Sending of the Saints Workshops
Free Mini Workshops
Does your church need help as it starts its Sending of the Saints effort? Do its leaders need a clearer understanding of what Sending of the Saints is? Are they unsure how to proceed or how to even begin? If so, consider attending either of these two free mini workshops (they are identical).
Dates, Times, Locations
Sunday, January 13, 2008
2:30-4:30pm EST at Crown Point UMC. This is in conjunction with the Calumet District's leadership training day.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
9:30-11:30am EST at Trinity UMC in Kokomo.
Registration
Because space may be limited, please RSVP to the Conference Service Center at 1.800.783.5138 or mary@nicumc.org at least one week prior.
More Information
If you have questions or need more information about these mini workshops, please contact Ed Fenstermacher at 1.800.783.5138 or ed@nicumc.org.
Training Workshops
These workshops are for laity and clergy to assist their churches in developing faith communities in order to reach and disciple persons outside their churches. Feel free to attend other training opportunities as well. Contact Ed Fenstermacher (800.783.5138 or ed@nicumc.org) for more information.
Dates & Times
All workshops are offered on Saturdays from 10am-4pm (Eastern Time). See details under "Workshop Offerings" below.
Cost
No charge, if five or more persons from the same church attend the workshop together. Otherwise, it costs $75 per person.
Registration
Complete and return the registration form. Registration deadline for each is two weeks prior to event’s date. Note: if a church signs up five or more at the free rate and fewer than five show up the day of the event, participants will be charged $75.
Workshop Offerings
Jan 26 2008 @ Sonrise UMC, Fort Wayne
- Sharing Your Faith Story – Rev. Kim Reisman
Especially for churches wanting to learn how to teach individuals in their congregations to naturally share their faith stories. Kim, the North Indiana Conference’s evangelist, has years of experience leading workshops and revivals, and has written a number of books.
- Small-group Oriented Outreach – Jan Boggs, Rev. Mark Need
Especially for churches wanting to develop small groups that reach unchurched persons. Jan, a clinical social worker and church workshop leader, and Mark, an associate pastor at Columbia City UMC, will share the joys, frustrations, and a plan of action for doing small-group oriented outreach, like 40 Days of Purpose. Their church recently reached and discipled a significant number of unchurched people through such an effort.
- New Worship Services for New People – Ed Fenstermacher, Rev. Mark Gough
Especially for churches interested in launching a new worship service for a new group of people. Ed, who has personal experience in launching new worship services, has trained scores of churches through this workshop. Mark, Conference Council Director, has years of experience dealing with the technical, practical, and theological aspects of worship.
- Reaching Your Community Missionally – Rev. Jeff Newton
Especially for churches wanting to reach and disciple those in their neighborhood by sharing God's love in tangible ways. Learn from the founder of Kokomo Urban Outreach and pastor of Trinity UMC practical ways your church can develop a missional mindset, positively impacting your community. Learn through discussion, hands-on mission activities, and missional stories.
Feb 23 2008 @ First UMC, Wabash
- Sharing Your Faith Story – Rev. Kim Reisman
Especially for churches wanting to learn how to teach individuals in their congregations to naturally share their faith stories. Kim, the North Indiana Conference’s evangelist, has years of experience leading workshops and revivals, and has written a number of books.
- Small-group Oriented Outreach – Jan Boggs, Rev. Mark Need
Especially for churches wanting to develop small groups that reach unchurched persons. Jan, a clinical social worker and church workshop leader, and Mark, an associate pastor at Columbia City UMC, will share the joys, frustrations, and a plan of action for doing small-group oriented outreach, like 40 Days of Purpose. Their church recently reached and discipled a significant number of unchurched people through such an effort.
- Let the Children & Their Families Come! – Rev. Heather Olson-Bunnell
Especially for churches—including open-country churches—feeling a call to reach children and their families through off-site VBSs, kids clubs, recreation and small-group ministries. Heather, who developed the original kids club model which was launched in over 200 churches, has years of practical hands on experience as well as consulting, coaching, and teaching church leaders.
- ALPHA Course – Paula Shrock
Especially for churches interested in reaching out to unchurched youth or adults through a home-based (or jail-based) study of the basics beliefs of Christianity. Paula, a lifelong United Methodist, has a passion for sharing Christ with the people she meets. She has led or been involved in at least ten Alpha Courses and has served on the prayer team for two Alpha Conferences. She also coordinates the conference’s Prayer Team.
- Launching Off-site Congregations – Revs. Gary Hall and Kurt Nichols
Especially for churches called to reach a new group of people in a new location. Gary, pastor of Hartford City Grace, helped his church develop a new congregation that meets in a local high school. Within 18 months it had indigenous leadership and was self-supporting. Averaging over 100 per week and growing, most attending were previously unchurched. Kurt, associate pastor of First UMC in Valparaiso, helped his church launch an off-site congregation that meets in the basement of a downtown restaurant. It averages around 200 people and has attracted many unchurched families. Gary and Kurt used two different models—Hartford City started with a worship service, and Valparaiso started with a Wesleyan small-group model.
- Welcoming the Stranger – Rev. Matthew Stultz
Especially for churches wanting to discover new ways to reach out to and extend the gift of hospitality to new people using the Igniting Ministries resources. Matthew pastored the first NIC church to receive an Igniting Ministries designation; he has also been trained by the General Church in using these resources.
