School of Congregational Development Ready to Renew Church, Chicago Area, July 29 - August 2, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 25, 2009/GBOD/ -- The 2009 School of Congregational Development will bring together hundreds of church leaders looking to renew their congregations and create new ones. Jointly sponsored by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship and the General Board of Global Ministries, this year’s main event will take place in the Chicago Area July 29 through August 2.

“At GBOD, we believe that every congregation can be vital and vibrant. Every leader can lead in an excellent way in any congregation—be it new or existing. Every leader can grow in his or her faith and figure out how to lead well in that congregation. The School of Congregational Development provides an opportunity for training and reflection on best practices for church leaders at all levels,” says the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for GBOD.

Started in the 1980’s, the annual school began as a way to train leaders of new church starts. While that remains an important part of the school, according to Craig Kennet Miller, director of pastoral leadership with GBOD, “its purpose is really to train leaders in congregational development." It is a holistic look at the first focus area of The United Methodist Church, to start new churches and renew existing congregations.

“The heart of the school is really the ministry tracks," Miller says. These provide training targeted to the specific needs and settings of the attendees. The variety of congregations and leadership roles necessitate the focused training.

Recently the school has developed ministry tracks for bishops, superintendents and other conference leaders in congregational development. This enables bishops to join with their cabinet leadership in learning and planning how they will strengthen congregations in their area.

New this year are four-hour intensives. They include topics such as “Living Out the Wesleyan Way,” “Effective Cross-Cultural Outreach” and “Identifying Your Congregational DNA.”

About 500 people attend each year with a growing number returning. This year’s location based in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago, will provide ease of access to all parts of the school as well as the beauty of Lake Michigan and life within the city.

The Northern Illinois Annual (regional) Conference and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary host the school. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, episcopal leader of the Chicago Area, will also be part of the event leadership. Other speakers and leaders include the Reverend Mike Slaughter of Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City, Ohio; Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. of the Holston Area (East Tennessee and surrounding areas); Dr. Layece Warner of Duke Divinity School; Dr. Cecilia Harris of Chicago; and Dr. Irving Cotto, director of congregational development for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Kelvin Sauls from GBGM, Craig Miller from GBOD and Bener Agtarap from Path1 (an initiative housed at GBOD) are the main designers of this year’s school.

Outside the United States, Norway will host its second-ever Nordic School of Congregational Development, September 2-6. The first Nordic school was held two years ago, and was successful.

For more information about the School of Congregational Development, please visit www.scdumc.org or join the school’s facebook group (click groups and type in School of Congregational Development). Questions may also be directed to GBOD at 877-899-2780.

GBOD’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. Visit www.gbod.org for more information or call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017.