Ministry Assistants (Secretaries)

One group of church, association and agency employees that our department is here to assist is the ministry assistants (secretaries). We sponsor two conferences annually for ministry assistants. We, in conjunction with the Mississippi Baptist Ministry Assistants Association, conduct a State Ministry Assistants Conference in April at Camp Garaywa in Clinton. This conference is for all ministry assistants in the state to gather for a time of learning, fellowship and growth. The MBMAA annual business meeting is held the afternoon of the first day of the conference followed by a banquet that night. Our department enlists the help of a ministry assistant from within the state convention to coordinate this event.

In the fall of the year, we conduct, in conjunction with LifeWay Christian Resources, a Professional Certification for Ministry Assistants and Ministry Office Skillshops Conference. LifeWay provides certified leaders to conduct two courses of study for this event. The purpose is to create awareness of the scope of responsibility and the need to apply professional standards in the church and ministry assistant (denominational secretary). To offer in-depth experiential treatment of specific areas of office administration and ministry.

The Certification course is divided into six 3-hour sections:

God’s Call

• Understanding the ministry of the church
• Understanding personal giftedness for office ministry

My Character

• Displaying a ministry attitude
• Building relationships
• Pursuing professional growth
• Fostering spiritual formation and growth
• Maintaining balance

Leadership

• Using initiative appropriately
• Assuming supervisory functions
• Managing multiple projects
• Discovering and using resources

Communication

• Projecting a professional image
• Applying office etiquette
• Improving telephone skills
• Writing for business
• Updating ministry publications

Administration

• Developing a realistic job description
• Setting up office policies and procedures
• Establishing information management processes
• Improving filing techniques
• Applying organizational skills

Ministry

• Ministering to the staff
• Ministering to the church family
• Ministering to the unsaved and unchurched
• Ministering during personal crises
• Ministering during community crisis
• Ministering to benevolence needs
• Ministering to difficult people

The Skillshops topics are varied from year to year. Skillshop topics include:

• Designing Promotion Like a Pro!
• Office Management
• The Secretary: Partner in Growth
• Office Teamwork
• Time Management
• Church Financial Management
• Basic Business English
• Ministering in Times of Crisis
• Applying Spiritual Gifts in Ministry*
• Associational Office Administration
• The SBC Facing the Future
• Understanding Myself and Others
• Designing Professional Publications

* This Skillshop requires 20 class hours and earns 2 CEUs.

Mississippi Baptist Ministry Assistants Association

Purpose:

To identify and properly relate the various roles of Baptist ministry assistants (secretaries):

• To promote a close relationship among ministry assistant (secretaries) in Baptist churches and church-related organizations (such as associational offices, colleges, hospitals).
• To develop a better understanding of work of the church/church-related ministry assistant (secretary).
• To cooperate with Mississippi Baptist Convention in providing training/improvement opportunities that will deepen the spiritual understanding of secretaries; improve skills and performance; increase personal effectiveness; and keep abreast of current trends.
• To provide an opportunity to fellowship and exchange ideas.
• To upgrade the status of ministry assistant (secretaries) that they might realize their full potential and worth.
• To encourage interest of others in religious vocations.

Membership:

• All ministry assistants (secretaries) and other office staff of Baptist churches in the state of Mississippi
• All ministry assistants (secretaries) and other office staff of all Baptist denominational agencies and institutions
• Elected volunteer and/or part-time workers in Baptist churches whose work is comparable to that of a church ministry assistant (secretary)
• All retired members of the association shall be honorary members

Benefits:

• Voting Privileges
• Newsletters
• Recognition of Continuing Education/Skillshops
• Banquet at the State Ministry Assistants’ Conference

Dues:

• $10.00, Payable to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association.
• Membership will run from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

Opportunities for Growth:

• Professional Certification and Ministry Office Skillshops - September each year
• Christian Growth Study
• Local Training Conferences
• Contact one MBMAA officers for more information on any of these conferences.

If we can assist your association or church, or if you have a question, please contact our department at 1-800-748-1651 or 601-968-3800 or by e-mail kmcdonnell@mbcb.org.