Offered by the Office of Congregational Excellence under the leadership of
Dr. Richard Hunter, Associate Director
About the 2022-2023 Academy
For more information, contact richard.hunter@ngumc.net
Resources
Goals for this academy and the participants:
Fee
The Academy fee is $800 per person. (Registration is $400. Churches and/or districts are encouraged to offer a $400 scholarship. We can provide a scholarship letter to give your church and/or district.)
Academy Gatherings & Topics
{each gathering is from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.}
August 25
Opening Gathering: Pastoral Innovation for Our New Day
General Board of Global Ministries Headquarters, Atlanta
(new campus site of Cascade UMC @ Midtown)
Speaker: Dr. Phil Schroeder
Host: Theneisha Dixon, Cascade @ Midtown
September 27
Restarting a Church for Missional Impact
Chicopee UMC, Gainesville
Hosts & Speakers: Rev. Bryan Smith & Rev. Justin Arnold
Afternoon session: Rev. Lindsay Geist, “Personal Care of a Faith Community Leader”
October 21-22
Better Together Conference at St. James UMC, Alpharetta & Northbrook UMC
Speaker: Dr Jim Tomberlin
(Academy members will receive tickets to this conference.)
November 29
Building Leadership Teams for the 21st Century Church
Simpsonwood UMC, Norcross + Host: Rev. Susan Allen Grady
Speaker: Dr Bryan Sims, author of Leading Together
(Academy members should complete Path 1 assessment tools by November 10)
January 17
“Reaching the Nones & Dones “
Oconee Street UMC, Athens Georgia
Host/Speaker: Rev. Laura Patterson
Afternoon: Rev. Brian Tillman teaches on being a church of racial justice and healing
February 16
A Strategic Merger Up Close
Fayette Friendship Community Church, a UM congregation in Fayetteville, Ga.
Rev. Dave Adamson, host pastor and speaker
March 6-9
Exponential 2023 Orlando
(https://exponential.org/orlando-2023/)
Academy members will have group accommodations at the Avanti Hotel.
April 18
Creating Sacred Spaces in Digital Places
Speaker: Rev. Jessica Blackwood
Host Church: Ousley UMC, Lithonia
May 16
Fresh Expressions of Church: Cultivator
Cartersville, Ga.
Speakers: Rev. Heather Jallad and Rev. Jacob Burson
Closing Session of Academy @ noon
.
Information on the 2023-2024 Academy will be posted here in early 2023.