Jan. 13 My Job Workshop offers leadership training

My Job Workshop 2007 will be Jan. 13 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Grace UMC, 11222 Leo-pard St., Corpus Christi.
The free event is sponsored by the Corpus Christi District and will provide quality leadership training for the laity.
My Job Workshop offers a prime opportunity for both new and experienced leaders to become better equipped to do the work God has called them to do in the local church. Pastors are encouraged to attend as well.
The lineup of topics and presenters offers something for everyone.
Childcare will be available at Grace UMC at no cost. Parents needing this service must pre-register all children, indicating the number and their ages on the registration form.
All Corpus Christ District congregations are encouraged to take advantage of this training opportunity. Brochures have been mailed to pastors, lay leaders and other committee chairs in all local churches.
The brochure includes the event schedule, a description of all topics available and a registration form. Pre-registration for this free event will ensure sufficient handout materials.

Extended workshop offerings
Participants may choose to attend one of these extended-length presentations (9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.):

Finance and the Local Church
This session will provide an in-depth look at local church finances and will help church treasurers, finance committee chairs and members understand the duties and responsibilities of this important committee.
Session leader is the Rev. David Seilheimer, treasurer of the Southwest Texas Conference.

PPRC/SPRC Role & Responsibilities
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church states that the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee/Staff-Parish Relations Committee shall “confer and counsel with the pastor and staff in making an effective ministry, keeping the pastor and staff advised concerning conditions within the congregation as they affect relationships between the pastor and the people.” In this session, PPR/SPR chairs and committee members will learn the roles and responsibilities of the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee.
The Rev. Barbara J. Ruth, Corpus Christi District superintendent, will lead this session.

Other workshop offerings
Participants who don’t go to an extended workshop may choose to attend two of the following presentations. Each topic will be presented twice—from 9:45 to 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:

The Role of the Trustees in the Local Church
What exactly are the trustees supposed to do? Are they the ones who “fix things around the property”? How do the trustees, the church council/administrative board and the pastor work together? Learn about responsibilities of being a trustee, including the annual report that must be prepared by trustees for Charge Conference.
Presenter to be announced.

The Ministry of Worship
This session is designed for chairs and members of local church worship committees (work areas) as well as anyone interested in knowing more about worship. The following are some of the topics this session will address: the role of the worship committee in assisting the pastor, orders of worship, nuts and bolts of the service, Holy Communion, special seasons and services, the church calendar, and making worship vital.
The Rev. John Wright, senior pastor of Grace UMC, Corpus Christi, will lead the session. Wright has experience in both traditional and contemporary worship formats.

Older Adult Ministries
America is changing from a youth-oriented culture to a senior-oriented culture as Baby Boomers approach life’s second half. This session will deal with the reasons it is so important for our churches to develop a program for older adults.
Presented by Wilma Williams, chair of both the Southwest Texas Conference and district Council on Older Adult Ministries.

Workshop Rotation Model: A New Approach to Sunday School
The decline of Sunday school is one of the worst-kept secrets in the church. Some say it’s a sign of the times. Others wonder if the traditional model ever really worked. The Workshop Rotation Model offers a different approach to teaching major Bible stories and concepts through kid-friendly multimedia workshops: art, drama, music, games, audiovisual, puppets, storytelling, computers and any other educational media you can get your hands on. Teachers teach the same Bible story in all of the workshops for four-to-eight weeks, rotating the kids to a different workshop each week. Come and hear about this exciting method that is both teacher- and kid-friendly.
Presented by the Rev. Vivian Woods, associate pastor of First UMC, Beeville.

Creating Discipleship Systems
We have been commissioned to make disciples. Too often, we have trouble even getting people to come and hear the message of the gospel. Once people do enter the doors of our church, we often miss the opportunity to help them find a path that will lead them to a deepening level of discipleship. This session will help you rethink how our churches attract and welcome new people and lead them to become true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Presented by the Rev. Will Rice, associate pastor of Grace UMC, Corpus Christi.

Money Talk in the Church
A celebration of Wesleyan stewardship with helpful resources for stewardship education and practical tools for funding ministry.
Presented by James Varner, vice president of stewardship services, Texas Methodist Foundation.

Finding Common Ground on
Living Out Our Faith and the Gospel
The focus of this presentation is on respectful dialogue and ways to find common ground on social issues where people of faith may hold diverse positions. Attendees will learn the guidelines for respectful dialogue and how to apply them to explore difficult issues and, we hope, find agreement on actions we, as individuals and United Methodists, can take to live out our faith and the gospel in our world.
Presented by members of the conference Board of Church and Society.

Registration
Registration for My Job Workshops may be sent to the Corpus Christi District Office anytime between now and Jan. 13 by mail, fax or e-mail. Please contact Cheryl Worley, program director, for additional information at (361) 852-8268, (361) 852-3370 (fax) or ccprogram@bizstx.rr.com.

Directions
Grace UMC is near the intersection of Leopard Street and Violet Road in northwest Corpus Christi. Exit I-37 at Violet Road, turning south toward Leopard. Turn right on Leopard. You will see the church on your right just past McDonald’s.