Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw Bishop Bud Cederholm (right) and coordinator Chris Meyer (left) joined the diocese’s Congregational Business Consultants in naming Helen Daley their “Consultant of the Year.” Theirs is the behind-the-scenes kind of ministry that’s mostly unheralded, and though it may sound kind of dry—budgets, audits, financial statements, property matters, long-range planning—it is  essential to a congregation’s foundation for doing God’s mission in the world, Bishop Suffragan Bud Cederholm says of the work of the diocese’s Congregational Business Consultants, a group of 15 legal, business and financial professionals who volunteer their counsel and practical assistance to congregations in need of it.

On Dec. 15 the consultants marked their group’s fifth year by pausing to honor one of their own, Helen Daley of the Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, whom they named “Consultant of the Year.”

“Helen has been one of the consultants since early on.  Over the last year in particular she has worked tirelessly on behalf of a number of parishes south of Boston,” the group’s coordinator, Chris Meyer, said.  He is a member of the Parish of St. Paul in Newton Highlands.

Bishop Cederholm called the consultants together in October 2004 under the leadership of Jack Doran of Christ Church in Harwich Port and St. Paul’s Church in North Andover.  Meyer took over as coordinator two and half years ago.

“It’s really a testament to their work that in the beginning many saw them as assessment bill collectors but now realize that they are experienced advisors and advocates who can be helpful in a variety of ways, both with short-term needs in times of financial or property crisis and long-range strategic planning that can lead to stronger mission and viability,” Cederholm said.  “The bishops have found the consultants to be exceptionally helpful, not only through the practical help they provide but also the collaborations they foster.”

In its five years the group has assisted more than 100 churches around the diocese.

“Our purpose is pretty straightforward.  We help parishes with their business matters,” Meyer explains, matter of factly.  One suspects that the variety and details of those matters aren’t always so straightforward, especially in the current economic climate.

“That’s true.  A number of parishes are struggling to make ends meet,” Meyer said.  “We can often help them understand how they can improve their situation, sometimes through cost cutting or understanding revenue opportunities such as renting out facilities.”

In addition to one-to-one consulting, the group prepares resource materials and offers annual workshops for parish treasurers, clergy and vestry members on sound business practices and audits.  (The February and March 2010 workshop schedule and online registration is here).

“We are very busy, so if there are people out there with business experience who want to volunteer, I’d love to hear from them,” Meyer said.  “We are very flexible about the scope of a volunteer’s commitment–it can be as much or as little as he or she wants.”  He can be reached at cmeyer [at] diomass [dot] org.

--Tracy J. Sukraw