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Leadership Clinics

Leadership Clinics are day-long workshops that focus on topics related to leadership within the church. Leadership Clinics are always held the Monday of Pastors Week. While many Leadership Clinic participants also choose to attend Pastors Week, it is possible to register and attend one of these events without attending Pastors Week.

Monday, January 28, 2013—9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Planting Peace Churches: The Heart of God's Shalom Strategy

Presenters: Chet Miller-Eshleman, Mauricio Chenlo and André Gingerich Stoner

Shalom. That's shorthand for what God intends for the world: well-being and blessing, right relationships, deep in our bones a sense of being loved and embraced by the One who made us. Jesus used the term "kingdom of God" to help us get glimpses of what this looks like and how it comes to be.

A primary way God's shalom project moves forward is through small (and large) groups of people gathered around the sin-forgiving, enemy-loving, bread-breaking Jesus—people who come as they are and let their lives be changed by Jesus. And like yeast in the loaf, these communities change the world. 

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Come catch a vision and develop imagination for planting peace churches and leave with tools and next steps. Hear stories of successes and challenges, experiments and risks. Learn ways to test calling and gifts. Consider different models for initiating and funding church plants. Explore various kinds of partnerships between church planters, sending congregations and area conferences. Spend time in conversation and prayer with others exploring church planting initiatives.

About the presenters: Chet Miller-Eshleman and his wife are four years into a church planting initiative in Dover, Ohio.  Located on the town square, LifeBridge Community Church crosses cultural and class barriers as it invites people into a Jesus-centered community.  Already this congregation of 130 is involved in planting another congregation in a neighboring town and leaders envision a network of congregations throughout the county.  Chet brings training in conflict transformation and work with Mennonite Central Committee in Colombia as well as previous pastoral leadership to this ministry.

Mauricio Chenlo, denominational minister for church planting, is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He works closely with area conferences across Mennonite Church USA in strategizing, training and coaching for church planting.  He has served as a church planter in his native Argentina and directed a Mennonite peace center.  Mauricio’s assignment is a partnership between Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Mission Network.

André Gingerich Stoner, director of holistic witness for Mennonite Church USA previously served as pastor of missions at Kern Road Mennonite Church in South Bend, Indiana

 


Feeding the Spiritual Hungers of Contemporary Christians

Presenters: Marlene Kropf and Dan Schrock

Many people in our congregations have an underdeveloped capacity for intimacy and fidelity. At the same time, they also hunger to experience the reality of God’s presence in everyday life. Perhaps nothing characterizes contemporary life more vividly than a profound longing for connection with others and with God.

Group spiritual direction offers a way to feed this hunger. Indeed, group direction may be the simplest, most effective way for the church to engage people in ongoing growth outside of Sunday worship. In contrast to other groups—such as Sunday schools, small groups, women’s groups, men’s groups, support groups, committees, or service groups—the central focus of direction groups is noticing and responding to the presence of God in each person’s life.

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The ministry of group spiritual direction is not simply another program to implement in the church. Rather, it is a forming and transforming encounter with God that enhances mission.

About the presenters: Marlene Kropf, D.Min., Associate Professor in Spiritual Formation and Worship (retired) and spiritual director; and Dan Schrock, D.Min., pastor at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, Goshen, and spiritual director. They are co-editors of the new book An Open Place: The Ministry of Group Spiritual Direction (Morehouse Publishing, 2012).

 


Congregational Finances and the Role of the Pastor

Presenters: Terry Shue, Vyron Schmidt and Beryl Jantzi

This interactive clinic will highlight money related issues which impact pastors daily.  Some congregations expect the pastor to engage at all levels and others try to separate the pastor as much as possible from the financial work of the church.  The three presenters have extensive experience in pastoring, conference, denominational  and agency related involvement.

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Topics  addressed will include:

  • Where does the pastor fit in with congregational finances
  • Creative giving tools
  • Denominational funding streams and formulas
  • Benevolence ministries Do’s and Don’ts
  • Narrative budgeting model
  • Creating congregational cultures of generosity
  • When, where and how  should the pastor teach and preach about money
  • Is it okay to negotiate my salary and benefits package?
  • If your church received a $100,000 gift would they know what to do with it?
  • College & seminary student debt and the future of the church

About the presenters: Terry Shue, Mennonite Church USA; Vyron Schmidt and Beryl Jantzi, Everence

 


Preaching Seminar (for those enrolled)

This is the last session of the Preaching Seminar that began in October. Participants will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with leader Allan Rudy-Froese of AMBS. More information at Preaching Seminar.

Registration

Cost

  • $65 before January 7, 2013
  • $55 each for three or more from one congregation before January 7
  • $75 after January 5
  • Additional student discounts are available on the online registration form

Continuing education units

Attending a clinic will earn 0.4 CEU