Informed to Transform 7 

Please join us for "Informed to Transform 7" with Guest Speaker: Rev. Clif Christopher. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. 

*Please note: Registration closes Friday, Jan. 29, 2016.

PROGRAM:

The day will begin with Worship featuring our guest speaker Clif Christopher.  Rev Christopher will also be offering workshops – Part 1 in the morning and Part 2 in the afternoon.

Doors open at 8:15am
Worship: 9am
Morning Workshops: 10am
Lunch: 12pm
Afternoon Workshops:  1pm
Depart at 3pm

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT:

To register, click "Register Now!" below. 

There are two payment options: pay online and pay by check. The preferred method would be to pay online in order to streamline the registration process. However, if you need to pay by check, please mail the check to the Conference Office in Syracuse. 

FEATURED SPEAKER:

Dr. Clif Christopher, M. Div., CFRE

Clif founded the Horizons Stewardship Company in 1992 following a challenging career in pastoral ministry.  He serves as the company’s CEO to this day.  In his twenty years as a pastor, he led numerous major building and capital campaigns.  Since founding Horizons, he and his strategists have led consultations in over 2,000 churches, conferences, synods and diocese in all phases of building, finance, and church growth.

Dr. Christopher is a certified church growth consultant and has earned the coveted title CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive).  In 1995, he was given the National Circuit Rider Award by the United Methodist Church for outstanding leadership in developing vital congregations.

Under Clif’s leadership, Horizons Stewardship has helped secure several billion dollars for churches.  He has personally worked in over 42 states and is a frequent speaker at stewardship seminars around the country.  He is the co-author of the book Holy Smoke, the author of Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate, Whose Offering Plate Is It?, Rich Church - Poor Church and The Church Money Manual published by Abingdon Press.  Dr. Bill Easum, noted consultant and author, said, “No one knows more about local church stewardship than Clif Christopher.”  Mega church pastor, Adam Hamilton said, “When I have a stewardship question, I call Clif Christopher.”  Foundation director, David Atkins said, “Clif is one of the most effective communicators in the field of church fundraising today.”  Author and highly successful pastor, Mike Slaughter said, “Clif Christopher is one of the top authorities on church finance and stewardship in America.”

Clif has been an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church since 1975, is a combat veteran of the Gulf War, and is married and living in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Morning Options:

Stewardship Part 1: Rev. Dr. Clif Christopher

SPRC & Pastor Transitions Training: Rev. Jeff McDowell
Basic Training for Staff Parish Relations Committee – all aspects. Plus instructions on how to help transition Pastors out and Pastors in to the life of a church.

A Problem of Magnitude: Worshipping with Young People in the UMC: Rev. Stephen Cady
The significance (or insignificance in this case) of corporate worship practices with United Methodist young people and what we might do to better connect.

A Job or a Ministry?- Secretaries/Ad Assistants/Record Keeping: Barb Kingsley, Administrative Assistant Rush UMC and Past President of Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries)
Some great ideas on how to be effective and efficient in a welcoming office and in keeping records, discussion on job vs ministry and Q&A.

Trustees: Tom Clemow
The workshop for trustees will focus on basic fiduciary responsibilities, the Trust Clause, and the    covenant of responsibility within our connectional system, as well as accountability within New York State Religious Corporation Law. 

Why We Are Here: a dialogue of faith journeys with young adults: Young Adults of UNY
The young adults of Upper New York invite you to an intergenerational dialogue of our shared experiences – why we, as young adults, are disciples of Jesus Christ within The United Methodist Church in the 21st Century. Converse with us as we share our journeys about why we’re here.

Afternoon Options:

Stewardship Part 2: Rev. Dr. Clif Christopher
A continuation of the morning’s workshop.

Your Conference Finance Office:  Conference Treasurer Kevin Domanico
A wide range of financial topics will be covered. You will be able to ask questions and get    information to empower and support local church treasurers, finance committee members and    clergy. It will be a time to get to know each other and get a sense of the resources the Conference has available. Ministry Share allocations, statistical reporting, financial controls and annual church audits will all be discussed.

Essentials for a Healthy Congregation: Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens
Each congregation is unique. An activity that works in one congregation might not work in          another. Yet, there are some essential principles every congregation must wrestle with if they are going to be a healthy congregation. This workshop will explore 8 essentials for a healthy          congregation.

Spiritual Gifts: Pastor Meg Morin
We are all graced with one if not more spiritual gifts purposed to us for making or growing    disciples and/or for joining God in Kingdom building.  If we are working from our particular    giftedness, we are most often joyful, patient, kind, enthusiastic.  Come and investigate your 'Best    Kingdom Fit" by Discovering your God-given Spiritual Giftedness!.

Reaching the Community with Prayer: Rev. Jennifer Green
Our world is searching for hope, meaning and light in the midst of the darkness.  Reaching Your    Community with Prayer will give you practical theology and tools on how to offer prayer to your    surrounding community.  From organizing informal and formal prayer walks to Prayer Vigils, this    workshop will help you to become a prayer centered community.

Leadership Competencies: Dr. Scott Johnson
A conversation on the leadership competencies being developed by the Conference Board of    Laity to assist Lay people lead well.

How to tell about changed lives: Deacon Dee Finch and Pam Renfro
The future of our faith traditions involves rethinking, renewing, revisiting how we offer the gospel that can reshape lives, with inspiration and relevancy, in and out of the church.  We will explore with new ways anyone can tell stories of faith that matter.   What and how we share will help us all move our Faith forward reaching others. How we tell the stories is important around changed lives.  

 

 

 

Register Now!