Conference Assembly ’08 Workshops
featuring Partners in Mission
Saturday, November 8
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. workshop choices:
Equipping for the Road: Walking With Our Eyes Closed (Room 601)
Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards of our Partner in Mission, Peace Fellowship Church in Washington, D.C., will lead participants in a Bible study of Luke 24:13 – 35, including a discussion of the passage along with some practical applications coming out of this unique post-resurrection appearance of the Lord Jesus.
“Connecting People for Kingdom Growth” (Room 602)
God brings us into relationship with each other not only for our mutual encouragement and support, but also for Kingdom growth. This workshop will tell stories of how a web of relationships that connect people in Bolivia, Mexico, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania is helping to establish new churches and ministries in these areas and beyond. Come and ponder how your web of relationships is part of God’s mission in the world.
Oxford Circle Mennonite Church (Room 603)
Located in the Oxford Circle section of Philadelphia, this small, multi-cultural congregation has a big vision for how they can impact their neighborhood through the gifts God has provided to them. Come, hear the story and see pictures of this congregation, how they are connecting with Franconia Conference congregations, and experience a taste of their heart, soul, and ministry vision.
Rock Church – Organic Church Planting (Room 604)
Welcome everybody – I’m Ted Moyer, lead pastor of Rock Community Church. Our main areas of ministry include “Organic” church planting, personal evangelism, practical and balanced use of spiritual gifts and doing church services that bridge the gap to the un-churched and disenfranchised. I’m looking forward to interactive discussions that will help sharpen all of us to fulfill our purposes in the earth.
LEAD: Oversight for missional congregations (Room 608)
As Franconia Conference moves forward in our vision of “Equipping Leaders to Empower others to Embrace God’s mission,” the question, “what is appropriate oversight for missional congregations?” emerges. In response to Franconia Conference’s vision, and ongoing conference wide conversations about leadership and authority, comes LEAD (Leading, Equipping, And Discipling leaders in kingdom mission). Over the past few months seven Franconia Conference pastors have been piloting LEAD. Participants in this workshop will learn the background and core convictions of LEAD, hear first hand accounts from the LEAD pilot group, and have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss LEAD’s potential for transforming oversight in Franconia Conference. A representative from each congregation is strongly encouraged to attend this session. (Also available from 2:15-3:15)
What’s on your mind? (Room 610)
Franconia Conference Executive Minister Noel Santiago and Assistant Moderator Randy Heacock are available to answer your questions and talk about any aspects of Franconia Mennonite Conference’s ministry that you would like to discuss. Bring your questions, come, and engage. (Also available from 2:15-3:15)
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. workshop choices:
Chillin in Chile (Room 601)
In June 2002 God sovereignly brought together Charles Ness, pastor of the Perkiomenville Mennonite Church, and pastor Alfredo Navea from the Tabernacle of Christ Church in Vina del Mar, Chile. This meeting resulted in a six-year relationship that has included an exchange of mission teams between the two churches, assistance with church building construction, persons from the US living in Chile for three months, a man from Chile coming to the US for eye surgery, and numerous other projects. The ministry has expanded to also include the Boyertown and Whitehall churches. This workshop will give the history of the relationship, explain the blessings of the relationship, tell of the ongoing ministry and give ways others can join in the partnership.
Church Planting and Evangelism in the 21st Century (Room 602)
We will talk about the heart of God for those who are lost, the need, the rapidly changing world we live in and use examples (stories) from Mexico, Gaithersburg,(Monte Maria to USA) and Italy.
Gereja Kristus Muria Indonesia (Mennonite Church in Indonesia) (Room 603)
How do partnerships and relationships that span the globe affect the life of congregations on the East Coast? Franconia Conference relationships with the GKMI Synod (a member of Mennonite World Conference) have opened up possibilities for ministry that include active peacemaking and evangelism among Indoneisan immigrants and beyond. Conversations will include opportunities to hear about how the church in Indonesia works at issues of persecution and peace-building as well as how neighborhood interactions in Philadelphia might inspire new possibilities and church connections that stretch across the state of Pennsylvania and around the world.
Grace Assembly Network, Haiti (Room 604)
Grace Assembly Network in Haiti consists of 24 congregations, 1 orphanage, and 3 schools. Leadership training and stability are key issues for the future of this vibrant network, located in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. Decades of political instability have created extreme economic hardships for these capable but unpaid pastors, who are often enticed to leave the country so they can better provide for their families. Franconia Conference and the Hopewell Network of churches are providing coaching to help Grace Assembly leaders begin micro-businesses. Larry Moyer (Rockhill Mennonite Church) has been a key link in this relationship and will share the story, his vision, and ways you can help.
Preparing for Ministry in a Post Christendom World (Room 605)
Why should Franconia Conference invest time, energy, and resources into building a partnership with Anabaptists in the United Kingdom? Well, if our future resembles their present reality, their learnings about how to do ministry in a Post Christendom culture will be invaluable! Franconia Conference Moderator Blaine Detwiler and Director of Collaborative Ministries Gay Brunt Miller will engage workshop participants in conversation about our relationship … and if technology cooperates, they’ll be joined through computer by Tim Foley, a member of the Anabaptist Network in the U.K., and Franconia Conference’s U.K. intern, Krista Ehst.
LEAD: Oversight for missional congregations (Room 608)
Also available from 1:00 – 2:00
What’s on your mind? (Room 610)
Also available from 1:00 to 2:00
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.