Past Ed Events

Congregations are...

jane — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:51:00 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 15:50:00 GMT

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

2008 Education Events

jane — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Re-Imagining the Church with Doug Pagitt
Spiritual Strategic Journey with George Bullard
TechTalk with Nancy Armstrong and Aaron Spiegel
Praying with Purpose with Claire Wolfteich
Real Kids, Real Faith with Karen Marie Yust
Flourishing Congregations Summit

Congregations explore Praying with Purpose

jane — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:55:00 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 16:33:00 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 18:39:00 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 16:19:00 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 16:22:00 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 18:02:00 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 17:49:00 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 17:48:00 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 18:12:00 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 18:25:00 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 18:27:00 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 18:29:00 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