Lake Junaluska and Alban Form New Partnership

Lake Junaluska, N.C.: Two pioneers in Christian leadership have formed a new partnership to advance the holistic ministry of United Methodist leaders. The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center and the Alban Institute partnership brings 130 years of experience in church leadership training. Clergy and laity in The United Methodist Church will benefit from this union through three learning experiences in 2008.

Wayne Floyd, Education Program Manager at The Alban Institute, said the partnership unites Alban’s 35 years of experience in consulting, continuing education and research with the long tradition of clergy education at Lake Junaluska.

“We would hope that people would go away with a deeper and richer sense of the way of their own ministries contribute to the health and vitality of the congregations they serve and the ways in which congregational leaders among clergy and laity continue to have much to teach one another,” he said.

Roger Dowdy, Director of Ministry at Lake Junaluska, said the events will enrich the life of churches all over the Jurisdiction.

“Through this partnership, both clergy and laity in the Southeastern Jurisdiction will have access to three cutting-edge learning experiences in 2008 amidst the beautiful setting of Lake Junaluska,” Dowdy said.

Two seminars for congregations and a ministry summit are part of the first year of this partnership:o
.April 13 – 16 Healthy Congregations seminar: “Leading your congregation to health, holiness, and hospitality.” Ed White, Alban Senior Consultant, facilitator.
.July 6 – 10 2008 Ministry Summit (formerly known as SEJ Ministers’ Conference): “Narrative Forms of Leadership and Congregation Formation.” A team of Alban consultants, facilitators.
.September 26 – 28 “Moving Churches from Maintenance to Mission - Building Disciple-making Communities.” Ed White, Alban Senior Consultant, facilitator.

For more information please contact:

Roger Dowdy, Director of Ministry
rdowdy@sejumc.org
www.lakejunaluska.com

Pam Moser
pmoser@sejumc.org
Phone: 828-452-2881
www.lakejunaluska.com

Pam Naplen
pnaplen@sejumc.org
Phone: 828-452-2881
www.lakejunaluska.com