* from the Disciples News Service
2010 Pastors’ Conference Set For San Diego
Calling all clergy! Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President, announces plans for the 2010 Pastors' Conference. The Conference will be held September 21-23, 2010 at the Doubletree Mission Valley in San Diego, California.
The Conference will feature renowned author and theologian, Diana Butler Bass. Dr. Bass' work in the areas of mission, context and transformation are key components to the revitalization of the mainline protestant church. Bass has spent years studying and surveying congregations that are progressive, mainline, revitalizing and growing spiritually, as well as numerically. Click here to read Bass' full biography.
The Pastors' Conference, held for the first time in 2008 grew out of the 21st Century Vision Team's work on Disciples Identity and was a personal goal of past-Moderator Bill Lee. The 2010 Conference will feature a modified schedule over 2008. Todd Adams, Associate General Minister and Vice President commented, "We learned a lot in 2008 and we listened to our pastors. The 2010 dates and schedule reflect the input of the 2008 attendees."
The conference will begin on Tuesday, September 21 with a reception from 3-5 p.m. followed by dinner and a State of the Church address by Watkins. Wednesday the 22nd will feature large group sessions with Bass. The second day will close at 4 p.m. to allow the attendees time to enjoy the San Diego area. The San Diego Trolley runs next to the hotel and will take visitors to the beach, downtown and the San Diego Bay. Thursday, September 23 will feature one final session with Dr. Bass before attendees return to the airport. Shuttles will depart for the San Diego airport at 11:45 a.m.
Disciples Home Missions will sponsor a session for Pastors who are working in intentional transformation settings following the conference. The extended session will give attendees additional opportunities to process Dr. Bass' presentations and insights. Persons interested in attending the DHM Transformation session should book an additional hotel night when they register. More information will follow regarding the post-conference event.
The September 21-23 conference will be packed with opportunities for learning, fellowship and rest. In addition to the discounted room rates during the conference, attendees can book additional rooms three days on either side of the conference to enjoy the greater San Diego area.
The inclusive registration fees include: roundtrip airport transfers from the San Diego airport to the hotel, the opening dinner, breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday, lunch on Wednesday and two nights lodging at the Doubletree Mission Valley.
Registration will open October 15, 2009 with a discounted single room rate of $400. Double occupancy is $300 per person. Triple occupancy is $255 per person. Quad occupancy is $225 per person. Spouses of clergy are invited to participate in the meals and events for $175 when their spouse registers as a single occupancy attendee. All rates will increase $50 per person after April 1, 2010.
For more information about the 2010 Pastors' Conference, contact Todd Adams, Associate General Minister at tadams@ogmp.disciples.org.