Join Us at Leadership Training School!
40 Workshops for Laity & Clergy
Mission Ministry • Spiritual Growth • Practical Ministry
Come and learn what’s possible! Oklahoma Disciples are engaging in exciting mission. Come and discover ways to make mission possible in your life and in your church. Explore some refreshing ways to enrich your spiritual life and reinforce the various practices of ministry.
Get Started!
- Please register your attendance with your church office. (Need to register as an individual? Click the pink registration button to the left.)
- Sign up for 3 classes online with the link below.
Bring Items for the Hands-On Mission Project
We are also asking that everyone bring items to support the hands-on mission project of creating First Night Bags to be donated to T.E.E.M. See a list of items needed.
Items Needed
The “First Night Out” care package contains the essential items to make an individual’s first night after release comfortable and safe. The items the care package should contain are:
- Restaurant/fast food gift card
- Healthy snack
- Canned goods/basic food items
- Towel
- Blanket
- Hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, deodorant, etc.)
- Sleepwear/undergarments (TEEM provides work attire)
- Book/reading materials
- Pillow
- Backpack/gym bag/small suitcase/other reusable bag
- Transportation accommodation (bus pass, gas card, Visa card, etc.)
Feel free to include additional items, with prior approval by the Volunteer.
Register with Your Church Office
LTS registration is $60 for congregations or $8 for individuals. There is no registration fee for children or youth. Please notify your church office of your desire to attend.
Nursery and childcare will be provided for infants through grade 5. Youth, grades 6-12, are invited to attend the regular classes.
Sign Up for Classes
This year we are requesting each individual sign up online for the 3 classes you wish to attend. We have an outstanding line-up of classes – see the descriptions and schedule below. Then click the green Sign Up button to reserve your space.
Vy Nguyen Keynoter
Our keynote speaker for the day is Vy Nguyen, Executive Director of Week of Compassion. Vy holds a Master of Divinity from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, and earned his B.A. in religious studies with a minor in environmental sciences from Texas Christian University. He joined Week of Compassion after serving more than 5 years with Church World Service for the Southwest Regional Office where he worked with congregations and donors to increase their fundraising portfolio.
Prior to his work with Church World Service, Vy worked with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps office in Berkeley, CA where he strengthened relationships between volunteers, congregations, and non-profit agencies. Vy and his wife, Linh Bui, live in Oakland, CA.
3 Thought-Provoking Tracks of Classes
Mission Ministry • Spiritual Growth • Practical Ministry
Click the + button to view a description of each class, which also includes the instructor and time offered. Class Times: 9:45 • 10:45 • 11:45.
Determine your preferred choice then Register Online. Some class sizes are limited so it’s important for every person to register. Thanks!
Mission Ministry Classes
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Tom Russell
“Getting Dirty for Jesus” is an opportunity to take a look at what we can do in local missions and abroad for opportunities for hands on mission ideas. There are a number of things we can do that might require getting dirty and sweaty, from swinging a hammer to filling bags with food. There are many ways we can show the love of God through the sharing of our time and talents.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Rev. Mary Hughes Gaudreau
Many of us are not prepared for when a disaster happens in our lives or our community. There are many things that we don’t think of having prepared ahead of time that when something like a crisis occurs we wish we would have been better prepared. Rev. Mary Hughes Gaudreau will lead a discussion on how to best prepare the church to respond to times of crisis and disaster.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Claudia Cardoni
Heartline, Inc. has been serving Oklahoma since 1971 and provides suicide prevention outreach programs, compassionate listening, information and referral services, and crisis intervention services. Call specialists are available around the clock answering HeartLine’s various helplines. Representatives from Heartline will be here to discuss how they can help us to help others and the various services they provide and the ways that they help people to get in contact with service providers and those who can help in various situations.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructors: Rev. John Malget and Janet Helms
Churches and individuals are often trying to find ways to make a bigger impact on the world around them and two great ways that is happening here in the Metro area is through the Chain Reaction Ministry and Disciples4Water.
Chain Reaction rebuilds bikes and then gets them into the hands of those in need of transportation to and from work. The bike room at FCC will be open for anyone wanting to help work on bikes during LTS.
Disciples4Water works towards bringing clean drinking to those in need by not just building wells, but training people how to build wells. The current area of concentration is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have successfully installed over 30 wells in this area. Two mission trips have been made to Mbandaka, DRC with a third planned for 2017.
Come hear more on these wonderful opportunities and how you can help these groups or start a similar ministry in your church.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Lance Evans
TEEM takes a three-pronged approach to breaking cycles of incarceration and poverty in Oklahoma by providing individuals with education, social services, and job training and placement. We holistically prepare our participants for employment by incorporating mentorship, life skills training and confidence building into our program. By giving a hand up, we help our participants refine their skills and achieve their goals. Lance Evans will be leading a discussion on how churches can better assist individuals reintegrating into society through supporting T.E.E.M.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Rev. Charles Ragland
Pastor Charles Ragland and others of First Christian, Claremore (approx. 150 active members) will offer their up-close and personal pictures of how they prepared for and then brought the significant gift of Mission Camp to their neighbors in need. In 2015, 118 Oklahoma Disciples youth and their accompanying sponsors from 15 Disciples churches gathered in Claremore to repair, improve, and clean up for 4 helping agencies, one school, and 16 homes of grateful elderly and disabled individuals, to God’s glory! Later afternoons and evenings were devoted to significant worship experiences and fun activities. In 2016, Oklahoma Disciples youth and their accompanying sponsors will be hosted by FCC, Guthrie for the seventh Mission Camp summer of major experiences sweating for Jesus–putting their faith into significant action to bless lives!
About Charles
Charles Ragland was a sponsor with the youth of FCC, Claremore and was a work team co-leader at the first five OKDOC Mission Camps. His wife, Rev. Laurel Ragland, served with him as a counselor/work team at the first four. He has led numerous youth mission trips to urban areas and counseled at or directed camps for Juniors, Chi Rho, Mid-High, and CYF. He was ordained to the ministry in 1982 and has pastored FCC, Claremore since January 2008. For 14+ years he was Sr. Pastor of Midwest Blvd. Christian Church, Midwest City; and for 5 years prior was Assoc. Pastor of FCC, Guthrie. This Razorback has also served churches in Colorado, Nebraska, and his native state of Arkansas.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Dan Straughan
The Homeless Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rallying our community to end homelessness in Oklahoma City through collaboration with service providers, city government, and local businesses. Dan Straughan will be joining us to discuss ways we can better assist with the homeless population through supporting the efforts of the Homeless Alliance.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Chaplain John “Dale” Potter
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very real and long lasting issue for many veterans. John “Dale” Potter, Chaplain at the VA Hospital will be conducting a workshop on PTSD and Moral Injury and helping us to better understand what churches can be doing to better help veterans.
About Chaplain Dale
Chaplain Dale Potter currently serves as a staff chaplain at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in August of 2013 after over 27 years of active duty military experience as a Chaplain. He was born an identical twin at Warner-Robins Air Force Base in Macon, Georgia. Chaplain Potter received his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies in 1982; his Master of Science in Biblical and Related Areas in 1984; and a Master of Divinity in 1986 at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. He entered active duty in the Army in 1986, endorsed by the Church of Christ.
His assignments include being the battalion chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Basic Training Battalion, Fort Dix, New Jersey; the 54th Forward Support Battalion then the 2d Battalion, 67th Armor, 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany; the Deputy Brigade Chaplain at the Field Artillery Training Center, then battalion chaplain for the 6th Battalion, 27th Artillery (MLRS), Fort Sill, Oklahoma. A one-year residency followed this assignment at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in Clinical Pastoral Education. After that assignment, he became the Brigade Chaplain for the 214th FA Brigade, then the Chaplain Clinician for Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Service continued as the 7th Corps Support Group Chaplain, Bamberg, Germany, and then Deputy Division Chaplain for the 1st Armored Division in Wiesbaden, Germany. From there he was assigned as the Chief, Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care at Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC. Then he moved to Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX and became the Senior Clinician and Deputy Chief, Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care. His final assignment was at Darnall Army medical Center, then the Deputy Garrison Chaplain at Fort Hood, TX.
Chaplain Potter served as the battalion chaplain for the 54th Forward Support Battalion, 3d Armored Brigade, 3rd AD during Operations Desert Shield, Storm, and Comfort. As the Deputy 1st AD Chaplain, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a graduate of the Chaplain Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the Combined Arms Staff Service School, Command and General Staff College, and completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education.
His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (5 OCL), the Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), National Defense Service Medal (with Star), South West Asia Bronze Star (3 Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Bronze Hourglass), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), and the Saudi Arabia/Kuwait Liberation Medal.
He is married to the former Terri LeFan of Dallas, Texas. He has two children: a daughter, Tiffany; and a son, Nathan, and four grandchildren.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Penny Hampton
We have an opportunity for a hands-on project while attending LTS this year. Please check out the list of items needed and please bring items with you whether or not attending this workshop. This workshop will be putting together First Night Out bags complete with everything a person leaving prison will need that first night out trying to reintegrate themselves into society. These care packages will be donated to T.E.E.M.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructors: Rev. Devon McAnally and Sally Wheeler
Rev. Devon McAnally and Sally Wheeler will introduce Hearts for Care (a ministry of the Disciples Retirement Community of Oklahoma) and this ministry for aging adults is moving in ways they never expected.
About Hearts for Care
Hearts for Care is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide Oklahoma residents the practical means and support to remain in their own homes and neighborhoods while continuing to live the best and fullest lives possible, as they grow older. Our goal is to make available services that are needed to keep people independent, part of the community and secure in their homes. Villagers can simplify their lives by contacting Hearts for Care volunteers in their neighborhood for assistance.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Sean Shenold
There is more to starting a new church than just putting up a sign with an arrow saying “meet here”. Sean Shenold, president of the Christian Church Commission of Oklahoma will share with you the dream of creating more church starts and ways that congregations can help others to be planted and grow.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Rev. Don Gibson
Powerful forces are at work resisting the common good. Some say the human species is on a suicidal trajectory road. Jesus challenges us: “Do you not know how to interpret this present age? This session seeks to provide a framework for this task. See: Luke 12:56; Micah 6:1-8
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Rev. Dave & Linda Jones
Kid’s Café is a program partnered with the Regional Food Bank to prepare snacks and a meal for kids three days out of every week. The group meets with kids to provide them food but also an opportunity to have not only their nourishment needs met but their emotional and spiritual needs as well.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Dr. Lori Basey
Human Trafficking is a very real problem here in Oklahoma and is a devastating problem. No Boundaries International addresses issues of human trafficking as well as other forms of devastation around the globe.
Devastation has two faces: the first face is evil in human form and can be seen in natural and man-made disasters, the affliction of oppression and abuse, as well as poverty, sickness, hopelessness, and pain. The second face is the personification of good in human form. No Boundaries International strives to be good personified in the most challenging areas of the world, bringing the healing of Christ to the devastated man, woman, or child. Dr. Lori Basey is here to talk to us about what churches can do to help fight human trafficking and ways we can be better support the ministry of No Boundaries International.
Track: Mission Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Rev. Don Johnson
The Disciples of Christ in Oklahoma partners with ‘One Who Walks the Path’, a non-profit organization who helps with children’s education and programs, vocation for young adults, family counseling, and advocacy for child and human rights. This workshop will introduce you to the work that goes on at the weeklong mission trip to Caminante, Dominican Republic.
Spiritual Growth Classes
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 9:45, 10:45 & 11:45
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison
The so called “Clobber Scriptures” have often been used by many to condemn those who are different and especially those who are homosexual. Many of these passages have been misused due to misunderstanding the texts, poor translations or losing the understanding of the historical context of the passage. Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison will help us think carefully and critically about these passages in order to gain a better understanding of their possible meanings.
About Dr. Davison
Rev. Dr. Lisa W. Davison is the Johnnie Eargle Cadieux Professor of Hebrew Bible at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK. A native of Radford, VA, Dr. Davison has a BA (Religion & Spanish) from Lynchburg College; an MDiv from Brite Divinity School (TCU), and an MA from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Davison received her Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Vanderbilt. She is ordained in the Christian Church (DOC) and has served congregations in Texas & Kentucky.
Prior to joining the faculty of Phillips Theological Seminary, Lisa was Professor of 1st Testament at Lexington Theological Seminary (1996-2009) and Professor of Religious Studies at Lynchburg College (2009-2010).
Dr. Davison is often invited to speak to local congregations and retreats on a variety of topics, including: books in the Hebrew Bible, women in the bible, sexuality and the bible, and Christian use and misuse of the Hebrew Bible. Dr. Davison is married to the Rev. Michael Davison, and the two of them enjoy traveling (especially to tropical climates) and gourmet dining.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 9:45 • 10:45 (Cancelled 11:45 class)
Instructor: Rev. Jesse Jackson
Do All Lives “Really” Matter: Searching for the needle of reconciliation in a haystack of hate
In the wake of 2015 and hearing voices crying out the question, “does my life matter” or “does the life of my child matter” and how the answer can appear to be associated with the color of skin or socioeconomic status, we need to find better ways of seeking reconciliation. Rev. Jesse Jackson will lead a discussion on reconciliation and ways in which we can come together to be a voice against racism. Rev. Jackson has started a program called “Occupy the Corner” to help educate individuals on how to show respect to police officers even in bad situations.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Bill Tabbernee
Bridging the gaps of understanding who our neighbors are we will have presentations followed by question and answer time to discuss the Abrahamic faiths. Learn more about Islam, Judaism and how we can all better respect and understand one another. Each workshop will be presented by a religious leader of the corresponding faith.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Rev. Bethany Albrecht
We need to keep in mind our rich history which continues to define who we are still today. From Barton Stone and the Campbells, a great deal has happened to give shape to our identity. This class will take a closer look at the history of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and how that history shapes our identity today.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Lisa Engleton
Sabbath is keeping a day sacred for God. We need to remember to keep our families sacred as well, and one way we do that is keeping alive our beliefs within the family and sharing throughout the week the sacredness of God’s love. Lisa Engleton will be leading a workshop on how we can better pass on the sacredness of God’s love to our children.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Bill Tabbernee
Bridging the gaps of understanding who our neighbors are we will have presentations followed by question and answer time to discuss the Abrahamic faiths. Learn more about Islam, Judaism and how we can all better respect and understand one another. Each workshop will be presented by a religious leader of the corresponding faith.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Robert Frantz
Sometimes it can be difficult to get along in church when we don’t all see eye to eye, but this can be exacerbated during an election year. It is one of the two things we are sometimes cautioned not to discuss to keep friends, politics. But during an election year how do you deal with these inevitable conversations, comments, derogatory advertisements and bumper stickers? Robert Frantz will be leading a discussion on how to survive the election years.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Rev. Don Heath
Nonviolence is what the spiritual life is all about. We live in a violent culture and have internalized the violence that we have suffered. We use violence in talking to others; we have been taught to communicate with each other by using a war model for conversation. The nonviolent life begins with healing ourselves of the violence within us and learning to talk to others non-violently. We will draw on the writings of Richard Rohr, John Dear, Marshall Rosenberg and Sharon Strand Ellison to help us learn how to become more nonviolent.
About Don
Don Heath has been minister of Edmond Trinity Christian Church since 2007. He received a Masters of Divinity degree in 2009 from Phillips Theological Seminary. Don is also an attorney and has practiced law for 33 years in the Oklahoma City area. He has taught classes and attended workshops on nonviolence.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Bill Tabbernee
Bridging the gaps of understanding who our neighbors are we will have presentations followed by question and answer time to discuss the Abrahamic faiths. Learn more about Islam, Judaism and how we can all better respect and understand one another. Each workshop will be presented by a religious leader of the corresponding faith.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Latricia Morgan, M.Ed.
The Certified Healthy Congregation was created in 2014 to recognize all faiths that are working to improve the health of their members and/or attendees and staff by providing wellness opportunities and implementing policies that lead to healthier lifestyles. One’s spiritual life is part of the healing process when experiencing conditions that affect physical health such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. As a result, congregation environment provides an excellent opportunity to promote health and wellness among members and/or attendees and staff. Latricia Morgan from the Center for the Advancement of Wellness at the Oklahoma State Department of Health will present on the Certified Healthy program and how congregations can get involved in promoting healthier choices.
About Latricia
Ms. Morgan is a native Oklahoman who has always had a passion to serve others. She has worked in public health for over 14 years alongside various community-based organizations and groups providing technical assistance and consultation regarding evidence-based and proven/promising practices to improve health within communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health and a Master of Education in Adult Education and expects to graduate May 2016 with a Master’s in Public Health.
Presently, Ms. Morgan works with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Center for the Advancement of Wellness as the Disparities and Faith-Based Initiatives Manager. In this role, she is responsible for program development, trainings, and providing content expertise in disparities related to wellness as well as management of local programs through contracts with tribal nations and community-based organizations. Ms. Morgan also oversees Certified Healthy Congregations, which is part of the statewide Certified Healthy Oklahoma program.
Ms. Morgan’s career path has allowed her to work towards fulfilling her goal of improving health outcomes within local Oklahoma communities.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Mady Fraser
There are many ways we can get in touch with our spirituality and to build an awareness of our Spiritual life. This workshop will help you realize the several ways you can grow spiritually from working in a garden, using Labyrinths, keeping journals and enhancing prayer life. There are many ways that we can feed our spirituality in our everyday life.
Track: Spiritual Growth • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Pastor Sondra Ladd
Our session will include stories from previous mission trips including the recent Young Adult Regional Mission Trip. This course will provide insight and inspiration for anyone considering or interested in International mission work.
For 25 years, American Caribbean Experience has been serving the people of Jamaica through education; health care, enterprise and discipleship. From teaching children to read to pulling teeth, to financing small businesses, to training the island’s future chefs and teachers, ACE has taken every measure necessary to ‘love their neighbors.’ Mango Tree Gospel is a story about a particular place and its people. It’s also a story about us. How God works through broken people and in broken places to do beautiful things.
About Sondra
Sondra Ladd is the associate minister at First Christian Stillwater. She has served as trip leader for multiple mission trips at home and away, including nine trips to Jamaica. These experiences served as the inspiration for our Regional mission camps, which began at FCC Stillwater. Original trips were focused on youth however have expanded to serve all ages. The youngest participant was 7, the oldest 83. The most recent trip (Jan. ’16) included 18 college students.
Practical Ministry Classes
Track: Spiritual Growth • Times Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Julia Jordan Gillett
An exciting way of approaching faith formation with children is the best way to describe Children Worship & Wonder. In Children Worship & Wonder children have the opportunity to hear Bible stories and form responses out of their own life experiences. They learn the meaning of church traditions and participate in worship practices. Children Worship & Wonder is a Montessori-influenced program and is often effective with children who have attention deficit problems. It can be used with children as young as three years old. It can be either a children’s church or children’s church school program.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Ryan Abernathy
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, a member of the Feeding America network of Food Banks, is the largest private domestic hunger-relief charity in the state – providing enough food to feed more than 116,000 hungry Oklahomans every week, 37 percent of which are children. One in four children and one in six adults struggle with hunger, never certain where their next meal will come from or if there will even be a next meal. This workshop will help us learn more about food insecurity in Oklahoma and what we as churches can do to feed the hungry and how the Food Bank can help.
About Ryan
Ryan Abernathy is the Senior Director for Programs and Nutrition for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Teaching Pastor at West Metro Community Church. With over 20 years of experience in both religious and secular non-profits and churches, Ryan has spent his life helping those in need and calling the church back to its role of serving others. Ryan holds a BA in Pastoral Ministry from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Pastor Johnny Melton
There is not enough drama in church! No, not that kind of drama, but the dramatic and theatrical ways of enhancing worship and sharing the love of God with others through song and plays and everything drama. Come and here about the wonders that can be brought into your church through the use of a drama ministry.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Eric Gray
Your church is a wonderful ministry to the community it serves, you know this and it is what you love about your church.But what happens to the church if tragedy happens in your life? Many of us plan ahead for such scenarios to make sure our loved ones are taken care of after we are gone. The church is one of those loved ones that we may not think to include in our will. Eric Gray with the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation can help you with ways to keep giving through gift annuities, wills, trusts and endowments.
About Eric
Eric Gray is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation. The Foundation exists to provide an enduring financial basis for Christ’s ministry in Oklahoma. The Foundation receives and stewards through prudent investment, endowment and custodial funds benefiting the Oklahoma church and its related missions and ministries. In his current position, Eric is responsible for the day to day activities of the Foundation and frequently makes presentations to individuals and groups on a wide variety of topics related to the work of the Foundation. He is a State of Oklahoma, Department of Securities, registered issuer agent for the Foundation.
Eric is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and a graduate of the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He has been a licensed attorney in Oklahoma since 1981 and is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in the State of Oklahoma as well as the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are members at Western Oaks Christian Church in Oklahoma City.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 9:45
Instructor: Rev. Micah James, CCA
More and more, pastors are called upon to lead in expanding roles beyond the pulpit and pastoral care. Can the minister effectively be the administrator? Can best business practices be well integrated into the life of the church in ways that are also seen as spiritual? Does this place clergy in any conflicts and how can this be resourced and resolved? Churches now look for all this in a single person. Is that possible? How can the church support pastors in the ministry of administration.
About Micah
Micah is a lifelong Disciple of Christ, with ministry experience at all levels of the denomination. Micah has a background as a middle school teacher, graduating from TCU in 2005 with her Bachelor of Science in Education. Micah graduated with her Masters of Divinity from Brite Divinity School (TCU) in May 2012, and during her seminary career received The Barbara and Curtis Keith, Jr. Student Ministry Award (2011) and The Colby D. Hall Award (2012) given to a promising Disciples graduating senior.
Rev. Micah James is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As a part of this ministry, Micah utilizes her creative and administrative gifts as she facilitates ministry programs and events for the church community.
In 2014, Micah completed a certificate program through the NACBA (National Association of Church Administrators or “The Church Network”) to become a Certified Church Administrator. In ministry, Micah feels a powerful call to work in the areas of stewardship, mission and church administration.
In February 2015, Micah, with Rev. Mike Hunter launched AdminIsMinistry (www.adminisministry.com) a resource on church administration topics. Through AdminIsMinistry, they hope to better equip churches in administration so they congregations can faithfully and effectively do the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Micah serves First Christian Church of Edmond, OK in the capacity of Associate Minister of Faith Development. She is also the mom of two adorable kiddos, Oden and Zoey.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Chris Dorsey
Preparing for college can be stressful and it is never too early to start planning. But did you know that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has 14 undergraduate universities affiliated with the church spread out across the nation and not just Texas Christian University. Many of which have special grants and scholarships for members of the church and especially for those active in the church and other regional youth activities. Now is the time to start planning for college and Chris Dorsey with Higher Education and Leadership Ministries will help you get started.
About Chris
The Rev. Bernard “Chris” Dorsey currently serves as President of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries (HELM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). An ordained Disciples minister, he received his BS from the University of Texas at Austin, earned a M.Div from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and is a Ph.D. Candidate at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. He has taught at a variety of academic and theological institutions and previously served as local church pastor, university chaplain of Clark Atlanta University, and as the Vice President of Development and Marketing at Chicago Theological Seminary. Rev. Dorsey is the father of 10-year-old daughter, Alanis, and they currently reside in Holland, MI where he maintains a part-time appointment as Assistant Professor of Theology and Preaching at Western Theological Seminary. Some of the courses he has taught in the past include Theology and Social Movements, Theologizing Violence, and the Theologies of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Rev. Jenny Wynn
It is time to add something new to spice up that worship service and Rev. Jenny Wynn has some fresh ideas about how to breathe new creativity to that worship service you know and love.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Penny Hampton
We have all been there, gazing at the clock on the wall daydreaming of all the things you could be doing rather than sitting here in this meeting that could have accomplished everything in 5 minutes but has taken 2 hours. Life is too short for meetings like that and this workshop will help you to keep meetings on track and on point to get everything accomplished quickly and efficiently.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Rev. Paul Ragle
Sometimes we think that someone is pulling our strings like a marionette, but a puppet can really bring to life a worship service in so many ways. Rev. Paul Ragle is a master with puppets from creating his own to giving voice and animation to these little creations to bring a smile to faces of young and old alike.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 10:45
Instructor: Rev. Arnold Nelson
So you are an Elder or Deacon, or even the minister and you are standing at the Lord’s Table with bread and cup. Now what? What do you say and when do you say it? What do you pray? Should it be a long prayer for everything under the sun or a few words blessing the bread and cup? Join in the discussion of the most important discussions you might have around the table.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Dr. Matt Schinske
Whether your music is a traditional hymn accompanied by an organ and piano or a praise song performed by a band, chances are there have been times that you have heard “Why did we sing that”. With all the music available these days it can be difficult to meet the tastes of everyone and in places where diverse worship services occur or where some dare to blend the types, sometimes we hear the rumblings of the music wars. Dr. Matt Schinske is here to discuss how we can deal with those, and maintain the love for music.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Frank Gresh
PowerPoints, Easy Worship, Media Shout and so much more can confuse the worship service and those trying to enhance worship by including digital media. But there are so many more ways that technology can be effectively utilized in worship beyond just putting hymns and praise songs on a screen. This workshop will explore some best practice ideas for implementing technology and media in the church.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Bobby Hawley
Bobby Hawley is vice president of the South Central Zone of the Christian Church Foundation. He is responsible for assisting members, congregations, regions and other entities of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) discover the joy of sharing their resources to further the work of Jesus Christ in the world. Bobby’s workshop will cover the broad range of services provided by the Christian Church Foundation:
- Inheritance/legacy planning, tax laws and charitable giving;
- Training clergy and lay leaders about the role of planned giving and the need for sound permanent fund policies
- Helping congregations manage their permanent funds over the long haul, providing an opportunity for growth of principal while distributing dollars for ministry.
Join Bobby to learn more about the Christian Church Foundation and its mission of “Helping Disciples Make a Difference.”
About Bobby
The Reverend Dr. Bobby Hawley is the vice president of the South Central Zone of the Christian Church Foundation.
He joined the Foundation in November 1998 as assistant vice president in the South Central Zone, having earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, his master of divinity from TCU’s Brite Divinity School, and his doctor of ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas.
Before joining the Foundation, he served nine years as senior minister at Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in El Paso, Texas. He also has served as an associate minister at Alamo Heights Christian Church, San Antonio, and chaplain for Juliette Fowler Homes in Dallas.
He is responsible for working with members, congregations, regions and other entities of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Great River, Oklahoma and Southwest Regions.
A Texas native, Hawley (who prefers to be called Bobby) is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) and a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). He is married and his wife, Diane, is on the faculty of Harris School of Nursing at Texas Christian University. They have three children – Alicia, Kelsey and Noah.
Bobby has a pastor’s heart and is wholly committed to his ministry to help individuals and families take full advantage of the planned giving instruments that are available in order to bring maximum benefit to themselves, their heirs and the church they love.
The Christian Church Foundation is a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) devoted to helping individuals be good stewards of their accumulated assets through planned giving and permanent funds. The Foundation helps congregations be good stewards of gifts received by creating sound permanent fund policies and through prudent, long-term investment. The Foundation’s general offices are in Indianapolis, Indiana; Hawley works out of an office in Fort Worth, Texas.
Track: Practical Ministry • Time Offered: 11:45
Instructor: Rev. Kathy Bryant
The communion table is the centerpiece and the focal point of our worship services and yet sometimes we are afraid to do anything with the table other than put bread and juice on it. Looking for some creative ways to dress up the table and still be liturgical? Come to this workshop to explore your creativity in decorating for the Lord’s Supper.