Category Archives: Workshop

Upcoming Synod Events

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CRE 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 the last two workshops for 2013 are:

– August 24 – Pentecost II – Registration Deadline, August 16th

– 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 and Transitional Executive Education

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 for Regional Education for Transitional Ministry are October 28-November 1, 2013 at Mercy Center in St. Louis, MO.

For more information click here.

Transitional Executive Education

Learning will focus on: Identifying and working with multiple layers of organizational system complexity; identifying and working with multiple cultures within an organizational system; Identifying and working with governing body infrastructure and applying the work of the people and the work of the leader to governing bodies.

Training dates for Transitional Executive Education are November 1-4, 2013 at Mercy Center in St. Louis, MO.

For more information click here.

COM/CPM Immersion and Empowerment Event

October 3-5, 2013
Champaign, Illinois

This synod-wide event was created by the eight Executive/General Presbyters of the Synod of Lincoln Trails. It will focus on the development of COM and CPM moderators and vice-moderators.

Highlights:

  • Keynote Speaker: Author, Carol Howard Merritt
  • Workshops
  • Partners: The Board of Pensions and the Office of General Assembly
  • Experts: Members of COMs and CPMs will spend time with other members
  • Moderators: The moderators and vice-moderators of committees will have time to spend together
  • Worship: Joy Douglas Strome, Pastor of Lakeview Presbyterian will lead worship
  • Registration deadline: September 23, 2013

Cost: No registration cost or cost for meals. (See the brochure for hotel cost and details.)

For more information contact Kristi Miller by email or phone,

(800 ) 566-5996.

Click here to see the brochure.

From Embers to a Flame

Dr. Reeder revitalized Pinelands Presbyterian Church in Miami, FL, and was the founding pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church. For the last twelve years he has been the senior pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Reeder is the author of From Embers to a Flame—How God Can Revitalize a Church? He is devoted to the ministry of church revitalization and hosts intensive courses, both nationally and internationally.
Time & Dates: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (Pastors only session; lunch included)
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013: 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. (Pastors and their teams)
Friday, Sept. 13, 2013: 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013: 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Cost: $50 per person or $250 per team (pastor and open number of church members)
Location: Evergreen Ministries, 4512 48th Street, Hudsonville, MI 49412
Textbook: From Embers to a Flame: How God Can Revitalize Your Church
(To facilitate discussion, each participant is expected to have read the book.)
Register: Register Online Here (Questions? Call Carl Bosma – 616-957-6022)
Sponsor: Calvin Theological Seminary’s Institute for Global Church Planting and Renewal (IGCPR)

Oct. 1-3 BOP seminars in Champaign, IL

Board University education seminars are a plan benefit provided for our members and employing organizations. The Board of Pensions is pleased to partner with the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois to offer these seminars in at First Presbyterian Church in Champaign, IL:

  • October 1-2 Growing Into Tomorrow…Today, a holistic retirement planning seminar for mid- to late-career plan members (age 50 and older, but not yet retired clergy and lay plan members, and their guest). Download the Flyer
  • October 3 Post-Retirement seminar, on post-employment vocation, retirement, and financial planning for clergy and lay plan retirees (or their designated representatives), and surviving covered partners. Download the Flyer

Each seminar has a maximum seating of 30 attendees. Registration opened on July 8 and runs through September 13, 2013.

To learn more about the seminars, and to register to attend them before their respective deadlines, interested individuals may visit the registration websites for each seminar being offered:

For questions or concerns about these seminar offerings, or any of the Board’s education programs, please contact us at education@pensions.org or 800-773-7752, ext. 7223.

The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | 2000 Market St., 4th Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19103-3298

P: 800-773-7752, ext. 7223 / 215-587-7223 | F: 215-587-6212 | www.pensions.org

Visit Seminars & E-learning on www.pensions.org! Board University programs and resources are organized into three audiences so you can find what best fits your needs: members, treasurers/administrators, and mid councils.

“Rockin’ at Rockville”

On Saturday, June 15, a small but enthusiastic group of Presbyterians were introduced to the new Presbyterian hymnal “Glory to God” at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Rockville.  In a large sanctuary with beautiful organ and piano instruments available, two doctoral students at the Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music helped show the new possibilities of using the hymnal–even in smaller congregations.

The Rockville Church has known great “days of glory” in the past, but presently struggles to attract newer and younger participants in a largely rural county with declining population.   Brian McNulty and Brian Mueller, along with Hymnal Advocate Rev. Tim Jessen, introduced ways to use contemporary music in exciting and innovative ways.   At one point, participants joined in praising God with drums and other percussion instruments, including an ordinary cast-iron frying pan.

The new hymnbook will include “old favorites,”  (and some omitted from recent denominational hymnals), as  well as new songs and hymns from around the globe.   Though participation in the two workshops to introduce the Hymnal in Ohio Valley was smaller in terms of both the number of  congregations and participants represented, those who attended were enthused, encouraged, and ready to sing joyfully “new (and old) songs of praise.”

Indeed, they were really “Rockin’ at Rockville” and enjoying the joy of music in praise.    It was heartwarming to see one of our smaller membership congregations provide such gracious and welcoming hospitality.

Thus far,  events have been held in Rockville and Jeffersonville, with a Region presentation earlier in Bloomington.  An additional workshop can be planned for the Evansville area, if there is enough interest.

Tim Jessen , Hymnal Advocate, Presbytery of Ohio Valley

Webinar: Worship as Conversation

Worship as Conversation

A free webinar with Princeton Seminary President Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes

Wednesday, May 29, 2013
7:30 pm – 8:45 pm EDT
School of Christian Vocation and Mission
Princeton Theological Seminary

Worship is a sacred conversation between the word of God and the yearning of the congregation. This webinar will offer insights on how pastors and congregations can make worship more conversational and meaningful to everyone involved. This webinar is offered at no cost. You are encouraged to host a group at your church to watch together.

Leader

M. Craig Barnes is the seventh president of Princeton Theological Seminary. He began his presidency in January 2013, and also serves as professor of pastoral ministry. Barnes earned his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Seminary in 1981 and his Ph.D. in church history from the University of Chicago in 1992.

Before becoming president of Princeton, Barnes was a chaired professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary while also serving as the pastor and head of staff of Shadyside Presbyterian Church. He previously served pastorates in Madison, Wisconsin, and at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. He is a frequent lecturer and preacher at conferences, academic gatherings, and in congregations across the country. He is the author of eight books and serves as a columnist for The Christian Century. His writing and academic work reflect his deep commitment to the theological formation of pastors to lead the church in changing times.

What to Expect

To watch this webinar you will need a good internet connection and a computer. If you plan to host a group to watch together at your church, you will also need a digital projector of some kind and speakers. The webinar will feature a live video and audio stream from Princeton, as well as a chat box. You will be able to ask questions of Dr Barnes by typing in the chat box.

All registrants will be sent detailed instructions on Wednesday, May 22. A special test session will be held on Friday, May 24 at 3 PM EDT.

Registration

To register, please click here.

This webinar is sponsored by the School of Christian Vocation and Mission at Princeton Theological Seminary with support from the Lilly Endowment. Registration is free, but spaces are limited.Preference will be given to congregations who organize groups to watch together.

Contact Info

Additional questions may be asked by telephone at 609.497.7990 or by e-mail at scvm@ptsem.edu.

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.

LPTS Offers Church Safety Workshop

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary presents

“Church Safety and Pastoral Care in Violent Times”

A Two-part Workshop

Sunday, April 7
2:30—7:30 p.m.

In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., Louisville Seminary and the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery’s DePART (disaster education, preparedness and response team) have assembled a two-part workshop on gun violence in the church.

Location: Louisville Seminary, 1044 Alta Vista Road in Schlegel Hall, first floor

Schedule: 

  • Part I—“Church Safety in Violent Times” 2:30–5:00 p.m. Led by Ron Aguiar, current director of safety and security at Southeast Christian Church
  • Break for Dinner 5:00–6:00 p.m.
  • Part II—“Pastoral Care Response in the Wake of Violence” 6:00–7:30 p.m. Led by Rev. Laurie Ann Kraus, coordinator for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
  • Participants are free to attend one or both sessions.

Cost: FREE

To Register: Contact Pat Welsh: 502.629.2702, pat.welsh@nortonhealthcare.org