Category Archives: Synod

Learn More About the Belhar Confession

Synod and McCormick Seminary Team Up to Offer Introduction to the Belhar Confession

Saturday, December 4, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Elmhurst, Ill.

This workshop is presented in support of presbyteries and congregations of the synod and beyond. It will give particular attention to the social and theological implications of the Belhar Confession for the North American church today and the ecclesial implications of its proposed inclusion in the PC(USA) Book of Confessions.
Deadline to register is November 30, 2010.

More information and to register…

The Rev. Dave Crittenden selected to head GAMC Stewardship Ministry

Long-term Synod Leader Brings Broad Experience to the Role

OCTOBER 4, 2010
Louisville, KY
(The original article is here.)

The Rev. David Crittenden, of Indianapolis, Ind., has been chosen to lead a new stewardship ministry for the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC).

The GAMC stewardship ministry will focus on inspiring, equipping, and connecting Presbyterians to faithful financial giving as an act of Christian discipleship with a particular focus on leadership development.

Crittenden will work with elected and staff leadership to help the GAMC adapt in the changing climate of religious funding, and to engage and support the whole church in strengthening stewardship.

Crittenden has served on the staff of the Synod of Lincoln Trails for the past sixteen years — the past ten years as co-executive. Among his responsibilities for the synod, Crittenden has manager and executive of the synod’s investment and loan program, supervisor of financial activities and staff, synod representative to denominational mission funding gatherings and national consultations, and consultant to congregations in the area of stewardship and financial discipleship. Prior to his service with the synod, Crittenden served as pastor for fifteen years in Indiana and Illinois, and five years as an associate pastor in Nebraska.

Karen L. Schmidt, deputy executive director for communications and funds development, said, “The GAMC is working hard to strengthen our partnerships with middle governing bodies. One of the top priorities for middle governing body leaders in a recent survey of denominational priorities is stewardship. I can imagine no better person for this role than Dave Crittenden, who is in frequent demand as one of the leading middle governing body experts on the topic.”

“I have received five calls during my 36 years of ordained ministry; four of them specifically emphasized stewardship and financial discipleship,” said Crittenden. “It is this area where my experience and passion meet. I am eagerly looking forward to following Christ’s call, and my passion, in this new work with presbyteries, synods and the General Assembly Mission Council.”

Crittenden will begin service with the GAMC on January 3, 2011.

Learning Opportunities from Synod

Lay Pastors to Study Christmas Season Preaching for Year A

The Synod of Lincoln Trails will offer another in its popular series of preaching workshops on Oct. 20 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Champaign, Ill.

The workshop, led by the Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, will meet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The $25 registration fee will cover all workshop materials and lunch. Deadline to register is Oct. 8.

Click here to register for the Oct. 30 preaching workshop.
Registration fee may be paid at the door and must be paid once you register, whether you attend or not. Registrations received after the deadline will not guarantee materials or a meal upon arrival.

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Learning Opportunity for Interim Pastors and Executives

The Synod of Lincoln Trails and the Synod of Mid-America (MALT) have joined together to offer specialized training for pastors and others who are interested in serving as interim pastors and middle governing body executives.

The next interim pastor training session will take place Nov. 1-5 in Saint Louis. Basic training consists of 60 contact hours plus a practicum. The contact hours are divided into two 30-hour residency weeks separated by the practicum. Both the first and the second residency weeks are available during the Nov. 1-5 session. Visit the Lincoln Trails website for more information: www.lincolntrails.org/InterimPastorTraining. Deadline to register for this fall’s session is Oct. 4.

Those who have completed interim pastor training may wish to continue their training with MALT’s interim executive training. The next interim executive training session is Nov. 5-9. Visit the Lincoln Trails website for more information: www.lincolntrails.org/InterimExecutiveTraining. Deadline to register for this fall’s session is Oct. 8.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!
“Music & Worship” Conference for Lay Pastors will Feature John Bell

October 4-7, Montreat Conference Center, North Carolina

This conference brings together leaders and resources needed by commissioned lay pastors and preachers to nurture their ministry of preaching, pastoral care, and congregational leadership. More about the conference/register online.

The Synod of Lincoln Trails is offering $200 scholarships to attend this conference. Download a scholarship application.

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Lilly Endowment 2011 Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations Information Meeting

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1 to 4 p.m., North United Methodist Church (3808 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis)

In 2011, Lilly Endowment’s Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations will again provide as many as 40 grants of up to $50,000 to congregations in the state of Indiana for the support of renewal programs for their pastors.

Pastors, spouses and lay leaders from congregations located in the state of Indiana who are interested in applying for a grant next year are invited to attend an information meeting regarding this opportunity.

Register no later than Tuesday, November 2, at indianaclergyrenewal@yahoo.com or by calling (317) 916-7350. Include:

  1. the name of your congregation as well as its street address, city, ZIP code and telephone number; and
  2. the names of those who will attend (meeting organizers can accommodate up to three persons per congregation).

Detailed information about the Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations, including the application material, is available on the Lilly Endowment website: www.indianaclergy.org.  It is recommended that meeting participants download and read the 2011 application brochure and bring a copy to the meeting.

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Music and Worship Conference for CLPs and Preachers
Oct. 4-7  Montreat, N.C.

Web Ministry and Social Media Training Special discount for Presbyterians
Oct. 8-9 Evanston, Ill.

POAMN Conference Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network
Oct. 12-16 Orlando

Presbyterian Communicators Regional Conferences
Grants available for SOLT communicators
Oct. 18-20  Slippery Rock, Penn.
Oct. 25-27  Lake Tahoe, Nev.

Emergent Christianity and Tentmaking Ministry Nov. 12-14  Mundelein, Ill.