Workshops

Workshops

Models of Pastoral Care

Is your congregation struggling to maintain pastoral care in the congregation? Does it want to enhance or replace ruling elder districts? This practical workshop is designed for congregations and/or sessions as they discern a model of pastoral care that addresses the following:

• particular pastoral needs of their faith communities
• skills and gifts of their ruling elders and pastoral visitors
• theology of pastoral care expressed in the life of these congregations

Various models of pastoral care currently in place in Presbyterian congregations in Canada, including life groups, traditional elders’ districts and intercultural models, are presented and explored using power point, activities and small group discussions. Tools used include congregations’ vision statements, ministry goals and priorities. Typically, this workshop follows the basic pastoral care workshop which explores the Biblical foundation and vocation of pastoral care and develops specific pastoral care tools and skills of everyone who provides pastoral care.

Pastoral care tools for outreach

How do we invite neighbours, friends and those who are on the margins of the church to experience God's presence in the faith community? In this workshop, participants explore Jesus' model of outreach and hospitality presented in Luke 24:13-35 (the Road to Emmaus) and learn pastoral care tools they can use in their present-day ministry to build the church and serve God's people. This interactive, hands-on workshop uses Bible study, studies on church growth, case studies, small groups and PowerPoint. It was designed for ruling elders but is open to everyone who wants to learn about faith-based outreach.

Elder Basics: The Call and Role of Ruling Elders

In this workshop, we discover the roots of eldership in the Bible, early church and Reformation, and explore the living tradition in today’s church. This workshop uses PowerPoint, quizzes, small group work, lectures, questionnaires and games to engage participants as they share their Presbyterian experience and wisdom.

The  Loving Presence of Christ in our Pastoral Visits

In this workshop, we learn some basic pastoral care tools and practice what to say during a regular pastoral visit to someone’s home, in a moment of crisis at a hospital bedside and during a bereavement visit.  Participants learn about and practice active listening skills as well as verbal responses that encourage and support those we visit in the context of Christian care.

Taking Care of Business: Effective Church Meetings

This workshop uses role play and humour to explore how to run church meetings. Participants learn about group development theory, principles of effective leadership, tested strategies and tools for removing roadblocks to effective decision-making and building consensus.

Presbyterian-Style Outreach

A hands-on, embarrassment-free workshop on spreading the Good News in today’s society. Participants learn strategies (a) to reach out to the unchurched (b) to engage in conversations that may heal unresolved hurt and conflict with former church members (c) to open everyday conversations about spiritual issues.

Spiritual Mentoring

What is a mentor? How do we pass the torch of faith and wisdom to seekers, newly-ordained elders, young people and new Christians? In this workshop, we learn about the long tradition of Christian mentoring, explore the characteristics and skills of Christian mentors and practice some of the tools participants can use as they mentor others in their churches, workplaces and local communities.

Finding & Keeping Volunteers, Fighting Burnout

This workshop tackles two of the most urgent problems in the church – burnout and volunteers. Together we unpack many of the assumptions and expectations of church leadership, learn strategies to find and keep volunteers, reassess priorities, and recharge our spiritual batteries. Teaching tools used in this workshop include PowerPoint, role play, questionnaires, Bible study, and small group work.

The Ministry of a Church Secretary

This special day will honour the ministry of church secretaries and administrative assistants. The workshop will be divided into three components:

1. Part of the Ministry Team
Your work as a church secretary or administrative assistant is more than a job. Much of your time may be spent alone in your office, but the truth is, no matter how large or how small your church staff is, you are a part of the Ministry Team. God uses you and your gifts to care for God’s people, enabling the congregation to do God’s work.

2. Managing the Church Office
All offices and all secretaries are different. What works for one office may not work for another. The strengths and successes of your office are finding ways that work well for you. Learn to put into practice some new ideas for your office, or be inspired to adapt some suggestions to suit your own needs.

3. Take Care of Yourself
Focusing on yourself is not selfish. Keep yourself healthy and motivated so that you are able to do your work well. We’ll look at keeping the vision lively, personal safety, your office space, and more.

Conflict Resolution

Elders' Institute consultants are available to visit congregations who request workshops on conflict resolution, vision statements, and goal-setting specific to the needs and challenges of ministry in that particular context. These workshops include follow-up and a special fee is negotiated between the congregation and the consultant. Contact the Elders' Institute for more information. See Staff & Contacts.

Discerning Gifts for Spiritual Leadership

This workshop uses Bible study, spiritual gifts inventories, tools of discernment and leadership theory to help participants discern their calling to church leadership. Topics include fighting burnout, leadership styles, and strategies for effective conflict management.

Finding God in Everyday Life: A Workshop in Theological Reflection

When the Reformation established the “priesthood of all believers” (Martin Luther), theological reflection became the domain of all Christians. How do we discern the presence of God in our lives and the lives of others? This workshop introduces a model of theological reflection that participants apply first to a short, animated NFB film, then to a case study and finally to a personal experience. This model will help participants find spiritual depth in their lives and in the lives of the people they encounter through their pastoral conversations.

The Lord’s Prayer

Participants will find new faith and inspiration from “the prayer Jesus taught us” in this workshop based on the new Elders’ Institute online course (offered Fall 2008). Ideal for groups that prefer in-person workshops.

The Apostles’ Creed

The online course, The Apostles’ Creed: Deepening Our Faith, is one of the most popular Elders’ Institute courses. Building on the course, this workshop explores the tenets of Christian faith and uses interactive exercises and small group work to engage participants in exploring their faith.

Introduction to Lay Ministry

This workshop is designed for ruling elders and lay leaders who take primary leadership roles in the worship, education and leadership of a local congregation. Workshop topics may vary and are determined in advance in consultation with the participants. Topics may include one or several of the following; preaching, liturgy and prayer, polity basics, decision making, pastoral care basics, effective meetings, etc. This workshop must be booked four to six months in advance.

Leading Worship

In this workshop, ruling elders and lay leaders learn about the history of reformed worship, spirituality and how to meet the pastoral needs of God's people through Presbyterian worship services. Participants learn a model for preparing prayers that they can use to develop the movement of a worship service. This interactive workshop includes quizzes, prayer writing and practice reading Scripture.