Leadership Article Archive
It's God's Party events in Bucks, Chester
Join your colleagues and friends and excite your missional imagination at the first of our conference gatherings this fall: \ Lower Bucks Conference: Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:45 p.m. at St. Paul, Doylestown. RSVP: The Rev. Paul Sorcek, 215-355-2529. \ Chester Conference: Monday, Sept. 29, 6:45 p.m. at Calvary, West Chester. RSVP: The Rev. William Mueller, 610-436-0807.
Mutual ministry seminars tend relationship of pastor and people
How do you tend the relationship of pastor and people as you engage in ministry, together? How can you keep a mission focus and broaden the vision for ministry? Consider attending one of two mutual ministry seminars to be held in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod in February.
Save the date for Bishop's Convocation
The 2009 Bishop's Convocation will be held Nov. 18-20 at the Willow Valley Resort and Convention Center in Lancaster. Mark the date and stay tuned for more information on presenters and arrangements.
Build a web of relationships
Today relationships happen as much using technology as in person. That’s the theme of A Renewal Enterprise’s next “4th Tuesday webinar” on April 28. Special guest will be Bob Fisher, SEPA's assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation and communications, who will share insight into the importance of using these tools to connect with people today.
Healthy Boundaries workshop for rostered leaders
Please register now for our next Healthy Boundaries Workshop at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 1141 W. Chester Pike, Havertown PA 19083, Tel. 610-446-6398 on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Explore mutual ministry possibilities
Explore the possibilities of mutual ministry for tending the relationship of pastor and people and broadening your congregation's vision for ministry at two Mutual Ministry Seminars led by Pastor Dick Brusehoff of the ELCA Vocation and Education Unit on March 20 and 21, 2010.
Convocation focuses on aligning finances and faith
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s 2009 Bishop’s Convocation will address the anxieties of our troubled economic climate and the abundant life promised in Christ. “The Third Conversion: Head, Heart and Wallet,” is inspired by Martin Luther’s observation that Christians’ pocketbooks are converted after the mind and the heart. Led by Rev. Katie Day, Nathan Dungan of Share Save Spend, and Dr. David Lose, the Nov. 18-20 convocation will allow leaders to reflect on the alignment of their resources with their faith practices and missional service. The annual event for rostered leaders is again held at the Willow Valley Resort in Lancaster, PA.
Council presidents - Join us for a FACE*-off
Tana Kjos from A R E (A Renewal Enterprise) will lead council presidents and vice presidents in a Saturday morning of sharing and connecting at the semi-annual gathering with Bishop Burkat on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Good Shepherd, King of Prussia. Expect to leave with new ideas you just might want to try at home. Expect to see how the four FACE directions are moving among us.
Train as a Fisher's Net Trainer Oct. 31
SEPA Synod is looking for 50 computer and internet savvy individuals within the synod to attend this free instructional event on the uses and applications of The Fisher's Net.
Are you ready for God's emerging future?
On December 10, 2009 a dynamic team of trainers from A Renewal Enterprise, Inc. will be leading a one-day workshop at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia that will help prepare you for God’s emerging future. This jam-packed, interactive workshop is especially for pastors and professional leaders, congregational and judicatory leaders, and leaders of faith-based organizations.
Convocation focuses on ‘financial sanity’
“If you don’t have a values based way to think, talk and do money, you will default to the culture’s: See money, spend money,” Share Save Spend founder Nathan Dungan told the 2009 SEPA Bishop’s Convocation on Wednesday. Dungan is one of three keynote speakers at this year’s convocation, which focuses on “The Last Conversion: Head, Heart and Wallet.” The title is drawn from Martin Luther’s observation that “there are three conversions a person needs to experience: The conversion of the head; the conversion of the heart; and the conversion of the pocketbook.”
Rostered leaders' reports due Feb. 28
Rostered leaders are requested to file their annual Confidential Reports to the Bishop by Feb. 28. The reports are now available online for download from the ELCA website. Read on for full details.
Join Bishop Burkat for annual Chrism service
On Tuesday of Holy Week, it is our tradition to gather for a service of Word and Sacrament, for blessing of oil, and renewal of ministry vows. The Chrism Service is a time for pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers to revisit and renew promises made at ordination/commissioning/consecration, and blessings for congregational deacons to honor their local ministries. It’s also a time to worship our Lord and be strengthened and renewed as we prepare to lead the faithful to the Cross and Resurrection. This year we will gather at St. Paul’s, Olney, on March 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Convocation explores Christianity at the Crossroads
Do you feel the ground shifting beneath your feet? Denominational loyalty is disappearing, replaced by new ranks of the “spiritual but not religious.” People mix and match from various spiritual traditions. Christianity is truly at a crossroads. Explore the upheaval around us at the 2010 Bishop’s Convocation with Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence, and Stephen Bouman of the ELCA’s Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit, Monday, Nov. 15 to Wednesday, Nov. 17 at the DoubleTree Resort (Lancaster/Willow Valley). Reduced price registration through Oct. 1. For more information visit www.ministrylink.org/convocation.
Bishop's Convocation on Facebook
If you're attending the 2010 Bishop's Convocation Nov. 15-17, or if you would like to learn a bit more about our visiting speaker Phyllis Tickle and her book "The Great Emergence," you can check out the Convocation's Facebook Page.
Save 2% in 2011!
Together we can save $36,800 – 2% on each congregation’s ELCA health plan contributions – if 65% of eligible plan members and spouses complete the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30. The assessment brings you a $150 wellness credit and opens the door to additional health resources. If you’re a member of the ELCA health plan, we need your help to reach 65%. If you’re a congregational leader, encourage your church’s plan members to take the assessment.
Health and Savings: 2 for All
This year the ELCA Board of Pensions has two ways for you to live better and save. We’re calling it 2 for All… 2 ways to take healthy steps, 2 ways to earn wellness dollars, and a 2% discount for our congregations: 1) Take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30 and get a $150 personal wellness account credit and help our congregations earn a 2% discount on health costs. 2) Earn more personal wellness dollars by completing the GO! Challenge, a four week program to help you eat, live and work healthier.
Free Resources from Parish Paper
Through our Synod’s subscription to The Parish Paper you have permission to download more than three dozen “Free Resources”—each of which provides practical, how-to-do-it methods that assist committees and staff members in accomplishing particular congregational ministries, such as financial stewardship, worship, attracting new worship attendees, church school, etc.
How PA Child Abuse Law Relates to Churches
In Pennsylvania, clergy - along with medical professionals, educators, peace officers and other who work with children - are required to report suspected child abuse, although information covered by the state's clergy privilege law is exempt. Surveys of mandated reporters indicate that there is often confusion about what is required. Look for information about the law and resources for reporting after the jump.
