This seminar will be composed of three sessions, led by Rev. Michael Mata, Director of Network Engagement & Leadership Development for TogetherLA. Most recently he was the director of the graduate program in Transformational Urban Leadership at Azusa Pacific University. His prior assignments have included the Tools for Transformation Director for World Vision U.S. Programs, the Mildred M. Hutchinson Assistant Professor of Urban Ministry and Director of the Urban Leadership Institute at the Claremont School of Theology.
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#SeeAllthePeople: Re-Engaging our Community & Revitalizing the Church
- Session 1: Going Beyond “Fish-giving”This presentations outlines a “community transformation” framework that, not negating their value, moves beyond benevolent action and community service towards creating a viable and sustainable approach that enhances the quality of life of all residents in marginal communities. The session will provide a biblical base and theological framework that will underscore the role of churches in the community transformation process.
- Session 2: Having Impact without Increasing the BudgetThis presentation is an introduction to asset-based community development (ABCD), an approach that recognizes and unleashes the inherent strengths and abilities in a community, no matter how marginal, to create substantive change and encourage greater creativity. The ABCD approach provides a way for churches to find, support and mobilize what they have in order to build a more vital and stronger community.
- Session 3: Embracing Social Enterprise for Just, Sustainable and Impactful Churches (co-lead by The Rev. Canon Jaime Edwards-Acton)In this introductory talk, social enterprise will be approached from a justice-perspective. The promotion of the benefactor-only model (i.e., tithing) discourages small and poor church communities from dreaming audaciously for ministry because they are limited in their capacity to fund it and thus further truncates the larger conversations of what the church is for and how the church is being called to change and adapt in order to increase its impact. I will share my story of social enterprise, define some basic terms and concepts, explore the “sweet spot” of social enterprise, share examples of successful social enterprises and discuss other social enterprise conversations happening in the church and beyond.
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Details:
This event is open to all, but we encourage local church leadership teams with pastors to participate including:
- the Lay Leader,
- the SPPRC Chair, and
- a Young Adult representative
Also encouraged participants are lay and clergy who serve on District and Conference committees.
Registration Deadline: Please register by Thursday, April 15, 2021.