A MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
At the start of a new academic year I thought it timely to make you aware of a few conferences we have coming up around the area of children and youth ministry. Our Faith Formation in a Secular Age Conference on Thursday October 4th is for Church Leaders (Ministers, MDS, Children/Youth/Family Workers, Elders, Readers, Deacons etc.), our Relational Ministry Re-imagined Conference on Saturday October 6th is for children/youth ministry practioners (Sunday School Teachers, Messy Church Leaders, Uniformed Organisation helpers etc.) and our Community of Faith Conference for Paid Workers in February 2019 is specifically for Children/Youth/Family Workers. Details of all of these conferences are below with links to where to book. As you can see there is something for everyone so please encourage all those in your congregations to attend as appropriate. It would be particularly great to have a team of folk from your congregation attend the Faith Formation in a Secular Age Conference together.
Faith Formation in a Secular Age
A conference for church leaders
Thursday 4th October 2018, 10am-4pm
Wellington Church, Glasgow
£20pp including lunch
https://faithformationinasecularage.eventbrite.co.uk
Booking closes on September 16th.
This key conference for church leaders will explore the theological thinking behind faith formation and discipleship for all. There will be reflections on the theology relating to the church's ministry with children and young people, learning from the work in this area across the reformed tradition.
Professor Andy Root from Luther Seminary in the USA will deliver the keynote sessions and the day will be chaired by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
This conference is for all church leaders; Ministers, MDS, Children/Youth/Family workers, Elders, Readers, Deacons. The conference is eligible for Ministers Study Leave and FFY CMD Allowance. Those from other denominations are very welcome.
Keynote 1 - What is a theological turn in ministry?
What exactly does it mean to make a theological turn in ministry? It is turning away from a technological perspective that sees ministry providing solutions or as a means to a goal, but it doesn't necessarily mean turning to ‘theology'. Rather, the theological turn in ministry turns to the ‘theological'. It seeks for the act of God in the lives and concrete experience of people. We will explore why and how this ‘turn' matters immensely, particularly with regard to the young.
Keynote 2 - Ministry, the church and the melting of identity
One of the greatest pursuits for people in today's secular age (especially those of younger generations) is to construct an identity for themselves. But as we have seen recently, the fluidity of our culture does not allow for our identities to be carved in stone. Instead our identities are always transitioning. This makes a faith commitment made in high school for instance, always open to being reconsidered. This fluidity of identity makes a ‘theological turn' in ministry all the more necessary, especially in our ministry with children and young people.
Keynote 3 - Examining the changes impacting ministry
How does the church and the minister's role change with our secular age? Ministers and church leaders are regularly told, "The world is changing". This comment usually refers to either technological changes like a digital landscape, or philosophical changes like postmodernity. While these perspectives have their place, this session will make a different assertion; that our most fundamental challenge is that God is no longer an assumed reality. Following historical transitions, we will explore how ministry, the church, and the role of leaders shift when belief in God and transcendence is optional. What is this new age we are in? And what does this means for the practice of ministry and future of Christianity?
For more information contact Suzi Farrant.
Relational Ministry Re-Imagined
For all involved in with ministry with children and young people, especially volunteers
Saturday 6th October 2018, 9.30am-4pm
Live streamed from Motherwell to Ayr, Arbroath, Dalkeith, Dingwall, Dunblane, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Eskdale, Gorebridge, Largs, Livingston, Orkney, Peebles, Shetland and others
£10pp including lunch
All of us engaged in ministry with children and young people (Sunday School teachers, Messy Church helpers, BB / GB Officers, paid workers etc.) are engaged in relational ministry. At its most simple, all ministry is about relationship. Over the last few decades our culture and approach to relationships has changed. What does this mean for us?
During this conference Andy Root will lead 3 sessions guiding us through:
After each session, participants will have an opportunity to explore these ideas further through discussion with others gathered in your local venue.
Andy Root is a sought-after speaker at conferences, colleges, and churches. He is known for an engaging style that laces together stories, theological thinking, and humour, in a very accessible way.
All venues can be booked at https://relationalministryreimagined.eventbrite.co.uk
Closing date September 27th.
For more information contact Isobel Booth-Clibborn
Community of Faith Conference for Paid Workers 2019
A brilliant opportunity to connect, be resourced and inspired - designed specifically for those who are paid to work with and minister to children and young people in the church.
Over the course of 48 hours we will consider our theme of Discipleship, with time set aside to share good practice in small learning communities. In particular we will think about partnering with families, engaging with the Bible, gender, sharing resources, and our aspirations for ministry with children and young people. There will also be time set aside to enjoy the hotel facilities and to worship together.
Book a place now at https://coffpaidworkers2019.eventbrite.co.uk
Theme: Discipleship
Dates: 2pm on Wednesday 20th to 2pm on Friday 22nd February 2019
Venue: Green Hotel Golf & Leisure Resort, Kinross, KY13 8AS
Cost: £140 before 7th October 2018; £170 thereafter. Concessions: £90 for Priority Areas workers.
This includes single en-suite accommodation, full board, use of the hotel leisure facilities and all conference programming.
Ticket numbers are limited and available on a first come first served basis.
Closing date for bookings: Friday 7th December 2018. Places are non-refundable after 7th October but are transferable.
For more information contact Suzi Farrant.
Many thanks,
Suzi Farrant
At the start of a new academic year I thought it timely to make you aware of a few conferences we have coming up around the area of children and youth ministry. Our Faith Formation in a Secular Age Conference on Thursday October 4th is for Church Leaders (Ministers, MDS, Children/Youth/Family Workers, Elders, Readers, Deacons etc.), our Relational Ministry Re-imagined Conference on Saturday October 6th is for children/youth ministry practioners (Sunday School Teachers, Messy Church Leaders, Uniformed Organisation helpers etc.) and our Community of Faith Conference for Paid Workers in February 2019 is specifically for Children/Youth/Family Workers. Details of all of these conferences are below with links to where to book. As you can see there is something for everyone so please encourage all those in your congregations to attend as appropriate. It would be particularly great to have a team of folk from your congregation attend the Faith Formation in a Secular Age Conference together.
Faith Formation in a Secular Age
A conference for church leaders
Thursday 4th October 2018, 10am-4pm
Wellington Church, Glasgow
£20pp including lunch
https://faithformationinasecularage.eventbrite.co.uk
Booking closes on September 16th.
This key conference for church leaders will explore the theological thinking behind faith formation and discipleship for all. There will be reflections on the theology relating to the church's ministry with children and young people, learning from the work in this area across the reformed tradition.
Professor Andy Root from Luther Seminary in the USA will deliver the keynote sessions and the day will be chaired by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
This conference is for all church leaders; Ministers, MDS, Children/Youth/Family workers, Elders, Readers, Deacons. The conference is eligible for Ministers Study Leave and FFY CMD Allowance. Those from other denominations are very welcome.
Keynote 1 - What is a theological turn in ministry?
What exactly does it mean to make a theological turn in ministry? It is turning away from a technological perspective that sees ministry providing solutions or as a means to a goal, but it doesn't necessarily mean turning to ‘theology'. Rather, the theological turn in ministry turns to the ‘theological'. It seeks for the act of God in the lives and concrete experience of people. We will explore why and how this ‘turn' matters immensely, particularly with regard to the young.
Keynote 2 - Ministry, the church and the melting of identity
One of the greatest pursuits for people in today's secular age (especially those of younger generations) is to construct an identity for themselves. But as we have seen recently, the fluidity of our culture does not allow for our identities to be carved in stone. Instead our identities are always transitioning. This makes a faith commitment made in high school for instance, always open to being reconsidered. This fluidity of identity makes a ‘theological turn' in ministry all the more necessary, especially in our ministry with children and young people.
Keynote 3 - Examining the changes impacting ministry
How does the church and the minister's role change with our secular age? Ministers and church leaders are regularly told, "The world is changing". This comment usually refers to either technological changes like a digital landscape, or philosophical changes like postmodernity. While these perspectives have their place, this session will make a different assertion; that our most fundamental challenge is that God is no longer an assumed reality. Following historical transitions, we will explore how ministry, the church, and the role of leaders shift when belief in God and transcendence is optional. What is this new age we are in? And what does this means for the practice of ministry and future of Christianity?
For more information contact Suzi Farrant.
Relational Ministry Re-Imagined
For all involved in with ministry with children and young people, especially volunteers
Saturday 6th October 2018, 9.30am-4pm
Live streamed from Motherwell to Ayr, Arbroath, Dalkeith, Dingwall, Dunblane, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Eskdale, Gorebridge, Largs, Livingston, Orkney, Peebles, Shetland and others
£10pp including lunch
All of us engaged in ministry with children and young people (Sunday School teachers, Messy Church helpers, BB / GB Officers, paid workers etc.) are engaged in relational ministry. At its most simple, all ministry is about relationship. Over the last few decades our culture and approach to relationships has changed. What does this mean for us?
During this conference Andy Root will lead 3 sessions guiding us through:
- The importance and cultural shifts around relationships
- The focus and purpose of our relationships with children and young people
- Developing relational and incarnational ministry
After each session, participants will have an opportunity to explore these ideas further through discussion with others gathered in your local venue.
Andy Root is a sought-after speaker at conferences, colleges, and churches. He is known for an engaging style that laces together stories, theological thinking, and humour, in a very accessible way.
All venues can be booked at https://relationalministryreimagined.eventbrite.co.uk
Closing date September 27th.
For more information contact Isobel Booth-Clibborn
Community of Faith Conference for Paid Workers 2019
A brilliant opportunity to connect, be resourced and inspired - designed specifically for those who are paid to work with and minister to children and young people in the church.
Over the course of 48 hours we will consider our theme of Discipleship, with time set aside to share good practice in small learning communities. In particular we will think about partnering with families, engaging with the Bible, gender, sharing resources, and our aspirations for ministry with children and young people. There will also be time set aside to enjoy the hotel facilities and to worship together.
Book a place now at https://coffpaidworkers2019.eventbrite.co.uk
Theme: Discipleship
Dates: 2pm on Wednesday 20th to 2pm on Friday 22nd February 2019
Venue: Green Hotel Golf & Leisure Resort, Kinross, KY13 8AS
Cost: £140 before 7th October 2018; £170 thereafter. Concessions: £90 for Priority Areas workers.
This includes single en-suite accommodation, full board, use of the hotel leisure facilities and all conference programming.
Ticket numbers are limited and available on a first come first served basis.
Closing date for bookings: Friday 7th December 2018. Places are non-refundable after 7th October but are transferable.
For more information contact Suzi Farrant.
Many thanks,
Suzi Farrant