Congregation Leader Training Program Seminar Course Descriptions   Course Area Descriptions Beloved Disciple Gospel of John Bible   Book of Acts – The Spirit at Work  Bible An exploration of the early church and its mission in and through the Book of Acts.  CARE-Action Ministry * EDL-6451 Specialty Development of a personal, biblically-based philosophy for Christian CARE-Action, gaining a greater awareness of CARE-Action opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally; and congregation mobilization.  Christian  Mentoring*  EDL-6452 Leadership Analysis of mentoring systems in today’s society and in the church, identifies the foundational, biblical principles for a Christian mentoring program, and provides tools and resources for the development of a mentoring program in a congregation. Comfortable Christianity Leadership “Comfortable Christianity” is a discovery of how we define and pursue success in the U.S. A. and how that mindset has been brought into the Church and kept us from fulfilling the Mission of Jesus Christ.  As leaders we will explore how to recognize this mindset and change it - in our selves and in our church families. This will be an uncomfortable journey, but necessary, if we are to reach people with the life-saving Gospel. The text book is Comfortable Christianity by Randall C. Donahue.  The cost of the book is $10.00 if you send an e-mail with your mailing address on it to Pastor Randy Donahue. His e-mail address is all5donahues@sbcglobal.com Congregational Missions: Acts 1:8 Specialty Is missions a program of the Church or is it Her purpose? Too often we separate missions from congregational evangelism and outreach efforts, relegating it to certain days in the church year or financial support, when in actuality all of these programs are encompassed in Gods’ mission. In this interactive session, participants will gain a deeper Scriptural understanding of our motivation to personally participate in God’s mission as His co-missioners as shown to us in Acts 1:8. In addition we will discuss ways to encourage greater congregational involvement in God’s mission as well as what actions that develop significant collaborations with mission agencies that will result in a reinvigoration of a missional attitude and a reclamation the Great Commission as the Church’s birthright. As a result, participants will walk away as congregational leaders better equipped to model how to serve God in their Jerusalem’s, Judea’s and Samaria’s, and on to the end of the earth. Creating a Culture of Evangelism Specialty Creating a culture of evangelism in your church is more than just offering one training course a year.  Tips on creating a culture of evangelism including – following up on visitors, making your building friendly, what are visitors looking for, and much more. Creative Ways to Teach Children’s Sunday School Specialty Principles and practices for teaching elementary age children in and beyond a classroom setting.  Models of creative approaches to organizing and teaching Sunday School will be shared. Five Books of Moses – Gen-Deut Bible This course takes you from creation and the fall of humunkind, through the time of the patriarchs, the Exodus and the wilderness wandering. There is a heavy emphasis on covenant theology seen both the covenant of Divine Commitment and in the Covenant of Human Obligation. Healthy Congregations Leadership A study of what makes a congregation healthy and how congregations, leaders, and members can become more spiritually healthy. Holy Baptism Doctrine A study of the Holy Baptism based on the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. Holy Communion Doctrine A study of the Sacrament of the Altar based on the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions with a look at our communion practices and their meaning for our church life today. Jesus the Servant Leader Leadership Jesus is both the ultimate servant and the ultimate leader.  What does it mean to follow in the example of Jesus in your leadership style?  A look at practical aspects of servant leadership. Kingdom and Conflict: David vs. Jesus Bible King David sought to build an earthly Kingdom (Temple, Jerusalem, God’s dwells in the land of Israel) and Jesus sets out to build an Eternal Kingdom with a Heavenly Jerusalem and his dwelling here on earth is in/with/and through his People.  This one day course will explore these two Kingdoms in Conflict and how knowing this it can shape and direct your parish ministry. Leadership of Others Leadership Regardless of your position in the church you are probably involved in leading others.  This course focuses on the skills you need to be an effective leader. Leadership of Self   Leadership Development of personal disciplines that enable one to be a person of integrity with a clearly defined personal mission. Leading Teams Leadership Understanding the importance of teams and the role they play in congregations is one key to being an effective leader.  You will explore the stages of group development, strategies for helping develop a shared vision, and practical dos and don’ts. Paul’s Letters Bible Study of Paul’s theology as expounded in his letters and within the wider context of the history and theology of the early church. Personal Spirituality * EDL-6454 Specialty Development of personal spiritual disciplines and a vibrant relationship with God as reflected in daily life. See Through the Scriptures Bible This one day course will provide you with a basic Biblical Narrative through the Biblical Text.  Uses 44 graphics to help you learn the narrative Servant Leaders Pray Doctrine Prayer as more than talking at God, but conversing and being real with God -- this course will help the participate better learn how to really connect with God. Synoptic Gospels Bible Getting to know Jesus, the Christ through the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Mining the relationship of the Synoptics as well as their distinctive features. Teaching Adults – Learning and Faith Maturity? Specialty Provides an overview of how adults learn with specific attention to learning styles.  Discussion of the role of the adult educator in implementing effective instructional strategies to encourage and support adult faith maturity. Teaching Confirmation * EDL-6610 Specialty Examination of history and current practices of confirmation; evaluation of confirmation practices in light of their effectiveness and in comparison with biblical theology; exploration of strategies and curriculum and programming that will equip the student with skills and materials for vibrant, engaging, biblical, catechetical instruction. The Leadership Challenge Leadership “The Leadership Challenge” is grounded in extensive research and based on interviews with all kinds of leaders at all levels in public and private organizations from around the world.  Based on the book by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, this course will examine their five basic practices of effective leadership. The Ten Commandments Bible A fresh look at this ancient and Biblical code from it context and its many applications for contemporary life. The Three Creeds Doctrine Every Sunday you probably say a creed as part of your worship service.  What’s the history and background of three creeds used in Lutheran worship?  Understanding Your Leadership Style Leadership Everyone has a unique style of leadership based on your gifts and abilities.  Learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of your style. Witness and Evangelism*  EDL-6456    Specialty Examination of personal and corporate witnessing and evangelism, developing a personal philosophy for witnessing and evangelism and ways to mobilize a congregation in the area of witnessing and evangelism. Writing of John Bible Getting to know Jesus, the Christ through the writings of John, particularly his gospel and his first epistle. Youth Bible Class – Keep them Coming and Growing Specialty Do you want to become a more effective teacher of high school youth?  Do you wonder whether they really grasp what you’re trying to teach?  This course will give practical ideas on organizing your lesson and presenting it in such a way as to having a lasting impact.   * = these seminars are available for graduate credit.