CONTINUING EDUCATION & COHORTS
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DARE TO LEAD FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Based on the research and teaching of Dr. Brené Brown, these six immersive sessions with facilitator Rev. Sarah Ciavarri will introduce participants to Brown’s Dare to Lead principles and their application for church leadership. Learn what authentic leadership looks like, what it’s not, and how to build the vicarage to live out your values in all aspects of your life and ministry.
Open to any leader in a faith community.
Six live online sessions – not recorded.
20 Contact Hours
Learn more and register here.
FALL SESSION: September 6, 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11; 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM CT
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ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATIONS FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR
People of Color are invited to participation open roundtable conversations as a space to rest, listen, and be part of a community where there are no limits to life-giving dialogue. In this space, you can be 100% you. Come and just be, beyond your doing.
These tarry sessions are facilitated by Lydia Tambo and Veronica Cannon.
There is no fee to join this conversation and the link will be the same for each gathering.
Learn more and register here.
First Thursday of each month; 6:00-7:00 PM CT; via Zoom
September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7, 2023, and January 4, 2024
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AMBIGUOUS LOSS: DEMENTIA CAREGIVER DISCUSSION SERIES
Direct caregivers and/or loved ones of people with dementia are invited to a facilitated discussion series based on Pauline Boss’ Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope While Coping with Stress and Grief (2011, Jossey-Bass). This is not a support group, but an education program to empower regaining hope and building resilience through an exploration of ambiguous loss. Caregivers who participate in the program report feeling less stress and have improved relationships with their loved ones.
Each week corresponds to a chapter of the book, though reading the book is not required. A video component is followed by a facilitator-led discussion.
With questions and/or to register, contact Katherine Cherian at kcherianconsulting@gmail.com
Watch an introductory trailer here.
10-week course (sessions recorded); 90-minute sessions
Thursdays: September 14, 21, 28, October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30, and December 7; 7:00-8:30 PM CT
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FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING
Faith Community Nursing (sometimes called Parish Nursing) is a specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses one the intentional care of the spirit as well as the promotion of whole person health and the prevention of illness.
The Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities is offering a six-session introductory course to Faith Community Nursing this fall.
The virtual classes plus one-hour self-learning modules cover:
- beginning your ministry
- prayer
- spiritual care
- health promotion
- legal and ethical issues
- documentation
- grief and loss
- behavioral health
- assessment
- transitional care
- and more…
All six sessions are required and are offered via Zoom.
Download the informational flier here.
September 30, October 6, 27, 23, and November 3.
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ANTIRACISM AND THE INTERSECTION OF OUR ORDINATION VOWS COHORT
A cohort just for Ruling Elders (past and present) who are committed to dismantling racism and deepening their leadership skills.
Learn more and apply here.
Meets the first Monday of the month from 6:00-7:30 PM CT
Convenes October 2, November 6, December 4, January 8, February 5, and March 4
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WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? COHORT
A cohort for pastors who have been in ministry for 5+ years and are discerning a shift in their role, setting, or focus.
Learn more and apply here.
Meets Thursdays from 12:00/noon – 2:30 PM CT
Convenes October 5, November 2, December 7, January 4, February 1, and March 7
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LEWIS CENTER CHURCH LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Take your ministries to the next level with the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and Wesley Theological Seminary.
Designed as an equivalent to an executive leadership program, the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program delivers an online, cohort-based learning experience for pastors combining self-study and interactive peer learning. Participants will learn strategic actionable insights that enhance their ability to be effective in their ministry settings. Guided by experienced faculty from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center, the certificate program includes five courses over the course of a year that help pastors explore visioning, administration, stewardship, innovation, and building key partnerships. Each course is limited to 20 students.
Course schedule:
Strategic Administration: Refine Your Skills and Strengthen Church Leadership
Dr. Jessica L. Anschutz, Assistant Director and Co-editor, Leading Ideas, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
The goal of this course is to strengthen and refine the skills needed for day-to-day ministry in order to maximize one’s impact and increase capacity for ministry. Course participants will learn to refine time management skills, enhance volunteer recruitment and retention, and better manage staff. They will also learn to cultivate skills for better meetings and delegation of tasks so that the congregation is empowered to lead.
October 26 – December 7, 2023 (No classes the week of Thanksgiving)
► Register now on Wesley Pathways to Ministry at wesleypathways.com.
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SEGMENT ONE BASIC SKILLS COACH TRAINING
There comes a time when you’ll want to help the people you care about by equipping them to solve their own issues – whatever they are. Sometimes, that kind of growth only happens within the safety and trust of a one=on-one coaching relationship.
Get the training you need to start coaching others. This program is designed to prepare you for coaching others in ministry, leadership, and life transformation!
You could keep solving every problem that people bring to you, or you could empower them to discover where they are, where God is calling them, and which steps are required to get there.
9 sessions/20 contact hours
Learn more and register here.
October 9-December 4, 2023; 6:30-8:30 PM CT
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RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR CHANGE COHORT
A cohort for teams of pastors and church members drawing from community organizing, systems theory, and adaptive leadership practices to lead for change.
Learn more and apply here.
Meets Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 PM CT
Convenes October 18, November 8, December 13, January 10, February 7, and March 13
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HEART LONGINGS: AN INVITATION TO THE CONTEMPLATIVE PATH
This eight-month program Zoom invites you to ground in a place of calm and love, embracing diverse spiritual expressions, with the support of community through retreats, monthly gatherings, small group time and spiritual direction. The program begins and ends with 24-hour retreats and meets monthly on Saturday mornings in between.
Free info session: August 8, 2023; 5:00 PM CT
Register for info session here.
Early bird registration – which saves money – is September 18, 2023.
Learn more about the program here.
November 2023 – June 2024
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INNOVATION LAB COHORT
Faithful innovation requires more than just a good idea.
Innovation emerges at the intersection of a faith community’s mission, a community’s assets, and a community’s needs, and must be led by the Holy Spirit.
An Innovation Lab Cohort is an opportunity to develop new kinds of ministry with a team of passionate people from your context. Cohort experiences will help you examine your faith community’s organizational culture, utilize your assets, and discern where and how God is calling you to innovate.
Applications for Winter ’24 Cohort are open now – closing November 17, 2023.
The Ministry Lab member congregations receive a significant discount; the Fall ’23 Minnesota cohort will be facilitated by CYMT-trained leaders, including Executive Director Rev. Emily Meyer who will serve as Catalyst!!
Learn more and apply here.
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LEWIS CENTER CHURCH LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Take your ministries to the next level with the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and Wesley Theological Seminary.
Designed as an equivalent to an executive leadership program, the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program delivers an online, cohort-based learning experience for pastors combining self-study and interactive peer learning. Participants will learn strategic actionable insights that enhance their ability to be effective in their ministry settings. Guided by experienced faculty from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center, the certificate program includes five courses over the course of a year that help pastors explore visioning, administration, stewardship, innovation, and building key partnerships. Each course is limited to 20 students.
Course schedule:
Strategic Stewardship: Money and Ministry
Dr. Ann A. Michel, Senior Consultant and Co-editor, Leading Ideas, Lewis Center for Church Leadership; and Lecturer in Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary
This course considers what it means to lead effectively in the realm of money and faith, particularly in today’s post-attractional, post-pandemic environment. The focus is less on the nuts and bolts of church finances and more on the high-level leadership tasks and perspectives required to foster generosity, promote a healthier dialogue around issues of faith and money, and develop new strategies for economic sustainability.
January 4 – February 8, 2024
► Register now on Wesley Pathways to Ministry at wesleypathways.com.
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LEWIS CENTER CHURCH LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Take your ministries to the next level with the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and Wesley Theological Seminary.
Designed as an equivalent to an executive leadership program, the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program delivers an online, cohort-based learning experience for pastors combining self-study and interactive peer learning. Participants will learn strategic actionable insights that enhance their ability to be effective in their ministry settings. Guided by experienced faculty from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center, the certificate program includes five courses over the course of a year that help pastors explore visioning, administration, stewardship, innovation, and building key partnerships. Each course is limited to 20 students.
Course schedule:
Strategic Innovation
Dr. F. Douglas Powe Jr., Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership; and James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship) and Professor of Urban Ministry, Wesley Theological Seminary
Leaders must help congregations navigate the current challenges of today while still moving toward where God is calling them. This requires strategic innovation that maintains certain traditions but disrupts others. Course participants will learn how and when to innovate in a way that further moves the congregation toward flourishing.
February 22 – March 28, 2024
► Register now on Wesley Pathways to Ministry at wesleypathways.com.
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LEWIS CENTER CHURCH LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Take your ministries to the next level with the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and Wesley Theological Seminary.
Designed as an equivalent to an executive leadership program, the Lewis Center Church Leadership Certificate Program delivers an online, cohort-based learning experience for pastors combining self-study and interactive peer learning. Participants will learn strategic actionable insights that enhance their ability to be effective in their ministry settings. Guided by experienced faculty from Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center, the certificate program includes five courses over the course of a year that help pastors explore visioning, administration, stewardship, innovation, and building key partnerships. Each course is limited to 20 students.
Course schedule:
Strategic Partnerships
Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, President, Wesley Theological Seminary
The most influential leadership in the church is not from the pulpit; rather, it follows the maxim, “people support what they help to create.” This course draws from Dr. McAllister-Wilson’s experience with institutions and congregations to describe the practice of “server leadership.”
April 11 – May 16, 2024
► Register now on Wesley Pathways to Ministry at wesleypathways.com.
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ECO-JUSTICE CONCENTRATION AT UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
How can faith leaders and theological academics address the pressing issues facing our planet? As looming ecological crises threaten the earth and the ability for future generations to thrive, United is answering the call to care for creation with a new concentration in Eco-Justice.
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*AUDIT A COURSE
Members of the community are invited to audit courses at United Theological Seminary. Consider auditing:
- Preaching and Your Public Voice
- Social Analysis and Community Engagement
- Leadership and Strategies for Social Change
- Introduction to Spiritual and Personal Formation
- History of Arts and Theology
- Religious and Theological Interpretation
View the Classroom Schedule and Course Syllabi for Spring 2022 here.
Learn more about auditing a course at United here.
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THE SOUL OF TRANSFORMATION: EXPLORING VOCATIONS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE
This podcast and resource is for future leaders who not only see and name the realities of injustice in the world but can imagine new and better solutions. This is for change agents, people who want to work toward achieving authentic racial justice, mitigating the dire impacts of climate change, facing the challenges of immigrants and refugees, and ensuring equality for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
This project is open to anyone, but is designed for undergraduates engaged with social justice and change.
Listen to the podcast, download the reflection handbook and learn more here.
We’re excited to share professional development through our partner, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and other excellent teachers and institutions.
Learn More
Have something you’d like to discuss? Need to check out resources? Share questions, interests and ideas with The Ministry Lab’s Executive Director, Rev. Emily Meyer, visit our FAQ page, or search our site.
The Ministry Lab
Cultivating vibrant church leaders and congregations by pooling the wisdom and resources of the Minnesota Annual Conference United Methodist Church, Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ, Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, The Synod of Lakes and Prairies (PCUSA), and United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Contact
Rev. Emily Meyer
Executive Director, The Ministry Lab
ministrylab@unitedseminary.edu
tel | 651-279-1677
The Ministry Lab open hours are temporarily suspended. Contact Emily Meyer for consultations, to access resources, or to register for workshops.