Category Archives: Synod

IUPUI Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Religion & American Culture

Third Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture Slated for June 6-9, 2013

The Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture is pleased to announce the Third Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture, to be held at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel, June 6 through June 9. The overarching themes of this third biennial conference will be “thinking again about old topics” and “new developments.” Scholars from multiple perspectives will serve on multidisciplinary panels.

Like the conferences in 2009 and 2011, the room will be set up in a circle with audience members on risers around the central round table. This set-up promotes more participation from the audience and deeper conversation among the panelists and those surrounding them. The hotel is again conveniently located in downtown Indianapolis among restaurants, museums, and public parks–all very conducive to continuing over coffee and meals those conversations begun in sessions. More…

Leadership Programs

Certificate in Executive Leadership Program Accepting Applications

Apply Now and Receive a Tuition Discount!

Applications for Cohorts VII of McCormick’s highly regarded Certificate in Executive Leadership program are now being accepted. The Certificate will be offered on the McCormick Campus during the 2013-2014 Academic Year.

Since it’s beginning in 2009, pastors, lay leaders, lay staff members of congregations, and executives in regional governing bodies have benefited from this program which is designed to meet head-on the growing challenges of leadership in today’s church. Set within four two-and-a-half day sessions, specially-selected faculty draw on contemporary leadership theory and practice to better equip participants to think and act transformationally, adaptively and wholistically within their own settings of ministry. Indeed, it is this practical integration of theory and practice in the students’ ministry contexts that is the integral core of the program.

Space is limited and filling so apply early! A $100.00 tuition discount is available to those whose applications are postmarked June 1, 2013 or earlier.

For more information click here, or contact Martha Brown at mbrown@mccormick.edu or (773) 947-6361.

The Clergy Program “Resilient Leadership”

The Clergy Program offers on-site programs available for the upcoming months of March, April, May and June of 2013 for pastors, church professionals and other church leaders. The five-day intensive Program features daily individual and group consultations, fitness assessment and training, spiritual direction, and professional follow-up coaching.

The Board of Pensions assists pastors offset program costs through the Shared Grant Fund. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has long sponsored pastors affected by trauma.

For more information click here.

Synod Meeting Highlights

by Carol McDonald – Synod Executive

The Synod of Lincoln Trails held its first stated meeting of 2013 on Friday, March 22, at First Presbyterian Church, Urbana, IL. The Synod’s Moderator, Teaching Elder Cheryl Montgomery, Presbytery of Whitewater Valley, called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. CDT. Ruling Elder commissioners Brenda Taylor, Presbytery of Chicago, and Bob Song, Presbytery of Midwest Hanmi were welcomed to their first Synod meeting. It was noted that the Presbyteries of Blackhawk, Chicago, and Great Rivers could claim 100% attendance by their commissioners!

The Synod spent about 90 minutes concluding its study of The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. After viewing the Zanders’ DVD, small group discussion focused on the questions, “which concepts can make a difference in the life of the Synod and what am I willing to do to make this happen?” Total group reflection “mapped” the conversation and a strong common thread of “communication” emerged.

The Synod also:

Installed Teaching Elder Jennifer Burns Lewis, Presbytery of Chicago, as Moderator for 2013, and Teaching Elder David W. Jones, Presbytery of Blackhawk as Vice Moderator for 2013. Out-going Moderator Cheryl Montgomery was thanked for her service.

More…

Synod All New Pastors Reunion

Save These Dates: November 21-23, 2013

Synod of Lincoln Trails’ New Pastor Program Participants Invited to Reunion

The Synod of Lincoln Trails is excited to sponsor the first ever REUNION of ALL New Pastors Program participants. Beginning with Group One and including everyone, even Group Twenty Two!

The retreat will be held at Hawthorn Suites in Champaign, IL, beginning with supper Thursday evening, followed by worship, play and reflection. Ending after breakfast on Saturday morning.

Your cost is ONLY $100! Spread the word among your old new pastor friends!

Would you like to help plan the event? Share talents of music, art or dance? Contact Peggy McDonald, peggy@lincolntrails.org.

Click here for the invitation.

Click here for a registration form

Or watch for online registration and payment information on the Synod website.

Synod Offers Leadership Development Opportunities

Back by Popular Demand

Continuing Education Opportunities

The “Sacred Seasons” preaching workshops are led by the Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Highland, Ind. Dr. Reason is a nine-time teacher of preaching and worship leadership to Synod of Lincoln Trails ruling elders.

The 2013 workshops are:

February 9 – Lent & Easter
May 11 – Pentecost I
August 24 – Pentecost II
November 2 – Advent, Christmas and Epiphany

Cost: $35 per class. Includes lunch and teaching materials.

Classes will be held at Philo Presbyterian Church in Philo, IL from 9:30am – 2:30pm (Central Time).

For more information contact Kristi Miller via email or by calling (800) 566-5996.

The Art of Transitional Ministry

MALT Regional Education for Transitional Ministry

We live in a time of great transition in our churches and culture. Transitional Ministry Education is intended for those presently engaged in or inquiring about the nature of transitional ministry. This includes Temporary Transitional Ministry positions; which may include interim ministry, designated ministry, other temporary ministry or Installed Transitional Ministry positions. Committee on Ministry members and presbytery staff persons with responsibility for congregations in this time of transition will also find the education helpful.

Training dates are May 6-10, 2013 at Mercy Center in St. Louis, MO.

For more information click here.

Small Church Conference (Fall)

North Central Small Church Conference

For small membership congregations

October 2-4, 2012

Potawatomi Inn, Pokagon State Park,
Angola, Indiana

The purpose of this conference is to inspire, equip, motivate, encourage and provide rest and refreshment for pastors, REC’s and leaders of small Presbyterian congregations. Provided at a modest cost, this Conference is designed as a gift from individuals, larger congregations, and governing bodies in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Download the Brochure for more information.

Click Here to register online.

A Ministry of: Presbyterians for Renewal
co-sponsored by the Synod of Lincoln Trails

Creating a Congregational Culture of Generosity

The Synod of Lincoln Trails’ Ministerial Excellence Fund is pleased to offer a workshop presented by Lake Institute of Faith and Giving’s director, Dr. Bill Enright, and ably assisted by Rev. Anna Parkinson, and Rev. Bob Hunter at Irvington Presbyterian Church.

The workshop is 9:00am – 4:00pm on April 20th and April 21st.

Location: Irvington Presbyterian Church, 55 Johnson Ave, Indianapolis

By now you may have heard about the workshop, Creating a Congregational Culture of Generosity, or even attended a version of the workshop in the past. Because the information presented is based on the most current research compiled by The Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University, you will receive the most recent information available in the country.

This is a great workshop (since it is basically free and very practical) to bring you financial team, perhaps the church treasurer, and at least one session member. Your only expense is $30 for the materials.

People who take this seminar will:

understand the landscape of religious giving based on the latest research;
appreciate the theological significance of generosity;
identify their own theological/religious tradition of generosity;
understand the relationship between organizational accountability and generosity;
process the idea that congregational finances are an arena for pastoral care;
analyze their current congregational culture;
design a working plan to implement cultural change to move towards greater generosity

Download the Application

Contact Ann Bingaman, MEF co-director, (phone: 765-883-8529) for more information.

The application deadline is April 13, 2012.