Training Events

Congregational Development offers a number of training opportunities for churches and individuals. Here are some of what's on offer:

Coaching4Clergy’s Professional Coach Training is a program for pastors, church leaders, and ministry staff who want to develop ministry excellence and effectiveness.  

Often unprepared for the shifting landscape of ministry in today’s world, most pastors do not feel equipped to effectively lead their churches. With uncertain preparation, leaders are expected to step up and enable and fulfill new dreams despite shrinking budgets, changing demographics, and being stretched further and further.

This training is part of a program founded by Dr. J. Val Hastings, pastor and Master Certified Coach. Honed by years of experience, Coaching4Clergy equips pastors with the knowledge and expertise to be effective leaders – and compensates for the missing skills they were non even aware that they would need. 

Coaching4Clergy’s Professional Coach Training is an Accredited Coach Training Program through the International Coach Federation. 

 

The first 12 people to join you starting a new ministry, new church, or new faith community will set the tone and shape for the future, set the pattern for replicating leadership, and begin a cascade of invitation. Finding those first twelve is key to growth. “First 12” is a two-day training designed to help you gather and grow the first 12 committed, core people.

The training is led by Rick McKinley, Conference Director of Congregational Development. 

In this training, combined with a year of practical coaching follow-up, you will learn the skills, habits, and lifestyle practices that will give your new vision the best chance of launching with a team of 12 committed leaders.

“First 12” is also valuable for leaders of existing faith communities who want to start new small groups, new fellowship, new mission outreach, new worship services or new gatherings.

Read more about First 12

First 12 sessions coming up will be listed here

 

Growing with Hope

"Growing with Hope" is a year-long learning community for church teams offered by HopeGateWay, a United Methodist community in Portland, ME, in partnership with the New England Conference Office of Congregational Development. Church teams of four to six persons each, including the pastor, are invited to apply to participate in the program. 
 
 

Launchpad is a year-long process for planters and their teams offered by the New England Conference Office of Congregational Development.

Launchpad training events mark the beginning of that process, which is designed to address the specific concerns faced in the Northeast. During the training, planter leaders and their teams will sketch out ministry plans for the coming nine months, considering both attractional and missional ministry elements.

Subjects include: theology and call, affinity groups, vision-casting, best practices, community networking, bonding with the mission field, fund-raising, self and family care, and how to hold effective meetings.

Following the training, each team is provided with a trained coach who can help teams move to the next season of church planting.

Learn more about Launchpad

Launchpad sessions coming up will be listed here

 

Shift Network 

Shift Network is a year-long process of training and coaching for local churches that focuses on five areas of faith development: Worship, Hospitality, Discipleship, Service, and Generosity.  
Face-to-face training and phone coaching sessions are led by Phil Maynard and his team of high caliber church leaders.