New relationships are forged on the anvil of intentionality. We don’t simply fall into new relationships… we create them. This course will look at the ways we can create physical space and opportunities for new relationships to form. We will describe the ways in which we can effectively engage people who look different than we do, or think different, or believe different. We will examine ways to connect with co-workers, neighbors, and even strangers in meaningful ways that will allow relationships to flourish.
Asset mapping is a strategy and group exercise that allows individuals to recognize the strengths and abilities they possess and how those assets might be used, in collaboration with others, to further the work, vision, and mission of the organization. Asset mapping helps to focus individuals and organizations to function out of an abundance mentality and not one of scarcity. Asset mapping focuses on “half-full” rather than “half-empty” realities. There is a systemic, ingrained negativity in most churches. “We can’t do this or that… because we don’t have enough resources, people, or energy to get it done.” Asset mapping reminds churches that they often have more than enough to pursue God’s purpose of their congregation. It’s about discovery, vision, and risk-taking.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Socrates)
Based on the foundational reality that each person is created with unique gifts and for a unique purpose, this course provides a way to reflect on your life and notice the impact of various experiences, relationships and circumstances on your formation and life decisions. The purpose of this course is to provide a context for participants to connect more fully with the story of your life and to invite God to “enlighten the eyes of your heart” to see your story within the context of God’s story. The experience of deepening our awareness of our own story and interior life provides an important foundation for a growing life of communion with God and service to others.“It is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” (Pete Scazerro, author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and Emotionally Healthy Leader)
Leading individuals and organizations can be exhilarating and exciting. It can also be lonely and exhausting. This course provides a framework for leaders to reflect on the impact of their interior life on the external world of relationships and leadership. As leaders of faith-based organizations, there are often confusing messages about how to handle the realities of fear, anger, grief, and conflict. The result is that leaders often operate from a posture of reacting to their own emotions and those of others rather than from a place of responding as a non-anxious presence within the relationship or organization. Participants in this course will be given practical guidance on the process of moving from reaction to response as well as practical steps to establish a personal rule and rhythm of life.
Public speakers often integrate visual media with their spoken words to enhance the delivery of their message. Presentation programs such as PowerPoint, Keynote, and Prezi offer a range of editing, styling, formatting, and presentation strategies intended to capture the audience’s attention. But sometimes, the presentations do little to engage with the audience and neglect to connect the spoken words with the displayed media. How can you create multimedia presentations that allow audiences to more effectively receive and internalize your message? This course will explore strategies and techniques for effectively delivering speeches, sermons, and workshops with an audiovisual presentation.
As the “Body of Christ” we are to be a community which is caring and vulnerable, open and willing to share, forgiving and loving, “bearing one another’s burdens.” Yet, we live in a fallen world where boundaries are necessary. In this class, we will discuss how to make the boundaries as permeable as possible, following the example of Christ. In addition, we will explore the call to Christian hospitality and how the Eucharist offers us a pattern of living that empowers us to experience more fully the goodness of God within our own congregations and in our personal lives as well.
This course is designed to introduce participants to innovative ways of increasing funding resources for ministry initiatives. Students will learn the essentials of effective fund-raising skills. Additionally, participants will learn key principals of how to discover, approach, and request donations to fund specific ministry undertakings.
Every entity, whether it be an organization, group, event, location, etc., has a brand. A brand is your organizational identity. It is the calling card of the organization. Marketing is how an organization builds a relationship, using its brand, with its target audience. Creating buzz is the way in which an organization then remains relevant by maintaining a presence. This course will provide an understanding of how participants can launch, build, grow, and maintain excitement and momentum for their ministry brands.
