ABOUT MINISTRIES

The Barnabas Group Is a Ministry to Ministries

The Bay Area Barnabas Group is comprised of Christian business and ministry leaders who desire to use their skills, experience, and network to assist Christ-centered ministries who are impacting lives. We provide ministries the tools, resources, and connections to thrive in the field that God has called them to.

Ministries who successfully complete our application process are provided with an opportunity to engage with The Barnabas Group in several ways:

  • Present to the large group at a quarterly summit meeting, highlighting the work they are doing and areas where assistance is needed. Partners and guests are given the opportunity to express interest and connect with the ministry, and relationships are formed.

  • The Ideation Sessions equip the ministries with a strategic plan designed to help their organization expand their impact and effectiveness.

  • Ministry leaders are also invited to join the Barnabas community, participating as a Partner and contributing to other ministries, or as a periodic guest at Quarterly Events and workshops. Barnabas Group is at its best when there is an intimate and long-term relationship between and amongst the ministry staff and Barnabas Partners.

  • Ministries interested in learning more about the Bay Area Barnabas Group and the application process should contact us at: bayarea@barnabasgroup.org

Presenting Ministries

(Ministry Video Testimonials Coming Soon)

Benefits to Ministries

  • Gain new perspective on your ministry

    The Bay Area Barnabas Group application process is designed to:

    1) Help ministry leaders view their organization through the perspective of a business leader.

    2) Help identify and define opportunities where Barnabas Group participants can assist as encouragers to the ministry. It is best if there are both 'easy' opportunities that help people get to know the ministry, and 'stretch' opportunities crafted around the hopes and aspirations of the ministry.

  • Enhance communication of your story

    To prepare for their session before the group, ministries are coached by presentation experts who assist them in communicating their story for maximum effectiveness. This provides the ministry with a valuable asset and experience that can be leveraged elsewhere.

  • Accelerate your vision

    Ministries often face challenges that are similar to those our Partners have dealt with in their business or ministry careers. These can involve areas such as long term planning, marketing, information technology, legal, board governance, leadership, business development and HR. Our community is eager to use their skills to overcome these challenges and help ministries realize their vision.

  • Raise the level of leadership excellence

    We host periodic leadership training sessions for ministry leaders. These sessions feature leadership experts from within the Bay Area Barnabas Group as well as outside the group. Participation in these events is open to ministry leaders.

  • Develop leader to leader relationships

    Ministry organization leadership comes with unique challenges and demands. Sometimes hearing the perspective of a leader from outside your organization is valuable. Especially one who is passionate about your success. These are the types of relationships the Barnabas Group seeks to foster.

  • Provide increased awareness

    Barnabas Partners and their guests are well connected into their Church communities and other organizations across the Bay Area. Increased awareness can lead to introductions, prayer support, and financial support for the ministry.

Ministry Engagement Process

  • The engagement between the Barnabas Group and the ministry represents a significant investment in time by both parties. At the initial discussion, we evaluate the fit between what The Barnabas Group has to offer and how the ministry could benefit. A decision is made on taking the next step with the invitation to submit an application to the ministry.

  • The application is reviewed and a decision is made on taking the next step with an invitation to present to The Barnabas Group. It is also strongly preferred to have a prospective presenting ministry attend a Barnabas Group meeting prior to a commitment to present to see firsthand what it is like.

  • The ministry preparation team meets virtually with the Executive Director to review the application, ask clarifying questions, discuss the SWOT Analysis and identify the Big Question and ways Barnabas Partners can engage.

  • The Executive Director meets virtually with our story telling expert to identify the key points of the story that will stick and be most effective in telling for the desired response.

  • The ministry preparation team meets virtually with the Executive Director to review the slides. In this meeting the slides will be aligned with the Barnabas Group presentation template and work to make the presentation highly effective.

  • Presenting ministries will rehearse their presentation before our ministry preparation team. This will provide practice on the event flow and allow for feedback for an effective presentation and meeting.

  • At the Barnabas Group meeting the ministry gives a 15 minute presentation to describe the ministry and present the Big Question and ways Barnabas Partners can engage. A breakout group follows the presentation at the end of the meeting that is facilitated for Barnabas Partners to ask clarifying questions.

  • 2-3 weeks after the Barnabas Group meeting, a two hour facilitated process occurs for those from the meeting that choose to engage more deeply with the Big Question. This is done in person with the option for some people to join remotely. At the conclusion of the Ideation Session, the Executive Director forms an action plan based on the input the ministry received.

  • Six weeks after the Ideation Session a virtual meeting is held to hear a progress report and see if there is more engagement that would be useful.

  • As The Barnabas Group facilitates the process of seeking a solution to the Big Question, our hope is for ongoing relationships that follow. These are at the discretion of the individual Barnabas Partners and the ministry and can take whatever form is desired.