“Growing in Faith Together – How Your Church Family Works” workshop April 4&5

On Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5, 2014, members of congregations throughout the region are invited to “Growing in Faith Together.” The workshop will be at Trinity Lutheran Church,  3621 Tulsa Way, Fort Worth, TX 76107. This workshop is the first of two workshops to offer congregation and diocesan leaders the opportunity to learn foundations of healthy, vital communities of faith and explore topics such as:

• How your congregation works and how to keep it healthy
• Why some working relationships in your congregation seem to be “stuck”
• The emotional roots of church conflict & irresponsible behavior
• Creative ways to embrace change… and grow!

The second workshop will be June 20 and 21, also at Trinity Lutheran Church; please save those dates in June.

Schedule

Friday, April 4

1-5:30pm Clergy only

5:30-9pm Clergy & laity together – dinner & presentation

Saturday, April 5

8:30am-12:15pm – Laity only

Presenters- Peter L. Steinke and Ana Hernandez

Peter Steinke is a congregational consultant working with the Alban Institute, a former Lutheran pastor, a therapist for clergy, author and educator. Ana Hernandez, an Episcopalian, is a musician, composer, and congregational consultant.

Registration

The event cost is $25.00/person and includes dinner.

Online registration is available by clicking here has closed.

Mail-in registration will be facilitated through congregations.

UPDATE: The registration deadline has been extended until Wednesday evening, April 2. If you want to register after that, call the diocesan office on Thursday. The diocesan office will be closed on Friday, April 4. There is no on-site registration, only onsite payment by cash or check if your payment is incomplete when you show up.

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Suggested reading

EDFW post: How to avoid having one unhappy person undermine your congregation

Steinke has suggested two books as foundational reading for teams who want to prepare for attending the workshop. Five copes of each book are available for loan from the diocesan office at 817-534-1900.

How Your Church Family Works – Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems by Peter Steike provides an eye-opening guide for leaders who struggle to understand the dynamics of their congregations.

Extraordinary Relationships by Roberta Gilbert offers a blueprint to better relationships. Gilbert’s approach avoids placing blame and encourages individuals to take responsibility for themselves without blaming others.

Childcare

Subsidies are available for childcare in your home. Contact the Rev. Canon Janet Waggoner at janet.waggoner@edotn.org.

More information

Read January 4, 2014 post Diocesan leaders to work with Peter Steinke
Read February 1, 2014 post Books offer preview of Steinke workshop