Equipping the Saints: Leadership Training Day

A Cooperative Effort by the Educational Ministries of Elizabeth, Monmouth and New Brunswick Presbyteries and of Princeton Theological Seminary as a ministry of the Synod of the Northeast.

Saturday, January 12, 2013
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Stuart Hall
Princeton Theological Seminary

Snow Date (if needed): Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Princeton Theological Seminary

Course Description

A day of workshops, worship, resources and fellowship planned especially to support and equip new and ongoing church officers, pastors, worship leaders and interested others in their ministries, organized by the educational ministries of Elizabeth, Monmouth and New Brunswick Presbyteries, in partnership with Princeton Theological Seminary, and as a ministry of the Synod of the Northeast. This program is free and open to the public.

Program Agenda

Saturday, January 12, 2013

NEW in 2013:  Group worship will be held following the morning workshop and before lunch. There will be a two-hour session in the morning, worship, lunch session with Resource Fair and Cokesbury Bookstore, then a two-hour afternoon session. The schedule for the day is as follows:

The Cokesbury Bookstore, by special arrangement, will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Located on the ground floor of the Mackay Campus Center, this full-service Cokesbury bookstore provides meaningful resources for one's Christian journey.

Morning Programs Offered

(as of December, 2012)

Decision and Discernment: How Church Leaders Know God's Will: Join in the discussion as we focus on how we discern God's will for us as individuals and groups within Christ's church. Leader: Rev. Wendy Bailey, Regional Executive Presbyter, Monmouth, & New Brunswick Presbyteries

Your Congregation in an Emergency: Preparedness and Response: Come join a member of our national Presbyterian Disaster Assistance team in learning how your congregation can become prepared for and respond to emergencies in your local communities. Leader: PDA Representative

What Song Shall We Sing? Reframing the Worship Style Debate Through an Ethic of Love: If you are eager to move beyond the paralyzing and often meaningless debate between so-called contemporary and traditional styles of worship and music, this workshop is for you. If you are hungry for a new set of priorities for planning worship and a new vocabulary for talking about worship, this is the workshop for you. Dwelling in Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13, we will attempt to discern with Paul a “more excellent way” to plan music for worship that helps us walk with saints of the past, frees us physically and emotionally for praise, enables believers of every ability level to find a place of participation, and carries us through the coming week as we grow in discipleship. Be ready to pray, sing, and celebrate as we learn to prepare worship with love. Leader: Noel Werner, Director of Music at Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton. He is a past Dean of the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and currently serves as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Music in Worship for the American Choral Directors Association New Jersey Chapter.

Our Denomination at Work in the World: An Introduction to the PCUSA's Three Critical Global Issues: PCUSA World Mission is focusing its work around three related tasks: (1) addressing the root causes of poverty, particularly as it impacts women and children; (2) sharing the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ; (3) engaging in reconciliation amidst cultures of violence, including our own. 2012 is the 175th anniversary of PCUSA World Mission, and this workshop will put a face on World Mission with facilitator Jonathan Seitz, our mission coworker in Taipei, Taiwan. Hear Jonathan discuss his work, answer your questions, and introduce denominational resources that can help local congregations, including mission networks, PCUSA websites, discussion groups, and newsletters, and other PCUSA mission co-workers. Leader: Rev. Dr. Jonathan Seitz, PCUSA Mission Co-Worker, Taiwan, Facilitator

Budget/Finance Turn Around Strategy for the Smaller Church: Come listen and ask questions of Pastor Peter Gregory from Lambertville, as he presents how to turn-around budget and finance in a 100-member church, based on the strategy he used to help the Lambertville church move from a -40K cash flow balance and the danger of insolvency in 18 months to a budget surplus of 10K in less than 4 years. Leader: Rev. Peter Gregory, Commander (Retired), Chaplain, US Navy; Pastor, 1st Pres. Lambertville

Office Administration: An Overview of the All-Important Basics:  An overview of office administration for persons serving a congregation, a presbytery, a synod or other religious / non-profit entity. This class will cover many of the basics of an office, including professional conduct, communication, listening skills, accountability and accuracy, and most especially modeling a positive attitude about your work and those around you. There will also be a brief introduction to the Administrative Personnel Association of the Presbyterian Church (U.S. A.). Invite a co-worker and bring questions, challenges and best practices to share. Leader: Elder Sara L. Burke, Westfield

Best Practices in Education for Your Congregation: Sharing What Works:  Be a part of a collaborative discussion about the things that actually work in our congregation's educational ministries; learn about innovative resources to serve your congregation, including multigenerational programs and one-room Sunday Schools. Leaders: Rev. Shelley Gardner, Woodbridge, & Patty Williams, Christian Education Consultant, Monmouth Presbytery (Update: combined with the Get the Point Workshop - see below)

Get the POINT: Discover What is New Through Congregational Ministries Publishing and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation!  Explore new features of We Believe, Feasting on the Word Curriculum, Being Reformed short-term adult studies, Youth studies and Awesome Adventures—God’s Amazing Kids. Make plans for nurturing disciples using denominational resources as your tools! Leader: Rev. Robin Ray, Teaching Elder, Bridgepoint Presbyterian Church, Bridgepoint, WV and POINT CMP (Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching for Congregational Ministries Publishing)  (Update: combined with the  Best Practices in Education for Your Congregation Workshop - see above)

The Once and Future Church Revisited:  How We Think About Church and Change:  Explore ways in which we can be faithful to our call to follow Christ in the changed and changing landscape of the church in North America. Leader: Rev. Patti Daley, New Brunswick Presbytery, Facilitator

Deacons/Caring Ministers 101: An Introduction to the Work of the Deacon in the PCUSA: This workshop will focus on learning about the exciting responsibilities of the deaconate with possibilities for other caring ministries. Exercises, case studies and role playing will help participants explore the varied ministries of the deaconate/caring ministries and strengthen their skills in listening and caring, and being a non-anxious presence in an anxious environment. Learn various creative opportunities that deacons/caring ministers have to faithfully demonstrate their faith beyond the walls of the church. Leader: Rev. Kathryn Mustaro, Assoc. Pastor, Flemington & Deacon Joe Denney, Flemington

What's Outside the Church Door? Understanding Your Church's Neighborhood Community through PERCEPT: Learn how the excellent demographic tool PERCEPT can benefit your congregation's ministry. New Brunswick Presbytery churches, your PERCEPT data is available at no cost through a grant from the Urban Mission Cabinet-- come find out how to access and use it! Leader: Rev. Karen Hernandez- Granzen, Westminster Trenton, Elder Jim Reeder, Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, and Rev. Greg Albert, New Brunswick, Facilitators

Everything You've Wanted to Know ... But Haven't Had a Chance to Ask! Board of Pensions plan members, bring your questions and get answers from our regional Board of Pensions representative. Leader: Rev. Allison Seed, Board of Pensions

Afternoon Programs Offered

(as of December 7, 2012)

Elders 101: So Now I'm a Ruling Elder, Now What?  "Like shepherds, tend the flock of God among you. Watch over it." (1 Peter 5:2a) Let’s take the description of an Elder’s responsibilities off the page and talk about what really goes on in the session meeting! Although this workshop is for new elders, experienced session members are welcome for a "brush-up" and to find out what changes the new Book of Order may have brought about. We’ll lay some ground rules for peaceful productive meetings and learn how this term may be the most satisfying 3 years of your life! Leader: Rev. Robin Lostetter, Bordentown Presbyterian Church

Decision and Discernment: How Church Leaders Know God's Will: Join in the discussion as we focus on how we discern God's will for us as individuals and groups within Christ's church. Leader: Rev. Wendy Bailey, Regional Executive Presbyter, Monmouth, & New Brunswick Presbyteries

Your Congregation in an Emergency: Preparedness and Response: Come join a member of our national Presbyterian Disaster Assistance team in learning how your congregation can become prepared for and respond to emergencies in your local communities. Leader: PDA Representative

Glory to God! A Hymn Sing Introducing the New Denominational Hymnal: Come join in a fun, old-fashioned hymn sing as we explore what is new in the denominational hymnal, "Glory to God," due to be published in the fall of 2013. The hymnal samplers used for the hymn sing will contain representative selections from the new hymnal as well as a complete listing of all of the hymns and responses to be included. Leader: Noel Werner is the Director of Music at Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton. He is a past Dean of the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and currently serves as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Music in Worship for the American Choral Directors Association New Jersey Chapter.

Meeting the Challenge of Stewardship: Strategies that Work in the 21st Century:  In this workshop, participants will be challenged to revisit the core meaning of stewardship from a biblical perspective (hint: it’s not about the church budget!). Practical applications will include annual stewardship campaigns that work, narrative budgets, storytelling, the power of saying thanks, financial management education and more! Be prepared to be inspired, challenged and a little bit uncomfortable. Leader:  Rev. Myrlene Hamilton, Pastor, Morningstar Church, Bayville

Young Adult/Youth Opportunities in the PCUSA Coffee House in Main Lounge:  High school and college-aged youth are invited to share in hopes and dreams for the future of the church through conversation with other young Presbyterians and youth/young adult leaders; hear information about opportunities for learning, service and discipleship. Leader: Shelley Gardner, Assoc. Pastor, Woodbridge, Facilitator

Deacons 201: Care-giving and Visiting: The Ministry of Presence:  Deacons are often the first and most frequent visitors when members of the community are in times of illness or crisis, and your empathetic presence can be a means for others to experience God’s love and comfort. In this workshop, we’ll review and roleplay some practical basics that will prepare you to visit with confidence, sensitivity and compassion. Leader: Rev. Linda Goeddel is an ordained Presbyterian minister who serves as a chaplain at a senior living facility in Ocean County.

Sunday Mornings & the  Great Commission:  Planning & Leading Missional Worship:  Worship leaders and planners are invited to join Patrick Johnson in reflecting on the whys and hows of worship, including: *What does missional mean, anyway? *What makes worship missional? *What are some practical ways worship pastors and leaders can plan missional worship? *How do leaders, ministers and lay-leaders, lead worship in a way that is missionally faithful? Leader: Rev. Patrick Johnson, Pastor, Frenchtown

 CANCELLEDLearning Together: Racial/Ethnic Leaders Speak:  Racial/Ethnic pastors and elders are invited to openly and honestly share the "good, bad, and the ugly" of ministry. Church pastors and leaders that are interested in learning more about the work of our racial/ethnic congregations are invited to listen, share their thoughts and ask questions. Leader: Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen, Westminster Trenton, Facilitator

Outreach to the Military and Veteran in Your Church And Community:  Insights and Programs for Your Congregation's Outreach and Ministry:  Did you know that: in the five county central NJ areas there are 400,000 living veterans? The largest military base in the East is located in NJ? Nomatter where your church is you are no further than 40 miles away from a military installation, or that NJ is home to 8 military bases, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy? Workshop attenders will gain insight and real workable programs to reach out to and minister to this community, including:
-How to set up support and prayer groups for military families and veterans
-How to “Adopt a base”, “Adopt a Sailor or Soldier” for support
-The dynamics of the military or National Guard family
-How to minster to the disabled or institutional veteran
-How PTSD affects the veteran and family
-How I can make my church veteran- or militarywelcoming.
Leader: Rev. Peter Gregory, Commander (Retired), Chaplain, US Navy; Pastor, 1st Pres. Lambertville

Roundtable on Mission in the Local Church: Challenges and Opportunities for Your Congregation:  Drawing on some of the best examples from within the presbytery, we will address key questions local congregations face in mission. How do we decide which mission to support? Can we move beyond a model that is focused just on funding? What are some strengths and limitations of short term mission? What goals should we seek in mission? How do we build partnerships that are sustainable? What are some presbytery or denominational programs in which we can share? Leader: Rev. Dr. Jonathan Seitz, PCUSA Mission Co-Worker, Taiwan, Facilitator

Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith for Newbies Everyone ordained as an elder or deacon in the PCUSA assents to the question: "Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?" Yet there is no checklist of what those are. This class is a primer about what might be on the list if we had one and the reasons why we don't have one. Leader: Rev. Mike Capron, Hopewell

Everything You've Wanted to Know ... But Haven't Had a Chance to Ask! Board of Pensions plan members, bring your questions and get answers from our regional Board of Pensions representative. Leader: Rev. Allison Seed, Board of Pensions

Registration Instructions

NEW in 2013: If participants choose to make a lunch reservation, they may pay for lunch at the time of registration. 

Choose your method of registering your workshop choices and your lunch reservation (optional). Registration closes at noon on Thursday, January 10. Lunch registration closes at noon on Wednesday, January 9.

There are several ways to register.

1. Online by clicking here.
2. By fax or mail, using this registration form. The SCVM fax is 609.497.0709 and the mailing address is Equipping the Saints Registration, School of Christian Vocation and Mission, Princeton Theological Seminary, 20 Library Place, Princeton, NJ 08542.
3. For Group Registration: please complete this registration form and return it by email, fax, or mail (see details above). 

If you experience any difficulties in registering for this event, please call 609.497.7990.

Additional Notes about Registration

Lunch buffet reservations with payment will be accepted until noon on Wednesday, January 9;  after that time, participants who have not registered must plan to bring their own lunch. Those who have purchased lunch will receive a lunch ticket at registration for use in the Mackay Campus Center between 11:30 and 1:00 pm. For those coming only to the afternoon programs, you must eat lunch in Mackay before your register at Stuart Hall. People are welcome to eat their lunch in the main lounge or elsewhere on campus. Due to a current  Princeton Seminary student's severe airborne allergy, no food is allowed in the classrooms.

Workshop registration will close at noon on Thursday, January 10 for planning purposes. Changes to existing registrations may be made until that time. Registered attenders are welcome to change their workshop choices on the day of the event.

Walk-in participants are more than welcome. If you have not registered by noon on Thursday, please come anyway, and bring your lunch! Register for workshops in the basement of Stuart Hall beginning at 7:30 a.m. and receive up-to-date information on workshop offerings at that time.

Important information about potential for changes to workshop offerings: because our workshops are led solely by volunteers, workshop leaders are given the option of canceling their workshop if the number of attendees is too low to warrant their time and travel. Cancellations for this reason will be determined by the end of the day Wednesday, January 9; all who have registered for any cancelled workshop will be notified via email in the morning on Thursday, January 10. Participants are welcome to attend any workshops they wish on the day of the event. Every effort will be made to keep workshop offerings current on the website; please check for any updates.

Should the weather be inclement, all participants will be notified via e-mail, and updated information will be available on the website. For those who cannot access e-mail, the outgoing message will also be updated at 609-497-7990.

You may download an Equipping the Saints pdf flyer by clicking here.

For a campus map and directions, click here.

If you have any questions, please email us at scvm@ptsem.edu or by telephone at 609-497-7990.

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