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Trying to Change the
Conversation on
Church Transformation?
Tony Robinson
Author of
Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations
and Transforming Congregational Culture
is speaking at First Presbyterian Church, 3231 Tilghman Street,
Allentown, PA on
Sunday, September
12 from 2-4pm
 Tony
is President of the Seattle-based Columbia Leadership Network and
teacher of congregational leadership in both the United States and
Canada. He is also the author of nine books, and a frequent
contributor to such periodicals as The Christian Century,
Congregations, and Perspectives. His 2005 article in the
Christian Century, “Vicious Cycles” has been widely used
throughout Lehigh Presbytery.
He will be speaking on the topic
“Lighting the Fire: Getting God at the Center,” focusing on how
churches can rediscover our active God at work in the world. Issues
of leadership and strategies for dealing with resistance will also
be addressed.
Thanks to a Lehigh Presbytery
mission grant, this event is free for Lehigh Presbyterians.
For those outside Lehigh Presbytery, please call 610/391-9020 for
more information.
2020 VISION
Moving Towards the Church that God Imagines for Us
September 11, 2010, 9am-4pm
Church on the Mall, Plymouth Meeting PA
Tony Robinson will also be speaking
the day before, on Saturday, September 11, at the final 2020 Vision
workshop, sponsored by the Eastern Synod Transformation Network, of
which Lehigh is a part. This event, from 9 am - 4 pm at the Church
on the Mall in Plymouth Meeting will provide greater opportunity to
learn how to “Light the Fire.” This will include building
congregations and communities, strengthening leadership, and looking
past small and comforting changes to big-picture and life-giving
ones.
Church on the
Mall
500 West Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1326
Plymouth Meeting Mall
For those churches that have been
part of 2020 Vision there is no charge, but calling the Presbytery
with a count of how many will be attending would be appreciated.
The cost for new participants
(individuals or teams from churches that have not previously been a
part of 2020 Vision) is $25, which includes lunch.
To register
contact Nan Best at 717-515-7769 or
healthycongregations@donegalpby.com
2020 VISION Brochure
Playing Second Fiddle: Leading
when
Christ is in Charge
Fall Workshops for
the enhancement of leadership ministries
Saturday,
October 16, 2010
Registration 9:00 am
9am-3:00pm
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem
2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017
The Lehigh
Presbytery is pleased to sponsor this annual training event.
Registration:
The deadline for registering for this event is October 8, 2010.
Each individual participant must complete a separate registration
form. Mail registration forms to:
Lehigh Presbytery, 710 North Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown PA
18104
For
additional information, you can contact the Presbytery Office at
610/391-9020 or
office@lehighpresbytery.org.
Workshop – 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Church Leaders as Spiritual Leaders -
For all church leaders
To be a spiritual leader is not a matter of ordination or office,
but of living out of the reality that God is present, powerful, and
active among us. How can Christians be open to the Spirit’s leading,
so as to be Christ hands and heart in God’s world? In this workshop
participants will learn what it is to be a Christian leader, and how
that leadership is made real in the life of a congregation. Come
prepared to share your ideas and experience!
Leader: Steve Shussett, Teaching Presbyter of Lehigh Presbytery.
BREAK
FOR LUNCH -
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
Please bring a brown bag lunch. Beverages and cookies will be
supplied.
Workshops
– 1:15 pm – 3:00 pm
Clerks
And Moderators Training
All clerks and
Moderators of Session will find helpful information on the Book of
Order, record keeping, and preserving the history of your church.
Come find out what needs to be included in the docket and minutes of
Session.
Leader:
Bob Nickels is a member of the Church of the Mountain, Delaware
Water Gap, and Stated Clerk of Lehigh Presbytery.
Deacons Enrichment
Going Beyond the Task
At the Church of the
Mountain the Board of Deacons is an extension of the pastoral arm.
It is the life blood of the church. Over time it has developed
practices and training that have helped them grow in this ministry.
This workshop will explore this model, its gifts and challenges.
Leader:
Rev. Karen Nickels, Pastor of the Church of the Mountain
Presbyterian Church of Delaware Water Gap.
Session Leadership in the 21st century: a panel
discussion
As Presbyterians, we are “Reformed and always being reformed
according to the word of God.” Life has changed a lot since John
Calvin’s day – how are our sessions changing today? Join us for a
panel discussion for pastors and elders, to discuss leadership among
“ruling and teaching elders,” how session meetings are constructed
and conducted, and the ways in which this important time together
fits into, and feeds into, your congregation’s vision.
Leader: Rev. Tony Sundermeier, Moderator of the First Presbyterian
Church of Allentown; Rev. Ruth Ann Christopher, Moderator of the
Faith United Presbyterian Church of Pen Argyl; Rev. Dennis
Zimmerman, Moderator of the United Presbyterian Church of
Slatington; and Rev. Jeff Brower, Moderator of the Middle Smithfield
Presbyterian Church of East Stroudsburg.
Treasurer
Education Workshop
For elders, trustees, treasurers, and church employees
responsible for any aspect of
the church's financial affairs.
Topics to be covered from the PC(USA)'s "Church Treasurer's
Manual" include
Functions of a Church Treasurer, Internal Controls and Record
Keeping, Audit or Financial Review, Insurance and Bonding, and
Stewardship and Budgeting. Single copies of the manual
will be provided to each attendee. During the presentation and
discussion of each topic, workshop participants will be encouraged
to ask questions and share their own experiences in response to
others' questions.
Leader:
Dave Boltz belongs to the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem and
is the Presbytery’s Treasurer.
Working Smarter So You Don’t Have To Work Harder
Jesus
models for us
that
the church needs not only our faithfulness, but also our
effectiveness. We are to be good stewards of time and energy as well
as finances, caring for others and ourselves at the same time as our
congregations. In this workshop, we will explore what leadership
borne of Christian discipleship means, and how principles of good
management and organization are necessary as we seek to be both
faithful and effective in the church and in the world. Bring your
best practices and your frequently asked questions!
Leader: Steve Shussett, Teaching Presbyter of Lehigh
Presbytery.
Schedule
9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Worship & Welcome
10:00 am Workshop
12:30 am Lunch – (bring a brown bag lunch, beverages provided)
1:15 pm Workshops
3:00 pm Close
Please
register by October 8, 2010
Directions
to First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA
18104
From the south
(e.g., Quakertown, PA) – Follow 309 north to 378 (Center Valley).
Follow 378 over the top of a mountain and into Bethlehem. At the
north end of the bridge that crosses the Lehigh River, turn right
onto the ramp that leads to Main St. Proceed seven blocks and turn
right onto Union Blvd. Proceed several blocks to Center St. Turn
left onto Center St. and proceed north to the church at 2344 Center
St. The church is on the right at the top of a hill. Turn right into
the "Enter" driveway and follow signs to parking facilities.
From the west
(e.g., Allentown, PA) – Follow 22 east until you reach the exit at
512, Center St. (There is only one exit at 512 traveling east.) At
the end of the exit ramp turn left onto Center St. Follow Center St.
southbound past traffic lights at Johnston Dr. and Macada Rd. and
proceed to the top of a hill. The church is on the left. Turn left
into the "Enter" driveway and follow signs to parking facilities.
From the east
(e.g., Easton, PA) – Follow 22 west until you reach the exit at 512,
Center St. (There is only one exit at 512 traveling west.) At the
end of the exit ramp turn left onto Center St. Follow Center St.
southbound past traffic lights at Johnston Dr. and Macada Rd. and
proceed to the top of a hill. The church is on the left. Turn left
into the "Enter" driveway and follow signs to parking facilities.
From the north
(e.g., Stroudsburg, PA) – Follow 33 south until it intersects with
22. Proceed west on 22 and follow the directions that pertain to an
approach from the east.
Childcare available upon request
Lehigh Presbytery
710 North Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown PA 18104
Phone: 610/391-9020
Fax:
610/391-9023
office@lehighpresbytery.org
www.lehighpresbytery.org
For
more information or to register, contact Robin Mathias at the above
phone and email. Or click on links below for the brochure or
registration form:
Brochure
Registration Form
Light Dawning Fund
Mission Challenge
The
Presbytery is offering a new name and a new way to contribute
and it's tied to our own history.
Missionary David Brainerd was only 29 years old when he died.
According to Ed Reese in his Christian Hall
of Fame series, "in truth David Brainerd's life sacrifice
reached out and touched the whole world, challenging more people
into Christian Service than perhaps any other man that ever
lived." It was on
July 12,
1739, that David Brainerd's particular vocation as a missionary
clearly emerged. According to Reese, "God spoke to him as light
dawning, and he had a glorious salvation experience."
(www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpbrainerd.html)
It is in honor of this day, Lehigh Presbytery's commitment to
support Presbyterian missionaries is now the
Light Dawning Fund.
BARNABAS
INITIATIVE --
Conflict happens, even
in the church. The Lehigh Presbytery's Committee on Ministry has
recently sent a team to Conflict Management Training. The
outcome of this was the formation of the Lehigh Presbytery
"Barnabas
Initiative". They
learned a variety of tools that can help congregations and
pastors manage conflict in more constructive ways. If the
Barnabas Initiative sounds like something you or your
congregation needs, contact the Rev. Dave Duquette, Committee on
Ministry chair. (Click on
Barnabas
for more information.)
The
Committee on Representation (COR)
seeks to help the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be more welcoming
of people of various ages, backgrounds, races, abilities, etc.
Toward that end, if you know of anyone (especially youth, young
adults, and/or others of diverse racial ethnic backgrounds) who
would be willing to offer their time and talents in service to
the wider church through the presbytery or synod (for example,
as an elder, commissioner, representative, or a member of a
committee/task group), please pass their name(s) and contact
info to Martha Cox, chair of the Nominating committee.
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