Sacred Rhythms: Rearranging Our Lives for Deepened Discipleship

Presenters: Revs. Kendrick Weaver and John Nupp
Western Region on March 14

Do you long for a sustainable, deep, fundamental change in your life with God? Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to live it? 

Christian leaders are disciples first and yet often the tasks can overshadow the fundamentals. In this track, give yourself the gift of putting your relationship with God through Jesus Christ first through developing a rule of life following the contours of our holistic Wesleyan Discipleship. As Marjorie Thompson explains, “A rule of life is a pattern of spiritual disciplines that provides structure and direction for growth in holiness…. It fosters gifts of the Spirit in personal life and human community, helping to form us into the persons God intends us to be." So that we might better live into our discipleship in the Wesleyan Spirit: to witness to Jesus Christ in the world and to follow His teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Drawing on many traditions and cultures, participants are guided into developing practices that reveal the abundant life that Christ offers while glorifying God.

Generosity Generators: 13 Generosity Mistakes to Avoid (and what to do instead) 

Presenter: Frank Robert
Western Region on March 14 

Lessons from our Churches that can help us do it better! We will discuss what mistakes to avoid and what Generosity Generators we should install in our Churches. Our goal is to begin to understand how to move the Financial Culture from “Paying the bills” to Funding Future Mission and Ministry.  We will culminate our time by drafting our future Generosity team! We will discuss at least 13 things your church could be doing to generate more Resources. It is time to THRIVE not just Survive!

Next Level Leaders: Revitalizing God’s Vision for Your Congregation  

Presenter: Rev. Dr. Malcolm Stranathan
Western on March 14

It is said, “where there is no vision the people perish!”  And yet, whose vision are we called to implement? Revitalizing or discerning God’s vision for your congregation is best accomplished through a collaborative process in which ownership of God’s vision is discerned, promoted and implemented by the congregational leadership and subsequently owned by the local congregation. 

This workshop is intended to teach, equip and encourage next level leaders to bring out the greatest potential from them and their local congregation, context and community. To get the best out of this workshop, several leaders (clergy and lay) from a local congregation are encouraged to participate together so that God’s vision, an action plan, an implementation schedule and evaluation tool for existing ministries can be developed.  We will exchange ideas, share experiences and develop new relationships and leave inspired for God’s Vision and next steps for your congregation. Leaders will explore resources, learning labs and next level leader networks.

Are you looking to breathe new life into your congregation or perhaps are you dreaming of launching a brand new church? Both begin with the same question: what is shaping your church? Is your church shaped by worship or programs, children or youth ministries or by the preferences of your current members? What if your church was shaped by the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? What if you church was shaped by the mission of reaching people who currently don’t attend any church? If these questions make your heart sing, then join New Faith Expressions Track at the Connect Leadership Summit.

New Faith Expressions: Being a Sent People instead of an Attractional Church 

Presenter: Rev. Dr. Bill Brown, Director of New Faith Expressions, Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church
Western Region on March 14 

For decades, churches have operated from the mentality of “build it and they will come”. So what is “it”? Perhaps “it” is a new building or worship service, the best coffee or latest program. We have spent countless hours and resources trying to attract people to our churches and have them come to us. Instead of “come to us,” what if we embraced a new approach, “go to them”? What if we embodied Jesus’ command in 

Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples…” (CEB). It is time for us to discover new expressions of church that are able to communicate with a culture that is not currently a part of the church, so that they can become committed followers of Jesus Christ.  

We are at a crossroads as our society and culture continue to undergo massive transitions that have affected the church. These challenges provide us with a significant opportunity to reach new people. It begins by changing our focus beyond our building and the “come to us” approach and embrace the “we will go to you” attitude, embodying the Gospel where people are, rather than embodying it where we are and in ways we prefer.

In this track you will discover innovative ways to embrace the “micro-church movement” including:

•         The definition and theology of the “micro-church movement”
•         How to discover and engage people where they are
•         Models and methods for launching a “micro-church movement” in your context 
•         Much more…

YPM TRACK: GROWING IN LEADERSHIP THROUGH BOOSTING COMMUNICATION SKILLS—FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS

with Rev. Chris Bishop in the Washington Region (March 7) and Western Region (March 14)

Everyone has a story to tell. An epic adventure with a hero who saves the day.  A dramatic tale of good versus evil. A romantic comedy where in the end, everyone lives happily ever after. Whatever the story, it is yours to be told. 

And let’s not forget the greatest story ever told. The story of the one who came from humble beginnings but was recognized as a leader and king. Someone who healed the sick and chose to spend time with those living on the margins instead of in a palace with all of the riches that royalty provides. The store of the one who saved the world through life and death and continues to save lives even today. The story of Jesus Christ.

 What if we could tell our story and the story of Jesus with confidence?  Without fear or shame?  What if we could tell these stories in a way that would make others want to be a part of that story?

Join us at the Youth Track of the Connect Leadership Summit to learn a new way to tell your story and the story of Christ. Youth can attend the afternoon track for FREE at any location.

RSVP by March 6 or March 13

If youth are interested in attending the full day of the Connect Leadership Summit and need a scholarship, contact Sharonda Jones at . 

1. Storytelling

Presenter: Mike Cantley

Description: 
This Lent and Easter, take up another means of grace as you learn to tell the old, old story by heart! Come learn some tips for the discipline of Biblical Storytelling in the style of the Network of Biblical Storytellers International (NBSI).
Participants will learn a Bible story in class and leave with a great Easter gift they can share with their worshiping or learning community. 

2. Mental Health and the Church

Presenter: Patricia Watson

Description:
1 in 5 American adults experience a mental illness each year; 75% of mental illnesses develop before age 25. As churches, we can do a better job of providing care and connections for those struggling with a mental health crisis. Join us as we talk about the things to look out for, and ways your church can be a part of the movement to lessen the stigma around mental health issues.

4. Hospitality

Presenter: Bill Warehime

Description:
A Biblical tradition of welcoming the stranger.  It is the simplest form of evangelism that a congregation needs to adopt and implement.