On Saturday, November 3 (10 am to 4 pm), you’re invited to join us at Central Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois. Ruth Fletcher, a well-known Disciples minister will be with us to talk about nurturing the lives of congregations.
Those who participate in the workshop “Becoming a People of Welcome” will learn how to create trustworthy space that offers hospitality to strangers and breaks preconceptions of what Christianity is all about. As a result, you may find yourself growing, surprising your guests with an atmosphere of joy, flexibility, and authenticity. Good news travels fast. As one woman said: “I’ve been telling everyone I meet about this church. If I’d known there was a place like this around, I would have been here sooner!
It takes a lot of courage for the public to walk through the doors of a church. In today’s world, Christians have a reputation for being mean, judgmental, and too narrow in their thinking. We are not those Christians!
How can we become trustworthy communities that welcome the stranger? In this retreat, we will learn to leave behind obsolete traditions. We will explore how to develop habits of clarity, challenge, and courage that enlarge our capacity to grow and thrive as the Body of Christ.
Ruth Fletcher nurtures positive transformation in individuals and systems through teaching and spiritual leadership. Throughout her life, she has trained leaders, facilitated personal growth retreats, accompanied congregations through change, encouraged imagination, keynoted conferences, preached and led worship, coached pastors, and designed processes for systemic revitalization. Ruth is the author of Thrive: Spiritual Habits of Transforming Congregations. It is available on Amazon in paperback and electronic formats. In addition to making a compelling case for congregational transformation, her book is a rich resource of practical tools (12 appendices). You will love it!
This event is open to everyone – clergy, laypersons – everyone. And lunch is included.
Cost is $10.00 per person. Register by October 29