Large Church Initiative National Training Event Comes to Orlando, January 21-28, 2008

Hundreds of United Methodist clergy from around the world are expected to arrive in Orlando, January 21-28, 2008, for the Large Church Initiative National Training Event. Meeting with the theme, “Making a World of Difference,” the event will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, just a few miles from the main entrance of the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Large Church Initiative National Training Event is geared for churches with worship attendance greater than 350. It provides inspiration and tools for lead pastors, associate pastors, staff, and lay leaders of the larger churches in The United Methodist Church. The event is sponsored by the Large Church Initiative, the General Board of Discipleship, and the Southeast Jurisdiction Larger Church Consultation.

The theme is based on Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Throughout the week-long event, participants will follow the path set by the early disciples by moving from their own homes/local churches (Jerusalem), to our common communities (Judea and Samaria), and then to the world (ends of the earth).

The excitement starts Monday, Jan. 21, with a reception commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, with Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, President of United Methodist-related Bethune-Cookman University, and the renowned Bethune-Cookman Concert Chorale. Other speakers during the week include the Rev. Gil Rendle, formerly with the Alban Institue and currently with the Texas Methodist Foundation; the Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, from the East Belfast Mission in Belfast, Northern Ireland; and the Rev. David Beckmann, director of Bread for the World. The closing speaker will be Bishop Peter Storey from the Methodist Church in South Africa.

Registration is now open by visiting www.st.lukes.org, and clicking on the “Make A World of Difference” logo.