TJ Connection - Summer 2004

Planning forGrowth and Vitality in Small Congregations

About the Workshop
This weekend workshop, scheduled for September 10-12 in Boone, NC, focuses on some specific issues of small-sized congregations (up to 150 members.) In particular, it helps congregational teams to focus on what changes they can expect as they grow into and beyond a small-sized congregation. The workshop culminates in the team developing an action plan that integrates their insights and implications from the workshop.

Congregations with up to 150 members are invited to register. Only the first 8 congregational teams will be accepted.

Participating congregations must agree to send between three and four intentionally chosen team members to the workshop. The team should include the minister, religious education professional, lay leaders and board members.

Date, Time and Location
September 10-12, 2004
Team members are expected to attend all three days
The workshop begins Friday at 6:00PM and ends on Sunday at 2PM.

Location is the Boone UU Fellowship located at 381 E. King Street in Boone, NC.

Cost
$110/3 person team, $150/4 person team

Includes Friday dinner, two lunches and materials for all team members.

Limited home hospitality is available; child care may be offered if there is sufficient interest.

Pre-Work
Team members are asked to meet and complete an assignment before the workshop. The assignment will be sent to congregations when their registrations are accepted.

Benefits:
In the Planning for Growth and Vitality Workshop, your team will learn how to:

**Identify some of the current strengths and future opportunities for growth, change and development in your congregation.

**Learn some specific strategies for moving from a “Family” to “Pastoral” style congregation.

**Focus on ways that a vision, a sense of purpose and a responsiveness to your surrounding community can direct your efforts for expressing these in the ministry of the congregation.

**Be able to put some of the concerns that you have about “volunteerism” and “fundraising” into a broader and systemic view of the congregation.