Category Archives: Workshop

Reconnecting with Millennials – A CFC workshop

When — 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Central Time) Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Where — Blue Grass United Methodist Church, Evansville

While Americans remain deeply spiritual, they’re leaving congregational life behind. This is especially true of Millennials – about 1 in 10 regularly attend a congregational worship service.

Surveys report that young people feel more isolated and lonely today than at any other point in modern history. Your congregation can offer valuable connection to these young adults, but only if you are willing to adapt to meet the needs of those you want to welcome. Writer, speaker and podcaster Mike McHargue leads this one-day workshop. He will explore the sociological, psychological and neurological underpinnings of a generation leaving the church behind, and offer insights on how to invite them back.

The cost is $30 per person. When congregational teams of three or more register together, the cost is discounted to $25 per person. This fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials. Workshop registration is limited to Indiana congregations

By the end of this workshop, you will:

  • have a working knowledge of the science behind the anti-institutional sentiment of Millennials.
  • know some of the differences in value systems and motivations between Millennials, Generation X and Baby Boomers.
  • have a working knowledge of the sociological research behind the advantages of congregation attendance.
  • begin to develop practical strategies to invite Millennials into congregational fellowship.

Click on the following link for more information and to register for the Evansville workshop.

Workshop: Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches

Event: Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches
Sponsor: Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date: October 21, 2017

This one-day workshop teaches some basic skills that will help participants manage conflicts within their congregations in a healthier manner. Topics include:

  • Viewing conflict as an opportunity for growth.
  • Studying the Biblical basis for conflict transformation.
  • Understanding your own style of responding to conflict.
  • Practicing communication skills necessary to transform conflict peacefully.
  • Developing strategies for preventing destructive conflict in the church family.
  • Learning a model for working at congregational decision-making in a win-win manner.

Visit the website www.LMPeaceCenter.org to find more information, download the brochure, or register online.

Community and Digital Ministry in the 21st Century

The following information is for a Center for Congregations Workshop

You’re invited to explore a more expansive way of being a congregation beyond the walls of the congregation.

Pastor and author Keith Anderson facilitates this workshop to lead you through a look at our changing religious and cultural landscape, particularly in regards to rising religious un-affiliation among young adults and advances in digital social media.

Discussion will center on the “cathedral” as a metaphor for this expanded view of being church beyond the church building. You will be invited to think about your own neighborhoods and communities and consider ministry experiments in local gathering “third places” like pubs, coffee shops, farmer’s markets and college campuses. Anderson will also help you to focus on ways of being present and ministering across digital gathering spaces on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

This workshop is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Central time) on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Evansville and Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton. The cost is $30 per person. When congregational teams of three or more register together, the cost is discounted to $25 per person. This fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and a copy of Anderson’s book The Digital Cathedral. Workshops limited to Indiana congregations.

How can you maximize your learning in this workshop and others? Check out this Center for Congregations article, “Getting the Most from an Education Event.”

REGISTER HERE FOR THE EVANSVILLE WORKSHOP.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE CHESTERTON WORKSHOP.

Keith Anderson is a Lutheran pastor in Philadelphia, the author of The Digital Cathedral: Networked Ministry in a Wireless World and the co-author with Elizabeth Drescher of Click 2 Save: The Digital Ministry Bible. He is a consultant to congregational leaders around face-to-face ministry and ministry in digital spaces. A popular blogger on religion, new media and popular culture, Anderson’s work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Religion Dispatches, Day 1 and The New Media Project.

This workshop is part of the education effort for the Center for Congregations program Engaging Young Adults Initiative. Click here to learn more about this unique initiative and how your congregation can participate.

Benefits Connections Registration

Benefits Connections are one-day gatherings for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) employers on benefits.

Who Should Attend?

People who drive benefits decisions and manage benefits, including but not limited to

  • business administrators;
  • office managers;
  • clerks of session;
  • personnel committee chairs;
  • pastors; and
  • Committee on Ministry (COM) members.

Registration is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Why Attend?

During this one-day seminar, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the theological values that shape the Benefits Plan, ask questions during a Q-and-A with Board of Pensions leadership and staff, and enjoy fellowship with other benefit decision-makers.

You will participate in

  • worship;
  • plenary sessions and topical workshops;
  • a networking lunch; and
  • a panel discussion with your peers.

You’ll leave with a better understanding of the plan, newly established peer relationships, and new strategies for being the best employer you can be.

Get more information and register at the Board of Pensions website.

Taize Gathering: On Simplicity and Solidarity

How can we live the Gospel in our daily lives? How can we be in solidarity with those on the margins? How can we persevere in prayer?

Join together with others in the Bloomington community for many opportunities for reflection and conversation. Brother Emile, a Roman Catholic of the ecumenical monastic community of Taizé in France, will be our keynote and facilitator.

The Taizé Community consists of about 100 brothers from nearly 25 countries. Together, as Protestants and Catholics, they welcome hundreds of thousands of young adults from around the world to their monastery in southern France, where they pray together, share daily life, and seek for ways of peace and solidarity grounded in the gospel. The brothers also facilitate the “Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth,” visiting young adults around the world to support the work of trust and reconciliation. Brother Emile will talk about the next Pilgrimage of Trust in May 2017 in St. Louis.

Monday, October 17: Prayer Service and Keynote by Brother Emile @ First Christian Church @ 730 PM (205 E Kirkwood Ave) – For College Students and Young Adults 

Tuesday, October 18: Prayer Service and Q&A by Brother Emile @ First Presbyterian Church @ 730 PM (221 E 6th Street) – Open to All

Download the flyer

Healthy Small Church Seminar Invitation

United Faith and Grace Presbyterian churches would like to invite you to join us for a day with Dr. Dennis Bickers, exploring The Healthy Small Church on Saturday, October 22. Pastors, Elders, Deacons and church members are all welcome and encouraged to attend!

Dr. Bickers has worked directly with small churches for over 25 years as a pastor and consultant.  Come discover and discuss how to become a healthy church that:

  • Has a positive self-image
  • Shares a common vision that creates a sense of purpose and unity
  • Maintains community while still warmly welcoming new visitors
  • Practices the importance of faithful stewardship and financial support
  • Understands ministry to be the responsibility of all the members of the church
  • Encourages everyone to serve according to his or her spiritual gifts- not by seniority or guilt

Download the flyer with more information and details regarding registration.

For more information, please contact Peg Kelley.

We hope you’ll join us and help spread the word!

In Christ,

Rev. Kathleen O’Connell
Interim Pastor
United Faith Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne

Reaching and Unleashing Baby Boomers and Beyond

This event is a Center for Congregations Workshop.

Baby Boomers are approaching the later years of life in a radically different way than previous generations.  Discover why this generation is essential to the ministry of your church and community and learn how to engage and unleash them to make a significant impact.

Author, speaker and consultant Amy Hanson leads this workshop, comprised of four sessions.

The workshop is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Eastern time) Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in Brownstown and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Central time) Wednesday, October 14, 2015 in Evansville. The cost is $30 per person (or $25 per person for congregational teams of three or more registered together). The fee includes lunch and a copy of Hanson’s bookBaby Boomers and Beyond. This workshop was presented earlier in 2015 in Chesterton (in Porter County) and in Indianapolis.

This workshop is limited to Indiana congregations.

For more information, and to register, visit the event page on the Center for Congregations website.