The Leadership Institute will equip leaders to reach new people in new ways. There will be seven monthly online workshop and coaching groups. Each workshop will begin at 9:00 am and will be 1.5-2.5 hours in length. Each coaching group will establish its monthly meeting schedule.
Workshop Schedule
- January 26: Tom Albin, Personal Spiritual Growth
- February 16: Rachel Gilmore, Behavioral Characteristics and Models for Starting New Places
- Add-On March 3: Jason Moore, Both/And Digital and In-Person Worship
- March 16: Jason Moore, Franchise to Local Dive
- April 13: Nona Jones, From Social Media to Social Ministry
- May 25: Luke Edwards, Fresh Expressions Introduction
- June 22: Ann Marie Carley, Navigating an Existing Congregation to Start Fresh Expressions
- July 27: Mike Crawford and Amy Shreve, Executing a Plan
Details
The cost is $200 for the first person from each church/charge. Additional registrants from the same church will be $50, with a maximum of $150 per church/charge. Video access of workshops will be available for paid participants.
For two or three sessions, there will also be a book to read prior to the workshop. These will be purchased at the participant's expense.
Only the team leader from the church will be a part of a coaching group. If a church team decides that they need specific coaching for their whole team to implement a ministry plan, this could be considered at an additional cost.
If a person wants to participate but is unavailable on Tuesday mornings, they can apply to participate asynchronously (watching the recorded videos).
Participation in the full course is 1.6 clergy continuing education credits.
If you have questions, contact Mike Crawford, Coordinator of Congregational Development via email.
NOTE: This is different than the Congregational Development Leadership Institute (CDLI) which has been held in the past and has totally different content. Anyone, including alums of CDLI, are encouraged to apply.
January 26: Tom Albin
Personal Spiritual Growth
Rev. Tom Albin is currently the Executive Director of the United Christian Ashrams in North America, a spiritual renewal movement that began in India through the leadership of E. Stanley Jones. In August of 2020, Tom retired as the Director of Spiritual Formation and Congregational Life at The Upper Room in Nashville, TN. Previously he has served as a seminary professor at the University of Dubuque and Boston University School of Theology. During the last four sessions of the UMC General Conference, he led the Prayer Ministry and introduced the presence of trained Spiritual Directors that were available to all the delegates, leaders and guests.
Tom is an internationally recognized leader and teacher in the areas of Prayer, Spiritual Formation and Wesleyan Spirituality. His recent publications include:
“The Christian Ashram” in Church History Magazine issue on E. Stanley Jones (2020); “John Wesley” in the New Dictionary of Theology: Historical and Systematic (2016); “Missional Evangelists: A Modest Proposal” in Catalyst Online Magazine (2015); “Methodist Spirituality” in The T&T Clark Handbook on Methodism (2010); “The Experience of God” in The Oxford Handbook on Methodism (2009); "Inwardly Persuaded": Religion of the Heart in Early British Methodism in the volume "Heart Religion in the Methodist Tradition, edited by Richard B. Steele.
February 16: Rachel Gilmore
Behavioral Characteristics & Models for Starting New Places
Rev. Rachel Gilmore graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2009 and her first appointment was to plant a church in Virginia Beach. The Gathering at Scott Memorial UMC began with 10 young adults in the fall of 2009 and by 2018 there were over 400 people regularly involved in the life of the church. She also planted two missional preschools which have provided over $200,000 in scholarships to families in need in the community. Rachel is married to another United Methodist pastor and they have two young children who consider themselves church planters too. As a former volunteer with the Peace Corps, she continues in mission in Eastern Europe with Syrian refugee camps and with the Roma population in northwest Bulgaria.
In July of 2019, Rachel became the Director of Recruiting, Assessing and Training for Church Planting and Community Engagement at Path 1/Discipleship Ministries. Since joining Path 1 she has launched a podcast for church planters called “Field Preachers.” She has also contributed to three books on church planting, created a network of over 150 church planters and developers and facilitated three new trainings for church planters related to digital church planting, fresh expressions and decolonizing church planting.
March 2 & 16: Jason Moore
Both/And Worship
Franchise to Local Dive
Known for his pioneering work in worship design and guest readiness, Jason Moore has devoted the last two decades to resource development, training, coaching, and consulting that works for local churches of all sizes, styles, and means. The author of ten books, Jason has led hundreds of seminars and given keynote addresses across North America, teaching in all 50 states in the USA.
April 13: Nona Jones
From Social Media to Social Ministry
Nona Jones is an internationally renowned speaker, preacher, author and business executive who has become a recognized voice of hope, healing and inspiration to many, using her platform to equip people to rise from their past pain into a fulfilling future. She was licensed into the gospel ministry at the age of 17 and regularly preaches around the world.
Nona authored two bestselling books, her memoir, Success from the Inside Out, chronicles her journey to healing and redemption after childhood physical and sexual abuse and her digital discipleship guide From Social Media to Social Ministry that equips Christians to advance God's Kingdom through social technology.
Nona has been profiled by ESSENCE Magazine as an “Under 40 Woman to Watch” and Florida Trend Magazine as one of Florida’s “30-Something All Stars.” A sought-after public-speaker, she has delivered keynote addresses for the United Nations and Attorney General Loretta Lynch. She holds a Bachelor in Communications and Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida where she has been recognized as an Outstanding Young Alumnus. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Visit her website.
May 25: Luke Edwards
Introduction to Fresh Expressions
Luke is the Associate Director of Church Development for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and a trainer for Fresh Expressions US. He was the founding pastor of King Street Church, a network of fresh expressions (micro faith communities) in Boone, NC. With his work in local, regional, and national levels of the Fresh Expressions movement Luke has a unique perspective into how creating micro communities can offer a path for the future of the church in a post-Christian society. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he enjoys listening to jazz vinyl and going for walks with his wife and daughter.
June 22: Ann Marie Carley
Navigating an Existing Congregation to Start Fresh Expressions
As a UMC Deacon, Ann Marie's ministry focus is helping churches walk through sacred change. She is currently living out this call by serving as the Executive Pastor (and overseeing Fresh Expressions) at Trinity Church in Chillicothe, Ohio. She and her husband are passionate about sharing Jesus, cycling, cycling to tacos and exploring new ways to connect with others.
July 27: Mike Crawford & Amy Shreve
Executing a Plan
Mike Crawford is the Coordinator of Congregational Development. He is passionate about equipping leaders and churches to connect with their community and to make disciples. Mike loves to bake and is an avid runner and has pounded the pavement for over 10,000 miles. If he didn't run, he'd have to roll! He and his wife, Patty Johansen (who is also an IGRC pastor) have two adult children who both work in ministry.
God keeps calling Amy Shreve into ministry with the church. She’s had the pleasure to work for three churches facilitating youth and family ministries and now serves the Illinois Great Rivers Conference supporting college and young adult ministry as well as serves as the Associate Coordinator of Congregational Development. Last year, she finished a Master’s of Nonprofit Administration which helps her support the nuts and bolts of church work. She’s married to a professor and has two kids whom she drags on weekend hikes that end with ice cream.