leverage AWS
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LE rch W Chu
A Learning Experience for Multi-Racial and African-American Congregations September 12-14, 2014 Wichita, Kansas
ABOUT THE LEVERAGE PROJECT Participants in the Leverage Church Project will visit thriving African American and multi-racial United Methodist Churches proven to be effective in reaching out to their communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It offers an opportunity for pastors and laypersons to become familiar with and to learn from the inner workings of these thriving churches. As part of this project, a group will visit two churches in the Wichita area.
SCHEDULE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 4-6:30 p.m.
Leverage Church Presentation Conversation Starters Discussion Dr. Kevass Harding, Dellrose UMC
7 p.m.
Informal Dinner with Dr. Kevass Harding
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
9 a.m.-noon Leadership Training St. Mark UMC Leadership Team Noon-1 p.m. Lunch 1-3 p.m.
Leverage Church Presentation Conversation Starters Discussion Rev. Junius Dotson, St. Mark UMC
3:30 p.m.
Tour of St. Mark Southeast Campus
Evening
Visit areas of interest or rest time
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 9 a.m.
Worship at St. Mark UMC
10:30 a.m.
Worship at Dellrose UMC
1 p.m.
Lunch/Q&A Junius Dotson and Kevass Harding
CHURCHES AND PRESENTERS St. Mark United Methodist Church, a diverse, warm and loving community of believers, is committed to teaching biblical truths in a practical manner, facilitating spiritual growth through energetic worship with relevant and practical preaching, being in mission through community service opportunities, and studying God’s word through small groups. Rev. Junius Boyd Dotson is senior pastor of St. Mark UMC, where thousands gather each Sunday to hear thought-provoking, faith-filled, and anointed messages. He recently accepted the challenge to launch a second Campus in Wichita, Saint Mark Southeast. Rev. Dotson was ordained in the United Methodist Church in June 1992. In 1996, he started a new and innovative church in the Silicon Valley— Genesis UMC. Rev. Dotson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a concentration in economics at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he was president of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s oldest African American fraternity. He began his postgraduate work at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and earned his Master of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. A sought after coach and teacher, he believes that effective ministry is about training, developing, and empowering leaders to establish ministries that address the needs of the whole person – body, mind and spirit. He is a leader who responds to challenges and opportunities in new and creative ways. Rev. Dotson is married to Christina and they are the proud parents of two teenagers, Wesley and Janelle.
CHURCHES AND PRESENTERS Dellrose United Methodist Church has grown from 25 to more than 650 members. Growth and renewal can be seen throughout the congregation—numerically, spiritually and financially—through dynamic teaching, fellowship, praise and worship. Rev. Dr. Kevass J. Harding is lead pastor of Dellrose UMC. He was ordained a United Methodist Deacon in 1998 and an Elder in 2002. He served Saint Mark UMC in Wichita for three years as an Associate Pastor in the Kansas West Conference. He is the author of Can These Bones Live: Bringing New Life to a Dying Church. Dr. Harding is married to the former Teketa Berry and they have two children, Carnez and Makayla. He received his Associate of Art Degree from Hutchinson Community College and Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at El Paso. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Phillips Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry Degree, specializing in Church Administration and Congregational Growth and Revitalization from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Since Dr. Harding took over at Dellrose, growth and renewal can be seen throughout the congregation. Dr. Harding attributes the growth of the church to dynamic teaching, fellowship, praise and worship, and to the fact that Dellrose is a place where everyone will feel the love of God, find the joy of Christ, and experience the power of the Holy Spirit.
CONVERSATION STARTERS Spiritual Growth Process for Church Leaders • How does the church discover new leaders? • How does the church develop and equip these leaders? Dynamic and Well-Executed Worship • Discuss the planning process and behind-the-scenes preparation. • Talk about practice and training for various participants. Evangelistic Spirit • What is the role of members and pastors in inviting and following up with visitors? • What are ways for the community to engage the church and enter through those opportunities? • How are new people embraced and incorporated into the life of the church? Multiplication of Small Groups • Tell us about your small group and multiplying group process. Outwardly Focused Nature of Your Church • How is the church generous towards the community and the larger church? How Young People Are Valued • Tell us about ministries to youth and young adults • What is the role of technology in reaching the new generation? Generosity of Church Members • What is the process on teaching about the spirituality of money? • Old format of giving was cash and checks. Now, it is cash, checks, direct deposits, debit card, etc. Tell us about how you use the new formats to provide giving opportunities.
NOTES
Leverage Participant Resource Use the three columns for a working document on the questions that the presenter is answering to make use of the learning received from the presentation. Use extra sheets or poster board as needed. A team approach from your local church works best. • On the left side, put what you heard from presenter. • Middle column, where your church is today. • Right column, ideas you can implement in your local church. 1. Spiritual Growth Process for Church Leaders PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
2. Dynamic and Well-Executed Worship PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
3. Evangelistic Spirit PRESENTER’S CHURCH
4. Multiplication of Small Groups PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
5. Outwardly Focused Nature of Your Church PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
6. How Young People Are Valued PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
7. Generosity of Church Members PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
NOTES
NOTES
PARTNERS
Leverage Church Weekend–Wichita is a result of collaborative efforts of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, GBOD Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns and North Alabama Conference Ethnic Ministries. We are grateful to the Host Churches, St. Mark UMC and Dellrose UMC for the opportunity to worship with their congregations and enter into conversation with their leadership. Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Rev. Dr. Fred Allen National Director GBOD Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns Cheryl LaTanya Walker Director of Black Congregational Ministry North Alabama Conference Ethnic Ministries Rev. Dr. Richard L. Stryker Executive Director
R kend E V ee
LE rch W Chu
A Learning Experience for Multi-Racial and African-American Congregations September 12-14, 2014 Wichita, Kansas
ABOUT THE LEVERAGE PROJECT Participants in the Leverage Church Project will visit thriving African American and multi-racial United Methodist Churches proven to be effective in reaching out to their communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It offers an opportunity for pastors and laypersons to become familiar with and to learn from the inner workings of these thriving churches. As part of this project, a group will visit two churches in the Wichita area.
SCHEDULE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 4-6:30 p.m.
Leverage Church Presentation Conversation Starters Discussion Dr. Kevass Harding, Dellrose UMC
7 p.m.
Informal Dinner with Dr. Kevass Harding
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
9 a.m.-noon Leadership Training St. Mark UMC Leadership Team Noon-1 p.m. Lunch 1-3 p.m.
Leverage Church Presentation Conversation Starters Discussion Rev. Junius Dotson, St. Mark UMC
3:30 p.m.
Tour of St. Mark Southeast Campus
Evening
Visit areas of interest or rest time
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 9 a.m.
Worship at St. Mark UMC
10:30 a.m.
Worship at Dellrose UMC
1 p.m.
Lunch/Q&A Junius Dotson and Kevass Harding
CHURCHES AND PRESENTERS St. Mark United Methodist Church, a diverse, warm and loving community of believers, is committed to teaching biblical truths in a practical manner, facilitating spiritual growth through energetic worship with relevant and practical preaching, being in mission through community service opportunities, and studying God’s word through small groups. Rev. Junius Boyd Dotson is senior pastor of St. Mark UMC, where thousands gather each Sunday to hear thought-provoking, faith-filled, and anointed messages. He recently accepted the challenge to launch a second Campus in Wichita, Saint Mark Southeast. Rev. Dotson was ordained in the United Methodist Church in June 1992. In 1996, he started a new and innovative church in the Silicon Valley— Genesis UMC. Rev. Dotson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a concentration in economics at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he was president of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s oldest African American fraternity. He began his postgraduate work at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and earned his Master of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. A sought after coach and teacher, he believes that effective ministry is about training, developing, and empowering leaders to establish ministries that address the needs of the whole person – body, mind and spirit. He is a leader who responds to challenges and opportunities in new and creative ways. Rev. Dotson is married to Christina and they are the proud parents of two teenagers, Wesley and Janelle.
CHURCHES AND PRESENTERS Dellrose United Methodist Church has grown from 25 to more than 650 members. Growth and renewal can be seen throughout the congregation—numerically, spiritually and financially—through dynamic teaching, fellowship, praise and worship. Rev. Dr. Kevass J. Harding is lead pastor of Dellrose UMC. He was ordained a United Methodist Deacon in 1998 and an Elder in 2002. He served Saint Mark UMC in Wichita for three years as an Associate Pastor in the Kansas West Conference. He is the author of Can These Bones Live: Bringing New Life to a Dying Church. Dr. Harding is married to the former Teketa Berry and they have two children, Carnez and Makayla. He received his Associate of Art Degree from Hutchinson Community College and Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at El Paso. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Phillips Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry Degree, specializing in Church Administration and Congregational Growth and Revitalization from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Since Dr. Harding took over at Dellrose, growth and renewal can be seen throughout the congregation. Dr. Harding attributes the growth of the church to dynamic teaching, fellowship, praise and worship, and to the fact that Dellrose is a place where everyone will feel the love of God, find the joy of Christ, and experience the power of the Holy Spirit.
CONVERSATION STARTERS Spiritual Growth Process for Church Leaders • How does the church discover new leaders? • How does the church develop and equip these leaders? Dynamic and Well-Executed Worship • Discuss the planning process and behind-the-scenes preparation. • Talk about practice and training for various participants. Evangelistic Spirit • What is the role of members and pastors in inviting and following up with visitors? • What are ways for the community to engage the church and enter through those opportunities? • How are new people embraced and incorporated into the life of the church? Multiplication of Small Groups • Tell us about your small group and multiplying group process. Outwardly Focused Nature of Your Church • How is the church generous towards the community and the larger church? How Young People Are Valued • Tell us about ministries to youth and young adults • What is the role of technology in reaching the new generation? Generosity of Church Members • What is the process on teaching about the spirituality of money? • Old format of giving was cash and checks. Now, it is cash, checks, direct deposits, debit card, etc. Tell us about how you use the new formats to provide giving opportunities.
NOTES
Leverage Participant Resource Use the three columns for a working document on the questions that the presenter is answering to make use of the learning received from the presentation. Use extra sheets or poster board as needed. A team approach from your local church works best. • On the left side, put what you heard from presenter. • Middle column, where your church is today. • Right column, ideas you can implement in your local church. 1. Spiritual Growth Process for Church Leaders PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
2. Dynamic and Well-Executed Worship PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
3. Evangelistic Spirit PRESENTER’S CHURCH
4. Multiplication of Small Groups PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
5. Outwardly Focused Nature of Your Church PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
6. How Young People Are Valued PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
7. Generosity of Church Members PRESENTER’S CHURCH
MY LOCAL CHURCH
IDEA TO IMPLEMENT
NOTES
NOTES
PARTNERS
Leverage Church Weekend–Wichita is a result of collaborative efforts of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, GBOD Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns and North Alabama Conference Ethnic Ministries. We are grateful to the Host Churches, St. Mark UMC and Dellrose UMC for the opportunity to worship with their congregations and enter into conversation with their leadership. Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Rev. Dr. Fred Allen National Director GBOD Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns Cheryl LaTanya Walker Director of Black Congregational Ministry North Alabama Conference Ethnic Ministries Rev. Dr. Richard L. Stryker Executive Director
