variety of ways of assessing their pastors’ performance. A few actually vote on re-appointing the pastor each year, thus providing a very final and annual “pass-fail” judgment on their servant-leader. Some congregations elect or appoint a pastoral relations or personnel committee with instructions to meet with the pastor on a regular basis, reviewing the pastor’s activities and making suggestions in a variety of areas. To learn more, click here to download the document “A Pastor’s Annual Performance Review.”
Ministries To and With “The Least of These.”
A one-page flyer designed for use by your church or center. Side 2 of the flyer is complete with a description of the Council. Side 1 is yours to design. Include photos of your ministries of outreach and caring and a description of your church or center’s compassion for those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” Use the flyer as a worship bulletin insert, a tip-in promotional piece in your community’s newspaper, on your website, or in a community-wide or congregational mailing. Click here for flyer.
A one-page flyer designed for use by your church or center. Side 2 of the flyer is complete with a description of the Council. Side 1 is yours to design. Include photos of your ministries of outreach and caring and a description of your church or center’s compassion for those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” Use the flyer as a worship bulletin insert, a tip-in promotional piece in your community’s newspaper, on your website, or in a community-wide or congregational mailing. Click here for flyer.
ICCC Designated Funds Application Process
To download the application process for any ICCC Program Fund or Award Program, click here.
To download the application process for any ICCC Program Fund or Award Program, click here.
Community Churches Sunday
Community Churches Sunday is the chance for local churches to celebrate their connection with the ICCC. A Resource Kit is available for additional information, sermon help, worship aids and bulletin inserts.
ICCC Peer-to-Peer Resourcing
To download a survey to be completed by your church or center, click here. To inquire about learning from other congregations who have successfully negotiated the same kinds of ministry programs your church or center in now considering, call the Council Office 815-464-5690.
To download a survey to be completed by your church or center, click here. To inquire about learning from other congregations who have successfully negotiated the same kinds of ministry programs your church or center in now considering, call the Council Office 815-464-5690.
Searching for Pastoral Leadership
An indispensable aid to churches who are searching for pastoral leadership, this guide for pastoral search committees can be downloaded here. You can also contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail.
An indispensable aid to churches who are searching for pastoral leadership, this guide for pastoral search committees can be downloaded here. You can also contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail.
Renewing Our Vision
An aid for congregations to assist in developing a vision for their ministry. You can contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail, or you can click here to download.
An aid for congregations to assist in developing a vision for their ministry. You can contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail, or you can click here to download.
A New Community Church
A manual for church planters and other visionaries. Click here to download. To obtain a hard copy by mail, contact the Council Office.
A manual for church planters and other visionaries. Click here to download. To obtain a hard copy by mail, contact the Council Office.
Code of Ethics
The International Council of Community Churches recommends the following code of ethics to professional church leaders. Click here to view/download.
Ministry and Ordination
An ICCC resource for ordination candidates, their mentors, and their churches and centers. Click here to view/download.
An ICCC resource for ordination candidates, their mentors, and their churches and centers. Click here to view/download.
Council Brochures click on the title to view and download
Ecumenical Agencies and Organizations Resources
2022 Week of Prayer For Christian Unity: Jan. 18-25, 2023
Chosen Theme: Do Good; Seek Justice. (Isaiah 1:17) Several resources are available on the website www.geii.org. For more information contact the Week of Prayer, Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, Franciscan Friars of the atonement via the website. An order form for materials can be found at https://www.atonementfriars.org/wpcu_order_form.html
Chosen Theme: Do Good; Seek Justice. (Isaiah 1:17) Several resources are available on the website www.geii.org. For more information contact the Week of Prayer, Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, Franciscan Friars of the atonement via the website. An order form for materials can be found at https://www.atonementfriars.org/wpcu_order_form.html
The Bible
A variety of Bible-related resources for individuals and congregations is available at the American Bible Society’s website www.americanbible.org. The site includes downloadable worship bulletin inserts to readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
A variety of Bible-related resources for individuals and congregations is available at the American Bible Society’s website www.americanbible.org. The site includes downloadable worship bulletin inserts to readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Hunger
Video clips and downloadable documents related to hunger in the U.S. and worldwide are available at Bread for the World’s website www.bread.org.
Video clips and downloadable documents related to hunger in the U.S. and worldwide are available at Bread for the World’s website www.bread.org.
Economic Development
Information about micro-finance and individual economic empowerment is available at Opportunity International’s website www.opportunity.org.
Bulletin Inserts
Log on to www.ncccusa.org for a series of free downloadable bulletin inserts. Inserts currently being offered feature an interfaith responsible reading on poverty, information on the African American hymn, “Life Every Voice and Sing,” a litany on education and schools, and other topics useful throughout the year.
Information about micro-finance and individual economic empowerment is available at Opportunity International’s website www.opportunity.org.
Bulletin Inserts
Log on to www.ncccusa.org for a series of free downloadable bulletin inserts. Inserts currently being offered feature an interfaith responsible reading on poverty, information on the African American hymn, “Life Every Voice and Sing,” a litany on education and schools, and other topics useful throughout the year.
Serving the Vulnerable
Immigration and Refugees Church World Service serves the most vulnerable in our world today. From its earliest beginnings, CWS focuses on providing assistance and resettlement services to those displaced by violence and discrimination. Today, CWS uses its expertise in refugee resettlement to assist thousands of refugees on the road to beginning a new life in the United States. CWS also serve refugees where they are, helping them find safety in both urban and camp locations around the world. https://cwsglobal.org/our-work/refugees-and-immigrants/serving-the-vulnerable.
Faith Communities Today
Faith Communities Today is a series of ongoing research surveys and practical reports about congregational life, conducted and published by the Cooperative Congregations Studies Partnership, a multi-faith group of religious researchers and faith leaders. It produces and creates and disseminates helpful tools and resources, produced as a result of the research findings, that can assist congregational lay leadership in their ministries.
The Congregational Resource Guide (CRG)
The CRG is an online tool designed to help leaders of all congregations find the right resources to address their challenges and opportunities. https://thecrg.org World Neighbors World Neighbors help provide lasting solutions for people suffering from hunger, poverty and disease around the world through education and training which helps transform communities so they can become self-sufficient. https://www.wn.org Lilly Endowment The Lilly Endowment’s Congregational Resource Guide is a treasure trove for congregations and their leaders. You can find resources on “Running Church Meetings,” to church planning, to “Changing the Culture of your Church.” Access the Congregational Resource Guide at https://thecrg.org.
Toolkit to Revitalize your Congregation
The Presbyterian Church USA recently produced a new toolkit for redeveloping your congregation. This resource guide can be adapted and used by any congregation who is looking to redevelop and revitalize its life and mission. You can purchase this resource for $3.95 at https://www.pcusastore.com/Products/2231618001/vital-congregations-revitalization-initiative.aspx.
Center for Healthy Churches
Jim Kitchens from the Center for Healthy Churches has a blog that posts interesting articles about congregational life and renewal. You can access his blog at chchurches.org.
Individuals and For-Profit Organizations Resources
The following resources have been recommended to us by ordained and/or lay leaders of member churches or centers as useful for a wide audience. The ICCC does not endorse or recommend any resource from an individual or for-profit organization.
Old Catholic Tradition
Serge A. Theriault, Christian Catholic Rite of Community Churches – A Canadian ICCC member, has written a few books available through Amazon.com. Titles include: Msgr. Rene Vilatte: Community Organizer of Religion (1854-1929), Msgr. Dominique M. Varlet: Originator of the Old Catholic Episcopal Succession 1678-1742, and The Old Catholic Church and Other Writings. Bishops R. Vilatte and C. Durand are Theriault’s predecessors, and Bishop Varlet is at the origin of the Orders in many of the churches of the Old Catholic tradition in ICCC. Visit www.amazon.com to order.
The following resources have been recommended to us by ordained and/or lay leaders of member churches or centers as useful for a wide audience. The ICCC does not endorse or recommend any resource from an individual or for-profit organization.
Old Catholic Tradition
Serge A. Theriault, Christian Catholic Rite of Community Churches – A Canadian ICCC member, has written a few books available through Amazon.com. Titles include: Msgr. Rene Vilatte: Community Organizer of Religion (1854-1929), Msgr. Dominique M. Varlet: Originator of the Old Catholic Episcopal Succession 1678-1742, and The Old Catholic Church and Other Writings. Bishops R. Vilatte and C. Durand are Theriault’s predecessors, and Bishop Varlet is at the origin of the Orders in many of the churches of the Old Catholic tradition in ICCC. Visit www.amazon.com to order.
Christian Books
Rev. Elreta Dodds, Associate Minister of Faith Christian Community Church, an ICCC member, is the author and publisher of several books that defend the Faith and books that deal with relationship issues. Visit www.elretadodds.com to find out more.
Rev. Elreta Dodds, Associate Minister of Faith Christian Community Church, an ICCC member, is the author and publisher of several books that defend the Faith and books that deal with relationship issues. Visit www.elretadodds.com to find out more.
Pastoral Visitor Bulletin for Shut-Ins
This bulletin, published for more than 30 years, is a tool for people visiting shut-ins in nursing homes, hospitals and at home. It includes four pages of prayers, biblical and literary selections, amusing stories and uplifting passages. Contact Mary Downey, 3371 Nadine Crest, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5A 3L4
This bulletin, published for more than 30 years, is a tool for people visiting shut-ins in nursing homes, hospitals and at home. It includes four pages of prayers, biblical and literary selections, amusing stories and uplifting passages. Contact Mary Downey, 3371 Nadine Crest, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5A 3L4
Sermon Helps
Excellent sermon preparation resources are available online at www.desperatepreacher.com. The site includes a discussion board, seasonal humor, and of course exegetical resources. Also try www.textweek.com for a full range of exegetical and liturgical resources.
Excellent sermon preparation resources are available online at www.desperatepreacher.com. The site includes a discussion board, seasonal humor, and of course exegetical resources. Also try www.textweek.com for a full range of exegetical and liturgical resources.