Learning Day at the BC Synod Convention
The Challenge of Addressing Change:
Thinking Missionally about Ministry in the 21stCentury
Saturday, April 30th 2016
9:15 am to 3:00 pm
at the Executive Plaza Hotel, 405 North Road, Coquitlam, BC
The facilitator for this workshop is Craig Van Gelder. He is a consultant with The Missional Network and Emeritus Professor of Congreagional Mission, Luther Seminary. Now retired from full-time teaching, he continues to consult with denominations and their congregations in the areas of organizational development and implementing adaptive change processes. He holds a Ph.D. in Missiology (1982) and a Ph.D. in Administration in Urban Affairs (1985) and served as Professor of Congregational Mission at Luther Seminary from 1998-2014, preceded by 10 years as Professor of Domestic Missiology at Calvin Seminary. This discipline utilizes biblical and theological frameworks in developing a missional approach for helping congregations engage their changing contexts. He is ordained in the Christian Reformed Church.
His most recent book was co-authored with Dwight Zscheile, The Missional Church in Perspective (2011), and is the author of The Essence of the Church (2000) and The Ministry of the Missional Church Purposes.
What topics will we be engaging?
Session 1: Historical Perspectives Regarding Denominations and their Congregations—What Has Happened? In this session Dr. Van Gelder will provide leaders across the synod with perspective regarding what is happening to congregations and their denominations in Canada as we move further into the 21st century.
Session 2: Understanding Technical and Adaptive Change in Relation to Congregational Ministry—How Have Churches Responded? Here we will learn to distinguish between “technical” and “adaptive” change and explore its implications for congregations and their leaders in our synod.
Session 3: Turning Presenting Issues into an Adaptive Challenge-Discussion and an opportunity for some work in groups. In this session Dr. Van Gelder will assist leaders in the synod turn “key presenting issues” into an “adaptive challenge statement.”
Cost: $25.00 to help cover refreshment and lunch expenses.
Registration deadline: April 12, 2016 – Download registration form.