Past Ed Events

Diversity and Congregations Podcasts Available

jane — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:59:00 GMT

Check out podcasts from the presenters of the Diversity and Congregations workshop....(read more)

Help for Navigating Transitions and Challenges

jane — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:56:00 GMT

Alban Institute Consultant Susan Nienaber picked her top resources to help congregations as they navigate transitions and challenges. Nienaber talked about common challenges for faith communities ...(read more)

Youth Ministry Resources

jane — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:54:00 GMT

Youth Ministry Architects founder Mark DeVries talked to congregational leaders in Evansville and Highland this month (January 2010) about moving forward with youth ministry....(read more)

Resources and Photos from Governance and Ministry

jane — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Congregational leaders gathered in Indianapolis and Crown Point to hear Alban Institute Consultant Dan Hotchkiss discuss Governance and Ministry....(read more)

Resources and Pix from Nurturing Faith and Family Life

jane — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:41:00 GMT

See photos and Diana Garland's top resource recommendations...(read more)

Resources and Photos from Cultivating a Church with Vibrant Purpose

jane — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:31:00 GMT

See photos and the presenter's top resource picks for the October 2009 workshop, Cultivating a Church with Vibrant Purpose...(read more)

Resources for Congregations Looking at Building, Renovation or Architectural Issues

jane — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:16:00 GMT

Keith Crouch and Russell Maddox from the National Center for Church Architecture picked their favorite resources for congregations looking at building, renovating, expansion and other architectural issues. ...(read more)

Resources and Photos from Creating Cultures of Generosity

jane — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:57:00 GMT

Check out pictures from the May 2009 workshop Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity. Presenter William Enright recommended his top resource picks...(read more)

Resources for Religious and Congregational Trends

jane — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Presenter Mark Chaves recommends his top resource picks for his workshop, Religious and Congregational Trends...(read more)

Youth Ministry Workshop Offers Tips and Support

jane — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:12:00 GMT

Mark DeVries led an informative, upbeat, and humorous workshop on Sustainable Youth Ministry in Brownsburg and Woodburn the week before Thanksgiving. ...(read more)

Resources Recommended for Creating a 501(c)(3)

jane — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Indiana University School of Law Professor Robert Katz recommended several resources that can help congregations considering creating a non-profit ministry or organization...(read more)

List of Education Events

jane — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:38:00 GMT

2009 Education Events

Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity with William Enright

Cultivating a Church with Vibrant Purpose with Graham Standish

Developing Congregational Generosity with William Enright

Effective Leadership for Building Programs with Keith Crouch and Russell Maddox

Energizing Your Sunday School Program with Phyllis Wezeman

Flourishing Congregations Southeast

Four Generations in Your Congregation with Pam Goedde and Jeff Stucke

Governance and Ministry with Dan Hotchkiss

Green Stories

Internet Strategies for Your Congregation with David Bourgeois

Let's Talk Preaching with Ron Allen and Mary Alice Mulligan

Nurturing Faith and Family Life with Diana Garland

Religious and Congregational Trends with Mark Chaves

Staying Connected in a Facebook World with Christian Piatt

The Essential Small Church with David Ray

The Soul of Your Congregation with Mindy Caliguire, Lyle SmithGraybeal and Chris Webb

The 1% Rule with Jamie Levy

Web 2.0 Bistro

2008 Education Events

Better Preaching & Better Listening with Mary Alice Mulligan and Ron Allen
Creating a 501(c)(3) with Robert Katz
Flourishing Congregations Evansville
Flourishing Congregations Summit in Fort Wayne
Megachurches: What Can My Church Learn from these Giants? with Scott Thumma
Praying in Color with Sybil MacBeth
Praying with Purpose with Claire Wolfteich
Real Kids, Real Faith with Karen Marie Yust
Re-Imagining the Church with Doug Pagitt
Rotation Sunday School with Phyllis Wezeman
Small Church Spirituality with Anthony Pappas
Spiritual Strategic Journey with George Bullard
Technology and Its Possibilities with Daryl Cripe and Steve Clark
TechTalk with Nancy Armstrong and Aaron Spiegel

2007 Education Events

Beyond the Ordinary with Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce
Building a Neighborhood Together with Hedda Sharapan
Celebrating Congregations
Children and Prayer with T. Wyatt Watkins
Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times with Peter Steinke
The Emerging Church with Eddie Gibbs
Faith, Money, and Giving with William Enright
Flourishing Congregations
Holy Conversations with Gil Rendle
How Cultural Trends Affect Your Congregation with Gil Rendle
Internet Resources with Roger Finke
Leading Change with Gil Rendle
Raising the Roof with Alice Mann
Small Church Spirituality with Anthony Pappas
Soul Food: A Hoosier Literary Luncheon
This House We Build with Terry Bookman and William Kahn
Unbinding the Gospel with Gay Reese

2006 Education Events

Architecture to Transcend with Nan Phifer
Creating a Culture of Generosity with Dr. William Enright
Faith and Film with Edward McNulty
Faith, Money and Giving with Dr. William Enright
Hoosier Pastoral: Writing the Clergy Life with Nan Phifer and Brent Bill
Media Ministry School with Tim Eason
Serving with Style with Dr. Ronald Williams
Transforming Congregational Culture with Anthony Robinson
Raising the Roof with Alice Mann
Children and Prayer with T. Wyatt Watkins
The Practicing Congregation with Diana Butler Bass
Body, Mind and Spiritual Growth with Robert Hunter
Reclaiming Testimony with Lillian Daniel

2005 Education Events

40 Days and 40 Bytes with Aaron Spiegel and Nancy Armstrong
40 Days of Purpose with Mark Clark
The Bivocational Pastor with Dennis Bickers
Creating a Culture of Generosity with Dr. William Enright
The Disciple-Making Church with Zionsville Presbyterian Church
Emerging Shifts in Youth Ministry with Tony Jones
The Externally-Focused Church with Eric Swanson
Finding Your Niche with Robert Perry
Not Another Church Fight with Susan Nienaber
The Real Life of Congregations with Heidi Neumark and Richard Lindvall
Sacred Space Conference
Stories That Take Us Somewhere with Kathryn Palen and Susan Beaumont
The Third Place with Ed Bahler and Northview Christian Life Church
The Unfinished Congregation with Brian McLaren
The Welcoming Congregation with Dr. Ron Wolfson
Writing from the Center with Carrie Newcomer and Brent Bill

2004 Education Events

Adult Faith Formation: Creating Vital Congregations with Diana Butler Bass
Appreciating Your Ministry MidLife Crisis with Kenneth Fong
The Art and Science of Assimilating New Members with Janet Brown
The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community with Randy Frazee
Beating Burnout in Congregations with Lynne Baab
Building and Sustaining Bridges to Community with Daryl Ward
Convergence Worship: Authentic Worship in a Changing World with Robert Webber
Creating a 501(c)3 with Robert Katz
The Intersection of Leadership and Preaching with Gil Rendle
Making Ministry Matter with Kathleen Cahalan
Ministry by Strength with Sue Nilson
Reformed and Reforming: Engaging God's World with Neil Plantinga

2003 Education Events

Passions and Profession: Church-Based Community Ministry with Karen Simons
Club, Clan or Incarnational Community? with C. Kirk Hadaway
13 Choices for Congregational Change with George Bullard
Godly Play: Meeting God With Children with Kim McPherson
The Board: Roles and Responsibilities with Suzanne Stier
Connecting to Our Strengths: US Congregations Project with Cynthia Woolever
Planted in the Right Places for the Right Reasons with Darryn Scheske and Aaron Story
Telling the Story: Congregations and Media with Art Cribbs
Never Call Them Jerks: Healthy Responses to Congregational Conflict with Arthur Paul Boers
The Turnaround Congregation: Congregational Redevelopment with Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson
Inside the Small Church with Anthony Pappas

2002 Education Events

Guidance for the Journey with Rita Burns Senseman
Synagogue 2000 with Lawrence Hoffman
Leading Change in the Congregation with Gil Rendle
Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community with Randy Frazee
Spirituality and the Business of Congregations with Karen Marie Yust
Young Adults: Missing in Action with Roger Nishioka
Using the Congregational Story to Release Leaders to Serve with Edward P. Wimberly and Anne E. Streaty Wimberly

2001 Education Events

Meaningful Worship in a Changing Culture
Preaching with Passion and Purpose with Dr. Gardner Taylor and Dr. Charles Edward Booth
Giving, Stewardship, Fundraising with Kennon Callahan

2000 Education Events

Computers and Ministry with Aaron Spiegel and Nancy Armstrong
Energy Conservation in Houses of Worship with Inspired Partnerships
Practicing Our Faith in Your Congregation with Dorothy Bass and Craig Dykstra
Mobilizing Lay Ministry with Sue Mallory
Polarity Research Follow-Up with Barry Johnson and Roy Oswald
Leadership for Emerging Leaders with Lisa Bing and Gary Simpson
Size Transition with Alice Mann

Congregations are...

jane — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:51:00 GMT

“On fire!” “Generous!” “Active!” “Joyful!” “Diverse!” These are just a few of the responses from participants at the latest Flourishing Congregations Summit in Fort Wayne. ...(read more)

Best Resources for Real Kids, Real Faith

jane — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:50:00 GMT

Check out these recommended resources from the workshop Real Kids, Real Faith...(read more)

Congregations explore Praying with Purpose

jane — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:55:00 GMT

Check out these recommended resources from the workshop, Praying with Purpose...(read more)

A look at technology and congregations

jane — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:33:00 GMT

Nearly 50 clergy and laity gathered for day-long TechTalk educational events held in Evansville and Scottsburg ...(read more)

Small Church Spirituality

jane — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:39:00 GMT

Tony Pappas employed an effective mix of theory and personal/practical content in his November 2007 workshop, Small Church Spirituality...(read more)

Raising the Roof

Aaron Spiegel — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:19:00 GMT

Twenty-six leaders from 19 congregations gathered recently to explore size transitions. Congregational consultant Alice Mann led the northeast Indiana workshop Raising the Roof.

Mann advised congregations to know where they are at this point in time and focus on and amplify the strengths they possess right now. In order for a congregation to move ahead into size transition, Mann told the group, the clergy and lay leaders must both be ready. She helped participants examine the concept of size transition and reflect on their own ministry settings.

“I received very practical tools to help my congregation discover its identity and calling. I got an infusion of hope,” stated one participant.

Mann warned that congregations often jump into building projects when thinking about growth. She offered this advice: be strategic with staffing for growth first, then plan the programming for growth, and then consider building.

“You provided ideas, theories, questions, and exercises for internal and external growth,” said another participant.

Take advantage of lateral learning, Mann told the group. Identify a peer congregation and talk to their leaders about the nuts and bolts of how their church works – their budget, staffing practices, and decision-making practices.

The Center for Congregations is happy to discuss size transition with your congregation. Give us a call toll-free at 866-307-2381. You can also check out the Raising the Roof workshop resource guide – a list of resources recommended by Mann.

Celebrating Congregations

Aaron Spiegel — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:22:00 GMT

In 2007, the Center for Congregations hosted a learning event in Evansville on Celebrating Congregations....(read more)

Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times

jane — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:02:00 GMT

This May 4, 2007, education event led by Peter Steinke drew 56 clergy and congregational leaders to Northeast Christian Church in Fort Wayne. Steinke walked participants through a day-long conversation about family systems theory and how it applies to congregations. He incorporated stories from his own career, material in his latest book Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times, and a clip from the television show Everybody Loves Raymond.

Participants’ comments on the key learnings of the day, include:

I gained a greater understanding of anxiety triggers and have a more mature understanding of anxiety.
I learned that it is good to be centered on how “I” enter the equation.
I gained clarity on self versus group dynamics.
I appreciated the section on healthy nurturing – touch, face, food, and play.
There were lots of helpful topics on how to handle conflict and anxiety.
I was especially appreciative of the chapter on boundary issues.
I acquired some tools for how to deal with those who exhibit abusive or unhealthy behavior.
I appreciated the discussion around staff conflict.
The idea of “We must win at all costs” means that everyone loses.
This workshop normalized my anxiety.

Faith, Money, and Giving

jane — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 18:49:00 GMT

In 2007, leaders gathered to discuss trends in congregational giving in the workshop Faith, Money, and Giving. A joint effort by the Indianapolis Center for Congregations and the Lake Family Institute on Faith and Giving, this education event was facilitated by William Enright, executive director of the Lake Family Institute, and Richard Klopp, Graduate Fellow at the Lake Family Institute.

In this event, clergy look at a wide range of issues, including current trends in religious giving, the history of financing religion in America and rituals of giving. While the workshop touches on topics directly related to fundraising techniques and stewardship drives, the conversations go much deeper, revealing the multifaceted dynamics of faith and giving. In the Fall, teams of lay leaders from these congregations will meet to investigate these same issues.

Children and Prayer

jane — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:48:00 GMT

The Center for Congregations hosted Children and Prayer, a day-long workshop on March 29, 2007, at First Christian Church in Fort Wayne. The workshop was led by T. Wyatt Watkins, author and pastor and appealed to pastors and directors of children’s ministries.

Watkins remarked, "In Matthew 18:1-5 Jesus made children the measure of spiritual greatness." He also remarked that children have special ways of expressing their spirituality. "Where prayers of lament are concerned, what could be more important than putting a child’s tendency to whine in a spiritual context? Give them the freedom to speak and then help them put that into relationship with God. The purpose of lament is to process our sorrows and grievances with God."

One participant, a children's minister, commented, "Psalm 130 is a lament that gave me so much comfort. It can serve as a guide to help children through loss and teach them that God is a faithful God and is present in the midst of their pain."

"We stand in a long stream of assumptions about children," commented Watkins, "that young children are incapable of being in a meaningful relationship with God. Not only are children spiritual creatures but they are tapped into the realm of God in a way that adults need."

2007 Education Events

jane — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:12:00 GMT

Beyond the Ordinary with Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce
Building a Neighborhood Together with Hedda Sharapan
Celebrating Congregations
Children and Prayer with T. Wyatt Watkins
Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times with Peter Steinke
The Emerging Church with Eddie Gibbs
Faith, Money, and Giving with William Enright
Flourishing Congregations
Holy Conversations with Gil Rendle
How Cultural Trends Affect Your Congregation with Gil Rendle
Internet Resources with Roger Finke
Leading Change with Gil Rendle
Raising the Roof with Alice Mann
Small Church Spirituality with Anthony Pappas
This House We Build with Terry Bookman and William Kahn
Unbinding the Gospel with Gay Reese

2006 Education Events

jane — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:25:00 GMT

Architecture to Transcend with Nan Phifer
Creating a Culture of Generosity with Dr. William Enright
Faith and Film with Edward McNulty
Faith, Money and Giving with Dr. William Enright
Hoosier Pastoral: Writing the Clergy Life with Nan Phifer and Brent Bill
Media Ministry School with Tim Eason
Serving with Style with Dr. Ronald Williams
Transforming Congregational Culture with Anthony Robinson
Raising the Roof with Alice Mann
Children and Prayer with T. Wyatt Watkins
The Practicing Congregation with Diana Butler Bass
Body, Mind and Spiritual Growth with Robert Hunter
Reclaiming Testimony with Lillian Daniel

2005 Education Events

jane — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:27:00 GMT

40 Days and 40 Bytes with Aaron Spiegel and Nancy Armstrong
40 Days of Purpose with Mark Clark
The Bivocational Pastor with Dennis Bickers
Creating a Culture of Generosity with Dr. William Enright
The Disciple-Making Church with Zionsville Presbyterian Church
Emerging Shifts in Youth Ministry with Tony Jones
The Externally-Focused Church with Eric Swanson
Finding Your Niche with Robert Perry
Not Another Church Fight with Susan Nienaber
The Real Life of Congregations with Heidi Neumark and Richard Lindvall
Sacred Space Conference
Stories That Take Us Somewhere with Kathryn Palen and Susan Beaumont
The Third Place with Ed Bahler and Northview Christian Life Church
The Unfinished Congregation with Brian McLaren
The Welcoming Congregation with Dr. Ron Wolfson
Writing from the Center with Carrie Newcomer and Brent Bill

2004 Education Events

jane — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:29:00 GMT

Adult Faith Formation: Creating Vital Congregations with Diana Butler Bass
Appreciating Your Ministry MidLife Crisis with Kenneth Fong
The Art and Science of Assimilating New Members with Janet Brown
The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community with Randy Frazee
Beating Burnout in Congregations with Lynne Baab
Building and Sustaining Bridges to Community with Daryl Ward
Convergence Worship: Authentic Worship in a Changing World with Robert Webber
Creating a 501(c)3 with Robert Katz
The Intersection of Leadership and Preaching with Gil Rendle
Making Ministry Matter with Kathleen Cahalan
Ministry by Strength with Sue Nilson
Reformed and Reforming: Engaging God's World with Neil Plantinga