Connect with Debby Fox: Associate Director with Emphasis on Children's Ministry
Fun Fact About Debby Fox
I was a centerfold! No, not that kind! A national magazine for teachers featured my class and me as their centerfold poster, “A Day in the Life of a Teacher.”
What services does your position offer to local Churches?
I am delighted to offer training, consulting and coaching to clergy and laity in local churches in the areas of Christian Education, faith formation, Children’s Ministry, Safe Sanctuaries, leadership and ministry program development. I can help an education committee select curriculum for new small groups, train the leaders, and form the groups. I can assist a congregation or committee in revitalization of existing ministries or dream with them to create something brand new. I can coach a team through a visioning process, set goals and provide accountability. I love to visit congregations and see them in action as they learn and worship together.
What do you most enjoy about your role in Connectional Ministries?
I love the local church and believe that it is through the local church that God offers the promises and possibilities of life in healthy community with each other, our neighbors, and with God. I am honored to have the opportunity to visit, pray, and work with congregations who want to be the best they can be. I am blessed to be able to celebrate the wonderful ministry going on in this conference with clergy and laity.
What is your most important asset that you wish all churches knew about?
When I was growing up all I ever wanted to be was a teacher. After college I went into elementary school teaching and had the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings – a Title 1 program for academically challenged students, a program for gifted learners, and in traditional classrooms. I have experience from preschool age through students in seminary and Course of Study. When I work with congregations in faith forming ministries I bring an understanding of appropriate emotional, educational and spiritual development across the age span.
I see the world through rose-colored glasses. An eternal optimist, I take great joy in hearing folks’ stories and cheering them on. I can find the positive and the possibilities in almost any situation.
How do people arrange to meet with you?
I can be reached via email, phone, (my office phone rolls to my cell phone), Facebook, even word of mouth! I travel the conference on a regular basis and will meet you where you are - or someplace in between!
What are your top 5 recommended resources?
General board of Discipleship - www.GBOD.org will connect you with denominational resources for all age levels of ministry in educational and faith forming ministries.
Connectional Café – www.ngumc.org/cafe. Here you will find over 100 workshops led by North Georgia’s own clergy and laity that will encourage, equip and inspire your congregation’s ministry in the areas of Worship, Outreach and Mission, Leadership and Discipleship.
Bishop Schnase’s books in the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations series provide local churches with proven and accessible ideas for growing as effective and vital congregations.
Other Books – I am a reader and have found that there are wonderful stories and resources that inform and encourage our personal growing as disciples, as well as help others on their faith journeys.
People! North Georgia clergy and laity are creative, passionate, and experienced. I have found folks across the conference to be a rich source of ideas, encouragement and support.