Metro-Highlands Foundational Leadership Training 2024

The Foundational Leadership Training is designed for church officers, committee and team leaders, and people engaged in various ministries of the church to provide foundational understanding and leadership skills. Two workshop sessions provide the opportunity for participants to choose different options to learn about their area of ministry and other more general leadership skills. All workshops will take place via ZOOM and are open to both clergy and laity. Please note that not all workshops are offered in both sessions. Pre-registration is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

9:00 am               Workshop Session 1
10:30 am             Break
11:00 am             Workshop Session 2
12:30 pm             Adjourn

• Fewer Meetings, More Ministry: The One Board Model for Church Administration- R Dr. Steve Bechtold
• Grant Writing- Andrea Wren- Hardin
• Pathways to Congregational Development- Gina Yeske
• Pathway to Congregational Development in Korean language- Hosuk Chung
• Conflict Resolution- Nicola Mulligan & Rev. Sang Won-Doh
• Safer Sanctuaries: Updating Your Policies and Procedures- Gabby Corbett
• Storytelling that Builds Ministry Momentum- Dr. Juel Nelson
• Supporting Mental Wellness in Your Youth Group- Connie Palmer
• Introduction  to Tax Issues Affecting Churches and Clergy – Rob Zuckerman & Rev. Daniel Gepford
• Facilitating Small Groups with Youth- Mecan Payne
• Growing Giving in 2024- Trends and best practices- Brian Roberts
• Incorporating Difficult Subject Matter in Worship- Dr. Amanda Hemenetz

• Fewer Meetings, More Ministry: The One Board Model for Church Administration- Dr. Steve Bechtold
• Grant Writing- Andrea Wren- Hardin
• Digital Hospitality: Crafting a Culture of Welcome Online-  Gina Yeske DS Eunice Vega-Perez & Succasunna Digital Team
• Safer Sanctuaries: Updating Your Policies and Procedures- Gabby Corbett
• Storytelling that Builds Ministry Momentum- Dr. Juel Nelson
• Supporting Mental Wellness in Your Youth Group- Connie Palmer
• Introduction  to Tax Issues Affecting Churches and Clergy – Rob Zuckerman & Rev. Daniel Gepford
• Facilitating Small Groups with Youth- Mecan Payne
• Growing Giving in 2024- Trends and best practices- Brian Roberts
• Incorporating Difficult Subject Matter in Worship- Dr. Amanda Hemenetz

Facilitator: Rev. Steve Bechtold

This workshop guides church leaders in creating a simplified structure for your congregation’s administrative ministries that is consistent with the Book of Discipline, provides a more streamlined process, and frees congregations to invest more time in creating ministry for Jesus Christ.

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88956659749?pwd=L2kxUHZqdUh6Z3hMbmM1cVdtN2hNdz09 
Passcode: 2024
Meeting ID: 889 5665 9749
Dial-in option:  646 558 8656

Facilitator: Andrea Wren-Hardin

Many churches do not seek out grant opportunities either because they do not realize that there are grants available for religious organizations or they do not have knowledge or experience with grant writing. This workshop will teach you the foundations of grant writing: how to develop a strong proposal, how to create a realistic funding budget, and how to identify possible grant opportunities. You will leave this workshop with the tools to:

• Understand what funders are looking for
• Clarify your mission to align with the funders’ mission
• Describe your comprehensive project that requires funding
• Develop a realistic budget
• Research grant opportunities

Join here: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/85043161148?pwd=a9GbYaYL17BfiFKCytO5YmI2NWhaKs.1
Meeting ID: 850 4316 1148
Password: 867895
Dial-in option: 301 715 8592

Facilitator: Rev. Gina Yeske

United Methodists of Greater New Jersey want your congregation to have a great future. The Pathways to Congregational Development is your course to discern God’s calling and plan for your congregation. Healthy congregations that are connected and engaged missionally with the people in the community are bearers of God’s love as experienced through the life of Jesus Christ. Pathways will help you get there and along the way will carry your congregation toward becoming more sustainable, vital, and culturally competent. Come learn more about this important step towards a hope filled future.

Join here: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/82432935287
Meeting ID: 824 3293 5287
Dial-in option: 305 224 1968

Facilitator: Rev. Hosuk Chung

United Methodists of Greater New Jersey want your congregation to have a great future. The Pathways to Congregational Development is your course to discern God’s calling and plan for your congregation. Healthy congregations that are connected and engaged missionally with the people in the community are bearers of God’s love as experienced through the life of Jesus Christ. Pathways will help you get there and along the way will carry your congregation toward becoming more sustainable, vital, and culturally competent. Come learn more about this important step towards a hope filled future.

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84313400441
Meeting ID: 843 1340 0441
Dial-in option: 1 305 224 1968, 1 309 205 3325

Facilitator: Rev. Sang Won Doh & Nicola Mulligan

Conflict can be a catalyst for renewal, health, and change and serve as a mechanism for growth. At other times, however, conflict can be destructive and cause serious dissension. A clear and healthy process for working through conflict empowers a congregation to move forward in the midst of the challenges and increase faithfulness and fruitfulness. Join us in exploring how to address conflict in healthy ways.

Join here: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/82354445023?pwd=LKRyzukQkKi1W5KZGE1ntoQswBVwzj.1
Meeting ID: 823 5444 5023
Password: 846345
Dial-in option: 1 646 931 3860

Facilitator: Rev. Gabrielle Corbett

Annual Conference 2023 brought forth new legislation to update local church ministry and ministry context’s safe sanctuaries policies. Join us to learn about those updates, how to bring your church/ministry context into compliance.

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271497287?pwd=bXAzby9UeHhtSHFlcWdYVFlRRzh2UT09
Meeting ID: 872 7149 7287
Passcode: 121200
Dial-in option: 1 929 205 6099, 1 646 931 3860 US

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Juel Nelson

Jesus used storytelling to share his compelling message with the world. Good storytelling is essential as our churches seek to grow in generosity, recruitment, discipleship, and so much more. In this workshop, we will explore the art of storytelling, why it is essential, and reflect on several techniques used in local churches to share the good news. Then, have a pen and paper ready because, in small groups, you will begin writing a story of your own about one of the bright spots of ministry in your local congregation and community.

Join here: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/89526789975?pwd=UZeZEKIthyTPM4aCsrzvFNGkUqylW4.1
Meeting ID: 895 2678 9975
Password: 976965
Dial-in option: 1 312 626 6799

Facilitator: Connie Palmer

In 2021 the Surgeon General of the United States declared a mental health emergency for children and youth and in May 2023 he issued an advisory about the impact of social media on the mental health of American youth. This workshop will equip youth group leaders with the information they need to be a presence of caring and support for their youth. Those who attend will be able to 1. Determine the cause of mental health problems  2. Identify coping skills  3. Have supportive conversations with their youth about mental health.

Join here: https://zoom.us/j/93648284227?pwd=OFVPRlBQMlUwNGlhcDdscFFTY3BPZz09
Meeting ID: 936 4828 4227
Passcode: 597506
Dial-in option: 1 646 931 3860

Facilitators: Rob Zuckerman & Rev. Daniel Gepford

Even though churches are non-profit organizations, there are a variety of special tax issues that churches and clergy should be aware of. For example, what are the tax implications if part of a church building is rented out to another organization? Who is considered an “employee” of a church? What tax-related forms should a church expect to need to file? What is a “housing exclusion”? The workshop will provide a basic introduction to tax issues affecting churches and clergy, along with information about sources of further information for reference.

Join here: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/84385885618?pwd=7AHoz9KKzejZ9kPlHA5E5YKvidb4cv.1&from=addon
Meeting ID: 843 8588 5618
Password: 925465
One tap mobile: 13092053325,,84385885618# US

Facilitator: Mecan Payne

Join Next Generation Ministries’ Program Specialist, Mecan Payne in an introductory workshop, Facilitating Small Groups with Youth. In this workshop, you will gain knowledge on preparing, setting the stage and facilitation of small groups for youth students grades 6-12. You will walk away from this workshop with broadened knowledge of small groups in youth ministry along with accessible resources specifically for youth small groups.

Join here: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/6838322136
Meeting ID: 683 832 2136
Dial-in option: 1 301 715 8592

Facilitator: Brian Roberts

Join with Rev. Brian Roberts, Executive Director of the UM Stewardship Foundation of GNJ for a session that will cover

• Key trends in charitable giving based on the Giving 2023 Report
• The need for focus on “Year-round Generosity”
• Developing dynamic “offering talks”
• And the importance of starting or focusing on Planned Giving for your congregation, this year!

Each attendee will be provided links to key free resources and share in discussion around best practices for congregations so that they grow giving in 2024.

Join here: https://gnjumc.zoom.us/j/87108622404?pwd=Dx9mtwpylu9ILDJlY2WtJagjxJyzWS.1
Meeting ID: 871 0862 2404
Password: 478

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Amanda Hemenetz

Through this workshop, leaders will gain an understanding on why incorporating difficult topics in worship is encouraged by scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Leaders will learn how to incorporate potentially divisive material in various aspects of worship, without disengaging the congregation, with an emphasis on preaching related to relevant, challenging topics.

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81375470274?pwd=LzRFNTNLKyt1ZXFOZkVvRUkxcHhjUT09
Meeting ID: 813 7547 0274
Passcode: 257759
Dial -in Option: 646 558 8656