Open Doors, Open Minds, Open Hearts ... The United Methodist Church

Laity In Leadership

Date: Sunday, January 25, 2009 Time: 2-4:30 pm Location: Champaign Faith UMC (1719 S Prospect Ave, Champaign)

These workshops will answer questions, equip, encourage and focus on specific topics that encourage laity to step out in faith and serve!  Persons who currently serve or have been elected to serve in related ministry areas for the coming year are encouraged to attend and bring members of their team. To download a brochure and registration form click on the photo. Workshops - 1.  Staff/Pastor Parish Relations - led Rev In-Sook Hwang This workshop is for all who are serving on the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee.  We will review the resource "Expectations of Pastoral Leadership". 2.  What Would Jesus Do If He Had Gray Hair and Arthritis? - led by Rev      Mike Smith We will focus on the peculiar challenges and opportunities of being a Disciple of Jesus Christ as we get older.  The workshop will include astonishing demographic data and a radical call to resurrection for those congregations composed mostly of retired members. 3.  Ministering to Our Children and Youth - led by Jennifer Metenyi Whether your ministry to children and youth involves less than 10, over 100 or somewhere in between, there are key elements that help both kids and families engage and connect with each other and with God.  During this workshop we'll explore the keys to every child's heart and how they can permeate your ministry to children and youth. 4.  Community Outreach - led by Brent and Joanne Beezly Learn how your church, big or small, can make an impact in your community by reaching out to those in need.  5.  Liberia - Our Connection - led by Rev Paige Roberts Come and learn more about the partnership between the district, the conference and the United Methodist Churches in Liberia.  Hear first hand stories of the struggles and needs our United Methodist congregations in Liberia are experiencing following years of civil war. 6.  Providing Effective Leadership in Times of Conflict - led by Rev Larry &       Teresa Gilbert Objectives for this workshop include understanding systems and what causes conflict within a system, identifying various levels of conflict and how to work effectively with each, and learning how anxiety intensifies conflict when not appropriately directed. 7.  Evangelism - led by Rev Mike Crawford Why are so few mainline churches evangelistically effective? What can your church do to change that trend? This workshop is designed to help your church discover how to be more effective in reaching the people in your community. 8.  Enhancing Your Spiritual Life - led by Pastor Sally Swaim and Pastor Matt      Filicsky How's your life?  Are you growing gracefully in Christ?  We will look at old and new ways to gracefully grow in Christ through mission, study and daily life.  We will also examine the Wesleyan tradition, the means of grace, and discern how these practices can enrich our lives as disciples of Christ. To download the brochure/registration form click leadership training.

Workshop for Family Size  Churches

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2009 Time: 2-4pm Location: Oakwood UMC (Collett & N Oakwood Sts, Oakwood)

Congregations of varying sizes face different challenges and unique opportunities. To learn how we can better support and partner with your congregations, we would like to invite the pastor and at least 2 lay people from each congregation in the district that averages between 40 and 75 in worship attendance to join us for conversation.  The purpose of this time is so we can listen to your stories, what challenges and opportunities you face, and what you believe might help you to be better equipped for ministry.  Through conversation we hope to gain a clearer picture of what the district and the Office of Congregational Development might offer to strengthen your ministry. To print a flyer on this workshop click on the graphic.

"The Ministry of Cruciform Love" - A Learning Event for Holy Week

Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009 Time: 2-5pm Location: Savoy UMC (3002 W Old Church Rd, Champaign)

District clergy and laity are invited to attend this presentation by Dr Robert Mulholland Jr.  This presentation will probe the nature of God as cruciform love, i.e. the cross is not something God "did", but a revelation of the very essence of God's being.  Discipleship to such a God requires disciples to manifest cruciform love in their lives and relationships with others.  This understanding will be developed around Paul's understanding of the Christian life as a process of growing into Christlikeness.  It is hoped that this presentation will provide pastors and others with a radically new understanding of Holy Week, one that will be transformative in their lives and ministries.   To print a flyer on this workshop click on the graphic.

Congregational Development Leadership Institute 2009

Do you desire to be a more effective pastor? Would you like to gain insight into revitalizing an existing ministry or launch a new ministry? If you would like to explore the answers to any of these questions, the Congregational Development Leadership Institute is for you!  Workshop 1:  Launching New Ministry - Jim Griffith, Jan 5-6, 2009 Workshop 2:  Leading Your Church to Reach the Community -              Brad Kalajainen and Ken Nash, March 9-10, 2009 Workshop 3:  Developing a Ministry Plan - Mike Crawford,              June 2-3, 2009 Workshop 4:  The Interior Life of the Leader - Frank Thomas,              Sept 14-15, 2009 The Congregational Development Leadership Institute is a year-long institute.  Participants must attend all four workshops.  Registration cost for these workshops is $575 and includes all four workshops, books, profiles and other resources.  Registration deadline is November 15. 2008.  All participants from our conference will receive a $200 grant reducing the registration cost.  For an application or more information contact Mike Crawford, mcrawford@igrc.org.

When I was invited to attend the 2008 Congregational Development Leadership Institute I was a bit suspicious.  While I was always intrigued by the idea of participating in a new church start I was skeptical whether or not I had the personality and the skill set needed.  I wondered if the CDLI was only for church planters and if this was a subtle way of preparing me for an appointment to an unknown frontier!  A few questions to leaders and attendance at the first seminar allayed my fears.  With 73 participants I knew the CDLI could not be just for church planters!  The seminars have been a great growing  experience for me.  I went thinking the focus would be on planting new churches and revitalizing our current ones.  It was, but not on that alone.  There was a strong emphasis upon getting to know ourselves as church leaders and how we can work more effectively with other church leaders with different personalities and strengths.  I have already seen tangible benefits from this training in my own life and my work in the church.  I heartily recommend it for others who want to improve their leadership abilities in very practical ways. Pastor Ken Hutches, PhD Countryside UMC