More than 1200 leaders from 220 Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations have participated in Trinity Church’s conference on adapting the purpose-driven strategy for ministry in order to be more faithful and effective. This past fall, Michael Carey, Co-Pastor of Trinity and founder of this conference, was able to visit with churches in Omaha, Wichita, San Antonio, and Philadelphia. These on-site consultations were helpful in tailoring this next conference to the needs of those making the transition into purpose-driven ministry. Now there will be 3 tracks:

New workshops are also being developed to help congregations move to their next level of ministry impact.

Specifics of the Wednesday and Thursday Seminar Choices:

1. Foundational Seminar

For everyone seeking to learn how Presbyterians can adapt the Purpose-Driven® model with integrity, so that the congregations continually draws newcomers into worship, and are more effective in helping them develop authentic relationships, grow into mature disciples, discover significant ministries, and become world-changing missionaries. This seminar track is designed for leaders attending their first conference.
Led by Trinity Presbyterian's pastors and staff
After reading Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Church, and attending Saddleback’s Purpose-Driven® Conference in 1997, Michael led the Trinity team to retool the congregation, which has yielded eight years of healthy growth. In 2004 Trinity received Purpose-Driven Ministries "Church Health Award"©. Michael has taught seminars at Columbia Theological Seminary, Saddleback Church, and numerous presbytery events throughout the country. In 2005, Hoyt Byrum joined Trinity as Co-Pastor, giving oversight to the disciple-making programs

2. NEW FORMAT! Making the Transition Seminar

For leaders guiding congregations through the first two years of transition into purpose-driven ministry, and seeking to nurture a consensus for change, develop disciple-making programs, and motivate the congregation’s leadership.

Led by one of PCUSA's leading authorities on successful church transitioning, along with the pastors leading churches that are utilizing purpose-driven concepts

E. Stanley Ott will make presentations; then guide participants through peer group conversations, with the goal of developing an action plan for each congregation’s transformation. Stan is founder of Vital Church Institute and author of Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church and Transform Your Church with Ministry Teams. After 18 years as Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hills Community Church in Pittsburgh, he is a part-time Teaching Pastor of Vienna Presbyterian Church and devoting most of his energies to the Acts 16:5 Initiative, working with whole presbyteries in coaching dozens churches seeking to become transformational congregations.

Pastors Kathi Busch, Church of the Covenant, Wilmington, Delaware and Greg Cruice of New Covenant Presbyterian Church of Mandeville, Louisiana, will also share insights from leading their congregations through a purpose-driven transition

3. NEW! Breakout Seminar

For those who have been making the transition into purpose-driven ministry more than two years and are anticipating the healthy growth that results when purpose-driven Presbyterian congregations become crucibles of the Spirit’s transforming work.

Pastors Michael Carey, Denny Dennison, and Tim Roberts will recount the stages of their congregations’ transition, and initiate the seminar group’s conversation as to how to be aligned with the Holy Spirit’s transformation of good churches into great churches. Last year’s keynote speaker, Jorge Acevedo will provide a video format update on the amazing changes happening at Grace United Methodist Church. This seminar will also receive a presentation on organizational change by Howard Lance, corporate CEO and member of a purpose-driven PCUSA congregation. Participants will have the opportunity to dialogue with presenters and share in peer group conversations.

Denny Dennison Senior Pastor, North Lake Presbyterian Church, Lady Lake, Florida

Denny introduced purpose-driven concepts at a traditional church with a high percentage of retirement-age members. Despite challenges associated with following a beloved founding pastor, becoming purpose-driven has resulted in significant growth in the quality of life and the size of the congregation.

Tim Roberts Senior Pastor, Orange Park Presbyterian Church, Orange Park, Florida

Tim is representative of pastors who attended Trinity’s Foundational Seminar; began utilizing the purpose-driven concept, then returned to subsequent conferences with staff and lay leaders to continue to build momentum. Over the last four years, Orange Park Church has experienced significant growth in worship attendance and small group participation.

Howard Lance CEO of Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Florida

Trinity’s adaptation of purpose-driven ministry has been a catalyst for Howard’s spiritual growth. Since coming to Harris, Howard has made a significant impact in the community, and was recently recognized by Florida Today newspaper as "Citizen of the Year." As the CEO of an international communications and information technology company with 14,000 employees, and winner of the American Business Awards "Best CEO in 2006", Howard has a unique perspective on nurturing positive change.

Friday morning-7 New Workshops (For those in Foundational Seminar, we highly recommend Stan Ott’s workshop)

A Conference Schedule

Wednesday April 25

11:30-12:45pm Registration
1:00-1:30pm Plenary Gathering 1
1:30-5:00pm Foundational, Making the Transition and Breakout Seminars
5:30-6:30pm Dinner
7:00pm Celebration Night, Michael Carey and E. Stanley Ott, speaking

Thursday, April 26

8:30-9:00am Plenary Gathering 2
9:00-12:00pm Foundational, Making the Transition and Breakout Seminars
12:00-1:00pm Lunch
1:00-4:00pm Foundational, Making the Transition and Breakout Seminars
4:30- 5:00pm Plenary Gathering 3

Friday, April 27

8:30-9:00am Plenary Gathering 4
9:00-10:30am Workshops
10:45-12:15pm Workshops

Registration

Cost of registration is $185.00 per person.

(There is a $25.00 discount for early registration received by March 1st, 2007, and an additional discount of $25.00 for groups of 7 or more received by March 1st, 2007). Cost of registration includes: Conference fee, notebook, dinner on Wednesday, lunch on Thursday, and refreshments. Registration will open January 2, 2007; to register, go to www.purposedrivenpresbyteriansnetwork.net, and click on the Conference registration link, then follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to choose one Seminar track and two Friday workshops choices. You may pay by check, MasterCard, Visa, or check.

If you do not have internet capabilities, contact Penny Norrie - Conference Administrator – at 321-777-2047 to register by phone. For any additional questions you may also email us at info@purposedrivenpresbyteriansnetwork.net.
Please be in prayer about participating with a group from your church. And about those persons attending the seminar and workshops that would best prepare them for God-honoring, life-changing ministry.