Events
2006 Creative Leaders Gathering
Creative Ministry Gathering: Three Streams, One River
A Convergence of the ELCA College of Developers, the Transformational Leaders Gathering, and the Emerging Leaders Network
January 23-27, 2006 at the Holiday Inn International Drive, Orlando, Florida
Introduction:
Creative. That’s not a word you normally hear used to describe Lutheran congregations or pastors. Traditional, confessional, and predictable are more common. But as we move into the 21st Century, the creativity of the Spirit is breaking out in new in different ways in the church, in congregations, and in its leaders. In fact, creativity in ministry is becoming a necessary leadership gift to meet the changes in culture and the church.
The Creative Ministry Gathering is bringing together three of the most creative networks of pastors in the ELCA to share their gifts, to learn from each other, and to experience the diversity of how the Spirit is equipping leaders and congregations for mission.
Location:
The Holiday Inn at International Drive has hosted the Transformational Leaders Gathering for several years and is located right in the heart of Orlando’s famous tourist corridor, making it a perfect location for this shared event. Shopping, restaurants of all kinds, and fun activities are within easy walking distance. Transportation is available to and from both Orlando airports. A complimentary scheduled shuttle service is also provided to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and Wet 'N Wild Water Park.
What To Expect:
The Creative Leaders Gathering is unlike any “conference” you have attended before. We don’t contract with experts or do long presentations. Every large group and small group gathering is peer led by leaders who are actually engaging in their topic area in a local congregation. Our presenters have all attended gatherings by one of our sponsoring networks, so they understand our concept of peer to peer learning, mentoring, and networking in ministry. Each day a different network will lead an evening worship that will be reflective of their creative stream and with the tools for you to take it home to the congregation you serve. Each morning will begin with Immersion, a time of prayer, reflection, and interactive worship. Throughout the entire event, you will have a chance to explore and be energized by the creative gifts for ministry that God has placed within you for growth in the Spirit and leadership in the 21st Century Church.
Pre-Gathering: Wade Into the Water
January 23-25
Discover new aspects of ministry and leadership in a 21st Century world that resembles the 1st Century world in many ways. Meet with pastors and leaders who have mentored others and grown congregations in a myriad of settings and styles with the same goal flowing with the Spirit into a changing world of mission. Interact with students from Luther Seminary who will be attending for class credit (hint to students at other seminarians - talk to your professors - Florida in January AND class credit!). Network with other pastors who are searching for ways to transform existing congregations in new mission for a new century. Laid back and small group oriented, you will have a chance for conversation, discover new twists on leadership, and learn basic “how tos” from creative leaders who are excited for the future of the Church. Not only that, you get plenty of free time to connect with each other and have all of Wednesday afternoon explore the wonders of the Kingdom built by Mickey.
Sample Topics and Breakout Groups: Welcome To Waterworld – Discovering the 21st Century Mission Field; Natural Church Development Basics; Discernment of Leadership Gifts; What Seminary Didn’t Teach You.
Main Gathering: Three Streams, One River Planting, Emerging, Transformational January 25-27
What does Christian mission look like in the 21st Century? What are the needs in the ELCA and in the larger church in called leaders in congregations? Three Streams, One River is a unique opportunity to join the journey of ministry leadership in the 21st Century in a small group, experiencial setting. In joining the resources of the College of Developers, the Transformational Leaders Gathering, and the Emerging Leaders Network you will have the opportunity to share and be mentored by fellow ELCA pastors and leaders in journey of following Jesus into a new world of mission. In the large group gatherings, the One River, we will focus on the common issues of changing leadership skills and gifts needed for raising up healthy, vibrant communities of disciples. In the breakout groups, we will be offering interactive times to explore the three streams of growing ministries in North America: Planting - issues and experiences related to planting and developing new congregations; Emerging - explore the dimensions of the postmodern, emerging church in the areas of experiencial worship, digital ministry, and networked communities; Transformational - discovery and discussion around rising the Spirit’s wave in existing congregations to discover new life and opportunities. Time will also be set aside for each network to have their own time to convo and introduce others to the unique identities of the College of Developers, the Emerging Leaders Network, and the Transformational Leaders Gathering.Gathering Schedule: Wade Into the Water Creative Ministry Pre-Gathering
Monday, January 24
4:00 - 5:30PM Registration and Check-In
6:00 PM Dinner at the Hotel
7:30 PM Standing At the Edge
8:45 PM Immersion Worship
9:30 PM Adjourn
Tuesday, January 25
8:30 AM Immersion – Morning Prayer and Meditation
9:00 AM Welcome To Water World – Ministry in the 21st Century
10:00 AM Break
10:30 AM The Spirit of JOY story...Lessons Learned in The Wilderness – Jeff Linman
12:00 Noon Adjourn for Lunch
1:30 PM Experiencial Worship
3:00 PM Break
3:30 PM Seminary Didn’t Teach Surfing - Breakout groups dealing with basic leadership topics and issues for transformational ministry and church planting
5:00 PM Dinner Out on the Town
7:30PM Natural Church Development Basics
9:00PM Immersion Worship
9:30PM Adjournment
Wednesday, January 25
8:30 AM Immersion – Morning Prayer and Meditation
9:00 AM Taking the Plunge
10:00 AM Break
10:30 AM Water World Breakout Groups
Breakout groups dealing with basic leadership topics and issues for transformational ministry and church planting
12:00 Noon Adjourn for Lunch and Afternoon Off to Go Play
Three Streams, One River – Main Gathering
One River Gathering – All Participants
Three Streams Gatherings – Transformational, Emergent, Planting breakout group topics
Wednesday, January 25
4-6PM Check-in and Registration
6:00 PM Dinner at the Hotel
7:30 PM Opening Greeting
7:45 PM – River Running – Images of the Journey of Faith
9:00 PM Immersion Worship
9:30 PM Adjourn
Thursday, January 26
8:30 AM Immersion – Morning Prayer and Meditation
9:00 AM One River Gathering: Creativity In Ministry
10:15 AM Break
10:45 AM One River Gathering: Creativity In Ministry
12:00 Noon Adjourn for Lunch
1:30 PM Three Streams Headwaters
Opportunity for the different networks to meet together and invite new inquirers. Each group will provide its own discussion topics.
College of Developers
Transformational Leaders Gathering
Emerging Leaders Network
Mission Developer Coaches
Seminarians
2:30 PM Break
3:00 PM Three Streams Breakouts – Session #1
Small group discussions on a variety of topics for everyone to float and choose from.
4:00 PM One River Gathering – Spiritual Leadership Venture
5:00 PM Dinner Out on the Town
Different options will be offered so groups can go out together via car pool or walking to enjoy an evening out and developing friendships.
7:30PM Evening Session
8:30PM Adjournment
Friday, January 27
8:30 AM Immersion Eucharist –
9:00 AM One River – Creativity In Ministry
10:15 AM Break
10:45 AM One River Activity – Creativity In Ministry
12:00 Noon Adjourn for Lunch
1:30 PM Three Streams Headwaters
Opportunity for the different networks to meet together and invite new inquirers. Each group will provide its own discussion topics.
College of Developers
Transformational Leaders Gathering
Emerging Leaders Network
Mission Developer Coaches
Seminarians
2:30 PM Break
3:00 PM Three Streams Breakouts – Session #2
4:00 PM Adjourn to Spirit of Joy for Closing
6:00 PM Immersion Worship/Sending at Spirit of Joy
7:45 PM Puerto Rican Dinner at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Orlando
Partial List of Breakout Groups:
Experiential Worship
Transformational Ministry in Rural/Small Town Settings
Transformational Visioning: TRIPS and Fires Model
Multisite Congregations
Not a Paint By Numbers: The Artistic Skills of Church Planting With Transformational Brushes”
Purpose Driven Lutherans
Organic Organization: More than a team label
Backwards Baseball: Grace Based Discipleship
“It Is What It Is and Isn’t: Congregational Growth and Spiritual Growth
Leadership and the Theology of the Cross
TransformingChurch.com: Inter-networked Community
High Potential Leader Development
Creating Emergent Worship: Going Beyond Powerpoint
Prayer Partners – Partnering with other congregations
Churches/Conferences Planting Churches
Transmitters? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Transmitters! – Podcasting, Electronic Communities, and the Internet Mission Field
Mission Development Basics
Transformation In Existing Congregations
Natural Church Development Open Forum
Finding Fellow Floaters – Creating colleagial networks when everyone thinks you are weird
What Does It Cost?
Main Gathering (Wed evening-Friday evening):
Early Bird Rate: $80 (includes dinners Wednesday & Friday, snacks between sessions, and registration)
After Dec. 15: $100 (includes dinners Wednesday & Friday, snacks between sessions, and registration)
Both Pre and Main Gatherings (Monday evening - Friday Evening:
Early Bird Rate: $135 (includes dinners Monday, Wednesday & Friday, snacks between sessions, and registration)
After Dec. 15: $150 (includes dinners Monday, Wednesday & Friday, snacks between sessions, and registration)
No registrations will be accepted after a postdate of January 6, 2006.
***** DO NOT USE THE SIDEBAR REGISTRATION TAB! Due to a temporary glitch, it will take you to last year's regisration form. Use the "Newly Revised Registration Form" link below for the correct form. *****
*** Newly Revised Regisration Form - October 25, 2005 ***
Click here to download a registration form in Microsoft Word format.
Registrations should be sent with a check to:
Patricia Schmitt
Program Assistant for New Congregations
ELCA / DO
8765 W. Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
Questions regarding can be emailed to patricia.schmitt@elca.org.
The ELCA Division of Outreach is graciously handling the registration logistics for this event and is also working to make scholarships available for students and pastors in need of assistance in order to attend. Please contact Patricia for more information on scholarship availability
Housing:
All of our meeting will be at the Holiday Inn International Drive and they have provided some of the best rates available in Orlando as our hosts. While you are free to seek other housing offsite, we highly encourage everyone to stay at the Holiday to take advantage of the mixing and fellowship that takes place on sites outside of the normal schedule. Also, it increases the discount we receive on our meeting rooms and amenities.
When you call the Holiday Inn at to make your reservation, please ask for the discount rate of $85 per room per night for the rooms reserved for the ELCA.
Meals
Breakfasts and lunches are not included and are a excellent time to get out to enjoy International Drive, the Florida sunshine, and your new friends at the Gathering. Dinners are included on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. With such a variety of restaurants so close the hotel, we often divide up into groups to explore International Drive and continue our discussions over good food. Dinners are included on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Free Time
We try and build in plenty of free time into the Gathering. Many of our discussions take place outdoors (even in the hot tub) to enjoy the warm Florida sunshine, since many of us come from the cold, cold north. We also block out extra time for meals to explore locally and one afternoon and evening to enjoy all that the area has to offer. Golf, theme parks, heading to the beach, just finding a chair in the sun for nap – the time is yours to use. Between the hotel and our local hospitality team, we can help you find some refreshing r and r.
How To Register
You can register online by download the registration form on the link below. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation, an initial schedule, and be added to our 2006 Gathering email list for further updates. You can mail your payment in with your registration form. If you have any questions, contact our registrar, Pat Schmitt .
Questions:
If you would like to learn more about the Creative Leadership Gathering at our mirrored web sites. Due to a hacker attack, the transformingchurch site may be out of date into October until the data base is rebuilt. Check the web pages for updates and a complete schedule in coming weeks.
Creative Ministry Gathering Home Page
Wired Jesus Podcast Home Page
If you have questions or like more information, you can contact this year’s lead coordinator, Tom Lyberg, at tom@wiredjesus.com or cmgathering@gmail.com.
Other Links:
Emerging Leaders Network website
Transformational Leaders Gathering
Wired Jesus Podcast
Permalink | 2006 Creative Leaders Gathering
Post a Question/Comment Below: