Rev. Dr. Michael Beck is a minister, professor, and author. He came to faith as a street-kid, redeemed by Jesus from a life of incarceration and addiction. He serves two traditional United Methodist congregations in North Central FL in which his laity have cultivated a network of new Christian communities throughout the area. Michael also serves as the Cultivator of Fresh Expressions Florida, Director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Seminary, and Director of ReMissioning for Fresh Expressions US. He is the author of six books on Fresh Expressions. Michael helps church leaders across the globe follow Jesus in new and exciting ways.SESSIONS
PRE-CONFERENCE: Fresh Expressions: Multiplication, Multi-Site, and Missional Vitality for Everyday Christians — Hosted by FLUMC
The realities of the last two years have thrust the church into a new era. The challenge before us is not only to rebuild but to build anew. For the foreseeable future we need a way of being church that is flexible in form, timely in context, rooted in depth, and scalable in resource. This is the call for a new kind of local church. For nearly two decades the fresh expressions movement has been helping existing churches and institutions find new forms of life that put the church Jesus loves closer to where the people Jesus loves are. We believe that every church can be missionally vital, every church can be multi-site, and every church can multiply by living into a new mental model for what it means to be a local congregation. During this pre-conference you will learn about the vision, model, and tools that normal, everyday churches are using to become a movement that reaches new people. Full list of speakers for this pre-con here.
Day / Time: Monday 1:00pm — 5:00pm and Tuesday 8:00am — 11:30am
Location: Kids 2 - Room 116
Workshop Session 2: Democratizing Church Planting: Spirit Empowered Multiplication for the Whole People of God
Inaccessible Church: The first part of this workshop will examine the shifts contributing to decline and explain an “ecclesiology of gift” and the need for the “democratization of church planting.” Then we'll move to The Discipleship Journey: Evangelism, discipleship, and church planting are not programs, departments, or the expertise of specialists. They are a singular move of the Spirit that flows through the life of every Jesus follower. When we do this in community with others, we are the fullness of the “priesthood of all believers." Finally, we will discuss Church Planting for Everyone: The “how” to do Spirit empowered multiplication from the local church setting. Tools, processes, and handouts will be provided.
Time: Wednesday, 8:45am — 9:45am
Location: Kids 2 - Room 112
Speakers: Michael Moynagh, Michael Beck
Networking Lunch: Questions the Church Should Be Asking for the Future — Hosted by Forge America
What are the questions your church needs to be asking to find future momentum and movement? This panel of missional practitioners and authors will present some relevant questions that every church leader needs to ask about the future, in light of these chaotic times. This lunch will provide you a space to connect with leaders who long to see God's people mobilized across neighborhoods, networks, third-spaces, and work-spaces. Additionally, you will hear from pastors and leaders from diverse contexts who are mobilizing those they lead and seeing new Kingdom expressions pioneered, movement pathways created, and ultimately the reign of God revealed. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired as well as informed on how you too can move your congregation from maintenance to movement. Featuring: Jon Ritner, Mark DeYmaz, Brian Sanders, Rich Robinson, Oneya Okuwobi, Lisa Rodrigeuz Watson, and Michael Beck.
Lunch is provided; RSVP required at the link below.
RSVP: Forge America Lunch Tickets
Day/Time: Wednesday, March 9 / 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Language Ministry Center - Room 140
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