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Church teams signed up for the Congregational Enrichment Venture (CEV) will begin their first year of work and collaboration with the first of four sessions starting on November 17, at St. Simon's on the Sound in Fort Walton Beach. CEV offers a two year training program for churches to explore ways to further the Kingdom of God, not merely to survive but to be vital and viable congregations.
The first year, entitled Hopeful Leadership, will focus on fostering hope, and the courage to be creative and try new ideas. Experts in their field, the following consultants have been lined up to lead the four training sessions:
SESSION I: KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND HOW IT AFFECTS WHO YOU WILL BE
Discerning Our Congregational Dynamics with the Rev. Jacques Hadler, Jr
Session II: IF WE CLOSE OUR DOOR, WHO WOULD NOTICE?
Knowing Your Context with the Rev. Kammy Young
Session III: SHARING THE LOAD
The Need for Collaborative Leadership ~ A primer on Fierce Conversations with Courtney Reid
Session IV: FIGHT OR FLIGHT OR BE THE CHURCH
Navigating Change and Conflict with Shannon Ammons
Bishop Russell offered the teams these encouraging words, "I am excited and hopeful about the journey on which we are about to embark. Like Abraham and Sarah, you have made a decision of hopeful leadership by “going, not knowing where we are going.” I pray that God will give us the light of holy wisdom, saintly courage and sacred creativity as we venture forth."
Join us as we lift each church team in prayer as they begin the work they have been called to do to further the Kingdom of God:
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The church teams are Epiphany, Crestview; Epiphany, Enterprise; St. Andrew's, Mobile; St. Andrew's, Panama City; St. Cyprian's, Pensacola; St. Michael's, Ozark; St. Monica's, Cantonment; St. Patrick's, Panama City; St. Paul's, Daphne; St. Simon's, Ft. Walton Beach; and Trinity, Mobile.