Start Up! Start Over! Congregational Development seminar registration opens
[Episcopal News Service] Clergy and laity of congregations seeking rejuvenation and vision will gather in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a Start Up! Start Over! seminar November 14-18.
Start Up! Start Over! is a national training event for clergy and laity that provides basic congregational development theory and skills for congregations in decline and seeking a new direction, have hit a growth plateau and need new energy, or are thriving and ready for their next step.
The Rev. Charles N. Fulton III, director of Congregational Development and president of the Episcopal Church Building Fund will lead a seminar staff of experienced practitioners of church growth who have started new churches and led congregational turn-arounds.
Seminar participants will learn practical, goal oriented skills to help them rediscover the optimistic, mission oriented spirit that marks healthy thriving congregations.
Agenda topics include:
• The basic principles of congregational development and church life cycle
• Interpreting your congregational demographics to program towards growth
• Decision making and meeting management skills
• Marketing & conducting a campaign to invite new members
• Planning church space that is within your budget, appropriate for your future
• New member incorporation - how visitors become involved members of a congregation
• Leading in changing times
• The use of multi-media in congregation life and worship
• Making your site and buildings inviting to the visitor
• Understanding generational differences and reaching the un-churched members of the electronic culture
The cost which includes tuition, housing, and 10 meals is: $750 single, $625 double, $380 commuter. Call 800.334.7626 ext. 6003 or email buildchurch@ecbf.org to register. Registration materials can also be downloaded from http://www.episcopalchurch.org/congdev/
(Note: This seminar regularly fills to capacity months before the registration deadline. Call to verify availability.)
Start Up! Start Over! is sponsored by the Office of Congregational Development and coordinated in partnership with the Episcopal Church Building Fund.