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Director of Connectional Ministries Orientation / Training Event
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Schedule of 2003 Event
Summary of 2003 Event
 

  
2003 New District Superintendent and Director of Connectional Ministries Orientation/Training

This annual event is co-sponsored by the Council of Bishops, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the General Council on Ministries.

The 2003 event was held on August 24-29, 2003 at Lake Junaluska Assembly. Seventy district superintendents and eleven directors of connectional ministries attended. The event was led by 45 faculty members including GCOM members: Austin Frederick, Alfred Gwinn, Marilynn Huntington, Bishop Alfred Johnson, Marcus Matthews, and Jane Allen Middleton, and GCOM staff: Daniel K. Church, Velva Hardaway, Don Hayashi, Cecelia Long, and Benoni Silva-Netto.

Plenary Session topics included Engaging Conflict Well, Intercultural Understandings, and New Possibilities for Ministry. Open Space Technology was used to utilize the gifts and knowledge of participants to explore seven topics of interest to the new superintendents and directors. A Mission and Ministry Fair, including participation of all the program-related general agencies, was held to acquaint participants to the many resources available to assist them in their ministries.

The Director of Connectional Ministries Workshop was planned and led by Marilynn Huntington, Mac Brantley, Sharon Brown Christopher, Austin Frederick, Tom Salsgiver, and Cecelia Long. The workshop sessions focused on the five transformational directions: Centering on Christian Formation, Calling Forth Covenant Leadership, Empowering the Connection for Ministry, Strengthening Our Global Connection and Ecumenical Relationships, and Encouraging Doctrinal and Theological Discourse.

The District Superintendent Workshops focused on the disciplinary responsibilities of the superintendents: Supervision, Personnel, Administration, Leadership, and Legal Concerns.

Early indications from participant evaluations are very positive. Bishop Ann Sherer named a Design Team to refine the design for the 2004 event and a meeting in planned this fall.