Sessions

DAY ONE – Rethink

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

GENERAL SESSION

21st Century Challenges in Ministry             

Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Michael A. Stevens, Retreat Host

Doing the same thing expecting different results is INSANITY!  Evolution is inevitable.  We must renew our minds to reopen the valve for creative and innovative ideas to flow to elevate traditional mindsets; revival to restore life to that which is dying and breathe new live into old ways; reformation to realign and bring relevant change to misaligned concepts and outdated designs in order to make a impact locally, regionally and globally.                            

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:             

1.   FOR PASTORS ONLY  - First Families in Crisis – Part 1

Tuesday, 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Michael A. Stevens, Sr.

Is there balance in your home?  The idea that the family is declining refers to difficulties that families—traditional, nuclear or otherwise—are having in fulfilling their principal tasks, especially in raising children to become healthy and responsible adults. For the past 30 years these churches have been timid and inarticulate about the growing family crisis. The church has covered the imperfection of family crisis for too long time.  They have let the family issue fall into the hands of reactionary political and religious forces to the right or radical cultural forces to the left.  This session will talk about those issues openly, and start to bring about a more wholistic way to heal, restore and rebuild the First Family structure.

2.   Staff Challenges 101 - Business By the Book

Tuesday, 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

TBA, Workshop Speaker

Quick! Name five professional activities that don't concern money. Stumped? Yes, of course you are. From the evident: What does it cost? To the subtle: Did we achieve our objectives? And the in-between: Can we do this program? Almost all professional activities concern money. If mission is the heart of your organization, money is its blood.  If money is the blood line then the church staff is the chambers that pumps that blood throughout the body to produce effective, productive and excellence worthy programs, services, etc. to unite, build and preserve the vision of a house that carries out it principles to an expected end. If you think writing a business plan, applying for a 501(c)3 or getting funding is the biggest hurdle you’ll jump when it’s time to get your ministry off the ground, think again. Setting up an administrative office is a mighty task – whether you’re looking for the perfect location, negotiating a lease, designing a workplace, or deciding whether to buy or rent the equipment and services you’ll need to do “business” in your new space. This session is sure to make it more effective and efficient to do so.

3.   How to Be First at Being Second: The Associate, the Assistant, & the Armor Bearer                

Tuesday, 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Roger Hoyle, Workshop Speaker

Are you an Armor Bearer or Pallbearer?  Do you speak life into the warrior in which God has assignment you to cover in and out of battle?  Does it frustrate you that you are a helper and not the shepherd. If you answered any of these questions with a “hint” of resentment, it is time for you to evaluate your call place and make your election is sure.  There are key foundational principles for being a God-worthy Associate, Assistant or Armor Bearer in the Kingdom of God.  The vision, mission, and structure of one’s church will allow you to grasp the reality of your election.

(15 MINUTE BREAK)

1.   Developing a Strong Teaching Ministry

Tuesday, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Apostle Otis Lockett, Workshop Speaker

There are no shortcuts to productive ministry. Christian education ministries that truly reach and build people are established on well-proven growth principles.   The importance of supernatural power to achieve the goals of Christian education is a critical issue.  No church can help people overcome life-controlling habits, destructive patterns of thinking, and demonic power without God’s power.  Smaller churches, just like large ones, need to identify the processes they will use to make disciples.

2.   Women in Leadership

Tuesday, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

First Lady Barbara T. Lockett, Workshop Speaker

Women pastors and preachers!!! What does the Bible say about women in ministry?

There is perhaps no more hotly debated issue in the church today than the issue of women serving as pastors/preachers.  As a result, it is very important to not see this issue as men versus women.  Many women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teach, and helps.  Much of the ministry of the local church depends on women.  This is not an issue of chauvinism or discrimination.  It is an issue of biblical interpretation.

3.   Ministry Identity

Tuesday, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Pastor Michael A. Stevens, Workshop Speaker

Life is not always as it seems.  Most important issues are terribly complex.  Otherwise, education would not be necessary.  We need new models and metaphors for ministry.  Self-discovery is certainly important for those who aspire to ministry know themselves.  One gets the impression that good intentions coupled with sincerity of purpose suffice for ministry.  They do not.  Familiarity with the scriptures, tradition, theology and church history are also essential.

(15 MINUTE BREAK)

THINK TANK – Luncheon 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Guest Speaker: Pastor Otis Lockett, Sr.

PANEL Discussion:  2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

DAY TWO - Rethink

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

GENERAL SESSION

Apologetics 101 – Defending the Faith Against Contemporary Threats

Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Superintendent Patrick Wooden

As the world's religions have encountered one another, apologetics and apologists from within their respective faiths have emerged. Some of these apologetics respond to or fight back against the arguments of both Christianity and secularism; some do not. Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views.  Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, and continuing currently with the modern Christian community, through the efforts of many authors in various Christian traditions such as speaker, Patrick Wooden.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:             

1.   FOR PASTORS ONLY -First Families in Crisis – Part 2

Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Michael  A. Stevens, Sr., Workshop Speaker

Is there balance in your home?  The idea that the family is declining refers to difficulties that families—traditional, nuclear or otherwise—are having in fulfilling their principal tasks, especially in raising children to become healthy and responsible adults. For the past 30 years these churches have been timid and inarticulate about the growing family crisis. The church has covered the imperfection of family crisis for too long time.  They have let the family issue fall into the hands of reactionary political and religious forces to the right or radical cultural forces to the left.  This session will talk about those issues openly, and start to bring about a more wholistic way to heal, restore and rebuild the First Family structure.

2.   Media Excellence Part 1- “How to grow a ministry on a shoestring budget”

Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Jacques Thomas, Workshop Speaker

If you are thinking about integrating multimedia tools into your church’s worship service, or improving your current system, you probably have many questions.  With today’s technical tools, integrating these “sight and sound” presentations into the worship experience not only enhances the service for the regular churchgoer, but also provides an exciting way to help reach seekers and visitors.  Christ always used the contemporary tools of his time to reach people, be it drawings in the sand or other culturally relevant imagery – like shepherds and lambs, or fisherman and fish – that supported his message.  That’s why using today’s tools is important.

3.   Writing, Publishing & Print Media

Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Valerie Lowe, Workshop Speaker

The times we live in are constantly changing and challenging, but the message of the Gospel will never change. This workshop will help you think outside the four walls of the church.  God has given us a Great Commission, but also a Cultural Commission. How to win the lost and redeem the culture through your sphere of influence—via local newspaper, letters to the editor, blog on internet. If God’s called you to be a writer, find time to write.  This workshop will show you how to make sure your articles hit the target - Tips on content, style and grammar. Offering Writer’s Tools and Practical Advice on how to grab the reader’s attention and hold their interest until you’ve made your point.

(15 MINUTE BREAK)

1.   Media Excellence Part 2 – “How to grow your ministry through the innovation of Social Media”

Wednesday, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Jacques Thomas, Workshop Speaker

If churches want to reach the current generation, they have to accept the fact that they live in a world of tweets, instant messages, podcasting, and wall posts.  Whether you love it or hate it, social media is here to stay, and churches need to pay attention to see how they can use it to further God’s Kingdom on earth.  It is the responsibility of churches not only to participate in social media, but to understand what need individuals are having filled at such sites and be able to minister to those very needs with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2.   The Importance of Small Groups

Wednesday, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Pastor Michael A. Stevens, Workshop Speaker

Some of the problems with most ministries as it grows, and how the growth rate invariably slows as size increases include a drop in personal contact, sense of mission and evangelistic work achieved, and an immense rise in demands on leaders.  According to those who study church growth, research has shown that seven smaller groups of every hundred people attending Sunday worship, is the minimum required for growth.

Wednesday, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin, Workshop Speaker

We recognize that older, more established denominations have a proud record of community development.  We refer to the clear need for the active participation of churches in community lies in development.  Church leaders must realize the value of their voice in the community, among politicians and other governmental organizations that can bring about a positive change to our local community, city, state and nation.

(15 MINUTE BREAK)

THINK TANK – Luncheon 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Guest Speaker: Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin

PANEL Discussion - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.