Chaos...

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep,

and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

I am just back from a gathering of missional EPs. As always, it was helpful to gain perspective by hearing about what is happening in presbyteries across the country from California to Texas to New Mexico to Illinois to Atlanta. Whatever one's region, chaos prevails. Yet the Spirit of God is hovering. Of that, we had no doubt.

Common trends include rapidly decreasing income streams, reduced (and ever reducing) staffs, the growing inability of congregations to afford pastoral leadership. And, yet, even in the midst of this painful reality there is a keen sense that God is at work. After all, chaos is often the context in which God seeks to create.

For Los Ranchos, Open Space has been the means by which the presbytery has moved from regulatory to relational. What is Open Space you ask? It is a context in which networks formed around shared passions can gather to resource, support, and encourage one another. Presbytery meetings now begin with 3-4 hours of Open Space as networks meet, followed by dinner, worship, and then a brief presbytery meeting. It is powerful to note that these networks include not simply (and not even always) pastors and elders, but leaders from congregations, as well as community leaders who are not even Presbyterian. Imagine that!

For Greater Atlanta, coaching cohorts, which function much like our cohorts, has been the means by which congregations have moved from maintenance to mission. There is an infusion of new life and energy over the possibilities. Pastors are skipping presbytery meetings to attend their cohort meetings. Imagine that!

For Mid Kentucky, a desire to redirect mission dollars to the field has resulted in the decision to become "virtual." No longer does the presbytery have an office-after all, the congregations (the people!) are the real presbytery. While there is a small hub at the seminary for the administrative staff, the ministry team is mobile and in the field. Imagine that!

In addition to sharing new forms of being, we also discussed:

        - the recommendations of the Mid Council Commission;

       - development of new funding streams; and

       - models for discipleship.

I pass on two questions for reflection:

1. How has your congregation shaped your identity in Christ?
2. What is your congregation's compelling story?

I encourage you at your next session meeting, Lenten luncheon, through your small groups to ponder these two questions. Perhaps some testimony will emerge that needs to be shared in the context of worship. Presbytery also would like to share your story, so please do email your stories (with photos!) to be included in upcoming broadcasts.

The Spirit of God is hovering over the chaos of the present moment. Let us give thanks and praise!

Lenten blessings,

Visit the new Deerfield/McConnelsville First website:

http://mocopres.org/ 

Check out the link to the Habitat coverage: http://mocopres.org/Recent-Events.html  

Formational Prayer Seminar Description:

The Institute regularly holds training seminars in Formational Prayer for those men and women engaged in care-giving ministries. This seminar provides the tools for addressing dysfunctional behaviors; teaches steps for dealing with deep wounds; presents information on spirituality and world view as each relates to helping the broken; and demonstrates pathways that help people dismantle destructive false beliefs.

Link to June Formational Prayer Seminar:

http://seminary.ashland.edu/documents/IFC/june6-9-2012_broch.pdf

Explanation of the Formational Prayer Seminar:

June 6-9, 2012 we are holding a Formational Prayer Seminar.  At this seminar, participants will receive in-depth instruction on Formational Prayer.  The seminar is based on Dr. Terry Wardle's Book Healing Care Healing Pray.  Each participant will receive a copy of the book Healing Care Healing Pray as well as a large three-ring note taking manual. You will also receive hands on experience in a small group setting.  The groups are comprised of three seminar participants and lead by a caregiver.  Caregivers are doctoral students in the Formational Counseling program at ATS.  This seminar runs four full days, a total of 30 hours training.  Wednesday you start at 8:00 with registration and end at 6:30 in the evening. Of course, you will receive a lunch and dinner break along with a few 15-minute stretch breaks throughout the day.  Thursday and Friday the seminar runs from 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:00 to 4:00 again with lunch and stretch breaks throughout the day.

I have attached endorsements written by a few people who have attended the seminar in the past.  They range from a Seminary president, to a professional in the counseling field, doctoral students, pastors, seminar participants, etc.   I think this may give you some clarity as well. The cost for the four-day seminar and materials is $475. However, a group rate of $375 is available to groups of three or more participants who register together.

Healing Care Small Group Leaders Training:

Since seminar participants will not be in class on Thursday evening , Dr. Donna Thomas will be presenting an additional training on Dr.

Wardle's "Healing Care Group Material".  Dr. Wardle has designed a 16-week small group experience that is now being widely used by caregivers with very positive results.  The purpose of this small group curriculum is to offer individuals a safe place to heal from deep wounds, false beliefs, damaged emotions, and dysfunctional behaviors in a confidential small group setting.

Seminar participants are welcome to be a part of this one evening training session.  While the normal cost for this training is $250, you are able to attend for the cost  of the Small Group Leader's Materials.  Which include a Leaders Guide,  an instructional CD, copies of Dr. Wardle's books "Wounded" and "Draw Close to the Fire" and a copy of Dr. Thomas' book "The Healing Christ In Community"  for $155.00.  This Leaders Guide is a 250 pages color manual that provides everything you would need to do Healing Care groups.

If you are interested in registering for the Formational Prayer Seminar and additionally the Healing Care Small Group Leaders Training, please contact me as soon as possible.  We will be glad to have you join us.

The Healing Care Leaders training is only available to those who have completed or are in the process of completing the Formational Prayer Seminar.

If you have, any further questions feel free to contact me at any time.

Lynne Lawson

Assistant Director

The Institute of Formational Counseling

419-207-5547

Formational Prayer Seminar Endorsements (.PDF)

Cutting Edge Psychotherapy Conference
Mercy Medical Center in Canton

Saturday, April 14th 
   

Prayer Request:  

Please hold Sheila Ellenberger in your prayers, she is currently serving as the Area III chair on COM. Sheila had surgery last Thursday, February 16th to replace both knees. She is now in the hospital rehabilitation therapy unit and will be there until Friday, February 24th. Sheila wanted everyone to know how blessed she is to have so many friends and acquaintances lifting me up in prayer. Just knowing that has made surgery, therapy and recovery much more manageable.  

Please hold Joyce and Don Rhamy from the Fredericksburg Church in your prayers.  Joyce has completed loyal service on the MVP Nominating Committee.  Joyce's sister, Lillian Templeton, lives in Washington State and has advanced cancer.  Joyce and Don will be visiting Lillian during the week of the March MVP gathering in Coshocton.  

If you or someone you know has a prayer request,

please send them to: Shauna at Shauna@MVPJourney.org