Events and Conferences

Toolkit for Developing, Implementing and Evaluating Congregational Plans

jane — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:26:00 GMT

Vital congregations know the importance of integrated planning, disciplined execution and ongoing evaluation....(read more)

Creating an Unbroken Circle of Care in Your Congregation

jane — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:45:00 GMT

This four-part education program is designed to help congregational leaders create a comprehensive caring ministry. This practical, highly-interactive program explores ideas and specific tools to use in shaping a caring ministry plan for congregations and ways to cope with illness, grief and loss, and end of life issues. ...(read more)

Leading in Conflict is October 19

jane — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:56:00 GMT

Effective leaders can help congregations face the conflicts that come from the changing world in which we live and discover the vitality of reform and new life. This workshop will help pastors and lay leaders discover how to handle the inevitable conflicts and to process ...(read more)

Understanding Faith and Giving: A Southwest Luncheon Series on August 24, September 14 and October 5, 2011

jane — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:34:00 GMT

Understanding philanthropy, giving trends and donor needs are all part of effective congregational stewardship and fundraising. Explore the latest information in faith and giving at this Evansville luncheon workshop series....(read more)

A Place of Welcome: Meeting and Connecting Newcomers in the Congregation on October 26, 27 and 28, 2011

jane — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:05:00 GMT

Gary L. McIntosh invites leaders to take a look at their congregations through the eyes of a first-time guest. How does a visitor see your congregation? How were they welcomed and greeted? What might hold them back from a second visit? ...(read more)

Vibrant Music and Worship in the Small Congregation on November 3 & 4, 2011

jane — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:15:00 GMT

Take a look at the practical, theological and spiritual aspects of creating vibrant and meaningful worship and music in the small church. Congregational leaders are invited to the workshop Vibrant Music and Worship in the Small Congregation, where they will reflect on the meaning and the role of worship in a congregation’s mission and think about the challenges and benefits of worship in the small church. ...(read more)

Congregational Management: Personnel, Facilities and Finances on September 29 & 30, 2011

jane — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:21:00 GMT

Congregational Management: Personnel, Facilities and Finances with John Wimberly is for Thursday, September 29, 2011 in Lafayette and Friday, September 30, 2011 in SW Indiana...(read more)

Congregations On-Line: Using Facebook and Twitter on November 16, 2011

jane — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:36:00 GMT

Are you interested in using Facebook and Twitter in your congregation? Do you want to learn more about these social media platforms and how they can help market your church?...(read more)

Essentials of Church Finance on September 21 & 22, 2011

jane — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:18:00 GMT

Essentials of Church Finance with Vonna Laue is Wednesday, September 21, 2011 in Fort Wayne and Thursday, September 22, 2011 in Seymour...(read more)

Trends, Practices and Innovations in Faith Formation is December 7

jane — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:54:00 GMT

What can congregations learn from contemporary research studies on the factors that promote faith growth? How can congregations utilize research on effective approaches and practices in faith formation to strengthen and reshape faith formation? ...(read more)

Envisioning & Designing 21st Century Faith Formation is December 8

jane — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:53:00 GMT

The first decade of the 21st century has brought dramatic political, economic, social and cultural changes affecting virtually every dimension of American religious life. Faith formation in the 21st century will require new principles, models, approaches and technologies. This workshop explores the shape of 21st century faith formation...(read more)

A Celebration of Giving: Stewardship Strategies for Your Congregation on September 14 & 15

jane — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:02:00 GMT

Celebrating generosity is an important part of congregational life. This workshop explores the practice of a weekly offering, strategies for cultivating year-round stewardship and the relationship between clarity of vision and increased generosity. ...(read more)

Congregation Management Software Basics on September 29, 2011

jane — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:16:00 GMT

Nancy Armstrong, finance director for the Center for Congregations and an experienced church business administrator, brings her best tips on choosing congregation management software to keep track of your membership data. Learn the pros and cons of desktop and web-based systems, identify which features are important in your situation, and which extras are really worth it....(read more)

A Practical Guide to Congregational Planning: Thinking and Acting Strategically on September 8, 2011

jane — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:33:00 GMT

Thriving congregations have a sense of direction. Identifying that direction requires thoughtful reflection and intentional planning. In this workshop, participants learn a model of strategic planning ...(read more)

Workshop Focuses on Variety of Management Responsibilities

jane — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:21:00 GMT

The snow and ice in early February may have delayed the Center’s workshop on Congregational Management, but it didn’t stop it. We have rescheduled the event for March 2 and 3. There’s still time to register. Visit our events page for more details. ...(read more)

Congregations Gather to Look at Governance and Ministry

jane — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:59:00 GMT

An enthusiastic group of congregational leaders gathered in September to talk about Governance and Ministry with workshop presenter and Alban Institute consultant Dan Hotchkiss. About 30 folks attended ...(read more)

SE Indiana Congregations Welcome New Center Office

jane — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:59:00 GMT

Southeast Indiana congregations, businesses and community members warmly welcomed the Seymour Center for Congregations office...(read more)

The 1% Rule: Maximizing Your Board's Leadership Potential

jane — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:31:00 GMT

The 1% Rule: Maximizing Your Board’s Leadership Potential ws a luncheon workshop exploring the challenges of recruiting and leading an effective governing board in your congregation. ...(read more)

Four Generations in Your Congregation

jane — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:16:00 GMT

Pam Goedde and Jeff Stucke of Human Element Inc. offered a great overview of the four generations of adults currently present in our workplaces and our congregations. This event took place on October 21, 2009, in Evansville...(read more)

Green Stories: Faith and Environmental Awareness in Congregations

jane — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Many Indianapolis area congregations put their faith into action to make their facilities more eco-friendly. At the September 30, 2009 workshop, Green Stories, participants heard from these congregations...(read more)

Photos from Effective Building Projects workshop

jane — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:57:00 GMT

Keith Crouch and Russell Maddox from the National Center for Church Architecture talked with crowds in Fort Wayne and in Zionsville about the importance of leadership in any building project. ...(read more)

Web 2.0 Bistro: A Social Networking Luncheon Series

jane — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Web 2.0 Bistro is a summer luncheon series that explored Web 2.0 tools, social networking and ways to use the internet as a ministry tool. ...(read more)

Internet Strategies for Your Congregation

jane — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:56:00 GMT

The Center for Congregations brings back the popular workshop Internet Strategies for Your Congregation. This fall, the workshop is offered in Newburgh and Brownstown, Indiana...(read more)

Resources from The Essential Small Church

jane — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:39:00 GMT

The Rev. Dr. David Ray shares his recommended resources for small membership congregations. Ray led the workshop The Essential Small Church in May 2009 in Evansville and Seymour. Click here to see Ray's top resource picks. ...(read more)

Southwest Open House Connects Congregations and Community

jane — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:57:00 GMT

The Center celebrated the opening of its Southwest office on April 23, 2009. An enthusiastic crowd gathered for hors d'oeuvres and conversation in the new facility at 7516 Eagle Crest Blvd., Evansville...(read more)

Photos and Resources from The Soul of Your Congregation

jane — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:56:00 GMT

On April 16, more than 100 congregational leaders and members gathered to learn about whole congregation faith formation. Check out the photos and resources. ...(read more)

Religious and Congregational Trends

jane — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:47:00 GMT

Presenter Mark Chaves, a professor at Duke University and director of the National Congregations Study, shared the latest research on trends in religious beliefs and practices and congregational life. This workshop was held in April 2009 in Munster and Fort Wayne. ...(read more)

The Soul of Your Congregation

jane — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:52:00 GMT

In April 2009, The Soul of Your Congregation workshop looked at spiritual formation for the whole congregation. ...(read more)

Learnings from Internet Strategies for Your Congregation

jane — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:16:00 GMT

Dave Bourgeois discussed Internet Strategies for Your Congregation March 19 and 20, 2009 in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. What’s the role of internet technology for the local congregation?...(read more)

The Essential Small Church

jane — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Pastor and author David Ray shared information with laity and clergy who want to help their small membership churches become more faithful and effective. This workshop was presented in Evansville and Seymour in May 2009....(read more)

Evansville Open House Canceled

jane — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:02:00 GMT

Due to inclement weather, the Open House at the Evansville office is canceled. ...(read more)

Participants Find Ways to Energize Sunday School

jane — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:44:00 GMT

Check out these photos from the Energizing Your Sunday School Program workshop from January 21, 2009! ...(read more)

Resource Grant Information Sessions

jane — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:35:00 GMT

The Center for Congregations invites you to attend one of two information sessions to learn about our Resource Grant program. During the 90-minute session, you will be introduced ...(read more)

Staying Connected in a Facebook World

jane — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:04:00 GMT

Understanding and engaging young adults can be a challenge for congregations. With the explosion of interactive, web-based communities and social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, ...(read more)

Let's Talk About Youth Ministry

jane — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:17:00 GMT

You can join the conversation about sustainable youth ministry! Youth leader Mark DeVries explored youth ministry ...(read more)