Pastors and Leaders 2023 | reinvent the ministry (2023)

In the Celtic tradition there are two books that we can use to discover God: the Bible and the Book of Creation (meaning the whole earth). This workshop shows ways to connect these two "books" so that they can be read and experienced by an intergenerational audience, be accessible to children and meaningful to adults. Discover ways to use liturgical stations to connect and connect to ground stations. In this interactive workshop we will discuss the use of storytelling, ritual and Bible study. Lora Nafziger, Faith Education Pastor at Assembly Mennonite Church, will share examples of her congregation's experiences and insights during the pandemic and her desire to continue to connect with creation. When we connect with creation, the love that began in the heart of God, the heart of creation, flows out of our hearts into the world. Wendy Janzen, pastor of Burning Bush Forest Church in Canada, reminds us of this when she says: “After all, it is through the forest, the mushroom and the earth that we can learn the mysteries of life: stillness and growth, connection and community. . , put down roots and reach up.”

Leadership is a balance between providing comfort for our daily struggles and challenging ourselves to a radical reinvention of God's mission and calling. When communities are experiencing stress, looking outward and choosing to stand in solidarity with others can provide renewal and opportunities for growth. Join us as we talk about how churches can foster a supportive community and send out people who not only change the world but themselves.

Research suggests that Generation Z is spiritually illiterate and abandoning all forms of church. That's right? If yes, how did we get here? You may be the only person of faith that a member of Generation Z can meet. To serve this generation successfully, you must know and understand them. This presentation summarizes current data on the unique characteristics of this generation and their attitudes towards culture, identity, authority, diversity and religion.

Coaching is a leadership skill we hear a lot about these days. What exactly is it and how does it fit into the service? Learn how coaching can help others and how coaching can help you.

The current context of polarization is putting our communities, communities and families in check. The church yearns for a better way of getting involved in the conflict. Practicing healthy dialogue is an important part of reinventing our ministry as a relevant Anabaptist witness for today's world. In this workshop, facilitators will use stories and resources to teach and demonstrate practical ways in which communities can engage in dialogue across differences.

Using materials from the Criterion Institute and the book An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture by Walter Brueggemann, Peter Block and John McKnight, we will deconstruct the assumptions made by living in a free-market culture and invite ourselves to dream a world built on the economy of the kingdom. We will learn about the assumptions inherent in both worlds and discuss how churches can live in the Kingdom economy while still living in a market culture.

White Christian nationalism is not just an “out there” problem; it is also present in Mennonite communities. In recent years, sociologists, historians, and journalists have written dozens of books and opinion pieces defining white Christian nationalism. But what can pastors and leaders do to “challenge” white Christian nationalism? This workshop deals with the questions "so what?". through two angles. First, we will briefly introduce and define white Christian nationalism, with a particular focus on why it harms the souls of individuals, communities, and the public witness of the church. Second, we will offer practical ways in which pastors and leaders can use spiritual formation tools and frameworks to challenge white Christian nationalism in the context of church life.

How has walking affected us on a physical level through a global pandemic? Are we fully aware of these effects? Inviting reflection and awareness of embodiment, this workshop explains why it is important to pay attention to the body in conversations about spirituality, healing and integration. We will experience an embodied spiritual practice together and then we will have space to develop that practice in the presence of others.

This workshop introduces participants to the Anabaptism at 500 initiative, with a special focus on the Anabaptist Bible Project. In addition to providing an overview of the project's vision, the workshop invites participants to offer constructive criticism on various important issues related to the Anabaptist Bible Project: For example, how does the Bible "authorize" ordinary church members today? How does one reconcile a strong emphasis on the priesthood of all believers with the unique insights that Bible scholars have to offer? Can a "Christocentric" hermeneutics avoid the pitfalls of supersessionism? Talk to us about this ambitious project!

Using materials from the Criterion Institute as well as the book An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture by Walter Brueggemann, Peter Block and John McKnight, we will deconstruct the assumptions made by living in a free-market culture and invite us to dream one World built on kingdom economy. We will learn about the assumptions inherent in both worlds and discuss how churches can live in the Kingdom economy while still living in a market culture.

Catechesis before the pandemic was difficult and this is how we have dealt with it in recent years. What is working or not working for your community right now? What do you dream for the children of the Church? Come and join us in a conversation about new forms of faith formation with youth and children. Bring stories and ideas about how your church or conference is dealing with this.

Calling on bold, curious, and intentionally playful artists and imaginative hobbyists to imagine ways that the visual arts can enrich congregational worship. We will use an excerpt from the newly released video, A Creative God: Visual Arts in Worship, to stimulate conversation, formulate responses, and outline ideas that can create a richer sense of worship places that move worship beyond words .

What if the outrageous is spiritual, the insidious is divine, and the bad is beautiful? That's the central question of the Called to be Bad podcast, in which guests share a "bad" topic close to their hearts. By bad we mean unusual, taboo, or something that goes against the status quo of what it means to be faithful. In this workshop we will discuss what it means to participate in ministry through a podcast. Can we rethink church and community in online spaces?

Learn how Sunday School and intergenerational activities can reduce the need for volunteers, build relationships, and start a church family. Nancy Frey instituted a monthly intergenerational Sunday school class to reduce the need for Sunday school teachers. Offering a monthly game night for all ages to reduce the need for youth guests. Both activities enable children, young people and adults to have fun while learning and getting to know each other.

As colored communities within the Mennonite tradition, we are the bridge between the past and the future. Whether cradle Mennonites or chosen/committed Mennonites, for years we have brought unique and universally diverse perspectives, prophetic voices and calls to the church as a whole. This distinction within a distinction contributes to best practices that can be integrated into current mainstream practice, theology and practice, creating growth and depth that can enrich the church for decades to come.

During his master's seminary studies, he learned how to preach, conduct worship, interpret the Bible, provide pastoral care, and participate in God's mission. But if you're like most seminary graduates, you've only taken a leadership course, or maybe no course at all. This workshop introduces the new AMBS promotion for church leaders; It is specifically about leadership and can help you re-equip yourself for more competent ministry in your specific context.

White Christian nationalism is not just an “out there” problem; it is also present in Mennonite communities. In recent years, sociologists, historians, and journalists have written dozens of books and opinion pieces defining white Christian nationalism. But what can pastors and leaders do to “challenge” white Christian nationalism? This workshop deals with the questions "so what?". through two angles. First, we will briefly introduce and define white Christian nationalism, with a particular focus on why it harms the souls of individuals, communities, and the public witness of the church. Second, we will offer practical ways in which pastors and leaders can use spiritual formation tools and frameworks to challenge white Christian nationalism in the context of church life.

The Christian faith and most Christian communities in the US have been in a sharp decline for decades, made worse by the pandemic. This workshop will examine this decline through Pew and other research, and then examine what the essential ingredients for a vibrant faith community, and Mennonite churches in particular, might be.

Generation Z has low levels of trust in religious institutions and clergy. However, there is a great desire to work with trusted, authentic and caring mentors. Generation Z members, who have the highest levels of mental health issues of any previous generation, need faith-based counseling and guidance more than ever. This session will present strategies that churches can use to meaningfully engage and communicate with the younger members of their church and community.

One of the lasting effects of COVID-19 is that people's understanding of how the world works has been profoundly affected. Likewise, religious communities have found themselves re-evaluating many aspects of their cultural practices. While this time of change is stressful, it also presents an excellent opportunity to reconsider some of the nutritional practices of our faith communities. This workshop offers an opportunity to explore some of the richness of our Christian food culture that has been lost or neglected over the years. It also offers an opportunity to sample some popular biblical food recipes that represent (more) healthier choices for individuals, our communities, and God's creation.

Learn how Sunday School and intergenerational activities can reduce the need for volunteers, build relationships, and start a church family. Nancy Frey instituted a monthly intergenerational Sunday school class to reduce the need for Sunday school teachers. Offering a monthly game night for all ages to reduce the need for youth guests. Both activities enable children, young people and adults to have fun while learning and getting to know each other.

Coaching is a leadership skill we hear a lot about these days. What exactly is it and how does it fit into the service? Learn how coaching can help others and how coaching can help you.

Anabaptists practice believer baptism. We believe that everyone should make their own decision about baptism and church membership. However, our membership curriculum is generally not accessible to people with intellectual disabilities. When people with intellectual disabilities want to explore membership, pastors, teachers, and parents struggle to adapt or create an accessible curriculum. Explore the concept of baptism, church membership, what we need to know to make a decision, how to determine a person's ability to choose, and what to do when the choice is unclear. As part of this workshop we will report on the new curriculum for members of the Anabaptist Disability Network, Believe and Belong.

The current context of polarization is putting our communities, communities and families in check. The church yearns for a better way of getting involved in the conflict. Practicing healthy dialogue is an important part of reinventing our ministry as a relevant Anabaptist witness for today's world. In this workshop, facilitators will use stories and resources to teach and demonstrate practical ways in which communities can engage in dialogue across differences.

Many communities have developed popular rituals that honor the developmental stages of youth, from dedicating babies to blessing high school seniors. We've paid less attention to the transitions adults go through throughout their lives, and there are many! This workshop will outline a small group-based process developed at Columbus (Ohio) Mennonite Church for adults of all ages, involving reflection and rituals around life transitions, culminating in a Sunday worship service. It will aim to be practical, including resources for group and conversational exercises and rituals, keeping in mind how this process can be adapted to different environments.

During his master's seminary studies, he learned how to preach, conduct worship, interpret the Bible, provide pastoral care, and participate in God's mission. But if you're like most seminary graduates, you've only taken a leadership course, or maybe no course at all. This workshop introduces the new AMBS promotion for church leaders; It is specifically about leadership and can help you re-equip yourself for more competent ministry in your specific context.

Calling on bold, curious, and intentionally playful artists and imaginative hobbyists to imagine ways that the visual arts can enrich congregational worship. We will use an excerpt from the newly released video, A Creative God: Visual Arts in Worship, to stimulate conversation, formulate responses, and outline ideas that can create a richer sense of worship places that move worship beyond words .

(In Spanish) This is a series of six lessons for Anabaptists written using FaithTrust materials on healthy boundaries. It is designed to offer any Latino/Latino or Hispanic speaking leader a biblical reflection in Spanish on healthy boundaries. The material will be posted online for free use by any Anabaptist group. The material can be presented in Spanish or English.

This workshop introduces participants to the Anabaptism at 500 initiative, with a special focus on the Anabaptist Bible Project. In addition to providing an overview of the project's vision, the workshop invites participants to offer constructive criticism on various important issues related to the Anabaptist Bible Project: For example, how does the Bible "authorize" ordinary church members today? How does one reconcile a strong emphasis on the priesthood of all believers with the unique insights that Bible scholars have to offer? Can a "Christocentric" hermeneutics avoid the pitfalls of supersessionism? Talk to us about this ambitious project!(also possible in person)

As colored communities within the Mennonite tradition, we are the bridge between the past and the future. Whether cradle Mennonites or chosen/committed Mennonites, for years we have brought unique and universally diverse perspectives, prophetic voices and calls to the church as a whole. This distinction within a distinction contributes to best practices that can be integrated into current mainstream practice, theology and practice, creating growth and depth that can enrich the church for decades to come.

Many church members grow food on church grounds to express their spirituality. Often they move on without much clarity on how to farm or what exactly it has to do with being a Christian. Sabbath Gardening is a framework to empower these people. In this workshop Andrew Hudson will provide an overview of a garden experiment he conducted at AMBS (2019-2021) and then give participants space to talk about their experiences with church soil. In the AMBS garden, Andrew and others applied biblical concepts in conversations about no-till methods of organic farming. They divided the garden into seven parts and left one part uncultivated each year. They collectively tithe the proceeds from one-tenth of the yard to neighbors in nearby low-income housing. In agriculture, they practiced composting and mulching and experimented with "mulch micromulches". Out of these experiences grew a structure now called Sabbath Gardening, in which parishioners apply biblical principles and cultivate the spirit of the Sabbath together. Sabbath Gardening is a type of program or group of ideas practiced while being open to grace.