Congregational Deveopment - Fresh Start

Fresh Start is a joint program of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, and the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It seeks to strengthen the relationships among clergy, congregations, and dioceses/synods during the critical periods of transition in clergy leadership in the congregation.

Originally developed by the Office for Ministry Development of the Episcopal Church and Cornerstone, a ministry of the Episcopal Church Foundation, the program assists congregations and clergy during transitions in their ministry. The program enables ministry by:

• Assisting with transitional issues that affect both clergy and laity in congregations.
• Sharpening skills for congregational development.
• Strengthening collegial relationships among diocesan and synod clergy, as well as relationships between clergy and their congregations.
• Deepening trust among the clergy, congregations, the bishop, diocesan, and synod staff.

Fresh Start is a program in which issues of transition affecting both clergy and congregations can be discussed openly and honestly. Sessions topics will be selected from the following:

Getting to Know You
Exit & Entrance Issues
Systems Theory as Applied to Congregations
History Taking and Understanding:
The Bishop
Conflict Management
Conflict Management and church Size
Congregational Development 101
Goal Setting for the Future
Importance of Family & Friends
Managing Change
Models of Leadership & Authority
Mutual Ministry Reviews
Negotiated Relationships
Planned Re-Negotiation
Power Analysis
Profile vs. Reality
Reinventing Leadership
Role Clarity
Spiritual Formation in Transition
Strategies for Achieving Personal Balance
Strategies for Organizing Your Professional Life
Understanding Church type
Understanding Stress and Burnout
Vestry Retreats

Facilitators:
The Rev. David Fisher
Lower Susquehanna Synod
900 South Arlington Avenue, Suite 208
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 652-1852 Extension 105

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