 |
|
|
Annual Meeting : Seminars |
|
|
| SEMINARS |
MAKING THE MOST OF A SMALLER CHURCH (Congregational
Church Development Division Seminar)
Two-thirds of the Protestant churches in the United States are
small churches (fewer than 100 in worship). This seminar will
examine their unique nature and help the participants understand
how to take advantage of their size rather than seeing it as a
problem. David Ray will focus on worship, building morale, and
the blessings of being a small church.
WE HAVE A STORY TO SHARE (Missionary Society Seminar)
The Missionary Society is pleased to present the Rev. Kenaz
Solomon, President of the Travancore Church Council located in
India and the Rev. Solomon Oladele, director of the Christ to
Villages Mission in Nigeria. Come, hear their inspiring and
powerful stories of ministry direct from the international
mission fields. These are two of our most beloved and well-known
missionaries. They oversee growing and vibrant mission
ministries including: new churches, evangelism, schools, and
medical ministries. Rev. Kenaz Solomon is overseeing the
Missionary Society’s Tsunami relief efforts in India.
MODERATOR’S SEMINAR
Too often Churches facing challenges become contentious and
divided. The Moderator's Seminar, "Stop the Bleeding", will
suggest ways to resolve those differences without destruction.
Leading the seminar will be the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall who will
expand upon his widely circulated article of the same name. He
has worked "in the trenches" for forty years and has served in
many posts at regional and national levels. Is your church about
to "burn"--or would you like to make sure it doesn't? This
seminar could help.
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT CHURCH WAS SAFE AND SECURE
(A powerful, thought provoking seminar by Jeff Hanna, Executive
Director, GuideOne Center for Risk Management)
Though we wish it weren’t so, there are threats to a church’s
vitality. Learn how to 1) recognize,
2) prepare for, and 3) respond to the threats aimed at people
and ministries. Topics to be covered include: a) work
environment, b) weather, c) fires, d) accidents and incidents,
e) suspicious and dangerous people, f) robberies, and g)
terrorism.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SEMINARS
The Executive Committee will present three separate seminars,
which will address the question “What Can the National
Association of Congregational Christian Churches Do For You?”
Executive Committee members will be present at each of the
seminars to answer questions you may have, as will Rev. Dr.
Thomas M. Richard, Rev. Dr. Donald P. Olsen, and Rev. John D.
Carson. Don is CFTS Dean and the Secretary for Ministerial
Development and Information Services, John is the Secretary for
Missions, Church Development and State and Regional
Associations. Tom helps the NA set its vision and is head of
staff.
Toward an Accountable Ministry – Credentialing of Our Clergy
(Division for Ministry Seminar)
The Division for Ministry, in conjunction with The Institute of
Congregational Studies, will present a panel discussion
centering on credentialing of ministers serving in National
Association Churches. As per the Rev. Sam Schaal… “by
‘credentialing,’ I mean the process of determining if a
ministerial candidate’s training, experience and orientation are
sufficient to meet the demands of ministry.” Some questions
brought to the table may be: What process might work? Who does
this? Why should we do it? This will be presented in the form of
a panel discussion which will consist of clergy who have written
papers on topics such as the historical Ecclesiastical Vicinage
Council, as well as the present and future of the Vicinage
Council process and Accreditation process in other similar
Associations of Congregational Churches.
EMRG –Encouraging Ministry Related Gifts– is a new
program being introduced this year by CFTS. EMRG seeks to offer
opportunities for high school and college students to discern
and explore their call to ministry. We want to encourage and
equip local churches to identify, mentor and support students
who are potential ministerial candidates. Through State and
Regional gatherings, EMRG will offer events in which students
may examine their faith and consider the call to ministry. A web
site has been created which will put these students in contact
with each other and with Christian Colleges and Seminaries
around the country. We strive to network students with students,
ministers and educators. Join us as the new and exciting program
is introduced.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
