Presented by the Central South District Committee on Congregational Excellence
Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 2:00 — 6:00 P.M.
“Launching
Leaders -
Multiplying
Ministry”
with
Dr. Jan Love, Dean, Candler School of Theology,
Emory University
Local Church First United Methodist Church, Westchase Campus
10570 Westpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042
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Keynote Speaker
Dr. Jan Love, Dean Candler School of Theology
Emory University
Dean Love is an internationally recognized leader in
church and ecumenical arenas and a scholar of
world politics, particularly issues of religion and poli-
tics, conflict transformation, globalization, and ecu-
menism. She is know for facilitating constructive re-
lationships among people and groups with deeply
held differences and for her work in racial justice.
A native of Alabama and daughter of a United Meth-
odist Minister, Love’s work on global issues began as
a 17-year-old high school student in the 1970s when
she was nominated to serve on the denomination’s
Board of Missions. In 1975, she attended the World Council of Churches (WCC) meeting in
Nairobi, Kenya, where she was first elected to the organization’s central committee, a position
she served until 1998.
In addition to her denominational leadership, Love also is an accomplished scholar. She was
a faculty member at the University of South Carolina from 1982-2001, where she served in
various capacities. Love holds an undergraduate degree from Eckerd College, and master’s
and PhD in political science/international relations from Ohio State University.
She is the author of scores of articles and book chapters, including “Is United Methodism a
World Church?” in the book “United Methodism and American Culture,” and “Can We All
Agree? Governing the WCC by Consensus” in Christian Century, among others. She also has
written two books on international relations: “Southern Africa in World Politics: Local Aspira-
tions and Global Entanglements” (Westview Press, 2005) and “The U.S. Anti-Apartheid Move-
ment: Local Activism in Global Politics” (Praeger Publishers, 1985.)
Dear Church Leader,
The time is approaching when we will come together again to share and
learn from one another. I am blessed by the relationships and partner-
ships that have developed within the borders of the Central South District
God continues to bless us with many resources, which include past, cur-
rent and upcoming persons who are both committed and dedicated to
their local church and our conference. Thank you for that commitment
and dedication to ministry within the “Heart of Houston.”
It is my hope along with that of our planning team, that this event will be
both inspiring and beneficial to your personal growth. I look forward to
seeing you there as we work to “Launch Leaders and Multiply Ministry!
In His service with you,
Lawrence Young Pastor Lawrence Young
District Superintendent
Don’t forget to
Bring A Book
to donate.
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session Titles & Facilitators
Care and Nurture Dr. Theodore M. Smith
Children’s Ministries Ms. Donna Reed
Communications Ms. Paula Arnold
Creating Family Ministry: Connecting Church and Home Ms. Linda Withers
Early Response Training (ERT) Recertification Ms. Carol Greenslate
Empowering Laity Dr. Jan Love, Keynote
Finance - Nuts and Bolts Mr. Sherman Elliott
Lay Servant Ministry - Basic Rev. Conrell Lockett
Ms. Carolyn Gordon
Mr. Alfred J. Calloway
Lay Servant Ministry - Advanced
Living Your Beliefs the United Methodist Way Rev. Sandra Hall
Transforming Evangelism Rev. Susan Buchanan
Ms. Hannah Terry
Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century TBA
Missions in Your Own Backyard Rev. Diane McGehee, M.Div., JD
Planting and Watering: Nurturing Adult Faith Formation Ms. Teresa Rossy
Staff Parish Relations Pastor Lawrence Young
Successful Financial Stewardship Strategies Rev. Jeff Powers
Trustees Rev. Dr. Charles Ruehl
What It Means to be a United Methodist Rev. Bob Johnson
What It Means to be a United Methodist Rev. Mireya Martinez
Witness Dr. Jim Jackson
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Schedule
2:00 P.M. Registration for All Participants
2:30 P.M. Worship
3:30 P.M. Dismiss to Training
3:45 P.M. Training Sessions Begin
6:00 P.M. Training Sessions Dismiss
6:00 P.M. Be safe traveling home and
don’t forget the children.
Online Registration Preferred Online Registration Closes
www.heartofhouston.org January 18, 2014
The Central South District is pleased to announce that childcare will be
offered this year for children ages 2 months through 5th grade. Required
forms must be completed for all children who attend and are available
through online registration at heartofhouston.org.
Nursery: Children as young as 2 months can be registered provided they
have been vaccinated. If a child has not been vaccinated they may at-
tend starting at age 4 months.
K-5th Grade: Centers for Children’s Activities
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Creating Family Ministry: Connecting Church and Home In today’s culture of
active churches and busy families, parents need a reasonable plan to stay connected as they
pass a spiritual legacy to the hearts of their children. When the ministry leaders and parents
work together to leverage their spiritual influence, everyone’s efforts are more impactful. This
seminar will cover visioning of family ministry that equips parents to be the spiritual leaders in
their home by providing them a spiritual map, training, resources, church wide events, mission
opportunities and family worship.
Linda Withers is the Associate Director of Student Ministries over parent-
ing at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. She has been working in
youth and children’ ministry for over 20 years. She has a passion for
teaching and mentoring women of all ages, helping them find their identity
in Christ. Now that her 3 sons are in college and beyond, she is focused
on helping families raise their children with a stronger knowledge and love
of Christ, children who are equipped to bring the Kingdom of God into their
daily lives. Linda lives with her husband, Bob, in Houston, Texas.
Communications Resource Paula Arnold, Director of Communications for the Texas
Annual Conference will provide updates regarding conference communications activities. Re-
sources for local churches including web site resources will also be provided. Learn how to get
publicity for local church activities and how best to spread the word about opportunities to
serve.
Paula Arnold brings to the table broad-based expertise and a wide net-
work of contacts acquired throughout her diverse career. She has
worked as a real estate developer, political strategist, lobbyist and com-
munications professional. Deeply committed to helping people, Paula
has served as an elected official and has advocated tirelessly for issues
that impact Houston’s diverse communities.
Arnold serves on numerous boards that deal with issues impacting
the Houston community, including the Center for the Reform of School
Systems, Houston Center for Contemporary Crafts, Texas Freedom Net-
work, and ProVision. She is a board member of the American Leadership Forum and a gradu-
ate of Leadership Houston.
Arnold holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Houston and a Mas-
ters of Public Health from the University of Texas at Houston.
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Care and Nurture will provide an opportunity for persons to learn how to develop a work-
ing plan for ministry to those in need of care and nurturing. This session will offer laity oppor-
tunity to learn how to be skilled in spiritual care, to increase their knowledge about grief, as
well as skills in empathic listening.
Ted Smith indicates that there wasn’t a specific event that led him
toward pastoral care ministry. He said a “cluster of things” guided him
to shift from pastoral-based ministry with an emphasis on preaching to
work more focused on emphasis on hospital-patient ministry.
He earned degrees from Southwestern University in Georgetown
and Perkins School of Theology. He is an ordained elder in the United
Methodist Church and has served the local church and extension min-
istry. He has done extensive work with both St. Luke’s Medical Center
and The Methodist Hospital for over 25 years. He is currently the Clini-
cal Pastoral Education Manager for St. Luke’s.
Children’s Ministry - From the Ground Up and Beyond will assist participants in
developing a creative and effective ministry for the children of your congregation. The session
will also provide innovative ideas, planning strategies, volunteer recruitment tools and empha-
sis on how to effectively share the Story to children of all ages.
Donna Reed has been hanging around Memorial Drive
U.M.C. for 30 years. She’s worked in many areas of the
church including the school, food ministries, women’s, and
youth ministries Donna currently leads the Children’s Min-
istry.
She has studied extensively in the areas of theology
and education, with an emphasis on special education.
She’s very active in local Christian Educator’s activities and
also nationally in United Methodist events for children’s
ministries. Activities include writing the VBS curriculum
along with her first song, “Shake, Shake, Shake!”.
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Finance - Nuts & Bolts will assist in effective budgeting, planning, money management,
apportionments, along with checks and balances for the local church. Guidelines for Financial
Leaders will be discussed, along with the various levels of approval for sound financial decision
making.
Sherman C. Elliott is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hou-
ston. Mr. Elliott holds a Master of Mathematics from Prairie View A&M Uni-
versity and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physical Education
from McMurry University. He is a retired teacher of the Houston I.S.D. —
where he taught mathematics and coached athletics for 35 years. He is al-
so a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Elliott has learned the proper procedures for conducting and leading finance leaders
within the guidelines of The United Methodist Church Book of Discipline . He believes that
through Christ all things are possible—even in a Finance meeting.
Mr. Elliott will be assisted by John Henry Allen and Lilllian C. Rogers Martin.
Lay “Speaking” Servant Ministry - Basic will provide help to the laity of our congre-
gations to grow spiritually, witness to their faith, and develop their leadership skills in various
ministry settings. This course is the foundation for all other learning and leading courses. This
session will serve as the first 2 hours of training for the 10 hour requirement that will be com-
pleted on February 15th at Bellaire U.M.C.. All new Lay “Speaker” Servant Ministry candidates
must begin with this first class.
Conrell Lockett was ordained elder in the United Methodist Church in
2007 and has been serving churches across the Texas Annual Conference
since June of 2003. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharma-
cy from Texas Southern University. His first appointment came following his
graduation from the Interdenominational Theological Center of Gammon
University.
He is pastor of the Central South District Parish which includes both St. James and Union
Memorial United Methodist Churches. Conrell loves to preach and is a world traveler!
Dr. Jan Love,
keynote speaker,
will present
Empowering Laity.
Disaster Strikes: The Ways You Can Help The mission of the Texas Annual Confer-
ence Committee on Relief (TACCOR) is to do all within our power to reduce human suffering in
the aftermath of a disaster by providing a caring Christian presence. Disasters affect survivors
in a variety of ways from rendering their homes unlivable to devastating their faith in what is
good and just. TACCOR wants to help them restore their lives in the only way that is lasting.
Our teams reflect the diversity of what is needed from crews working to make their homes
safe, sanitary and secure to addressing the spiritual and emotional issues that produce the de-
sire to go on. We have teams that have a lighter work load by moving supplies into position for
aid to reaching out to inform and reconnect the individual. We even have recommendations
for activities that churches can perform to help their communities. When a disaster strikes,
everyone wants to help. Come explore the ways you can hit the ground running.
Carol Greenslate is a certified trainer for UMCOR. She has served as the
Central South District Disaster Response Coordinator of the Texas Annual
Conference Committee on Relief for the past 4 years. She also serves as Di-
rector of Youth and Communication ministries at Ashford United Methodist
Church. Ms. Greenslate is a certified candidate for ordained ministry.
Online Registration is Available at
www.heartofhouston.org
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Sandra Hall was ordained an Elder of the Texas Annual Conference in May of this year. She
received her Master of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University, her Master of
Counseling from Prairie View A&M, her Bachelor of Science from Texas Southern University.
She is currently serving as Senior Pastor of Clinton Park United Methodist Church. She has
passion for shopping and travel!
Transforming Evangelism will lead participants to learn from John Wesley how to
practice relational evangelism. They will discover that evangelism involves not only sharing
our faith with others but also welcoming people in to a community where they can grow in
faith.
Susan Buchanan sees her ministry as one of connecting: people to people,
ministries to resources, children of God to their Creator. She is the Director of
Recruitment and Student Services for the Houston-Galveston Program of
SMU's Perkins School of Theology as well as the pastor of Galena Park UMC. As
a student in the Doctor of Ministry program at Perkins, Susan is working on a
project that connects spiritual formation and our ability to do ministry across
cultures. She also holds degrees from Emory University and Rice University and
is a member of the Academy for Spiritual Formation and the Academy for
Missional Wisdom.
Hannah Terry seeks to walk closely with God and others wherever God leads
her to be. Born and raised in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, Han-
nah received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Roberts Wes-
leyan College of Rochester. Thereafter, she journeyed to Duke University for her
Master of Divinity degree. Hannah has a passion for people and places and
their stories. She has discerned God’s call on her life to lead the church in in-
terpreting the world’s needs. She lives in southwest Houston and enjoys shar-
ing life with others through morning prayer, coffee, food, music and board
games.
Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century will offer a perceptive and
practical guide for leaders who are interested in building ministry for older
adults. But it also provides thought provoking questions about again and
promotes an understanding of the processes that we all will experience if we
live long enough. Recommended for all who live within an again community
or congregation. (Facilitator to be Announced)
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Al Calloway is a native Houstonian; graduated from Phillis Wheatley High
School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois Uni-
versity with a major in Business Administration. He held several positions in
Public Administration including Community Liaison for County Commission-
ers Tom Bass and El Franco Lee; he was elected City Council Member for
Houston, Texas; served as Executive Assistant to Houston Mayors Bob La-
nier and Doctor Lee P. Brown; and served as Chief of Staff for the Housing
Authority of Houston. Mr. Calloway also served as a Justice of the Peace.
Judge Calloway serves as a Director on the boards of several non-
profit organizations. Mr. Calloway is a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church
where he has provided leadership in various roles. Mr. Calloway is the Lay Leader of the Cen-
tral South District.
Carolyn Gordon is a Louisiana native and has been a part of the Texas
Conference since 2001. A Course of Study graduate from Perkins School of
Theology in 2003. She has served as an Associate Pastor at Trinity East
and Holy Trinity. She served as pastor of Jacinto City UMC for five years.
She is an active member of St. Mark’s (Patterson) and leads a Women’s Bi-
ble study. She is also a facilitator of numerous UMC and UMW classes and
sessions. Ms. Gordon is a published author of “...And I Came Out Smil-
ing” (E. Swartz) and social media publication, “It’s The Weekend” on Face-
book and LinkedIn.
Cee Cee is the mother and mother-in-law of two children, Duane
(Mechele) and Jonelle Clark, and one granddaughter, Ashaia Elise. She retired from public
school teaching in both Louisiana and Texas. She is currently teaching ESL classes for adults
with the Harris County Department of Education.
Lay Speaking “Servant” Ministry—Advanced
Living Your Beliefs in the United Methodist Way will help you to explore a
basic explanation of the beliefs and practices of The United Methodist Church as defined in
Part II of the Book of Discipline. Uncover a deeper understanding and experience of Christian
faith as you embrace the UM way.
Online Registration is available at
www.heartofhouston.org
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Missions in Your Own Backyard will teach the scriptural basis “the church exists for
the mission of God” and how to determine relevant and life giving connection points with your
local community, as well as explore creative ideas for being the presence of Christ in your
neighborhood. Join us to hear innovative and energetic approaches to rewarding mission
ministry.
Diane McGehee is currently the Director of the Center for Missional
Excellence for the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist
Church, founding member of the Houston Coalition for Immigration Re-
form; part of the founding Advisory Board Member of the Duke Center
for Reconciliation; and a Certified leader of Contemplative Prayer Re-
treats through the Shalem Institute.
Diane is a graduate of the Harvard School of Law and Perkins
School of Theology with 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer in the
civil courts and 5 years as a pastor of a Filipino congregation in Bellaire,
Texas. Diane founded Together in Hope with her husband, Jack , to fund
and support projects in the United States and around the world that
work for the improvement of the lives of the poor.
Planting and Watering: Nuturing Adult Faith Formation is a hands-on work-
shop where you will be given practical tools, tips and encouragement for starting new groups
and bolstering existing groups such as adult Sunday School classes, Bible studies and spiritu-
al growth groups that meet in your church and community. The emphasis will be on making
the most of the resources your church already has to engage adults in faith formation that
lasts a lifetime. This workshop is designed for persons serving in the Christian Education min-
istry.
Teresa Rossy serves as Director of Learning Ministry at Chapelwood
United Methodist Church in Houston. A long-time Bible Study teacher
and small group facilitator, Teresa has completed her certification stud-
ies in Christian Education at Perkins School of Theology.
She has a bachelor of journalism from the University of Texas and
has experience as a journalist and church communications specialist.
She has a heart for communicating God’s love through living and teach-
ing spiritual disciplines and Scriptural principles.
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Staff Parish Relations includes the role and responsibility of the S.P.R.C./P.P.R. mem-
bers and chairperson along with instructions from the perspective of your Superintendent
and clergy member. The role of the committee as it relates to pastors and congregations will
be addressed. Learn more about specific tools that can be used for effective communication
between the committee, staff and congregation, as well as evaluation tools and suggestions
including the Clergy Assessment Tool. Q and A will be included.
Lawrence L. Young is a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana and a graduate
of Dillard University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English and
Political Science. He earned at Gammon Theological Seminary a Masters
of Divinity degree. He has also completed extensive study and practice of
Pastoral Care and Counseling through the Doctoral Program at Garrett
Evangelical Theological Seminary, in Evanston, Ill. He was ordained as a
Deacon of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in
1990 and as an Elder in 1992.
Young was the founding Pastor of Abundant Life United Methodist
Church in Lufkin, Texas. In 2003, he was appointed Senior Pastor of Jones
Memorial United Methodist Church. In 2008, Young was appointed as Dis-
trict Superintendent of the Central South District.
Successful Financial Stewardship Strategies imparts Biblical, Practical, Principles
that will increase the giving in your congregation. In this seminar, church leaders and pastors
will learn ways to effectively discuss financial giving within the congregation. Step-by-step
plans will be offered to help churches of any size launch an effective financial stewardship
campaign. Participants in this session will leave with resources that can be immediately put
to use to increase the giving in any congregation. For those bold enough to dream big,
churches can begin the journey towards becoming a tithing congregation.
Jeff Powers is Pastor of Westminster United Methodist Church in Hou-
ston, Texas. He currently serves as Chair of the Extravagant Generosity
Committee of the Texas Annual Conference. He is passionate about
teaching Biblical principles of giving. In his 19 years of service to the Tex-
as Conference he has given leadership to financial stewardship cam-
paigns that have increased giving in every church he has served.
Jeff is married to Julie and has two sons.
Trustees best practices will be shared that will assist lay leaders in strengthening the foun-
dation of your local church. Many churches are sacrificing effectiveness for efficiency but that
does not have to be your choice.
Charles Ruehl has spent more than 35 years in the service of Jesus Christ
and United Methodist churches from Georgia to Texas. Charles specializes in
helping churches organize and strengthen themselves administratively so
they can spend more time serving their congregation and spreading the
Gospel of Jesus Christ in their communities.
A graduate of Valdosta State University and Candler School of Theology
at Emory University in Atlanta with a Master of Divinity degree, he is also a
certified Church Business Administrator by the General Council of Finance
and Administration of the U.M.C. He has served at the church and confer-
ence level in the North Georgia and Texas Conferences.
What It Means To Be a United Methodist will examine our history, what we believe,
“Our doctrinal standards and technological tasks” and “The ministry of all Christians.” Hear
explanations about our organization and administration. This class will be offered in both Eng-
lish and Spanish.
Bob Johnson responded to the call to ordained ministry in 1987. After
graduating with high honors with a Master of Divinity degree in 1991, Bob
was appointed to Payne Springs U.M.C., in the Palestine District followed by
his first appointment to Chapelwood, where he and lay colleague Marilyn
Brown developed the curriculum “Discover Your S.H.A.P.E. for Ministry and
Life. “ He was appointed in 1996 to First U.M.C. in Mineola. While there,
church attendance doubled from 160 to nearly 300 and expanded to a sec-
ond campus. In late 2003, Bob was reappointed to be the first Executive
Pastor at Chapelwood.
Bob currently serves on the Texas Annual Conference Board of Or-
dained Ministry and is a member of the Central South Leadership Team.
Online Registration is Available at
www.heartofhouston.org
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Witness will offer examples of how to witness to your faith in Christ. This session is de-
signed for both clergy and laity. Your session leader will provide you with personal experiences
and practical approaches to dynamic evangelism!
Jim Jackson has been the Senior Pastor at Chapelwood United Method-
ist Church since 1994. Prior to coming to Houston he served churches in
Ashburn, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia and Lubbock, Texas. Jim is an in-
spiring leader, a team builder, a Kingdom visionary, a gifted Bible Teacher,
a passionate preacher, and a tireless pastor. During his tenure
Chapelwood has grown to be one the flagship churches in United Method-
ism.
A graduate of Valdosta State University, Emory University’s Candler
School of Theology, and the San Francisco School of Theology, Jim has served the church and
the world in many capacities and has received numerous honors. His mission, however, has
been singular, “to be a God-focused, Spirit-led disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, living in the
present tense with wisdom, passion and grace.”
Worship Experiences will be offering worship guidance that seeks to connect with your
community. Houston is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. With
over 15 nationalities represented in its active worshipping congregation, Westbury UMC, Hou-
ston, seeks to worship God through the voices of its diverse community in song, prayer, liturgy,
and sermon. The Pastor will bring leadership tips, practical resources and hands-on guid-
ance. This is for lay or staff teams who are leading a church through worship visioning,
change, design and planning.
DeAndre Johnson Hailing from Shreveport, DeAndre received his bache-
lor’s in sacred music from Centenary College. He has worked in churches
of various sizes, demographics and worship styles in both Louisiana and
Texas. Having received his master of sacred music degree at Southern
Methodist University, he is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist
Church.
DeAndre is passionate about facilitating meaningful worship experi-
ences that are intentionally inclusive of people of all races and ages. He
draws musical inspiration from his knowledge of plainchant, classical European music, south-
ern and black gospel music, contemporary Christian music and global hymnody. DeAndre en-
joys recently served as the worship coordinator for the Texas Annual Conference.
2014 Local Church Leadership Training
Session & Facilitator Snapshots
Bring a Book (new or used) to donate as we work together to
Launch Leaders and Multiply Ministry !
______________________________________________________________________________________
Name
______________________________________________________________________________________
Address City Zip
______________________________________________________________________________________
Home Church
______________________________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone Evening Phone
______________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address
COURSE SELECTION: Registration is required for ALL Children and Adults. Online
Registration is PREFERRED!
Mail in registration will be handled through the District Office, only if you are unable to register
online. Mail your completed form to 1410 Lee St., Houston, TX 77009 or call 713/222-0117.
Each person must register individually. All sessions will be 2 hours in length. Please note your
1st and 2nd Choice below:
______________________________________________________________________________
1st Choice
______________________________________________________________________________
2nd Choice
REGISTRATION FORM
Central South District
2014 Local Church
Online Registration
Closes 01/18/2014
www.heartofhouston.org
Each participant is asked to Bring A Book to donate!
Help Build Libraries
for Schools Without
Books
Education is the great equalizer in the
world, and books are the foundation of a
strong educational system. Access to
an education is the very best opportuni-
ty young people have to end the cycle of
poverty and attain a better quality of life.
This shortage of books makes it very
difficult for children to learn to read and
equally difficult for those who have
learned to read to maintain their literacy.
Wanted: Individuals and groups to help
collect and sort books to build libraries
for schools that lack them. We strive for
each library to have at least 600 books.
We hope to provide each library a col-
lection of reference books-a set of ency-
clopedias, an atlas, a dictionary and a
thesaurus.
Good Steward Global Initiative
What’s Involved in
Building a Library?
School Selection
Gathering Books
Boxing & Loading Out
Financial Help with Shipping