Strengthening PCC and Church Relationships

Partners in Ministry is committed to strengthening the relationship between PCCs and churches. Here are some suggestions for the PCC director when he/she meets with local pastors.

• Since pastors are ministry focused, share stories and testimonies of changed lives, particularly by salvation in Christ but also through decisions away froom abortion.
• Consider bringing a client to the meeting, or have some of their stories printed out for the pastors to read and take back to their boards. Be sure to protect confidentiality.
• Show how working in the center has transformed a volunteer's life - made her a better church member, more committed to the Lord, emboldened for evangelism, etc. Have a volunteer come to the meeting with you.
• Present what the center can do to help the church: supply speakers for Sunday School or women's groups, educate youth groups on abstinence, provide unique outlets for service, connect clients to the church for discipleship or Bible study, etc.
• As you appeal for funds and volunteers, emphasize tha you understand that you are not in competition for dollars and people but that you hope to work together as partners. Seek their advice about how to form that partnership. Be willing to acknowledge that relations in the past between the church and center may not have lived up to this ideal, and that you are working to improve relations.
• Ask, "What can we do for you? How can we better serve your church?"