Goals/Purposes:
To Train, Equip, Encourage and Support persons for ministry from the pew to the pulpit and beyond.
2008 Updates/Activities:
School for Leadership Formation (SLF):
Collaborative in nature, all Franconia Conference’s equipping and educational resources are considered part of the School for Leadership Formation.
As we complete our second year of ministry for the SLF, we continue to plan and provide equipping initiatives for various levels of support and development throughout the conference. Some of the areas of focus have been:
- The third Thursday pastors and leaders breakfast
- Gateway courses for credentialed leaders (in cooperation with Eastern Mennonite University)
- Formation and Orientation meetings (for newly credentialed leaders and leaders new to the Conference)
- Learning Communities
- Developing resource relationships with Conference Related Ministries (CRMs) and Partners in Ministry
- Development and training opportunities for both emerging and experienced leaders continued to be reviewed for context and relevance in accordance with E3 (Equipping Leaders, to Empower Others, to Embrace God’s Mission) and Vision and Finance Plan Team recommendations and direction.
Resourcing and Equipping
- Worked with Child Protection Leadership Team to establish both congregational connections and conference working relationship
- Coordinated and worked with urban and suburban congregational focus groups for MC USA assessment of Health Care Access for pastors and church employees
- Provided on-site contextual leadership training for several Franconia Conference and Partner in Ministry Congregations
- Cultivated connection and conversation with MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Association) to work at ways to collaborate with (racial/ethnic) entrepreneurial leaders interested in supporting ministry through economic development.
- Gave leadership and support to a cooperative effort between Franconia Conference and Philadelphia Urban Ministry Partnership. This provided access and resources for Black American urban youth and young adults to connect with the AAMA (African American Mennonite Association) convention in Elkhart, resulting in a positive leadership development and missional experience.