Equipping the Saints

Two by Two: Partners in Ministry

Equipping the Saints Workshops

March 1, 2008

Partners in Prayer: Intercession  Explore a variety of ways to conduct prayer for and with others, as an individual and/or within a group context.  Kerry Reed, pastor, Gender Road Christian Church (DOC).

Christians in a Multi-Religious America: Examine various responses by Christian congregations and groups to the increasing cultural and religious diversity of the United States and the ways Christians draw upon the Bible in responding to their new religious neighbors.  
Rev. Dr. Paul Numrich, Chair of the Program in World Religions and Inter-Religious Dialogue at the Theological Consortium of Greater Columbus

Spiritual Types  Just are there are different blood types so there are different ways to experience spirituality. Discover your spiritual type and how this affects your preferences in worship and spiritual practices. 
Rev. G. Forrest Hoppe, CSEOA UCC Minister

Twenty First Century Church  Learn what the youth and young adults of today value in a congregation as this panel of DOC and UCC believers age 15-30 answer your questions and present their ideas about what the Church of today and tomorrow can and should be and do.
Erica Gonzales, Director of Christian Education, Karl Road Christian Church (DOC) Columbus, moderator

Beyond Ourselves: Missions and the Local Congregation  The Swiss theologian Emil Brunner wrote "the Church exists by mission as fire exists by burning."  No mission- no Church. Talk with a panel of local Christian “missionaries” and find out about opportunities for “mission work” both near and far.
Rev. Paul Baumer, Minister of Missions at First Community Church, Columbus

Co-Pastors:  The Blessings and Challenges of Working as Equals  Jesus sent his disciples out two by two to share the Good News.  Why do we so often see ordained ministry as “solo” work?  Explore the unique opportunities and challenges of co-pastoring a congregation.  We will share what this means from the pastors’ perspective as well as what the congregation may experience. 
Rev. Jeff Wheeler, co-pastor, and Carolyn Abels, congregational president, Northwest Christian Church, Upper Arlington

Nesting Congregations: Unity in Diversity  What do you do when the Holy Spirit opens your doors to a new congregation meeting in your facility?  Hear the story of how one congregation got exactly what it asked for when it prayed together that “their doors should be open to all people.” 

Highpoint Evangelical Christian Church, a predominantly Chinese congregation, and Northwest Christian Church, a predominantly Euro-American congregation, have partnered together to share a facility, Christian education, and fellowship near the OSU campus. Learn how this is working and reflect on what it could mean for your church.   

We will also discuss the particular blessings and challenges Karl Road Christian Church has experienced nesting several congregations (Nigerian, Ghananian & Korean) over the past five years.

Rev. Jeff Wheeler, Northwest Christian Church
Rev. Margot Connor, Karl Road Christian Church

Missionaries in South Africa: Global Missions Partners  William and Veronica Kyle are Global Mission Partners in South Africa.  Hear their stories of their work and learn about their special calling to that rapidly changing part of the world.  William is the Pastor to Diepsloot and the Central Region Outdoors Ministry Coordinator for the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.  Veronica is the Coordinator for education, social, women, and youth programs, UCCSA.

Reclaiming the Healing Ministry of the Church   The ministry of Jesus Christ, which was continued by the early church, focused on the healing of the whole person: body, mind and spirit. The church today has a responsibility to reclaim that spirit and recover its mission of healing, wholeness, and restoration.
Rev. Mary Ann Goetz, member St Paul UCC, Columbus and a school nurse in the Columbus Public Schools

Each One a Minister We are not just volunteers in the program of the church.  God has placed gifts in each person to build up the body of Christ.  Learn how one church is developing a plan to incorporate new members more fully:  discovering, claiming and using their spiritual gifts wherever God calls (and not only as ushers and committee members). 
Ms. Jo Anne Nay, North Congregational UCC, Columbus