By Rev. Peggy Spengler
The NAVIGATE Conference took place Saturday, April 28, on a beautiful Spring day that did not distract 350 folks from coming out to learn how to create discipleship pathways in their church. The Conference was bathed in prayer as the team gathered at 6:30 am for prayer before preparing the Lewisburg High School for the day, including praying over the auditorium (row by row), the cafeteria, and the other breakout rooms, as well as the hallways. Bishop Jeremiah Park was present to greet us and pray for the entire community gathered that we would learn and grow in our commission to be the body of Christ in the Susquehanna Conference.
The hospitality team of over 25 folks, including our District Superintendents and the Navigate Planning Team, demonstrated what “radical hospitality” would look like in their local churches. One-person commented that this was an “excellent conference from the greeters, to the food, to the materials, the sessions, and facility. All was much more than was expected.”
Our Keynote Speakers were Mike Schreiner and Ken Willard from Morning Star UMC in Missouri. Mike is an ordained minister in the Missouri Conference who accepted a call to plant a new church in 1998. Ken is a layperson with gifts in coaching and a member of the Morning Star church. Both Mike and Ken demonstrated radical hospitality by mingling with all the participants during breaks and lunch. In talking with Mike, I found him to be warm, interested, and fun-loving. Please pray for him and his wife as they begin a 4-month sabbatical to renew and refresh their call to ministry. Many of you know Ken, who coaches some of our Susquehanna Conference pastors, as a sensitive guy with great discernment skills.
Passionate Worship was demonstrated to us through our worship service that took place after lunch. The band from First UMC, Williamsport, led us in worship and Mike preached while Ken acted as the liturgist. When I asked Ken later about his part in worship at Morning Star, he said that he does not lead in worship, his ministry is in the parking lot inviting folks to Morning Star and connecting them with the greeters inside the building.
What was really exciting was that Mike and Ken then debriefed the worship service to explain all the parts and how each is a part of the pathway that leads folks through their discipleship journey. There was time for questions and answers. Many folks commented on the knowledge they received. Some said, “Thanks so much for offering this powerful session to equip us for the work to which we are called. I understand better what is needed and how making disciples can be accomplished.” Another person said, “This information gave me some items to bring to the churches I serve to provide an intentional plan for creating and growing disciples.”
In the morning, we had three Breakout Sessions: “Discipleship Development” with Ken Willard, “Communication for Discipleship” with Matt Lake and “Ministry Alignment” with Jan Hughes, along with a book signing with Mike Schreiner. These breakout sessions, led by our own clergy and Ken Willard, were a means for folks to go deeper and catch the enthusiasm of our lead pastors. Many were thrilled with the content and preparation given to these sessions and said, “they learned a lot and will take ideas back.”
The afternoon Breakout Sessions centered around “church size” – Small Church with Josh Davinsizer, Medium Church with Greg Rapp, and Large Church with Ken Willard. The intent of these sessions was to help folks take what they had learned and to develop 'take-aways' and 'next-steps' for their churches.
The Pre-Conference Workshop with Kay Kotan on Wednesday, May 30, before Annual Conference, is a resource for pastors and laity to come and “refine” their next steps, ask more questions, and be re-inspired with the knowledge and passion that a discipleship journey can take place in their church. Register at tinyurl.com/y86roztj by May 18.
