NEXT Conference Workshops

Monday, February 27, 2012 from 1:45 PM to 4:30 PM (CT)

Dallas, TX

Ticket Information

Type	End		Quantity
Adaptions for Reform:A Harmony of Human Evolutionary Science Scientists who identify human adaptations for group living argue that two million years of human social evolution do not disappear in two hundred years of industrial and technological urbanization, but persist as basic dynamics of group behavior. Interestingly, Scripture presumes these same adaptations, as we will see in Luke’s gospel. Incorporating the two, we may reinvigorate the roles of Elder, Deacon, Pastor and Member and revitalize our congregations. Leader: Jeff Hayes	Ended	Free
Agile Church: Rethinking Congregational Structures more info What do software development and human-powered flight have to do with our church sessions? Come and find out as we explore different ways of thinking about the governance of our congregations. We will look at models that are working in a variety of settings and what we can learn from their successes and challenges. Presenter: MaryAnn McKibben Dana	Ended	Free
Bless Her Heart: Life as a Young Clergy Woman more info Ashley-Anne Masters and Stacy Smith Comprising essays from young women clergy, Masters and Smith have written, Bless Her Heart as a reflection on the everyday realities of pastoral ministry for the young, female professional. This book is intended for young women in ministry and other professions, young women considering a ministerial calling, and congregations with young female pastors. The workshop will be an opportunity to discuss the book itself as well as other issues facing young women in ministry	Ended	Free
Building Community in Your Presbytery more info Theresa Cho How can churches build community and relationships in a time when so many churches are struggling? No matter what size your presbytery, fostering partnerships is a challenge. Sharing from the experience of the Presbytery of San Francisco, this workshop will explore how 22 congregations got together to explore ways they are called to collectively live out a legacy to which God is leading them. Come and be inspired to explore ways you can foster community in your own presbytery.	Ended	Free
Building Congregationally Supported Campus Ministry more info John Cook and Agnes Norfleet How can a congregation engage nearby colleges and universities in vibrant campus ministry? Shandon’s Presbyterian Student Association (PSA) offers a model of ministry that is congregational-based. While our Presbyterian Student Ministry Center is a mile away – on a college campus – we are actively engaged in campus ministry. Let’s talk about how congregation-based campus ministry works.	Ended	Free
Building Networks – Presbyterian, Ecumenical and Community more info Mindy Douglas Adams We are stronger when we are working together, wiser when we learn from one another and more effective when we share our gifts. How do we who are already busy find time to building networks? Come learn from your peers the networking methods that are working in communities large and small.	Ended	Free
Call Connections – An Opportunity to Make Connections more info Are you looking for a call? Is your church looking for staff? Come to Byrd Hall during this time to network and introduce yourselves to each other. This is not a structured time, just an opportunity for networking in order to find a call.	Ended	Free
Calling Local Leaders more info Meghan K. Gage-Finn Explore ways in which the local congregation can live out the vows made at baptism to encourage all those whom God has called to be God’s own. How can lay-led vocational discernment, with a focus on identifying and nurturing those with gifts for ministry, be successful? How can clergy and congregational leaders encourage and support those in the ordination process? Learn how to create a team in your church that is less about forms and hoops to jump through, and more about affirmation and collaboration.	Ended	Free
Conservative Worship more info Andrew Taylor Troutman Love for the past can prompt bold steps for the future. Andrew’s small, rural church in the Appalachian Mountains is “conservative” in the sense that they want to conserve the past: they are tied to its 250-year history. Yet, they demonstrate a genuine openness to innovative and creative worship practices. Explore these types of “conservative” ideals and how they might contribute to shaping innovative and meaningful worship practices around your congregation’s collective imagination.	Ended	Free
Creatio Ex Vetere, “Creation out of what already exists” more info Jim Kitchens and Deborah Wright Explore a creative way for presbyteries to care for congregations in the “assisted living” phase of their life cycle while creating resources for new forms of ministry through social venture covenants within each presbytery.	Ended	Free
Curating Worship as the Collective Art of Faith more info Troy Bronsink Worship is more than music, prayers of the people are more than words, and ritualistic intent is more than weekly communion. How does your church rehearse the gospel in your gatherings? Is your worship’s aesthetics and interaction resonant with the everyday lives and contexts of your participants? Does it include open space for listening, curiosity, innovation, and discovery? Come learn how to develop leaders to create engaging transformative worship.	Ended	Free
Do You Have a God Complex? more info Derrick Weston Through the production of a podcast and the development of its website as a social networking hub, God Complex Radio is becoming a go-to destination for progressive Christianity. Carol Howard Merritt and Derrick Weston have welcomed writers, speakers, thinkers, musicians, and poets who are the voices of the next generation of the faith. In this seminar, Derrick will share about the origins of GCR, what he’s learned in the process, and what the Church at large can gain from listening to a new generation of leaders.	Ended	Free
Doing Justice Through Congregations more info Deb Milcarek The Center is a unique program of the Presbytery of Baltimore that concurrently builds the missional capacity of Baltimore congregations while challenging visiting groups to learn what it means to “do justice.” Through issue-driven learning tracks like poverty, education, violence, Creation Care, HIV/AIDS, visitors stay at The Center while partnering with Baltimore congregations to learn how to affect systems of injustice.	Ended	Free
Entrepreneurial Ministry in the Next Church more info J.C. Austin “Entrepreneurial” is a word that can excite some and worry others as we think about the NEXT Church. This workshop will examine the different possibilities and concerns that come with the concept of “entrepreneurial ministry,” explore potential models for it within the PCUSA and in the global church, and consider the implications for theological education and church councils if entrepreneurial ministry is embraced.	Ended	Free
Foolishness to the Geeks more info David Prentice-Hyers The old assumptions about ministry on campus have changed. In a pluralistic, uber-competitive, and often religiously apathetic academic culture, how do we connect campus and congregation? What does it mean to bring the fullness of our Presbyterian heritage to the diversity of the university community? Join us for a “boots on the ground” dialogue about the changing face of emerging adulthood and how we can best minister with and to students, faculty, and staff.	Ended	Free
Forming New Faith Communities more info Thomas Daniel Sociologists tell us that we are in the midst of a great cultural change in North America. Many within the church struggle to know how to appropriately respond. Come and learn more about how denominations that are focusing on starting new churches are actually growing and what this could look like in the PCUSA.	Ended	Free
Hosting the Spirit: Using Alternative Process Modalities more info Jud Hendrix The Presbyterian Church, at all levels of its organization, has been effective at creating process and structures that encourage order and productivity. However, in doing so, we have also limited creativity and innovation. This workshop will explore the principals underlying organic and self-organizing systems and how alternative process modalities (Theory U, Conversation Café, World Café, Passion Summits) can help congregations, presbyteries and denominations create a culture of creativity, passion and innovation.	Ended	Free
Innovations in Urban Ministry more info Lee Hutchins and Bruce Buchanan The Stewpot is the Community Ministries Program of First Presbyterian Church in the heart of downtown Dallas. What began as a downtown soup kitchen for the hungry and homeless in 1975, has now become the hands and heart of the church at work in the world. Unique and innovative programming is played out through basic initiatives - alleviating hunger and suffering, overcoming barriers that keep people homeless and building community. See and hear first-hand how grassroots initiatives developed into a vibrant ministry working collaboratively in the community to end the cycle of poverty in individual lives.	Ended	Free
Intentional Community Houses more info Jack Barden Many young adults have grown up with service learning as an integral part of their education as well as their church experience. The faith and values of these young adults have been shaped by these service- learning experiences and service remains an integral part of their adult lives. Let’s talk about how congregations can support and encourage these young adults as they seek new ways of being church in the world.	Ended	Free
Imagining Session Meetings: Beyond the Same Old, Same Old more info Glen Bell New life for session lies beyond reports and routine, through listening for and discovering the Spirit at work and play. How do we welcome and engender the dreams of the church and surrounding community? How do we open possibilities for spiritual reflection, imagination and innovation? We will share best practices and ideas with one another.	Ended	Free
Mission as Large as the Gospel more info Andrew Foster Connors and Jessica Tate Mission is in the DNA of many of our congregations, but how do we create and sustain a mission that is as large and effective as our theological dreams of justice and peace? The tools of community organizing and developing leaders have helped congregations move justice alongside charity and enabled congregations to come together to do more than we can ask or imagine. Be inspired by what community organizations are doing around the country and learn the specific practices that have helped to build justice and peace in significant ways.	Ended	Free
Missional Networking – Making a Difference in God’s World more info Tim Hart-Andersen, Hunter Farrell, Marnie Broadhurst and Germάn Zάrate Local congregations have discovered the power of networking to engage in missional relationships with the global church. We will describe several examples of how such networks have helped churches connect globally and be transformed locally. We will talk via Skype with a PCUSA mission worker in Colombia. We will hear from a pastor about how missional networks have changed his church and its ministry. We will hear how a missional presbytery is leveraging networks to grow the church.	Ended	Free
Moving from Charity to Justice more info Doug Mitchell God’s special concern for those who are poor and oppressed and at the margins of our communities has been expressed in two basic ways. On one hand, those who are poor are to be cared for and protected individually. On the other hand, the task of calling attention to breakdowns in the ability of public efforts to meet human need is seen throughout Scripture as a religious task – a mission. We will look at the biblical and theological call to do the messy political work of seeking social change for the sake of justice. We will also look at the statement from Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis, Our Hope for the World as on attempt to articulate the goals of our work for justice.	Ended	Free
Multi-cultural Church Growth more info David Watermulder As the demographics of our country and our communities shift, how can our churches reach out to immigrants, refugees and international students in our midst? Sharing from the ministry of Providence Presbyterian Church, this workshop will explore principles for multi-cultural church growth and share possibilities for new ministries in our real church contexts.	Ended	Free
NEXT Church Leadership: Preparing Church Officers more info Katherine Michael Preparing leaders for the NEXT Church is not only the task of the seminary. In depth preparation for local church officers will add immensely to the effectiveness and vitality of Presbyterian congregations of all sizes. Laity will increasingly take responsibility for moving the church forward into the real world, and congregations need to prepare lay leaders to be people of visions and courage as the church response to God’s call into an unknown future. This workshop will focus on new ways to prepare Elders and Deacons to respond authentically to their ordination questions, to understand that they are called by God and by the congregation to be spiritual leaders.	Ended	Free
“No Benchwarmers Here!!” Developing Leaders more info Chris Konker and Jim Lunde Many congregations look to committees to shepherd resources. Ministry teams remind us that we shepherd one another as well. Working together toward a common purpose, we also see God at work as we pray, share, grow with one another. As our ministry teams grow, what challenges and opportunities have we found along the way? Come share best practices about developing leaders, nurturing faith, and practicing fellowship in ministry.	Ended	Free
“Quiet down, Preacher!” Care of the Professional Voice more info Amy Hamilton and Laura Toles Too high? Too soft? Monotone? Or melodic? Preachers receive all kinds of comments about their voices, but how can you know if you are optimizing or jeopardizing this crucial vocational tool? This workshop will cover a wide range of professional voice concerns, including: daily voice care, avoiding vocal overuse, identifying voice problems and disorders, finding medical help in your area, and the psychology of voice presentation.	Ended	Free
Rediscovering Humanity Through Art more info Cynthia Brannum “What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit,” said artist John Updike. This workshop will focus on the different elements that go into the Stewpot Art Program and how they are combined to create an environment that fosters spiritual growth, healing, self-development and the naturally therapeutic results of creating art.	Ended	Free
Relational Organizing in Church and Community more info Jeff Krehbiel Ever since the days of Saul Alinksy, churches have been involved in broad-based citizens’ organizations to push for change in their communities. In recent years, church leaders have been discovering ways in which the skills and habits of community organizing are a resource for congregational renewal. We will focus on how the tools of organizing, such as relationship building and leadership development, can be used to strengthen your congregation.	Ended	Free
Reuniting Faith and Service more info Wayne Meisel, Jim Ellison, and Jacque Howard Every year tens of thousands of recent college graduates join full time service programs to commit to a year of service. While some programs are faith based like YAV and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, the vast majority is with secular organizations. These young adult volunteers are often isolated. We are seeking ways for the church to be actively supportive of these individuals. Come learn about the houses of hospitality and the weekly vespers program that have been launched at several congregations and discuss how other congregations might do the same.	Ended	Free
Small Group Ministry with Young Adults more info Caitlin Deyerle and Jessica Konker What are some of the strengths and pitfalls of ministering to young adults and how can small group discipleship address some of these issues? We will discuss some of the difficulties encountered in developing new young adult ministries and how small groups can provide a venue for young adults to learn how to confidently articulate their maturing faith, grow in their commitment to prayer, and cultivate a missional faith through the study of scripture.	Ended	Free
The Story of Shekinah Chapel more info Yehiel Curry Shekinah Chapel, a mission congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Riverdale, Illinois, was started as an alternative worship service by a group of teenagers in 1995 with the help and support of ELCA clergy and staff. Shekinah Chapel embodies a fusion of the passion of the African American culture and Lutheran theology. Shekinah’s mission is to “Bring them in…train them up…and ship them out.” Come and learn about reproducing this church model focused on developing youth and young adult lay leaders for ministry in urban settings.	Ended	Free
Young Adult Volunteers: A Year of Service more info Meghan Paul-Cook, Mary Elizabeth Prentice-Hyers, and Aaron Stauffer Each year since 1994, about 60-80 Young Adult Volunteers have served at over 20 sites in the US and around the world. Now imagine doubling or even tripling that number over the next 5-10 years. Hear stories from alumni and join us for a conversation on equipping the next generation of leaders through service and experiential learning.	Ended	Free

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Event Details

Next Church 2012 Workshop Groups offer an extraordinary opportunity to explore and discuss the details of very specific topics and interest areas as part of our process to discern what God has in store. As Charlene Han Powell, Teaching Elder Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York, said, "I am going to the Next Conference because its existence is about being community . . . a community where all voices are heard because all voices matter."

If you have not registered, go to http://nextchurch2012.org to join us!

In order to plan accommodations at the Conference, we ask that you indicate your preference for TWO of the listed Workshops. They are first-come, first-serve, so please reply at your earliest convenience. They will be held on Feb. 27, as follows:

WORKSHOPS (All Offered): 1:45 - 3:00

BREAK: 3:00 - 3:15

WORKSHOPS (All Offered): 3:15 - 4:30

Peace and see you in Dallas.

When & Where

First Presbyterian Church
408 Park Ave
Dallas, TX 75201-5697

Monday, February 27, 2012 from 1:45 PM to 4:30 PM (CT)

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Next Church 2012

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The mission of NEXT Church is to foster relationships among God’s people: sparking imaginations, connecting congregations, offering a distinctively Presbyterian witness to Jesus Christ. Trusting in God’s sovereignty and grace, NEXT Church will engage the church that is becoming by cultivating vital connections, celebrating emerging leadership and innovation, and working with congregations and leaders to form and reform faith communities.

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NEXT Conference Workshops

Monday, February 27, 2012 from 1:45 PM to 4:30 PM (CT)

Dallas, TX

Ticket Information

Event Details

When & Where

First Presbyterian Church 408 Park Ave Dallas, TX 75201-5697

Monday, February 27, 2012 from 1:45 PM to 4:30 PM (CT)

Hosted By

Next Church 2012

Contact organizer:

First Presbyterian Church
408 Park Ave
Dallas, TX 75201-5697