Elders and Diaconate Workshop 2004

Elders and Diaconate Workshop
March 5-6, 2010
Co-sponsored by Lexington Theological Seminary and Christmount Christian Assembly
Brochure & Registration Form

Please go to www.christmount.org/Outreach.htm to get information on what extra to bring to the event!

KEYNOTER: Dr.Margaret N. Ralph
Director of M.A. Program for Roman Catholic Students
Lexington Theological Seminary

Theme: "And God Said What?"

When you read Scripture do you sometimes find yourself asking, “Why would God say that?” Why would God tell the Israelites to kill the women and children in the towns they conquer? Why would Jesus tell people not to tell anyone about his healings? Answers to such questions can be found by considering context, especially the contexts of literary form, the beliefs of the time, and a process of revelation. If you would like to explore these issues, please join us. Margaret Nutting Ralph will be giving two presentations based on her best-selling book And God Said What? You will learn the contextualist approach to Scripture and will be able to understand more clearly what biblical authors intended to teach.

Margaret Ralph, her husband, Don, and their four children moved to Lexington in 1972. Dr. Ralph taught in the English Department/Religious Studies Program at the University of Kentucky. She later became the consultant for Adult Faith Development for the Diocese of Covington, the Director of RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and Evangelization for the Diocese of Lexington, and, for 16 years, the Secretary of Educational Ministries for the Diocese of Lexington.
Dr. Ralph is the author of eleven books including And God Said What?, an Introduction to Literary Forms in the Bible, the Discovering the Living Word series, and a new series, Breaking Open the Lectionary: Lectionary Readings in Their Biblical Context for RCIA, Faith Sharing Groups, and Lectors. Her work has been translated into Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean.

Skill Shops
Elders will choose two skill shops, as will deacons: one in the morning and a different one in the afternoon. It is suggested that if your church is sending no elders, that an elder volunteer to attend diaconate skill shops to take home information (and vice versa, if no elders are attending).

Skill Shop Leaders:

Rev. Sekinah Hamlin, Minister of Reconciliation/Anti-Racism for the Southeastern Regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Mary Beth Harper, Co-pastor of First Christian Church, Greenville, NC

Rev. Terry Harper, Co-pastor of First Christian Church, Greenville, NC

Rev. Jamie Brame, Church Relations Director, Christmount

2010 cost per person (includes Friday supper, Saturday breakfast and lunch, one night's lodging, and conference fee):
   Single - $119.25
   Double - $96
   Triple - $88.25
   Locals - $41.50 plus meals

Schedule

Friday, March 5
Registration begins Friday afternoon
6:00        Supper
7:00        Orientation
7:15        First Session, total group
9:00        Vespers
9:30        Fellowship Time in upstairs lobby

Saturday, March 6
8:00 AM   Breakfast
9:00         Second Session, total group
10:30        Break
10:45        Skill Shops
12:15 PM Lunch
1:15         Skill Shops
3:00         Closing Worship & Communion
3:30         Depart

If you want, you can make a reservation to stay over on Saturday night. Meals will not be served. Some elders or deacons come as a group and stay over for a mini-retreat for planning after the event. Let us know if you would like a meeting space for your group!

Brochure & Registration Form