Workshops by Area
Adult Discipleship
Connecting Newcomers from the Parking Lot to Membership
Come learn the strategies and processes Van Dyke uses to engage individuals into the life of the church. We will share how we implement connections, follow up, and the steps necessary for newcomers to connect and move to being a committed member. You will receive the tools necessary so your church can put together a powerful connection process that will engage and empower people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Presenter: Karen Peel Pre-Conference
Adult Bible Study: Large Group/Small Group Model
Men’s Bible Study and Women’s Bible Study are springboards to life-changing small groups. Hear how Van Dyke draws adults to Bible Study and gives them a small group experience at the same time. Presenters: Lynne Fukutani, Jenny Gemmill, and David Gonzalez Breakout 1
Volunteers: The Backbone of Ministry
No matter the size or denomination of your church…we all have one thing in common, VOLUNTEERS! Ministry can’t happen without them and yet this is often the most challenging aspect of what we do. Where are they? How do we find them? Care for them? Help them? Wake them up? This workshop will explore some examples of recruiting, retaining, and recognizing volunteers. Open forum for questions. Presenter: Amanda DeAndrea Breakout 1
Growing Mature Disciples: Putting Together an Intentional Discipling Process
The purpose of the church is to help persons grow in their love of God and in their service to their neighbor. That’s Biblical spiritual growth. But how do church leaders help people do that? This practical workshop will explore five things that congregations must do to support the spiritual growth of people. 1) Get them into the Word. 2) Train for accountable relationships. 3) Support persons establishing daily personal disciplines. 4) Provide on-ramps to service. 5) Offer worship that gives opportunities to encounter God afresh and challenges persons to respond obediently to relevant next steps. The workshop will draw in part from the study reported in Move: What 1,000 Congregations Revealed about Spiritual Growth published by The Willow Creek Association. Presenter: Jeff Stiggins Breakouts 1 and 4
How to Connect Your Congregation into Community
Most churches are too large for everyone to know everybody. But, everyone needs to know somebody. This workshop will present proven strategies to connect entire congregations into groups for a campaign and for life. Special emphasis will be given to churches with established Sunday Schools and Midweek Bible Studies. Presenter: Allen White Breakout 2
Leading People to Christ
Help your church develop a heart for lost people. Inspire and equip your people to invest in friends, neighbors, and co-workers and invite them to church. Learn how to give an effective invitation for people to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Create a system for following up with new believers and helping them experience baptism and growth in Christ. Presenter: Matthew Hartsfield Breakout 2
The Evolution of Women's Ministry
It's not old fashion! It's not a prayer meeting! It's a thriving changing ministry touching women of every age. Come hear how to grow a healthy exciting Women's Ministry. Hear encouraging ideas from volunteer leaders excited about the importance of Christian women gathering together. From monthly breakfasts, planning retreats, serve opportunities, big event planning, and more. Presenter: Amanda DeAndrea Breakout 2
Recruiting an Unlimited Number of Small Group Leaders
What if all of the small group leaders you needed were sitting in your congregation? They are! In this workshop, you will learn how to invite and motivate solid potential leaders to start new small groups. We will also discuss the right tools and support to get these groups off on the right foot. Presenter: Allen White Breakout 3
Events to Appreciate Volunteers
Volunteer appreciation is critical and we know that if we feed them, they will come. There is so much more to that, and the recipe for success is in the details. Regardless of how small your budget, or how big your guest list, we have some tried and true methods of appreciating your team that will make your volunteers feel needed and cared for, and help them to recognize their part in the kingdom of God. Presenters: Julie Giles and Amanda DeAndrea Breakout 3
Connect Newcomers to Your Church
This will be an overview of the Newcomer Ministry at Van Dyke. Come hear how we create and implement positive connections for first time guests. We’ll share how to develop effective follow-up and a next step process necessary to help newcomers engage in the life of the church. (The material covered in this workshop is the same material presented in the Connecting Newcomers from the Parking Lot to Membership pre-conference workshop.) Presenter: Karen Peel Breakout 3
Creating a Membership Class
Do you want members that are growing, serving, tithing, and committed disciples? Come discover how to create a powerful class that engages, empowers, and excites people about becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus in your church. Presenter: Karen Peel Breakout 4
Ministering to Moms
Moms of all ages and stages need other moms to learn from, to laugh with, to grow with. Help your moms find one another through community in a weekly format designed to get the moms talking to one another. Presenters: Lynne Fukutani and Sheri Wilson Breakout 4