Church planting conference to ask 'What comes first?'

"In church planting, what comes first?" asks an announcement of a church planting conference sponsored by the New Church Development Committee of the Church of the Brethren General Board, offered through a cooperative effort with the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. "Which priorities take precedence? What skills are required? Just like the childhood game scissors, paper, rock, the answer is contextual and dynamic. Answers are never easy, and the calling to plant takes substantial courage, great persistence, and effective teamwork."

From May 20-23, church leaders will gather at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., on the theme, "Scissors, Paper, Rock." The conference will "develop tools, explore textures, and share testimonies" in church planting.

Guidance for the conference will come from Michael Cox, an American Baptist pastor and experienced church planter; Kathy Royer, a spiritual director; David Shumate, district executive minister for Virlina District, and a church planting catalyst; Chris Bunch, founding pastor of The Jar in Muncie, Ind.; and General Board staff and Bethany faculty. The event will include worship, workshops, keynote addresses, and small group conversations. It begins Saturday at 2 p.m. and concludes Tuesday at 12 noon.

"You are invited to join us!" said the announcement. Registration forms were included in the February Source packet mailed to all Church of the Brethren congregations. Registration also is available at www.bethanyseminary.edu. For more information contact planting@bethanyseminary.edu or 765-983-1807.

Source: 3/3/2006 Newsline
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