- Blogs
- Central Conference Communications Initiative
- Denominational Communication Resources
- E-Newsletter Archives
- Interpreter Magazine
- Michigan Area Reporter
- Obituaries
- The Parish Paper
- Tuesdays @ 10 am Central Webinar Series
- UMC Korean Language Resources
- UMC Spanish Language Resources
- Videos
- News
- Photo Galleries
- United Methodist News
- UMTV
- UM Reporter
- Michigan Christian Advocate
Church By Size Seminars With Dr. Doug Anderson
Registration Forms
February 1-4 Seminars (Small Church, Mid-Sized Church)
March 15-19 Seminars (Large Church, Church Staff)
Registration is now open for a series of Church By Size seminars that will be conducted by Dr. Doug Anderson, executive director of the Reuben Job Center For Leadership Development, in early 2010.
These seminars, designed and led by Doug Anderson, will help pastors and lay teams understand the unique and important ministry that their church size offers. The seminars offer a unique view of each size church using a systems perspective to understand the issues and transition points. Based on those observations, participants are then given practical models, principles, and options for effectively dealing with important issues and opportunities. Making ministry effective and dynamic is the purpose of each seminar. These seminars will be particularly helpful for pastors newly appointed to a church, but even those with experience will find the principles, insights and models invaluable for their ministry. Evaluations from participants have been very positive, with most experiencing numerical growth and exciting, effective ministry of new outreach, caring systems and increased level of volunteers.
The first set of seminars will take place on Monday-Thursday, Feb. 1-4, 2010, at Birch Run UMC in Birch Run, Mich. The cost is $75 for one seminar and $100 to attend both. The registration fee includes lunches and materials. Accommodations and other meals are on your own.
Following is a description of each seminar:
Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 1-2: Extending the Church Family - Ministry in a Small Church (less than 100 average worship attendance)
Key issues in a small church are care, worship, and decision making. How to do this well and appropriately in a small church will be the central focus of this seminar. Participants will explore the style of caring and assimilation consistent with a family church: administration and decision making that strengthens and broadens the church family and how family systems theory can particularly and specifically be helpful for understanding and respecting the dynamics at work in a small church, especially with matriarchs and patriarchs. The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are developing groups, team leadership, and effective care. The seminar will also explore the dynamics of multi-point charges in a fresh and helpful fashion.
This seminar will be particularly helpful for pastors (especially with lay teams) in their first small church pastorate. The process and impact of growth in a small church will be explored, with helpful skills and models provided. Participants will then meet in one follow-up session on August 23rd for ongoing support and to help implement the principles shared in the seminar, as well as to address specific questions and concerns regarding continuing, effective ministry.
Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 3-4: Mastering the Middle - Ministry in a Mid-Sized Church (100-175 average worship attendance)
The mid-sized church has some interesting and challenging dynamics. It is small enough to act like a small church, to the detriment of continuing outreach and growth. The issues to be addressed during this seminar include: caring systems, decision-making processes, assimilation of newcomers, discipling, pastoral role of care and leadership, small group life, ministry specialties and developing lay ministries. The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are meeting nights and mentoring, monthly ministry and a care system.
Participants will also explore the relevant theory of mid-sized churches and find practical skills and models to effectively minister in this church size. Participants will then meet in one follow-up session on August 24th for ongoing support and to help implement the principles shared in the seminar, as well as to address specific questions and concerns regarding continuing, effective ministry.
The second set of seminars will take place on Monday-Friday, March 15-19, 2010, at Clarkston UMC in Clarkston, Mich. The cost is $75 for one seminar, $100 to attend two seminars, and $125 to attend all three. The registration fee includes lunches and materials. Accommodations and other meals are on your own.
Following is a description of each seminar:
Monday-Tuesday, March 15-16 - Beyond the Barrier: Ministry for Becoming a Large Church (175-250 average worship attendance)
A church that has an average worship attendance of 175-250 has been described as an awkward size-too large to be a small, family-style church and not large enough to sustain all of the programs and staff of a large church. Participants in this two-day seminar will be equipped to meet the challenge of making disciples for Jesus Christ, and thereby growing by sharing strategies and models in these ministry areas: multiple and varied worship celebrations, caring systems and small group ministries, organizational issues and decision-making processes, fund raising and stewardship, volunteerism and spiritual gifts, assimilation of newcomers, participation and ministry teams. The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are new worship services and developing ministry teams.
Participants will gain fresh understanding and perspective of this church size, as well as the transitions and ministries to grow in the number of disciples. Systems and change theory will be foundational throughout the seminar. Participants will then meet in one follow-up session on August 25th for ongoing support and to help implement the principles shared in the seminar, as well as to address specific questions and concerns regarding continuing, effective ministry.
Wednesday-Thursday, March 17-18 - Building a Terrific Team: Staff Ministry in a Large Church (Designed for pastors and laity from Gateway Groups that are Section I and II - or those with staff)
This seminar for staff members of larger churches will provide a solid understanding of the nature and functioning of a large church as well as its staff. Some key issues that will be explored include: creative leadership, staffing to grow, roles of various staff members, decision making, leadership development, staff meetings, rules and rituals, strategies for change, purpose and vision, communication, staff principles, discipling and spiritual growth. The importance of building a staff appreciation for the uniqueness of large churches, as well as the practical skills and model for helping large churches to be effective in ministry will be examined. The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are results-based job descriptions and the principles of staff coherence and effective functioning.
This will be a particularly helpful orientation for those new in their role. Participants will then meet in one follow-up session on August 26th for ongoing support and to help implement the principles shared in the seminar, as well as to address specific questions and concerns regarding continuing, effective ministry.
Thursday-Friday, March 18-19 - Leading a Church Staff: Basic Tools for Effective Lead Pastors
The role of the lead pastor is an exciting and challenging one as a spiritual leader. Helping people be effective as lead pastors is the goal of this seminar. Participants will focus attention and discussion on these issues and topics that are central to the ministry of the lead pastor: staff roles, developing mission and vision, staff covenant, coaching a staff communication, developing leaders, staff systems and functioning, and growing spiritual community. Participants will learn models, tips, theories and practical handles to help them function compassionately, competently and confidently as lead pastor. The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are purposeful leadership, coaching staff and developing a leadership network.
The seminar will include cases and resources from the leader and the participants, as well as significant time for discussion. This will be a particularly helpful orientation for those new in their role. Participants will then meet in one follow-up session on August 25th for ongoing support and to help implement the principles shared in the seminar, as well as to address specific questions and concerns regarding continuing, effective ministry.