2023 CHURCHBIZ CONFERENCE
Saturday, July 29, 2023
9:00 AM-3:00 PM
The Cathedral of St. Andrew, Honolulu

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​The Diocese of Hawai'i is pleased to host its first ChurchBiz conference dedicated to all things dealing with "church business."  From finances and reports to live streaming and relationships, the conference is designed to assist clergy and lay (especially volunteers) to better understand and tackle some of the more challenging or even mundane tasks required for the church to function smoothly and properly.

The day will begin at 9:00 AM, and will consist of two morning sessions and one afternoon session. There will be at least 15 different topics to choose from, but to help us better plan the conference, we invite you to fill out the survey further below (click on the button) to let us know which subjects interest you most.  Then when registration opens towards the end of June, you will be asked to select your top 3 plus 2 back-up workshops as a result of this survey.  Please submit your choices by Thursday, June 22.

If you have any questions, please contact Rae Costa.

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2023 ChurchBiz Workshop Descriptions

Help us decide which topics to include.  After reviewing the descriptions of potential workshops, complete the survey further below.

INSURANCE:  During this informative and interactive workshop, we will cover the basics of church insurance, including what’s covered and what’s not, who’s covered, and who’s not. Our expert church insurance advisor will provide real-world scenarios and examples to help you better understand the risks and potential liabilities that churches may face. 

PROPERTY: Do you have or will you have tenants/renters?  Do you need construction done?  Bring your property questions for our panel to answer!  Questions like… When do you need diocesan signatures? What kind and who needs insurance before coming onto the property?  How is a license different from a lease? Also, Federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act’s (RLUIPA) shield from state and local land use requirements explained.

AGREED UPON PROCEDURES (AUP) REVIEW: Spencer Lum, Diocesan Financial Review Assistant, and Sam Okita, Diocesan Controller, will discuss some of the common misunderstandings that have been found while conducting AUP reviews.  They will explain and clarify the why (government law/regulation, conflict of interest, appearance vs. actual). ​

HUMAN RESOURCES: Our very own Diocesan Chancellor and Human Resources legal specialist, Wayne Yoshigai, will explain the wage and hour concepts of exempt and non-exempt and independent contractors, employees and volunteers plus the consequences of misclassification.  He will also review the Diocese’s safe church practices and answer your questions. 

WHOSE KULEANA IS IT?: Who is responsible for worship?  Finances? What is the role of the Senior/Bishop’s Warden?  Junior Warden?  Vestry/Bishop’s Committee?  Join us for a fun quiz/game show (no scores kept!) and bring your questions to Canon Sandy Graham at this workshop!

WHO'S WHO?: They are making us do it this way!  Who are “they”?  The Diocese says we can’t do that?  Who is the Diocese?  Join Bishop Bob for an educational and informative discussion about what is the governance structure of our Diocese?  Who is the Diocese?  Diocesan Support Center?  What is the difference between a Parish and a Mission? 

LIVE STREAMING: COVID changed the way we do church.  One of the positive changes has been to add live streaming for many of our churches.  Please join us for a panel discussion with “streamers” from All Saints, Holy Nativity, and St. Andrew’s. 

ADDING 'ŌLELO AND HAWAIIAN PRACTICES INTO YOUR LITURGY: The Native Hawaiian Ministry Committee has been working with ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i translators to translate our Book of Common Prayer.  The first phase was distributed in April.  Join committee members to learn how you can incorporate the language and other cultural practices into your liturgy and worship.  

GET YOUR CHURCH CONNECTED: Website…Social Media…newsletters…how can one person do all of this?  Do we have to hire someone?  The good news is no and no!  Join Sybil, Diocesan Communications Specialist, in a discussion about how to uncover and recruit hidden talent in your congregation, and break up the work to be shared among several volunteers!  

​SAFE CHURCH ADMINISTATOR: Each congregation needs a Safe Church Administrator.  Join Nani Carroll, Executive Assistant and Diocesan Safe Church Administrator, as she walks you through what a Safe Church Administrator does and how to do it! ​

HOW TO AVOID BURNOUT: Are you easily irritated?  Do you feel the weight of the world (or the church) on your shoulders? Does it seem like no one wants to volunteer?  Would adding one more thing to your plate send you over the edge?  Then this workshop is for you! 

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other, but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. - We are called to be in relationship with the world around us – including not only secular organizations but even other Episcopal Congregations!  Come explore fruitful community partnerships across the diocese and wonder together how to create or strengthen more of them! Panelists include Annalise Pasalo (highlighting Emmanuel’s many community partnerships on the Windward side of O‘ahu), Steve Costa (talking about various outreach partners), and Bishop’s Canon Sandy Graham. 

CAMPUS SECURITY: News about violence in our communities is becoming too common.  Churches and schools used to be considered safe places and sanctuaries.  Today schools run lockdown drills in addition to the fire drills.  Alethia Donathan from St. Andrew’s Schools recently attended Navigate360 ALICE training and will be sharing security strategies that will prepare staff and clergy in the event of a violent critical incident.

LICENSED LAY MINISTRIES: Clergy are not the only ones who can preach or teach.  You are probably familiar with Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors, but did you know that lay members can be licensed as a Lay Preacher, Catechist, Worship Leader, or Pastoral Leader?  Join this workshop to find out more!     

PATH TO ORDINATION: This workshop will discuss the process of ordination, and it is not just for those who feel the “call”.  It is also for church leaders (Discernment Committee and Vestry or Bishop’s Committee) to understand their role along the path.

WHAT IS A DEACON?: A Deacon’s call is much, much more than assisting the priest in Sunday worship.  It is a call to serve.  Who better to answer this question than the deacons in our Diocese.  Join them as they answer this question and so much more! 

THE PORTFOLIO AND YOU: HOW THE DIOCESAN PORTFOLIO WORKS: Trip Lynch, Commission on Investments will explain how the Diocesan Portfolio works, how it is managed, and how it can build long-term future security for congregations like yours. 

HOW TO MORE EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO A NON-FINANCIAL AUDIENCE: The title says it all!  Trip Lynch, former church Treasurer and member of Diocesan Council, will present you with tools and techniques when communicating financial information. 

THE LAST GREAT GIFT: One of the last greatest gifts you can give to your family and friends is a complete plan for your funeral, or as your presenter calls it, putting the Fun in Funeral.  With recent clergy who died with no funeral service plan in their files, the choice of readings, hymns, and speakers was left up to those left behind.  And those decisions can be stressful, especially while grieving.  Canon Sandy will help with suggestions for clergy and lay to come up with funeral plans that you can gift to your loved ones! 

 

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