CONFERENCE

Another major responsibility of the Pastoral Service Aides is to serve at all major BTI conferences which include the following:

• World Conference
• School of the Prophets
• Gathering of the Sons
• Leadership Conferences
• Prayer Conferences
• Plays
• Concerts

To follow are the guidelines and responsibilities of the Pastoral Service Aides at these functions:

1. Prayer
2. Registration
3. Books Sales
4. Hospitality to Senior Leaders

PRAYER

Prayer is an essential part of each function. The PSAs must be in the auditorium prepared for prayer thirty minutes prior to the start of each session.

REGISTRATION

The registration table(s) will be set up by the MBM Global Conference Team who will also supply the conference welcome packets. All PSAs who are scheduled to work must arrive at the sanctuary one (1) prior to the start of the conference to ensure that set-up is complete and that all needed materials are in place.

A. The PSAs are responsible for making certain that all those who are attending the conference . . .

1. Receive a friendly greeting
2. Complete a registration form Make certain that the registration forms are completely filled out as this information will be entered into our database. If someone should ask why we ask that they complete a registration form, then kindly inform them that the information will be used to notify them of upcoming conferences, schools of ministry, concerts, etc.
3. Receive a welcome packet (including BTI senior leadership and all visiting leaders)

B. The PSAs must be prepared to carry out any special instructions given by the Chief Apostle regarding Senior Leadership and/ or visiting Leaders. For example, Apostle Banks may ask that all Senior Leadership and/or visiting Leaders be given additional information at the time of registration.

C. All PSAs should be well informed of all registration guidelines and be able to courteously and confidently answer questions that guests may have. If a guest should require further assistance, outside the registration department, the PSAs should know where, or to whom, to direct them.

D. At the completion of the conference all completed registration forms should be sent to the Central Office (Leesburg) for data entry.

BOOK SALES

All PSAs should observe the following guidelines when working the sales table(s):

A. The sales table(s) will be set-up by the MBM Global Conference Team. However, it is the responsibility of the PSAs to make certain that each sales table is equipped with the following:

• Books
• Price Lists
• Vouchers
• Credit card slips and/or equipment. It is very important that we keep all credit card numbers and personal information of the quests private and out of view from the public.
• Pens

B. Guests should be greeted in a polite and courteous manner. Make certain to make eye contact with the guest and give them your undivided attention when speaking with them regarding the materials.

C. Speak clearly and confidently when explaining the price of the materials. Voucher price lists should be easily visible to all guests, which will keep price mis-quoting to a minimum, as well as expedite their time at the sales table. All PSAs should know the price of each voucher prior to the start of the conference.

D. When asked, direct all guests to make their checks payable to Mary Banks Ministries or MBM.

E. Do not accept post-dated checks from visiting guests. If a BTI member asks to post-date a check it must be approved by the PSA President and can only be held for five (5) business days. However, if the person has a history of bouncing checks, then do not accept a post-dated check from them.

Note: The start of a conference can be a stressful time for some. There is a lot going on; decorating, setting up tables, putting together the materials, taking registrations and sales. However, we must still perform our responsibilities in a spirit of patience and love. Feeling overwhelmed does not give one the right to be rude. We should not become so frustrated until we forsake to display a righteous character. The people should never hear us murmur or complain or get into a nasty confrontation with a fellow PSA. It would be wise for us to remember that the most important things at a conference are not the books, the tapes nor the compact discs. People are the most important! Jesus did not die for the study guide, He died for people. What does it profit us to sell five hundred books but offend one hundred people in the process? We must not lose sight of PURPOSE. In times of pressure or stress, we must learn to relax in the Holy Spirit; for He is an expert at displaying the character of Christ, no matter what the circumstances are.

HOSPITALITY TO SENIOR LEADERS

The Apostle Paul often spoke of those who where of great help to him both spiritually and naturally. He appreciated those who lightened his load and shared his burden for the Body of Christ. Paul was often refreshed and strengthened by women like Clement, Chloe and Priscilla who ministered to some of his natural needs which enabled him to focus on spiritual things. We cannot take for granted how much this means to the men and women of God who often feel overwhelmed by trying to juggle domestic responsibilities and meet the demands of ministry. It takes so much pressure off of a leader when someone offers to run an errand, pick up their dry-cleaning or prepare dinner for them. Hospitality or kindness, when done with purity of heart, ministers greatly to the recipient. As Pastoral Service Aides, we are there to lighten the load of our leaders and share their burden for ministry. We should count it a great honor to be considered worthy enough by God to serve His people.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

1 Peter 4:9

Use hospitality; one to another without grudging.

Here are some ways that we extend hospitality to our senior leaders:

• The President should introduce his or herself to visiting senior leaders offering assistance for needs they may have. For example someone may not have stockings, toothpaste, etc. and may need to go to the store. Their schedule sometimes can be busy. A PSA should be able to do this errand.
• Gift baskets – attach a welcome card to a gift basket and place in the hotel room or place of accommodation before the arrival of the pastor.
• Personalized notebook and pen and welcome from host location can be placed at table provided for the pastoral board.

Pastoral meeting are usually held after the evening sessions. Apostle Banks and/or senior leaders from Headquarters use this time to fellowship with the leaders from the other locations. The PSAs must be on hand to serve food and beverages at these meetings when asked to do so.

While extending hospitality, be mindful that you will be around senior leaders of the opposite sex. The scripture instructs us to flee the appearance of sin.

Here are some safeguards:

• If a senior leader is married, communicate with the wife about their needs.
• A female PSA should not work alone with a male senior leader, or a male work alone with a female senior leader.
• It is preferable for male PSAs to be assigned to male senior leaders and female PSAs to be assigned to female senior leaders. If this is not possible, then two female PSAs should assist male senior leaders and two male PSAs assist the female senior leaders.
• If you have to go to a senior leader’s room of the opposite sex, perhaps to deliver an item, make sure you go with another PSA.

If you have difficulty operating within these boundaries, check yourself. We must respect God in our leaders. Even if a leader’s spiritual location does not reflect holiness, you present a righteous mirror.