Councils as Leaders in the Church:
Congregational Toolkit

Sunday, March 11, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bethel Lutheran Church
810 3rd Avenue SE
Rochester, MN
Registration Deadline: March 7
Skip ahead to the online registration form.
Downloadable the flyer to share with your council and for hard copy registration.

Schedule

2:00 p.m. – Welcome and Devotion by Bishop Usgaard
3:00 p.m. – Workshops I
4:00 p.m. – Workshops II
4:45 p.m. – Sending

Congregational Toolkit

This year’s event will offer nine different workshops to create a “toolkit” for leadership in your congregation. Each workshop will be offered twice (3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.). Workshops include:

  • Program Budget by Larry Iverson, Synod Minister, Southeastern Minnesota Synod
    This workshop will consider the value of looking at the congregation’s annual budget in a way that communicates the ministries and mission of the congregation. This is a different approach from the traditional line-item budget. The Program Budget concept was presented at the fall 2011 Excelling in Mission…A Generous Undertaking gatherings. This workshop will allow another look at this helpful tool. We hope to hear how some congregations used this at annual meetings this year. Please bring a copy of your congregation’s annual budget to aid in the discussion.
  • Church Finances and You by John Petersburg, Treasurer, Southeastern Minnesota Synod & Church Administrator, Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna
    We will explore the critical role played by the church treasurer, as well as, some of the lesser known requirements of church reports and financial requirements. Along the way we will discover the joys of church finance and the fulfilling opportunity to plan and provide the financial resources to accomplish the ministry that God is calling our congregations to do.
  • Communicating Church in the 21st Century by Katie Livingood, Communications Director, Southeastern Minnesota Synod
    Opportunities to communicate with your members and others in the community are constantly change. Come hear and talk about the latest tools and tactics in communication, including e-newsletters and social media.
  • Protecting Our Children, Youth, & Vulnerable Adults by Karen Gieseke, Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Coordinator, Southeastern Minnesota Synod
    What are the best practices for your congregation to create a safe, healthy, and responsive environment for your children, youth, and vulnerable adults? Explore and identify the resources, tools, and training available to create a welcoming and attentive community. Learn about volunteer background checks, staff and volunteer training, building audits, safety and security policies and procedures, and more.
  • The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youth, & Family Ministry by Dr. Terri Elton, Associate Professor of Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministry & Director of the Center for CYF Ministry, Luther Seminary, Luther Seminary
    Church Leaders and Congregations are key assets and partners with families in the faith journey in the 21st Century. Using the Exemplar Youth Ministry (EYM) Study as an element for this discussion, explore how the EYM study identified the value and role of church leaders and the congregation when designing and implementing ministry for children, youth, and families. Explore the EYM assets which support a robust ministry for families of all ages and type.
  • Evaluating Ministry by Sr. Noreen Stevens, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Support, Saint Paul Area Synod
    Performance evaluations can lead to affirmation and growth when they are done by supervisors who know the work of the person being evaluated. The evaluation of a rostered leader is unique, since the lay leaders evaluating the person are not clearly “supervisory.” Nevertheless, a system should be in place that provides for rostered leaders’ evaluations and leads to healthy conversations about leadership roles in the life and ministry of the congregation. This workshop will provide tools for evaluating rostered leaders.
  • Mission Planning by Rev. Kevin Woestehoff, Synod Congregational Renewal Table, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, & Pastor, Good Shepherd, Plainview
    A conversation and a few tools to help your congregation:
    • find life by looking outward, not inward
    • identify gifts in the congregation
    • identify community needs/issues
    • celebrate God’s active work in your community and find ways to join in!
  • So…It’s Your Turn to Lead Devotions by Rev. Katie Fick, Book of Faith Advocate, Southeastern Minnesota Synod & Pastor, Hayward Lutheran Church, Hayward and Trondhjem Lutheran Church, Austin
    Why do we do devotions at church council meetings? What does your church do, and how is it working for you? Join us for a discussion on practical and meaningful resources and ideas for devotions in church meetings.
  • Worship & Music Teams: Thinking WAY Outside the Box by
    Rev. Siri Strommen-Campbell & Bob Tewes, AIM, Partners in Evangelical Worship, Southeastern Minnesota Synod & Pastor, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Rochester and Minister of Music, Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea (respectively)
    Who is on your worship team? How often do they meet? What do they do? In this special class we will discuss new models for Worship Teams that can reinvigorate worship for the whole congregation.
  • Tending to your constitution…you are not alone! by Deborah Ann Norrie, Executive Assistant, Southeastern Minnesota Synod
    Are you afraid to tackle updating your congregation’s constitution? Then this is a time for you to get the help you need to start the process or if you have started, how do you get it done. You are not alone. Deborah Ann Norrie will answer your questions and help you get started? Bring a copy of your constitution and get started.

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