New Wineskins for the 21st Century Church Clergy Breakfast and Leadership Series It is an urgent moment for congregational leaders. The change that is around us and within the religious world itself places both burden and opportunity on clergy and other leaders. The wineskins that held the fruit of the vine in various institutional expressions of church in the past are not adequate for the emerging multiform, multiethnic, creative ferment that will give birth to God's kingdom in new ways if we can find the wineskins to nurture and hold it. Our Iceberg is Melting Our Iceberg is Melting is the title of a fable by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber that tells the story of a group of emperor penguins who find their stable way of life threatened as the iceberg on which they live is melting. The fable could also describe the situation of many mainline congregations who are faced with dwindling members and ineffective structures. Author Dan Hotchkiss suggests that the trends of decline “might have as much to with governance as with theology.” The January 12 clergy breakfast reviewed some of the traditional ways churches have organized, and explore some of the emerging patterns of governance and ministry, the “new wineskins,” growing churches have in common. Presenter and Group Facilitator: Rev. Dr. James W. Hanna, Samaritan Counseling Center Founder Rev. Hanna retired as Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center in 2009. He currently serves as a national Clergy & Congregation Care leader for the Samaritan Institute in Denver, CO., and as a consultant and clergy group facilitator for Lancaster’s Samaritan Counseling Center. The series is open to clergy and lay leaders. Participants wishing to further explore this topic manner may sign up for the following leadership series. To register go to click here or call Barbara Tolbert, Partner Church Administrator, at 717-560-9969, extension 256. Three Session Leadership Series 8:00 am - 9:30 am February 2, 2012 Looking at Congregational Decision Making This session will introduce a framework for looking at the dual functions of governance and ministry. How are they separate, and how do they complement each other? How can a congregation organize to balance a stable governing board with an open, permission-giving, ministry-team structure? What are some of the ways growing congregations are experimenting in balancing these two necessary functions? February 9, 2012 The Starfish and the Spider: The Role of Leadership Congregations are being confronted with the need to engage laity in roles of leadership and diverse ministries. As congregational leadership is becoming more decentralized, there is the challenge of balancing diversity with a shared identity and common mission. How can a board govern with policies and guidelines that give direction while encouraging a permission-giving environment? February 16, 2012 The Power of Positive Deviance: Building on What Works Lyle Schaller, a church consultant, would like to ask” “What if it works?” Congregations are challenged to create an environment of experimentation. In this final session, we will explore the concept of positive deviance, focusing on what works. How do we take advantage of the wisdom of the people we seek to serve? How can a congregation encourage a spirit of entrepreneurship? All leadership groups are held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 750 Greenfield Road in Lancaster. The cost for each leadership series is $75 for partner clergy and $100 for others. This series is offered through the Samaritan Counseling Center's Clergy & Congregation Care program. Coaching · Education · Consultation · Clergy Groups · Ministry Assessment For more information about the above services, please contact Linda Crockett, Director of Clergy & Congregation Care at lcrockett@scclanc.org.
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