Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Ryman 2
Leaders from Africa and the Islamic Circle of North America will assist in dealing with such issues as the tension that the proposed “Koran burning” caused in the global community. Ignorance of the “religious other” is at the root of many problems. Our Global Partners will discuss successful Christian-Muslim dialogue efforts. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 106
Think your congregation is a safe place for all worshipers? Find out. This resource group will review the essential elements of a safe-church policy; demonstrate a new no-cost on-line policy assessment tool available to all congregations, and explain abuse-prevention training services and background checking. • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 8:15 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Renaissance Rhythm & Blues
Regardless of one’s stance on the conflicts in which Americans have served, the church plays an important role in offering veterans real communities of acceptance, healing and hope. The resource group informs about the nature and scope of problems of the post-deployment veteran and motivates churches to help. (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM • Location: Convention Center 103
This resource group will look at the problem of modern-day slavery and explore ways the church might help combat human trafficking. Congregations will be provided resource material to help empower their participation in stopping human trafficking.(Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM • Location: Renaissance Rhythm & Blues
This resource group is devoted to helping congregations become “missional” in the area of severe poverty in the developing world. You will be introduced to Foods Resource Bank, US Farmers, and Equal Exchange. Okay, we can understand corn and cows. But chocolate? Come and see how chocolate fits the picture! (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM • Location: Convention Center 102
Christian scriptures seek actions that sustain health, wholeness, and human dignity. This session approaches health care reform from a moral perspective, answering questions about the new law, offering tools to transcend partisan politics, and providing enrollment information in current programs. The session is in English, with Spanish language resources offered. (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Convention Center 105
Around the world people face increasing food shortages, natural disasters and rising sea waters due to climate change. We can take personal steps to be good stewards of Earth, but significant industry and international efforts are also needed to reduce environmental impact. Hear perspectives on this challenge from partners all over the world. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Convention Center 207
How can we energize our anti-racism organizing efforts? This is the objective. The target audience for this team-building exercise is congregational and regional leaders and anti-racism team representatives. Facilitators will share wisdom from change management and process improvement models. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Convention Center 208
General Assembly Resolution #0518 urged Disciples “intentionally and wholeheartedly to engage in
interfaith relations and work”. One place to begin is among the three Abrahamic faiths, and one thing that historically binds them together is the importance of justice to each of these religions. Learn the "how to" along with the "what" of the conversation in this forum of religious leaders. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 207
The Disciples’ denominational mission statement prescribes “a passion for justice” as one of the church’s imperatives. An ecumenical leader, a pastor, and a professional justice advocate will engage resource group participants in conversation about how this passion inspires us in our ecumenical, congregational, and parachurch public witnessing effort. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 103
The resource group will explore how the colonization of America influenced the Disciples and the founding of the Yakama Christian Mission. How did church theology, policy and structure change as a result? What would make Disciples more responsive to the voice and yearnings of the Native American? • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 207
What will you do when you have preached your last sermon? This group provides tools for making a financial road map based on dreams and goals. Issues will include assessing where to live, using knowledge to benefit others, opportunities for growth, recreation, volunteering and work, Medicare and health. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Fisk 1
How do the 33 regions now work with candidates for ministry using the new Commissioning and Ordination procedures? This resource session is designed to answer that question, specifically relating to the Disciples’ mission priority of “Developing Leaders for Existing and New Ministries.” • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Country
How do we keep college students engaged? Three types of collegiate ministries will be described, with resources provided to help carry out those different ministries. Hear the latest social research about the religious practices of college students. Learn to advocate for campus ministries. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Jazz
Disciples colleges and universities have unique programs to keep students in full relationship with the church during college and beyond. Disciples-related schools prioritize preparing graduates for transformational church leadership. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Gospel
The goal is to build a network with the idea of empowering young adults for ministry. The vehicle: the spoken word and media arts, including graphic design, blogging, on-line discussions, and other artistic expressions. Participants will view media as a tool that shapes how we view ourselves and one another. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 104
Our congregations are full of folks in the “retirement years.” Freed from the commitments of full-time work, these members can be invaluable resources for their wisdom, volunteering availability, mentoring of younger leaders, financial support, and projected vision. Resources will be available to take back to congregations to help empower seniors. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Bluegrass
Presentations here will stress the importance of the Code of Clergy Ethics and will remind clergy of what those ethics entail. In a time of perceived widespread low morality in society, the signs are also in our churches. Guidance and correction need to be before leaders in this important matter. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Country
How we develop the gifts for leadership that are unique to women who serve as pastors, elders and deacons is the focus of this session, with material drawn from feminist sources. Content will emerge from participants as well as leaders. Another focus will be challenges facing women in church leadership. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Belmont 1
This resource session will tell how pastors interested in incorporating peace and justice issues into their weekly sermons can do so in ways that are meaningful and can transforms lives, and which also take into account the realities of the communities in which they serve. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Convention Center 102
Currently licensed/commissioned ministers throughout the church will benefit from this explanation of the New Ordering of Ministry Document’s dealing with commissioned ministers or commissioned ministers seeking ordination. Featured will be the 16 areas of ministerial practice included in the document. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Ryman 1
Disciples ministry students from the seven Disciples-related seminaries will share their personal experiences on everything from the call to ministry to selecting a seminary and seminary life. The workshop aims to help future students experience a potentially divisive issue and resolve it in a pro-reconciling way. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Bluegrass
The Disciples’ Haitian partners have done incredible ministry with funds from the generous response to Haiti earthquake relief. Week of Compassion, Church World Service, Action By Churches Together and Global Ministries have made a major difference in that troubled land. Learn what's working and what more is needed. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 105
This is an opportunity to explore the ways “Disciples Volunteering” can help your congregation answer God’s call to partner with neighbors in need. You may discover the many opportunities for service that Disciples offer through historic mission centers, disaster response, mission stations, and targeted opportunities for summer internships. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 208
National Benevolent Association’s history includes high mountaintops and deep valleys as the social services arm of the church. What lies ahead for this organization (now known as Disciples Benevolent Services) is up to today’s Disciples. Join DBS President Mark Anderson, for a conversation to help shape this ministry’s future. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Ryman 1
Learn about the work with refugees, other immigrants and the poor along the Texas-Mexico border. Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries is a mission of compassion working outside the church in the streets during a time of increasing intolerance in our nation, especially toward the immigrant. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Ryman 2
In this resource group participants will meet and hear the stories of missionaries who will be commissioned at the General Assembly to serve overseas. They will discover how Disciples are being and sharing the good news of Jesus with global partners from our doorstep to the ends of the earth. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Convention Center 103
Host a farmer's market. Serve and eat local foods. Start a community garden. Explore these and other ways you and your congregation can be more faithful food consumers. Discuss why it matters to Christians. (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Ryman 2
Many Disciples congregations have engaged in difficult conversations about immigration, while others have avoided discussing the issue at all, fearing the conflict. This resource group will examine ways to approach the discussion of immigration from a faith perspective that respects persons with different political opinions. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 105
Peace building, gender equity, children’s rights, respect for creation, and the justice component of the “good news” all are part of some of the fastest growing movements in the world. The Disciples’ global partners will be the teachers offering principles to apply each in his or her own context. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Convention Center 104
This resource group is designed to help Disciples connect personal finances to their stewardship intentions. Many people have the best intentions of giving to the church, but their personal financial situation, debts, or spending habits prevent them from living out those intentions. Ideas will be shared based on biblical principles. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 103
The object here is to renew the worship experience of our churches. That includes providing the surrounding community with a more significant and relevant experience of God. Welcoming needs to include awareness of neighborhood traditions, culture, the arts, interaction and technology — in order to communicate the gospel in today’s context. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Rock & Roll
This presentation explores the Children Worship & Wonder program for faith formation of children as a transformation tool for the congregation. Some of the demonstrated practices are unique to Disciples. Materials are offered in English, Spanish and Korean; demonstrations in Korean and English. • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM • Location: Convention Center 104
“Praying in Color” is a prayer technique of Sybil MacBeth to help people who have difficulty staying centered. The centering revolves around simple designs — doodling, grids, household objects, calendars, even squiggly lines. It is accessible to all ages. The group will enable participants to try a variety of prayer designs.(Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Convention Center 102
Change—the essential ingredient for individual and institutional life—produces both joy and grief. Yet the pace at which change is happening now challenges individuals and communities to address joy or grief in healthy ways. Learn leadership tools and models that can help your congregation let go of the past and move toward the future. (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 106
Look at the Bible and stewardship, reflect theologically about the spiritual discipline of stewardship and examine best practices to help Disciples understand how their entire lifestyle is caught up in this spiritual discipline. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 102
Explore the ways in which the church can be intentional about helping children experience a closer relationship with God. The session looks at the “Children’s Moment/Sermon” and ways to make it more meaningful and sacred. Other topics include a Prayer Mentoring Ministry including children, and working with parents and grandparents. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Classical
Estate and legacy gifts can extend and enhance your congregation’s witness. What are such gifts and what is the best way to encourage and promote them within the congregation? This is a resource group designed to establish wholeness in your giving program. Your ministry can be transformed in the process. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 102
Join this interactive session with Martha Grace Reese to find out the most recent discoveries of the ongoing Lilly Endowment-funded Mainline Evangelism Project. The eight-year research project is the largest and most thorough investigation into mainline church evangelism. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Rhythm & Blues
Churches frequently face building issues that consume time, energy and money, discouraging if not preventing ministry. Is your space fully used and is it hospitable? Are your entry, sanctuary, space for youth, fellowship area or restrooms really accessible? This is the resource group to help you learn where your building works—or works against you. • More Details »
Monday, July 11, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Classical
Earnings from endowment can provide a vital income stream for churches as they seek to grow and transform. Investing of endowments is different from personal investing, and requires a long-term, disciplined approach. This resource group will help you discover the best approaches. • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 8:15 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Convention Center 102
Fourteen historians over the past several years have put together a first-ever, comprehensive, contextual, inclusive and global history of the groups comprising the Stone-Campbell family. It is called the Stone-Campbell World History. This session features content of that publication which is due to be released by Chalice Press in 2012. (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 8:15 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Convention Center 103
The effort here is to explore current issues and best practices regarding the employment of pastors and staffs. What about compensation, employee benefits, taxation and reporting requirements for congregations? (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 8:15 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Convention Center 104
By the year 2020, more than a third of all Disciples congregations will have been started in the past 10 years! That includes about 700 new churches. This session will engage participants around issues faced by new congregations — their funding, their continued growth, and expansion into uncharted territory. (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 8:15 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Renaissance Jazz
Endowments obviously can undergird the ministries of congregations. But what are the key policies and processes that can help attract endowment gifts without hampering annual giving practices? Discussion topics will include how these policies can be developed and what makes a good policy. Samples will be provided.(Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM • Location: Renaissance Jazz
Sex, body and sexuality are tough topics for church discussion - but ignoring them has high costs. This workshop presents an understanding of sex(uality) and theology of incarnation that values the body, God‘s hopes for creation, and the people in it - and suggests new ways to discuss sex(uality) in our congregations. (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM • Location: Convention Center 208
When it comes to Christian unity, what have our scholars done together, and where do we go from here? What do the first steps in dialog among Disciples and our cousins in the movement mean for our congregations, and how can congregations be engaged? (Concurrent with business for non-voting delegates) • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Renaissance Belmont 2
Newsletters, websites, advertising in print and online, social media, and e-mail, all present challenges and opportunities for the church to reach out. Also covered in this resource group: general technology topics including computer software, privacy, security, and mobile devices. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 104
Explore evangelism from a different perspective. Learn how your congregation can become a more fully inclusive body of believers by welcoming persons to God's Table who have felt the sting of rejection from the church. Join hundreds of congregations that are finding new life in inclusion. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Location: Convention Center 103
A session designed to help congregations and their leaders assess where they are in terms of survivability, vitality and vibrancy. Among the tools provided will be an assessment instrument that participants can take home and use in evaluating their own congregations. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Renaissance Ryman 1
The resource group, in partnership with the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries, deals with the challenges of leadership, ministry and housing of ministries that confront Hispanic congregations, particularly in view of a changing church and social landscape. The object: developing and empowering vital, sustainable communities of faith. • More Details »
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Location: Convention Center 208
What makes vital ministry? This resource group introduces congregations that have made radical changes in their ministries. Through bold decisions to choose vitality over self-interest, these congregations have found ways to meet the needs of new neighbors. Learn their secrets. • More Details »