LEADERSHIP & ANXIETY IN THE CHURCH – A FAMILY SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE
We live in an age of increased anxiety, which impacts church systems and leaders. Family systems theory offers a way of understanding congregational dynamics and anxiety. This seminar looks at the challenge presented by the rising levels of anxiety being experienced in churches today, as well as the role that self-differentiated leadership can play in calming such anxiety. Six separate sessions have been scheduled for this year: March 10, May 13, June 9, Aug. 19, Sep. 29, and Nov. 4.
- Distinguish between acute anxiety and chronic anxiety
- Compare the family projection process as understood in Bowen family systems theory, with René Girard’s understanding of scapegoating
- Gain insight into how the scapegoating process impacts church conflict
- Understand emotional triangles and the importance of maintaining non-anxious presence
- Recognize the role of playfulness in defusing anxiety
- See self-differentiated leadership as a key to overcoming the impact of anxiety
- Enhance your role as a leader in the church
This workshop has been designed especially for pastors, church council/vestry/session members, pastor–parish committees, and judicatory leaders of all denominations. For participants to derive maximum benefit, we recommend that a team made up of clergy, staff, and lay leadership from the same congregation would attend the event together.
Lutherans Restoring Creation Connections Call
March 10th
8 pm EST, / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm Pacific
Hear from Ruth Ivory-Moore
ELCA’s Program Director, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility
Is the Christian God A Migrant?
Keynote by Peter Phan at Migration, Mission & Spirituality conference
Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m. Central time via Zoom
The World Mission Institute’s 2021 Conference focuses on migration, mission, and spirituality, and the strong connection among all three. Peter C. Phan delivers the keynote address, “Is the Christian God a Migrant?” The event will also be livestreamed on the McCormick Theological Seminary Facebook page. Register for the Zoom link at http://bit.ly/worldmissioninstitute.
The World Mission Institute is sponsored by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), Catholic Theological Union, McCormick Theological Seminary and A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at LSTC.
Deadline extended for Super Saturday below. Register by 3/7 for 3/13 event; and by 3/14 for 3/20 event.
Spiritual Nourishment
March 18 at noon - click on the photo to register
Join Thrivent and the Northeast Member Network as we come together as a community to press pause on the news and noise, and take a moment to pray, reflect, and share. These reflections are live, 30-minute virtual gatherings that are interdenominational and open to all. Please feel free to invite anyone you think might like to join us.
Hybrid Community: Virtual & In Person
March 18, 2-3:30 pm - click on photo to register
Most congregations were thrust into unknown territory 8 months ago when worship went virtual / online instead of in person. Church renewal leaders maintain that vital congregations must continue their online presence going forward and offer a hybrid blend of community (phygital) that is both physical and digital. This is not a replacement of community, but rather the birth of a legitimate new kind of community. The presenters recruited for this important webinar bring a wealth of experience and perspective. Expect a lively Q & A conversation as we engage the merits of this new reality.
CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION SKILLS FOR CHURCHES
The Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches workshop teaches some basic skills that will help participants manage conflicts within their congregations in a healthier manner. March 22, and April 10. This all-day workshop will help you understand:
- That conflict need not be bad, but is an opportunity for growth.
- The Biblical basis for conflict transformation.
- Your own style of responding to conflict.
- The communication skills necessary to resolve conflict peacefully.
- Strategies for preventing destructive conflict in the church family.
- A model for working at congregational decision-making in a win-win manner.
2020-2021 Focus on Vermont
How far have we come as Americans in confronting racism? This is a topic that remains so intimidating and painful that we prefer not to talk about it in public for fear of what we might say or reveal, or how others might see or treat us. In this forum series, we wish to create a safe space where we can speak openly and honestly as people of good intent who seek the best for each other and our nation as we honestly face the racial divisions of our past and present with the hope of reconciliation. This year’s forum series will focus on combating racism in Vermont.
HOW TO ATTEND: For the 2020-2021 program year, each forum will be a virtual gathering through Zoom Video Conferencing and distributed through Mount Mansfield Community Television. Pre-registration is required, please, click on the graphic above to register.
WEDNESDAY, MAR 24, 2021, 7 PM ~ Black Female Activists in Vermont
- Ebony Kirkland, Black Lives Matter, Vermont
- Shela Linton, Organizer/Program Coordinator, The Root
- Sha’an Mouliert, Community Organizer, Educator, Artist
Calumet Zoom Book Club
Thursday, March 25 at 10 am - click on the photo to receive zoom link.
How did this group start? We have been meeting each month is response to a number of people from among Calumet Nation who felt a calling to look at systemic racism, privilege, and hope in the years ahead. Very few have been able to attend every meeting, but many folks have attended multiple meetings. All are welcome to participate in healthy and life-giving discussion with others.
Many thanks to our discussion leaders: Pastor Jon Hopkins of Concordia in Concord and Pastor Nathan Hall of Nativity in North Conway.
The Healthy Congregations workshop is designed to equip leaders to respond to the presence or potential threat of anxiety in a congregational system in ways that prevent destructive conflict and help the church stay focused on its unique mission and purpose. March 27,and April 17 . This workshop will help you:
- Learn how you as a leader can influence the health of your congregation – how to detect and avoid unhealthy patterns of living together in community
- Learn how to keep anxiety from becoming infectious
- Gain confidence in responding to challenges and opportunities
- Learn how to put limits on invasive behavior, manage reactivity, and overcome sabotage
- Discover how leaders can function as the congregation’s immune system
- Learn to focus on strengths, resources, options, and the future
The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song is a moving four-hour, two-part series from executive producer, host and writer Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, that traces the 400-year-old story of the Black church in America, all the way down to its bedrock role as the site of African American survival and grace, organizing and resilience, thriving and testifying, autonomy and freedom, solidarity and speaking truth to power.
Wednesday, April 21st 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST: The Black Church, PART II
WATCH PART I via YouTube 1:50 min
Wednesday, April 14th 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST: The Black Church, PART I
WATCH PART II via YouTube 1:50 min
