Center for Congregations Presents Events Statewide

Vonna Laue, co-author of Essential Guide to Church Finances and partner with the accounting firm Capin Crouse, leads congregational leaders through workshops covering topics of church accounting practices, planning and budgeting, internal controls and risk management, and financial reporting. Although this workshop is Part 2, having attended Part 1 is not a pre-requisite. All congregations are welcome to attend the event in Carmel in Hamilton County or St. John in Lake County. Click here for additional information and on-line registration.

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Welcoming and Nurturing: Retention and Assimilation of Newcomers
A Luncheon Series in Seymour
Thursdays, September 30 and October 21, 2010

This southeast Indiana luncheon series presents various perspectives on the topic of newcomer welcome, retention and assimilation. Janet Brown, welcome and assimilation coordinator at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Carmel, talks with participants on September 30 about The Art and Science of Assimilating New Members; and on October 21, author and pastor Bob Russell explores Growing Your Church. Click here to learn more and to register on-line.

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Developing Congregational Generosity: A Northeast Learning Opportunity
William Enright
December 2010-September 2011, Fort Wayne

Developing Congregational Generosity is a four-session learning program for northeast Indiana congregations to improve their capacity to talk about money in faithful ways, to understand the religious and spiritual motivations of givers, and to invite generosity from their members. Applications are due October 1, 2010 for this program. Space is limited. Congregational teams meet four times as a group and once via conference call from December 2010 to September 2011. The program is led by the Rev. Dr. William Enright, Director of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy. Click here for additional information and to download the application.

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Exploring the Longevity Revolution: Ministry with Older Adults
Richard Gentzler
Thursday, October 21, 2010, Fort Wayne
Friday, October 22, 2010, Indianapolis

We are fast becoming an aging society. This workshop focuses on ministries with older adults and how congregations can develop comprehensive programs to include these aging congregants. Richard Gentzler, director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries, is the presenter. Click here for details and on-line registration.

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Externally Focused Quest
Eric Swanson
Wednesday, October 27, 2010, Evansville
Thursday, October 28, 2010, Seymour

More and more congregations are finding fulfillment and growth through a focus on serving their communities.  In this workshop, Eric Swanson builds on the work begun in his popular book, The Externally Focused Church, to highlight what congregations are doing to place themselves in their communities as agents of transformation. For details and on-line registration, click this link.

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Sustainable Youth Ministry: A Southwest Learning Opportunity
Mark DeVries & Stephanie Caro
January-November 2011, Evansville

Applications are being accepted now for this four-session learning program for southwest Indiana congregational teams to grow significantly in their capacity for ongoing youth ministry. Participating congregations will learn and implement systems and structures needed to lay a strong foundation for ongoing youth ministry. Mark DeVries and Stephanie Caro from Youth Ministry Architects will facilitate the workshop and coach participating congregations. Space is limited. Applications are required and due November 1. For additional information and downloadable application, click here.

Events are limited to Indiana congregations.