This document summarizes the past decade of changes within the Hudson River Presbytery led by the General Presbyter. Key points include:
- The presbytery has experienced 80 pastoral transitions and the closure or departure of 12 congregations while supporting creative new starts.
- Small congregations have reimagined themselves through shared pastoral leadership, part-time models, and community engagement.
- Partnerships and ministry networks have emerged around areas like food justice, education, and advocacy while deepening connections to organizations.
- The presbytery structure and gatherings have been adapted to focus on relationships, community, and streamlining business.
- Significant staff changes occurred while maintaining financial stability through creative funding and living
The document provides information about the Indianapolis Catholic Youth Conference 2010, including a list of breakout session options that attendees can choose from. There are three mega-sessions that all attendees will participate in, and seven additional youth workshops that attendees can select two from. The mega-sessions and workshops will address various topics related to pursuing glory through faith, relationships, success, technology, forgiveness and more. Speakers for each session are also provided.
This document discusses developing a culture of discipleship at Hampton Park Baptist Church through midweek life-on-life ministry. It begins by outlining exercises to define the current and desired culture. The thesis is that midweek small group ministry is necessary to cultivate discipleship. It defines a discipleship culture as members making and shepherding disciples. The goal is for members to commit to discipling one another with Scripture. Obstacles, marks, and benefits of a discipleship culture are discussed, as well as structured versus organic approaches.
This document outlines a plan to develop vital and healthy congregations through revitalizing existing congregations, starting new congregations, and changing church culture and processes to better support congregational vitality. It discusses engaging key leaders and the congregation through prayer, worship, study and response to discern a church's core values and guiding beliefs in order to change culture and reach the unchurched. Resources provided can help local churches increase their vitality by implementing best practices and developing a ministry plan focused on making disciples and transforming the world.
Tim and Tiffany have a vision to plant churches and start ministries in Nashville. Tim has 20 years of experience planting churches and starting other Christian organizations. Tiffany has a background in social work and mentoring. They value leading together as a team. Nashville is growing rapidly and becoming more diverse, but many churches are declining. Tim and Tiffany want to start a movement of churches, communities, and disciples to reach more people in Nashville.
This document is about the ministry of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). It discusses Cru's mission to introduce students to Jesus, help them grow in their faith through community and mission experiences, and send them out to reach others for Christ. It provides information on some of Cru's programs and partnerships. The document seeks financial support from partners to fund Cru staff and ministries.
This document is about the mission and work of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). It discusses Cru's goal of reaching all 150 million college students with the message of Christ through ministries like student groups, conferences, and mission trips. It provides examples of Cru's work on different campuses and internationally. It also gives a brief history of Cru starting in 1951 and describes how it relies on financial support from individuals and churches.
Walk Alongside - Reconciliation Toolkit for ChurchesColin Battersby
The document provides information about the Walk Alongside pilot program which aims to help churches build strong and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It includes an explanation of an artwork titled "Reconciliation Well" which depicts various symbols representing reconciliation, including a central well of reconciliation, elders mentoring youth, elders and leaders, a vision of reconciliation, people, footprints representing the long journey, and land and water. It also provides an overview of the Walk Alongside church toolkit and action plan, including objectives, outcomes, and a framework for church engagement with suggestions in the areas of relationships, respect, and opportunities.
The Grace Episcopal Church Parish Budget Meeting covered the following key points:
1) The church discussed whether it sees itself as a "maintenance church" or "mission church" and how that impacts priorities and outreach.
2) Financial assets were reviewed, showing declining balances as expenses have increased and pledge income has remained stagnant, with pledges often not being fully paid.
3) New financial systems and oversight processes were established to better track spending and pledges going forward.
4) The current and projected budgets showed continued deficits if changes are not made, with assets at risk of being depleted over time if trends continue. Recommendations to fund future ministry in a sustainable way would be
The document provides information about the Indianapolis Catholic Youth Conference 2010, including a list of breakout session options that attendees can choose from. There are three mega-sessions that all attendees will participate in, and seven additional youth workshops that attendees can select two from. The mega-sessions and workshops will address various topics related to pursuing glory through faith, relationships, success, technology, forgiveness and more. Speakers for each session are also provided.
This document discusses developing a culture of discipleship at Hampton Park Baptist Church through midweek life-on-life ministry. It begins by outlining exercises to define the current and desired culture. The thesis is that midweek small group ministry is necessary to cultivate discipleship. It defines a discipleship culture as members making and shepherding disciples. The goal is for members to commit to discipling one another with Scripture. Obstacles, marks, and benefits of a discipleship culture are discussed, as well as structured versus organic approaches.
This document outlines a plan to develop vital and healthy congregations through revitalizing existing congregations, starting new congregations, and changing church culture and processes to better support congregational vitality. It discusses engaging key leaders and the congregation through prayer, worship, study and response to discern a church's core values and guiding beliefs in order to change culture and reach the unchurched. Resources provided can help local churches increase their vitality by implementing best practices and developing a ministry plan focused on making disciples and transforming the world.
Tim and Tiffany have a vision to plant churches and start ministries in Nashville. Tim has 20 years of experience planting churches and starting other Christian organizations. Tiffany has a background in social work and mentoring. They value leading together as a team. Nashville is growing rapidly and becoming more diverse, but many churches are declining. Tim and Tiffany want to start a movement of churches, communities, and disciples to reach more people in Nashville.
This document is about the ministry of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). It discusses Cru's mission to introduce students to Jesus, help them grow in their faith through community and mission experiences, and send them out to reach others for Christ. It provides information on some of Cru's programs and partnerships. The document seeks financial support from partners to fund Cru staff and ministries.
This document is about the mission and work of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). It discusses Cru's goal of reaching all 150 million college students with the message of Christ through ministries like student groups, conferences, and mission trips. It provides examples of Cru's work on different campuses and internationally. It also gives a brief history of Cru starting in 1951 and describes how it relies on financial support from individuals and churches.
Walk Alongside - Reconciliation Toolkit for ChurchesColin Battersby
The document provides information about the Walk Alongside pilot program which aims to help churches build strong and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It includes an explanation of an artwork titled "Reconciliation Well" which depicts various symbols representing reconciliation, including a central well of reconciliation, elders mentoring youth, elders and leaders, a vision of reconciliation, people, footprints representing the long journey, and land and water. It also provides an overview of the Walk Alongside church toolkit and action plan, including objectives, outcomes, and a framework for church engagement with suggestions in the areas of relationships, respect, and opportunities.
The Grace Episcopal Church Parish Budget Meeting covered the following key points:
1) The church discussed whether it sees itself as a "maintenance church" or "mission church" and how that impacts priorities and outreach.
2) Financial assets were reviewed, showing declining balances as expenses have increased and pledge income has remained stagnant, with pledges often not being fully paid.
3) New financial systems and oversight processes were established to better track spending and pledges going forward.
4) The current and projected budgets showed continued deficits if changes are not made, with assets at risk of being depleted over time if trends continue. Recommendations to fund future ministry in a sustainable way would be
This document discusses faith formation in a missional age. It notes that the United States is becoming less religiously affiliated, with Christianity no longer the majority religion. Congregations are also less healthy and seeing declining attendance. However, faith remains a gift from God that shapes identity and calls Christians to active embodiment through loving God and neighbor. Faith formation therefore involves cultivating both discipleship community and engagement with culture. The church's role is to help people live out what it means to be Christian in their daily lives and context.
This document outlines the principles of Christian stewardship. It defines stewardship as a way of life that involves gratefully receiving God's gifts, cultivating them responsibly, sharing them with others, and returning them to God. Stewardship applies to all areas of life, including faith, family, community, work, environment and resources. As disciples, Christians are called to steward their time, talents, and treasures. The parish plays a vital role in fostering stewardship formation through opportunities for prayer, service and gift discernment. Successful stewardship involves personal witness, leadership commitment, hospitality, education, engagement and accountability.
The document discusses principles for ministry to young adults, including that relationships are more important than rituals, purpose is more important than activity, and significance trumps loyalty. It also discusses that most people feel their lives have meaning or purpose, though religiously unaffiliated people are more likely to lack a sense of purpose. Churches should consider how to reach the millennial generation. The document outlines guiding principles for missional-emergent ministry, including being interactive, engaging, and experiential.
Dr. Gerald Stokka - Stewardship: A Philosophy of Life, Culture and BusinessJohn Blue
Stewardship: A Philosophy of Life, Culture and Business - Dr. Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University, from the 2014 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention, December 8 - 10, 2014, Des Moines IA, USA
More presentations at http://www.trufflemedia.com/agmedia/conference/2014-iowa-cattle-industry-convention
This document discusses the need for Catholic parishes in Australia to explicitly focus on spiritual and numerical growth. It notes that many parishes currently do not have plans for growth and assume people are becoming disciples without evidence. The document advocates for parishes to have clear visions for growth, plans to achieve their visions, and practices like leadership focused on growth, adult formation, and small groups to foster discipleship and strengthen bonds of faith.
This document provides diagnoses of the Catholic Church from historians, sociologists, psychologists, feminists and theologians. It discusses issues like clericalism, lack of reform, complicity with political powers, dysfunctional behaviors and exclusion of women. The marks of the church - oneness, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity - are also analyzed critically in light of these issues rather than being used to assert the church's perfection.
This document discusses servant leadership, using the Apostle Paul as a case study. It describes key traits of servant leadership, including putting followers' well-being first, helping others grow, and empowering communities. The document outlines Paul's background and how he adapted his message for different cultures. It analyzes Paul's leadership values like integrity, service, loyalty, and adaptability. Paul is presented as a model servant leader who respected all people and gained followers through compassion and moral leadership.
This document introduces Dawn Trautman and Dr. Terri Elton who are offering webinars on topics related to faith formation. Dr. Elton's webinar series is titled "Faith Formation in a Missional Age" and will explore what faith means in today's changing cultural context. It discusses research showing declining religious affiliation and notes faith must be reimagined for a society where Christianity is no longer the majority. Faith formation aims to help people understand what it means to live out their Christian identity amidst these cultural shifts.
The document is a town hall report from Cornerstone Church that provides updates on the church's various ministries from the past year. It summarizes that the church has over 75 people serving on ministry teams and many more volunteers, and that when reading the ministry reports one should praise God for what he is doing through the church. It also includes summaries of the Vitality Team and Strategic Planning Team's work to discern the church's vision and mission, as well as brief summaries of the work done by the Community Life Ministry and Global Missions Ministry over the past year.
Pope Francis: Challenges from urban cultures (cont.)MargaretObrovac
Pope Francis discusses the challenges and opportunities of urban cultures. Cities are multicultural places where new subcultures and invisible cities form. The Church is called to engage in difficult dialogue between those who have means and opportunity and those who are marginalized as "non-citizens" or "half citizens." While cities offer possibilities, they also present obstacles that cause suffering. The Gospel can help restore human dignity and pour out abundant life in these contexts.
Equipes Notre-Dame (Teams) is a Catholic movement that began in 1939 to support married spirituality through small groups of married couples meeting monthly. Teams has grown significantly to over 130,000 members worldwide across over 12,000 Teams. The movement aims to engage married couples in parishes by providing spiritual community, prayer, and discussion to help couples grow together in their faith and marriage.
This document discusses lifelong Christian faith formation and intergenerational faith experiences. It defines faith formation as a lifelong journey of discipleship through experiencing, learning, and practicing the Christian faith. This involves growing in knowledge, service, and love of God through scripture, tradition, reason, right relationships, community, prayer, worship, love, justice, and peacemaking. The document emphasizes that intergenerational faith formation, with people of all ages learning and experiencing faith together, is important for strengthening relationships, supporting families, and experiencing authentic Christian community. It provides examples of how churches can incorporate intergenerational caring, celebrating, learning, praying, and serving.
The document discusses the mission and vision of a Sunday school class called Pathways. It aims to (1) enhance relationships with God and follow Jesus' teachings, (2) better support the church's mission, and (3) serve class members' needs. The class wants to grow in faith, promote Christian principles, and appeal to a diverse range of ages using technology. It emphasizes being non-rigid and applicable to daily life.
Christian Community Development 1: Eight ComponentsRobert Munson
The document outlines eight principles of Christian Community Development (CCD) according to a paper by Dr. Wayne L. Gordon. The principles are: 1) Relocation - live among the people, 2) Reconciliation - reconcile people to God and each other, 3) Redistribution - share resources with the community, 4) Leader Development - develop local leaders, 5) Listen to the Community - focus on their needs and assets, 6) Church-Based - involve the local church, 7) Wholistic Approach - address all aspects of people's lives, and 8) Empowerment - empower people rather than create dependency. The document discusses each principle in 1-2 paragraphs.
Campus Outreach provides ministry to college students across multiple campuses. Their vision is to glorify God by building laborers on campus to advance the church among the lost world. They emphasize establishing relationships with students to evangelize, disciple, equip, and export laborers beyond graduation through a small-group model. Staff are responsible for raising financial support from individuals, churches, and businesses.
This document introduces Crawley's first Faith, Belief and Culture Guide. It was created as a collaboration between Crawley Interfaith Network and Crawley Borough Council to provide information about the diverse faiths and cultures in Crawley. The guide aims to promote understanding and highlight the activities of different groups. It is in a ring-bound format so it can be continuously updated as communities evolve and change over time. The introduction encourages all groups to ensure they are included by using the registration forms in the back.
Get Together Presenation 1 October 2009Martin Luff
This document discusses the definition of church and proposes a "Simple Church Model". It begins by asking what church is and isn't, noting that it isn't just a building, show, or Sunday service. It then questions how Bible-based contemporary church is and defines church as a group committed to obeying Jesus together. The document introduces a "Simple Church Model" involving small "Transform Groups" of same-sex friends who meet weekly to encourage one another through confession, Bible reading, prayer and discipleship. It proposes this model as a more appropriate expression of church for contemporary culture.
The document discusses the mission and ministry of the Covenant denomination. It highlights that the Covenant has churches in 44 US states and 5 Canadian provinces, and its mission is to make more disciples and work for a more just world. It provides updates on various Covenant programs, resources, and ministries, including church planting, youth events, mission work, and supporting pastors.
This document summarizes information about stewardship and engaging those outside the Catholic faith. It begins by discussing stewardship and the parable of the sower. It then examines statistics on declining affiliation with Catholicism and increasing numbers of religiously unaffiliated individuals. The document suggests that people seek a spiritual dimension, personal connections, and a sense of mission or meaning. It advocates building bridges to others through hospitality, friendship, and sharing one's gifts. The steward is described as one who manages resources for the benefit of others. The document provides resources on engaging various groups like youth and young adults. It emphasizes discerning actions and focusing on ideals of service.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Abingdon, VA has received a $10,000 grant to fund two spiritual retreats - a parish retreat in October led by Jay Sidebotham and a leadership retreat in January 2023. The church is also working to sponsor a refugee family from Afghanistan with support from other local faith communities. Additionally, the church is examining improvements to make the worship space more accessible and has formed a team to study options.
The Unleash Team at Fellowship Church combined several ministries and now has 11 members working to advance the cause of Jesus locally and globally. Over the last 18 months, their efforts included hosting large evangelistic events in Central Arkansas that attracted over 60,000 people, launching new education, health, and prison reentry programs, and expanding partnerships with missionaries and ministries around the world.
This document discusses faith formation in a missional age. It notes that the United States is becoming less religiously affiliated, with Christianity no longer the majority religion. Congregations are also less healthy and seeing declining attendance. However, faith remains a gift from God that shapes identity and calls Christians to active embodiment through loving God and neighbor. Faith formation therefore involves cultivating both discipleship community and engagement with culture. The church's role is to help people live out what it means to be Christian in their daily lives and context.
This document outlines the principles of Christian stewardship. It defines stewardship as a way of life that involves gratefully receiving God's gifts, cultivating them responsibly, sharing them with others, and returning them to God. Stewardship applies to all areas of life, including faith, family, community, work, environment and resources. As disciples, Christians are called to steward their time, talents, and treasures. The parish plays a vital role in fostering stewardship formation through opportunities for prayer, service and gift discernment. Successful stewardship involves personal witness, leadership commitment, hospitality, education, engagement and accountability.
The document discusses principles for ministry to young adults, including that relationships are more important than rituals, purpose is more important than activity, and significance trumps loyalty. It also discusses that most people feel their lives have meaning or purpose, though religiously unaffiliated people are more likely to lack a sense of purpose. Churches should consider how to reach the millennial generation. The document outlines guiding principles for missional-emergent ministry, including being interactive, engaging, and experiential.
Dr. Gerald Stokka - Stewardship: A Philosophy of Life, Culture and BusinessJohn Blue
Stewardship: A Philosophy of Life, Culture and Business - Dr. Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University, from the 2014 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention, December 8 - 10, 2014, Des Moines IA, USA
More presentations at http://www.trufflemedia.com/agmedia/conference/2014-iowa-cattle-industry-convention
This document discusses the need for Catholic parishes in Australia to explicitly focus on spiritual and numerical growth. It notes that many parishes currently do not have plans for growth and assume people are becoming disciples without evidence. The document advocates for parishes to have clear visions for growth, plans to achieve their visions, and practices like leadership focused on growth, adult formation, and small groups to foster discipleship and strengthen bonds of faith.
This document provides diagnoses of the Catholic Church from historians, sociologists, psychologists, feminists and theologians. It discusses issues like clericalism, lack of reform, complicity with political powers, dysfunctional behaviors and exclusion of women. The marks of the church - oneness, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity - are also analyzed critically in light of these issues rather than being used to assert the church's perfection.
This document discusses servant leadership, using the Apostle Paul as a case study. It describes key traits of servant leadership, including putting followers' well-being first, helping others grow, and empowering communities. The document outlines Paul's background and how he adapted his message for different cultures. It analyzes Paul's leadership values like integrity, service, loyalty, and adaptability. Paul is presented as a model servant leader who respected all people and gained followers through compassion and moral leadership.
This document introduces Dawn Trautman and Dr. Terri Elton who are offering webinars on topics related to faith formation. Dr. Elton's webinar series is titled "Faith Formation in a Missional Age" and will explore what faith means in today's changing cultural context. It discusses research showing declining religious affiliation and notes faith must be reimagined for a society where Christianity is no longer the majority. Faith formation aims to help people understand what it means to live out their Christian identity amidst these cultural shifts.
The document is a town hall report from Cornerstone Church that provides updates on the church's various ministries from the past year. It summarizes that the church has over 75 people serving on ministry teams and many more volunteers, and that when reading the ministry reports one should praise God for what he is doing through the church. It also includes summaries of the Vitality Team and Strategic Planning Team's work to discern the church's vision and mission, as well as brief summaries of the work done by the Community Life Ministry and Global Missions Ministry over the past year.
Pope Francis: Challenges from urban cultures (cont.)MargaretObrovac
Pope Francis discusses the challenges and opportunities of urban cultures. Cities are multicultural places where new subcultures and invisible cities form. The Church is called to engage in difficult dialogue between those who have means and opportunity and those who are marginalized as "non-citizens" or "half citizens." While cities offer possibilities, they also present obstacles that cause suffering. The Gospel can help restore human dignity and pour out abundant life in these contexts.
Equipes Notre-Dame (Teams) is a Catholic movement that began in 1939 to support married spirituality through small groups of married couples meeting monthly. Teams has grown significantly to over 130,000 members worldwide across over 12,000 Teams. The movement aims to engage married couples in parishes by providing spiritual community, prayer, and discussion to help couples grow together in their faith and marriage.
This document discusses lifelong Christian faith formation and intergenerational faith experiences. It defines faith formation as a lifelong journey of discipleship through experiencing, learning, and practicing the Christian faith. This involves growing in knowledge, service, and love of God through scripture, tradition, reason, right relationships, community, prayer, worship, love, justice, and peacemaking. The document emphasizes that intergenerational faith formation, with people of all ages learning and experiencing faith together, is important for strengthening relationships, supporting families, and experiencing authentic Christian community. It provides examples of how churches can incorporate intergenerational caring, celebrating, learning, praying, and serving.
The document discusses the mission and vision of a Sunday school class called Pathways. It aims to (1) enhance relationships with God and follow Jesus' teachings, (2) better support the church's mission, and (3) serve class members' needs. The class wants to grow in faith, promote Christian principles, and appeal to a diverse range of ages using technology. It emphasizes being non-rigid and applicable to daily life.
Christian Community Development 1: Eight ComponentsRobert Munson
The document outlines eight principles of Christian Community Development (CCD) according to a paper by Dr. Wayne L. Gordon. The principles are: 1) Relocation - live among the people, 2) Reconciliation - reconcile people to God and each other, 3) Redistribution - share resources with the community, 4) Leader Development - develop local leaders, 5) Listen to the Community - focus on their needs and assets, 6) Church-Based - involve the local church, 7) Wholistic Approach - address all aspects of people's lives, and 8) Empowerment - empower people rather than create dependency. The document discusses each principle in 1-2 paragraphs.
Campus Outreach provides ministry to college students across multiple campuses. Their vision is to glorify God by building laborers on campus to advance the church among the lost world. They emphasize establishing relationships with students to evangelize, disciple, equip, and export laborers beyond graduation through a small-group model. Staff are responsible for raising financial support from individuals, churches, and businesses.
This document introduces Crawley's first Faith, Belief and Culture Guide. It was created as a collaboration between Crawley Interfaith Network and Crawley Borough Council to provide information about the diverse faiths and cultures in Crawley. The guide aims to promote understanding and highlight the activities of different groups. It is in a ring-bound format so it can be continuously updated as communities evolve and change over time. The introduction encourages all groups to ensure they are included by using the registration forms in the back.
Get Together Presenation 1 October 2009Martin Luff
This document discusses the definition of church and proposes a "Simple Church Model". It begins by asking what church is and isn't, noting that it isn't just a building, show, or Sunday service. It then questions how Bible-based contemporary church is and defines church as a group committed to obeying Jesus together. The document introduces a "Simple Church Model" involving small "Transform Groups" of same-sex friends who meet weekly to encourage one another through confession, Bible reading, prayer and discipleship. It proposes this model as a more appropriate expression of church for contemporary culture.
The document discusses the mission and ministry of the Covenant denomination. It highlights that the Covenant has churches in 44 US states and 5 Canadian provinces, and its mission is to make more disciples and work for a more just world. It provides updates on various Covenant programs, resources, and ministries, including church planting, youth events, mission work, and supporting pastors.
This document summarizes information about stewardship and engaging those outside the Catholic faith. It begins by discussing stewardship and the parable of the sower. It then examines statistics on declining affiliation with Catholicism and increasing numbers of religiously unaffiliated individuals. The document suggests that people seek a spiritual dimension, personal connections, and a sense of mission or meaning. It advocates building bridges to others through hospitality, friendship, and sharing one's gifts. The steward is described as one who manages resources for the benefit of others. The document provides resources on engaging various groups like youth and young adults. It emphasizes discerning actions and focusing on ideals of service.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Abingdon, VA has received a $10,000 grant to fund two spiritual retreats - a parish retreat in October led by Jay Sidebotham and a leadership retreat in January 2023. The church is also working to sponsor a refugee family from Afghanistan with support from other local faith communities. Additionally, the church is examining improvements to make the worship space more accessible and has formed a team to study options.
The Unleash Team at Fellowship Church combined several ministries and now has 11 members working to advance the cause of Jesus locally and globally. Over the last 18 months, their efforts included hosting large evangelistic events in Central Arkansas that attracted over 60,000 people, launching new education, health, and prison reentry programs, and expanding partnerships with missionaries and ministries around the world.
The document proposes the creation of The Stone House Center, located on 70 acres in Mebane, NC. The Center would inspire an exchange between progressive action and spiritual reflection, equipping more activists with tools of liberation spirituality and catalyzing strategic collaborations. It would focus on spiritual life and practice, a strategic curriculum for social justice, and embodying principles of living harmoniously with the land and each other. The goal is to raise $3 million to purchase the land, construct facilities, offer programming accessible to all, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
This document is a letter from the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to the congregation. It discusses recent controversies involving interfaith activities by other Lutheran denominations. The pastor encourages members to study the ELCA's beliefs to better understand and articulate their theological stance of inclusive grace. He proposes a resolution for the synod assembly addressing interfaith prayer and cooperation. The letter also provides church updates and introduces new members who have joined.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced churches to rethink long-held theological views and practices of administration. Churches have shifted to online worship services, creating opportunities to experiment with new forms. The focus has moved from institutionalism to being God's transforming presence in the world. Properly administered, the church can emerge from this crisis with a strengthened missional perspective and calling to reflect God's reign through justice, peace, and love.
The document provides information about the roles of elders and deacons within the Reformed Church in America (RCA). It discusses that elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight of the congregation through nurturing spiritual growth, maintaining discipline, and overseeing preaching and the sacraments. Deacons' role is one of service and meeting needs of both the congregation and wider community through ministries of mercy, service, and outreach. The document aims to help elders and deacons at Bethany Reformed Church understand and carry out their roles within the RCA structure.
This document outlines the mission and vision planning process of the Church of San Bernardino from 1995-1997. It identifies key beliefs and longings that guided planning, including celebrating diversity, empowering leadership, and renewing families. The resulting vision calls the church to impact families, neighborhoods, and society by filling people's lives with hope in key areas like youth evangelization, unity in diversity, stewardship, and leadership.
This document outlines the mission and vision planning process of the Church of San Bernardino from 1995-1997. It identifies key beliefs and longings that guided planning, including celebrating diversity, empowering leadership, and renewing families. The resulting vision calls the church to impact families, neighborhoods, and society by filling people's lives with hope in key areas like youth evangelization, unity in diversity, stewardship, and leadership.
The document summarizes events related to the Presbytery of Charlotte. It discusses that Dr. John B. Rogers Jr. was selected as the Moderator of the Presbytery of Charlotte for 2006. It provides biographical details about Dr. Rogers. It also discusses the approval of a report from the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church by seminary presidents. Additionally, it outlines plans for a mobile disaster relief trailer being built by the Presbytery to aid communities impacted by disasters.
This document summarizes the findings and recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Canada's former system of Indian residential schools. It discusses how the Commission listened to survivors' testimony for seven years to understand the "dark chapter" of the residential school system. The Commission called on Canadians to acknowledge this history and climb the "mountain" to healing relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people. The document also notes early efforts by indigenous communities to establish their own day schools and argues for restoring relationships through a deeper understanding of history.
The document provides updates from Faith Moravian Church over the past few months. It discusses various fellowship and outreach activities the congregation participated in, including a health fair, mission work, and youth events. Two areas of focus have been evangelism and stewardship. While member commitment to these programs needs improvement, the health fair continues to grow and engage the community each year. The pastor encourages the congregation to support the church's mission to spread the gospel and serve others.
Fostering a Vincentian Identity in Parish Work.Famvin Europe
This document provides suggestions for fostering a Vincentian identity in parish work from the experiences of Rev. Anthony F. Kuzia and Marian O'Brien. It discusses how parish life and ministry has changed drastically over the last 50 years with fewer people identifying as strong Catholics. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between a pastor and pastoral partner who share a Vincentian missionary spirit. It provides examples from three parishes the authors served, each with unique challenges, and how they tailored their approach to meet those challenges and animate the Vincentian mission. Key aspects included getting acquainted with all facets of each parish through listening to parishioners, and refocusing programs and ministries to serve those in need.
This document provides guidelines for starting a Hispanic ministry within a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation. It recommends beginning with prayer, learning about Hispanic culture and theology, envisioning opportunities to serve the Hispanic community, networking with existing Hispanic ministries, visiting Hispanic worship services, and partnering with a Hispanic congregation. The guidelines also address issues like facilities use, financial arrangements, membership, and ensuring the new ministry is supported at the regional and general church level. The overall goal is for congregations to better serve the growing Hispanic population through new models of multiethnic, bilingual or multi-site churches.
The document discusses the history and current state of international mission work by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). It notes that over the past 121 years, LCMS has sent missionaries around the world to share the gospel. Today, LCMS works with 131 missionaries and partners with churches globally to proclaim the Christian message. The document outlines the biblical basis for this work and some of the challenges faced, such as serving in an increasingly urban and globalized world.
The emerging church movement aims to make churches more relevant and address why many young people are leaving churches. It discusses three factions within the movement - Reconstructionists who want to reform church structure but keep conservative theology, Relevants who aim to modernize worship styles but keep traditional theology, and Revisionists who want to challenge traditional theology. The document expresses a desire to see churches become true communities that bring generations together and welcome diversity, and to separate conservative political issues from Christianity in order to focus on Jesus' message of love.
This document discusses the mission priorities and partnerships of the Chicago Presbytery. It highlights three key mission priority teams: Empower Ministry, Develop Congregations, and Advance Justice. Each team oversees various mission covenants that congregations and organizations can partner with to support causes like youth ministry, leadership development, church planting, affordable housing, and anti-trafficking efforts. The document encourages churches to financially support these mission efforts through shared mission giving to help accomplish more as a presbytery.
This document provides background information on Christ Church United in Lowell, Massachusetts and its denomination, the United Church of Christ. It discusses how Christ Church United and the UCC have historically adjusted their mission and practices to meet the changing needs of their communities. The UCC was formed through mergers between Congregational and Reformed denominations in the 1950s in order to better serve people. Both the church and denomination focus on social justice issues, inclusiveness, and welcoming all people regardless of differences.
The pastoral letter calls for the Catholic laity in the Philippines to wake up from passivity and share responsibility for the Church with priests. It recommends cultivating a fresh sense of co-responsibility between clergy and laity, with priests being more open to sharing responsibilities and exploring ways for clergy and laity to work together respectfully. The laity are urged to no longer remain tied just to tasks within the Church, but to apply Gospel values to transforming society in areas like politics and business that require systemic renewal.
The summary provides an overview of events at Christ Church Deer Park in Toronto outlined in the September/October 2012 parish newsletter:
1) The roof repair was completed, ensuring the organ will be safe for another 100 years. 2) Two new clergy, the Rev. Canon Douglas Graydon and the Rev. Julie Meakin, joined the parish staff. 3) The capital campaign exceeded its goal, raising over $850,000 to support the parish and diocese.
Similar to REPORT OF THE GENERAL PRESBYTER MARCH (20)
1. REPORT OF THE GENERAL PRESBYTER MARCH, 2015
A DECADE (almost!) OF CHANGE
In August, 2006, Sim and I unpacked our boxes, and I began my adventure as your General
Presbyter. It has been quite a ride – challenging, surprising, difficult, energizing, humbling,
and fruitful. As I try to summarize this journey, I am aware of God’s grace and your
generosity, dear Presbytery, in putting up with me and following my lead. Central to my heart
these last 9 years, has been the Calling Statement which we crafted together in 2008 –
“Hudson River Presbytery is called to practice resurrection,
with passion and partnership, in a changing world.”
Join me on the balcony of Hudson River Presbytery, as we look out over the lower Hudson
Valley and discover how we have together lived out the words of our Calling Statement.
PRACTICING RESURRECTION
“Unless a grain of wheat dies and is buried, it cannot bear fruit.”(John 12:24) Dying to the old
and rising to the new has been the pattern of our days together:
1) Since 2006, this presbytery has experienced 80 pastoral transitions.
2) Our presbytery community has gone from 92 congregations to 82 – with twelve
congregations either closing, merging, or leaving the denomination (Poughkeepsie,
Freedom Plains, Westtown, Unionville, Amity, Ridgebury, Suffern, Hughsonville,
Webb Horton, Middletown, Rock Tavern, and Kingston). God has been pruning the
presbytery in order to provide hope and resources for new beginnings. We
currently have 8 Discernment Teams/Administrative Commissions working with 8
congregations to determine the future of their congregational lives – which may
lead to more creative closings, mergers, or fresh starts.
3) Several congregations have, or are currently, nesting in their old buildings – New
Rochelle, Poughkeepsie ( which eventually merged with Freedom Plains),
Hughsonville ( which eventually gave their building to Iglesia Christiana El
Sembrador - and closed), and as of this presbytery meeting, Good Shepherd and
Brewster.
4) Small churches have re-imagined themselves : 1)with shared pastoral leadership
(Highland, Marlboro, South Amenia, Millerton, Ancramdale, South –Yonkers, Good
Shepherd, Pine Plains, and the For Faith Parish: Bethel, Hortonville, Roscoe,
Livingston Manor, and Lake Huntington); 2) transition to part-time pastors (Cold
2. Spring, Wappingers Falls, Thompson Ridge, Good Shepherd, Campbell Hall); 3) and
renewed engagement in their neighborhoods (many!).
5) The presbytery structure has been re-imagined twice – completing the journey
from hierarchical and regulatory to relational and permission giving (no General
Council), creative Ministry Teams, fewer elected members and more emergent
task forces. Using a paradigm coined by writer Ori Brafman, our organizational life
is both a “starfish” (adaptive and emergent – you cut off a leg, and a new starfish
emerges!) and a"spider” (maintenance functions connected in a web of authority
and accountability – Trustees, Personnel, Faith and Order, Representation and
Nominations).
6) Presbytery Gatherings (formerly called “meetings”) have been transformed from a
primarily business and polity orientation into gatherings focused on relationships,
Community Conversations, and joyful, creative worship (always with the
Sacrament of Communion). Necessary business has been streamlined through a
lengthy Consent Agenda, and focused debates and votes. The culture has shifted,
and more and more people are actually enjoying our Prebytery Gatherings, with
an unusually high attendance by Teaching Elders. (Our low Ruling Elder
participation continues to be an urgent concern). The 50th
year celebrations in
2011 were full of laughter, story-telling, boating on the Hudson, and dancing.
PASSION AND PARTNERSHIP
We are the Body of Christ – and individually members of him. (I Corinthians 12)
1) Programmatic committees have been transformed into ministry networks – where
collaboration and partnership between congregations around areas of passion
have emerged (food justice, cross cultural experiences, immigration, prison
partnership education and transformation, Christian Education brainstorming).
2) Community gardens have sprung up across the presbytery as congregations have
reached out to their communities to provide hospitality, food, and community
(White Plains, Bryn Mawr Park, Port Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Holmes, Dobbs
Ferry, Chester, etc.) Other community/congregation partnerships that have
emerged include a weekend Back Pack Program between Cornwall and the public
schools; homeless ministries and feeding programs (Union, Newburgh,
Calvary/Newburgh, Beacon); Thrift Shop and Warming Station in Middletown;
Service Sundays at Patterson and Wappingers Falls; a community/congregation
3. arts program in Beacon; prison visitation ministries at Katonah, Ossining, Rye, and
Bedford; Bridges to Community mission trips to Nicaragua and the Dominican
Republic (Larchmont, Katonah, Bedford, Cold Spring, Goshen, Freedom Plains);
Appalachian Service Project trips (Pleasantville, Freedom Plains), Katrina recovery
trips ( Presbytery, Goshen, Mt. Kisco); 6 PresbyBuild houses – and the list goes on
and on.
3) Advocacy networks and collaborative social justice campaigns have re-emphasized
the central role that justice passions have played in the history of Hudson River
Presbytery: gun control initiatives and overtures; successful advocacy to change
denominational polices around the full inclusion of GLBT persons; climate change
marches and strategies; a Peru partnership focusing on food justice,
environmental and trade issues; and spotlights on human trafficking, domestic
violence, police brutality, and racism.
4) Partnerships between and among congregations have grown ( Four Parish Youth
Ministry in Rockland; ESL Program shared by White Plains and Scarsdale; shared
community meals among the Amenia churches; For Faith Parish (five
congregations in Sullivan County sharing vision, mission, regular worship and the
Celebration Choir, while also sharing one Commissioned Ruling Elder as Pastor).
5) The presbytery has deepened and formalized its partnership with Holmes Camp
and Conference Center, the Stony Point Center, Rural Migrant Ministry, and
PresbyBuild ( 11 congregations building houses together).
6) Reaping the benefits of our connectional system, HRP has vigorously pursued
grants from Synod and General Assembly sources, combining them with our own
Challenge to Change, building proceeds, and endowment funds to create contract
positions – Cross Cultural Catalyst, Food Justice Catalyst, Prison Partnership
Coordinator, and the Nyack Spiritual Leader.
7) In partnership with the leadership of the Poughkeepsie First Presbyterian Church,
the Vision 2020 Fund was created with roughly a third of the money from the
Poughkeepsie building ($385.000), planting new seeds of ministry and vision
across the presbytery.
8) The HRP Stewardship Team has offered workshops in regional and individual
settings to 80 of our congregations – and been asked to lead training sessions in
presbyteries and conferences across the country.
4. 9) Unlike many presbyteries across the country, our congregations have faithfully
paid per capita assessments, and our mission giving has remained fairly steady –
despite the recent recession. HRP gives a higher percentage of mission giving
dollars to the General Assembly than most other presbyteries. Together we are
honoring our connectional partnerships – realizing we can do more together than
any of us can do alone.
IN A CHANGING WORLD
Change in the world around us, and in the health and life of mainline Protestant
congregations, has been a whirlwind among us and around us. “Institutions” are no longer
trusted, traditional organizational models no longer work, younger generations have little
interest in structured religion, and the larger partisan nature of political and social life has
seeped inside the walls of our churches. Add to this the deep roots and ageing buildings that
so many of our congregations cherish, and what we have before us is nothing short of a crisis
- a word which in the Chinese language means both “danger” and “opportunity.” The old is
finished and gone – and the new has come – that is Christ’s promise when we are baptized
into the “new creation.” The only faithful response to crisis is CHANGE – a commitment to
embrace radical change and trust that our dependable God will continue to be with us. And
so change has been the context for our life together for the past nine years:
1) Both the composition and design of the HRP Staff has changed with breath taking
speed and regularity. Since 2006, we have said goodbye to 15 staff members (Ray
Bagnuolo, Sue Wonderland, Bruce Tischler, Doris Schelhas, Shirley Russell, Chris
Shelton, Cathy Talbot, Michelle Torosian, Harriet Sandmeier, Anthony Lederhaas,
Ricardo Sheppard, Theo Harris, Jay Bishop, and Mike Lombardi). And we have said
hello to 11 staff members ( Susan Andrews, Rhonda Kruse, Susan DeGeorge, Emily
Monk, Abbie Huff, Lori Hylton, Noelle Damico, Sarah Henkel, Hans Hallundbaek,
Tom Buchanan, and Wendy Spierling) Only Jean Kaiser and Peter Surgenor still
remain from the original staff in 2006!
2) The staff now includes 1 person full time (the GP), 8 part-timers (ranging from a
few hours a month to 32 hours per week – most around 20), and two volunteers.
Four of the part-time staff are grant funded – which has allowed for passion and
creativity, but lacks financial stability for the future. The office move to
Scarborough (to cut the expenses by half) also cut down on office space – so our
part-time staff often work off site and share space in the office. Coordinating and
building a collaborative team with such scattered hours, spaces, and
5. responsibilities has been a challenge – but this passionate, highly talented staff
team offers quality, diverse ministry at a bargain cost to the presbytery.
3) By living within our means – budgeting realistically and holding people and groups
accountable – the financial security of the presbytery remains strong. The creative
use of building sales (Vision 2020, the new Legacy Fund) and denominational
grants has enabled us to do and be more than per capita and mission giving would
allow. Planting new missional seeds – rather than building emergency funds for
the future – has kept the Gospel alive and the presbytery growing and changing.
4) Technology is at the heart of our changing world, and we have struggled to take
old models of communication and make them fresh and useful in a technological
world. After years of trying, we finally have a useable data base and online
directory, and we increasingly use e-mail, web posting, and Constant Contact
messaging to tell our story and communicate with all of you (including a
collaborative presbytery blog). With the calling of a creative and skilled Director of
Communications we are finally entering the 21st
century. Much more must change
– a new web design, future use of video conferencing, greater social media
presence - so hang onto your seats.
5) There are two kinds of change –“technical change” (doing time tested and valued
things in new ways) or “adaptive change” (taking risks to become relevant and
responsive to a world that is completely different than it was 50 years ago). Some
ways in which we have pursued effective TECHNICAL change have been:
- Re-structured our presbytery work into a permission giving structure with
ministry teams of fewer members and no General Council;
- Combined the work of the Budget, Finance, and Property Committee with
the work of the Trustees;
- Created a Disaster Preparedness Response Team, structured regionally to
equip and train congregations to be prepared for natural disasters;
- Re-wrote the Sexual Misconduct Policy, offering mandated misconduct
prevention training for pastors, creating a Misconduct Response Team with
protocol and policies in place if misconduct should occur;
- Created a trained Healthy Congregations Mediation Team to be a resource
to sessions and congregations who find themselves divided by conflict;
- Re-wrote our By-Laws (thanks to our Stated Clerk)
6. - Developed a transparent and accountable budgeting process for the
presbytery;
- Established an annual participatory Staff Performance Review process, and
re-wrote the Personnel Policies twice;
- Created grass roots, participatory granting processes to disburse missional
grants funded by the sale of buildings;
- Created a discernment process to facilitate the gracious dismissal of 5
congregations seeking to leave the PCUSA
With hearts open to the dying of the old and the rising of the new, and with the creation of a
Connections and Change Presbyter position a few years ago, we put ADAPTIVE change at the
heart of our ministry:
-Provocative speakers were brought in to the presbytery to open our eyes to
changes in the life of the church in America – Len Sweet, Diana Butler Bass, Erin
Dunigan, Lillian Daniel, Bill Carter, Gail Erwin, David MacDonald, etc.
- Nine congregations chose to participate in the New Beginnings Program –
partly funded by the presbytery and facilitated by the Connections and Change
Presbyter – and through an assessment process, “stuck” churches were
encouraged to look honestly at their resources, use of time, neighborhood, and
faith commitment – in order to make a radically new investment in some form
of new ministry in their community.
-Several congregations have faced a radical change, or the end of their life
cycle, in creative ways – celebrating their legacy by planting seeds of new
ministry with their physical resources – New Rochelle, Poughkeepsie,
Hughsonville, Kingston, Good Shepherd, Brewster – using their buildings as
tools of mission to help build the reign of God in new ways.
-Through the work of our Cross Cultural Catalyst, several congregations are
focusing on serving the needs of their Latino and global neighbors, by
addressing the fear and racism which has greeted so much of the demographic
changes in this country. Creative materials have been developed for how to
turn “nesting” immigrant congregations from renters (money) to covenant
partners (mission).
7. -Using GA and synod money and Vision 2020 money, HRP has created the
Nyack Project and called a Nyack Spiritual Leader – to wander around Nyack,
connecting with the spiritually hungry residents and those suspicious of
organized religion, and create an emergent spiritual community focused on
purposeful lives and justice work.
-Our Commissioned Ruling Elder program has blossomed into one of the
healthiest and largest programs in the nation. We have 8 CREs currently
commissioned as pastors, chaplains, and prison ministers, and there are
another 6 to 8 in training, waiting to answer God’s call in some ministry setting
in our midst. The skill, passion, and calling of these ruling-elders-turned-
pastors is inspiring, and their leadership in all corners of our presbytery
represents a creative change in the understanding of Christian vocation.
-A new Emerging Ministries Team has been created to think about planting
new spiritual communities and re-creating existing congregations, as well as
how to “do” evangelism in progressive, contemporary ways.
-The nine Presbyterian congregations in Rockland County have started having
regular leadership conversations together, exploring how they can collaborate
and share ministry as each of their congregations shrink in money and
membership. Initiated by the Connections and Change Presbyter, the key
question being explored is “how does each congregation have to die to the old,
in order that something new can arise among them together?”
-The Commission on Ministry has been combined with the Congregational
Change Team, so that times of transition can also be times for congregations to
think about change. Change Specialists will be trained to interact with
congregations upon request.
THE FUTURE
Yes, much has changed, even as the values we hold dear have remained steadfast. As the
presbytery moves forward, the core values that you defined 8 years ago continue to be alive
in your midst: passion, partnership, hospitality, justice, honesty, curiosity, joy, and
generosity. As I move into a new phase of my own faith journey, and answer God’s call for
retirement and new ministry ventures, I leave you with some questions about God’s renewed
call to you as a presbytery family:
1) Using the insights of Jim Collins, key questions for effective ministry in the future may
be: What are you, as a presbytery community, most passionate about – and what do
8. you do better than anyone else? Who is God calling you to be outside the cozy walls of
your buildings?
2) As money and membership dwindle, what are the spiritual riches that can undergird
your future – your people resources, your spiritual gifts, your rich history, your deep
commitments and cherished relationships?
3) What does it mean to be a Gospel community – to be the salt and light and yeast of
the Living Christ in a secular world? How can the church be an alternative
consciousness, an alternative community, an alternative lifestyle – a sharp contrast to
the greed, partisanship, consumerism, and individualism of the secular northeast?
4) How can buildings become resources instead of burdens? How can “church” become
an organic Body, glorifying and enjoying God and incarnating God in the world? How
can the church be in the world – instead of separate and hidden from it?
5) How can the presbytery best empower, support, and appreciate each congregation in
its context and for its unique purpose? How can the presbytery better support,
nurture, challenge, and equip pastoral and lay leadership to bear the burdens of
Christian discipleship with joy and passion?
6) What staff design and skills can best meet the needs of the presbytery going forward ?
What does empowering, servant leadership look like?
I will keep all of you in my prayers, and remain vitally interested in your future - from afar. I
firmly believe that the future is very bright for Hudson River Presbytery.
GRATITUDE
Much of what I have described in this “balcony view” of the presbytery during the past nine
years was only possible because of the love, skill, passion, and calling of so many other
people. I am deeply grateful to:
- A dedicated, creative, and hardworking staff who offer their best each day – and
work many more hours than they are paid for. Special thanks to Jean Kaiser who has
hung in there longer than anyone else, and who has weathered the storms of change
with grace and humor.
- The many of you who have served on committees, task forces, discernment teams,
ministry teams, review teams, search committees, and all other forms of
organizational torture! The level of involvement in this presbytery is truly phenomenal
– and we are much better together than any of us could be alone.
9. -A special thanks to those who have served as Moderator during my tenure: Dan
Morse, Lou Glasse, Ed Garcia, Angela Maddalone, Chip Low, Margery Rossi, Bill
Crawford, Rob Trawick, and Tami Seidel; to those who have served as COM Co-
Moderators: David Harkness and Ken Wonderland, John Miller and Scott Ramsey, Chip
Low and Jeff Farley; and to those who have chaired the Trustees: Ken Godshall and
Charles Barton.
- To the many committed congregations who have taught me how faithful people can
change, grow, die, rise again, and serve Jesus with amazing grace – regardless of size,
demographics, money, or location.
- To my long suffering husband, Sim Gardner, who has listened to me, supported me,
and endured long evenings without me, as I traveled the many miles of this presbytery
journey.
In the Spanish language, there is no word for “retirement.” Instead the word used to describe
this third stage of life is “jubilation.” So, as I begin my Jubilation Journey, I thank you for our
time together – and wish you only the richest of God’s blessings.
Faithfully yours,
Susan Andrews
Susan Andrews
General Presbyter
March 21, 2015
10. -A special thanks to those who have served as Moderator during my tenure: Dan
Morse, Lou Glasse, Ed Garcia, Angela Maddalone, Chip Low, Margery Rossi, Bill
Crawford, Rob Trawick, and Tami Seidel; to those who have served as COM Co-
Moderators: David Harkness and Ken Wonderland, John Miller and Scott Ramsey, Chip
Low and Jeff Farley; and to those who have chaired the Trustees: Ken Godshall and
Charles Barton.
- To the many committed congregations who have taught me how faithful people can
change, grow, die, rise again, and serve Jesus with amazing grace – regardless of size,
demographics, money, or location.
- To my long suffering husband, Sim Gardner, who has listened to me, supported me,
and endured long evenings without me, as I traveled the many miles of this presbytery
journey.
In the Spanish language, there is no word for “retirement.” Instead the word used to describe
this third stage of life is “jubilation.” So, as I begin my Jubilation Journey, I thank you for our
time together – and wish you only the richest of God’s blessings.
Faithfully yours,
Susan Andrews
Susan Andrews
General Presbyter
March 21, 2015