Lifelong learning is a core value for us (see my post called Lifelong Learning). While our doctor of ministry programs, which have been a major part of our lifelong learning for the last 4.5 years, are just about over, we will continue to seek out new growth opportunities.
Besides getting back to our reading pile, which has grown even bigger since my post last September (see Reading Pile), we will also seek out high quality growth opportunities. Right now, we’re in the process of making plans to go to Leadership Institute, a 2-day conference for leaders hosted by The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (COR), which takes place October 2-3, 2008.
COR is an amazing church located in Leawood, Kansas (Kansas City metropolitan area). Started just 18 years ago, COR now has more than 14,000 members with 8,000 people in weekly attendance. Adam Hamilton is the founding and senior pastor of COR (check out Adam’s blog).
We have 3 books by Adam that we may try to read before we go to the event in October: Leading Beyond the Walls (Joleen has read this one), Selling Swimsuits In The Arctic, and Unleashing the Word.
Adam’s teaching at the upcoming event is called “Ten Great Ideas … Ten Leadership Principles,” representing 10 of COR’s newest leadership ideas from the past year. We look forward to his teaching.
We are also impressed with the wide selection of workshops. We only wish we could attend more than 2 of the 80+ workshops offered. To maximize our learning, though, we’ll go to different workshops and share what we learn with each other.
- I’m planning to go to “Building a Process of Discipleship” and Joleen plans to go to “Connections Ministry from Front to Back”.
- Our second choices include “Equipping Volunteers to Care for the Congregation” for me and “Missions – Across the Street” for Joleen.
There are also a few pre-institute intensive workshops available. We will each attend one …
- I’m signing up for “Leadership Essentials: Practical Tools for Leading in the Church.”
- Joleen is signing up for “Building Community, Making Disciples: Strategies for Launching and Growing a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry.”
We’re excited about learning from those whom God has used in a big way. The teaching looks to be very practical, stuff that can be applied and implemented in any context.
Of course, we will be blogging about the event, reflecting on what we learn, so be sure to check back in October!