Workshops

With the rapid pace of cultural and social change, “we’ve always done it this way before” is likely not as effective for you as it used to be. The new challenges you’re facing don’t fit the road maps you used to rely on. Even your education and past experience may have little to say about your current realities.

The challenges you’re facing can be overcome. You need a willingness to see these challenges as opportunities and a desire to grow in your capacity to lead adaptively. Join leadership expert Dr. Aleze Fulbright as she challenges you to let go of the past, keep the faith in challenging times and learn to gain the trust of others in order to move your congregation forward.

“If you’re going to scale the mountains of ministry, you need to leave behind canoes and… more

Capital campaigns are intimidating. They involve a lot of decisions, planning and work, along with uncertain outcomes. And often there’s a lot at stake. Hearing from those who have completed successful capital campaigns is one of the best ways to prepare for a new campaign or to navigate your campaign that’s already underway.

Join fundraising executive Rob Henson as he provides an interactive presentation utilizing research, his experience and anecdotes about the ingredients for a successful capital campaign. Henson will bring a mixture of real-life examples and templates, as well as campaign theory from current trends in modern philanthropy.

At this luncheon workshop, you will learn:

the basic processes and steps of a successful capital campaign. building blocks… more

The topic of immigration is incredibly complicated. Additionally, laws and policies have undergone numerous changes in recent months. If your congregation has activities with or for recent immigrants, learning more about laws and policies can be helpful. 

By learning more about the history of immigration law, the structure of the current immigration legal system, and the actual process of obtaining a green card or other immigration benefits, your congregation will be empowered to create informed and educated perspectives on the issue of immigration.

Join Fort Wayne Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic Immigrant Outreach Attorney Laura Pontius as she presents a “bird’s eye view” of the immigration legal system, information about immigrants in northern Indiana, and… more

This on-demand series focuses on learning gleaned from Indiana congregations by the Center for Congregations in 2015-2016. Tim Shapiro, president of the Center for Congregations, shares the six principles distilled from the Center's experiences with Indiana congregational youth ministries.

Course Elements

 8 topical videos from 3 - 5 minutes each  Group reflection worksheet  Resource Guide for further study on youth ministry

Take the Course

 Estimated total time required: 1 hour  Course is free  Create an account with your email only (no password required)  Take at your own pace; stop and return when it's convenient  Keep this email to return to the course or bookmark the link

Technology Requirements

 Best accessed on a laptop or desktop computer

… more

You want your congregation to be more effective at connecting with others. However, the current climate of division in our culture can prevent us from reaching out to those who are different from us. Cultivating empathy can go a long way towards becoming a better neighbor and ally, making your congregation a more welcoming place for diversity. 

Join Dr. Alma Zaragoza-Petty and Jason Petty (a.k.a. Propaganda) as they share from their education and experience to introduce new ideas and demystify old ideas related to social justice and faith. They will help equip you and your congregation to develop a better understanding of, and deeper empathy for, the “other.”

Topics will include exploration of social identity theory in light of the Christian scriptures, critical race… more

It is difficult to know what to say or how to address the spiritual impact of loss, grief and trauma. This type of congregational care is important and also daunting. But you can learn how to be better prepared to navigate these tough issues that all congregations face.

Join hospital chaplain Rev. Patrick Riecke in this long-term learning opportunity as he teaches and walks alongside you and other congregational leaders in order to develop better systems of care in your congregation.

This four-part program will lead you through the emotional, medical, ethical, and spiritual implication of disease, injury, death, grief, infertility, pregnancy loss, and infant/child death. It is for Indiana congregations like yours, interested in increasing skills at caring for people in… more

The Enneagram is a powerful tool that can help individuals and groups better relate to themselves, to each other, and to their world. Often used in therapeutic and spiritual direction settings, the Enneagram is a wonderful, ecumenical resource in the life of a spiritual community.

The Enneagram of Personality is a map derived from ancient wisdom literature that has been combined with modern psychology. It’s important for leadership teams, small groups, and even casual acquaintances to learn to live and work well together in a congregation. Some common dysfunctions are often rooted in unconscious motivations and behaviors. Theology leader Annie Dimond believes that the Enneagram can help uncover barriers and promote positive growth.

After a day of learning about what the… more

This on-demand course explores Engaging Young Adults, a special report of the 2015 American Congregations study of Faith Communities Today (FACT).

Wendy McCormick of the Center for Congregations interviews the report’s author, Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, about the research and what congregations can learn and apply from the findings.

Course Elements

 6 topical videos from 5 - 8 minutes each  Group reflection worksheet  Recommendations for additional information

Take the Course

 Estimated total time required: 1 hour  Course is free  Create an account with your email only (no password required)  Take at your own pace; stop and return when it's convenient  Keep this email to return to the course or bookmark the link

Technology Requirements

 Best… more

Effective communications is less about sending the right message and more about releasing the right response. Do you know the difference? More often than we realize, people aren’t looking for more information—they’re looking for ways to make sense of the information they already have. Many times, instead of helping people with relief from overload, we just throw more on the pile and add to the confusion.

This workshop is for you as a pastor, creative professional, ministry leader or volunteer looking for ways to get your message out to where your audience connects, whether that is online or off.

Communications leader Kem Meyer facilitates this workshop. She doesn’t focus on symptomatic relief and short-term solutions alone, but rather on connections that can make… more

Effective communications is less about sending the right message and more about releasing the right response. Do you know the difference? More often than we realize, people aren’t looking for more information—they’re looking for ways to make sense of the information they already have. Many times, instead of helping people with relief from overload, we just throw more on the pile and add to the confusion.

This workshop is for you as a pastor, creative professional, ministry leader or volunteer looking for ways to get your message out to where your audience connects, whether that is online or off.

Communications leader Kem Meyer facilitates this workshop. She doesn’t focus on symptomatic relief and short-term solutions alone, but rather on connections that can make… more

This on-demand course focuses on the 2015-2016 Center for Congregations investigation of Indiana congregations engaging young adults. Center staff member Wendy McCormick coordinated the project, which included interviews with leaders of young adult ministries around the state and a gathering of leaders from about 20 congregations effectively engaging young adults.

Course Elements

 6 topical videos from 3 - 6 minutes each  Group reflection worksheet  Center for Congregations article on young adult engagement

Take the Course

 Estimated total time required: 1 hour  Course is free  Create an account with your email only (no password required)  Take at your own pace; stop and return when it's convenient  Keep this email to return to the course or bookmark the link… more