A new department has been launched at national offices, designed to quickly and easily provide resources and leadership, answer questions, and otherwise aid congregations and individuals in their work. Dubbed The Vine Helpline: Connecting People, Places and Programs, the department was officially launched in mid-January, and uses volunteers, national staff, and resource people stationed across Canada.
“I think people sensed the need to do something different, but they didn't see a clear way to do it,” said Dorothy Henderson, Vine's team leader, talking about the history of Vine's creation. “This is one way to think outside the box. It gives the church a chance to do something different, and I hope it gives others the courage to change.”
Henderson describes Vine as “providing another avenue into the national office, where people will find friendly, prompt, helpful service, with trained volunteers who are like a friendly, open church secretary.”
It is hoped that the 20 volunteers will be able to field 50 per cent of calls coming into the church, with the other half referred to staff members, freeing up staff to do more resource development work. Web communication is also expected to grow and be a main source for acquiring resources.
Volunteers are overseen by David Phillips, who will be familiar to Presbyterians as the individual who helped congregations enact the Leading with Care policy. Along with Phillips and Henderson, other staff include Matt Donnelly, information manager; Grace-ann McIntyre, finances and resource support; and Joro Lee, resource support as well as design and promotions.
Henderson hopes to also have up to 100 leaders stationed across the country who can be called by congregations, presbyteries and synods for workshops, resources, and other assistance. They will work with (and include) regional staff who are already in place, and will be organized by region and area of expertise. She also hopes Vine will become an important resource for laity, equipping them to lead, and freeing clergy from the need to be “all things to all people.”
The idea for Vine has been percolating since 1989 at the national level, since 1991 at General Assembly, and later in 1995-6 within the Life and Mission Agency, when calls came for less hierarchy, clearer communication, and more availability of staff at the national level. In 2007, as the LMA informally discussed how communication across the entire church could be improved, numerous staff changes at national offices became a catalyst for action.
“There have been people who have been restless for change for a long time,” said Henderson. “We're trying to create a climate where people can do their best work. It's a tough time to be a local church. They need all the support they can get.”
The Vine Helpline will be evaluated in two years' time by an advisory committee, who will then report to the LMA. To access The Vine Helpline, call 1-866-642-2830. AM
