Small Church Webinars

C. Anderson JamesUncategorized

The small-membership congregations of the Presbytery of New Hope continue to gather and connect with one another for collaboration, resourcing, support, and fellowship even when we cannot meet in-person.

No webinars are scheduled at this time. Watch for more opportunities to support the important ministries of our small-membership congregations in fall 2022!


Past Events

Asset-Based Community Mapping

Thursday, March 3, 2022 • 7:00-8:30 P.M.

a conversation with John Dempsey Parker from the Institute for Emerging Issues at North Carolina State University

“We serve all, but don’t know all.” The curiosity in which we view the people and places around our congregations can be deepened with the language and practice of “asset-based community development”—recognizing that we all have what we need to solve our problems. Embedding local data, partners, and cultural realities with our existing and potential ministries can help align congregations more with their faith values, and expand tender and innovative neighborliness. Using cultural competence, racial equity, and trauma-informed lenses, we’ll explore practices you can use in and for your congregation and community.

Congregational Vitality and Matthew 25

Thursday, February 17, 2022 • 7:00-8:30 P.M.

a conversation with Kathryn Threadgill and Carlton Johnson from the Vital Congregations Initiative of the Presbyterian Mission Agency

The Matthew 25 initiative in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is inspiring the whole church to deepen its commitment to building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. The Presbytery of New Hope joined this movement in February 2021, and we are beginning to explore how best to focus our future conversations around this important work. Join us for a conversation with Kathryn Threadgill and Carlton Johnson from the Presbyterian Mission Agency to learn more about the marks of vital congregations and discuss how we can better express the marks of vital congregations in our work and worship. 

The Care and Feeding of the Small Church Leader

Thursday, November 18, 2021 • 7:00-8:30 P.M.

a panel discussion including Ashley-Anne Masters, Campus Minister, Raleigh PCM; Susan Mazzara, Minister Member at Large; and Jay Williams, retired licensed clinical social worker

The leaders of our small churches—pastors, CREs, session members, and other—are more tired than ever. The substantial and rapid change brought on by the covid-19 pandemic has upended our best plans, required more time and energy, and introduced more uncertainty than ever before. How do we make space for God in the midst of all this? What practices can help us stay grounded, especially as we enter the holiday season?

Healthy Collaboration for Small Churches

Thursday, April 15 • 6:30-8:00 P.M.

Small-membership congregations are often looking for ways to maximize their investment of human and financial resources and so look for potential partnerships with other congregations to ease the load. Join us as we hear from leaders in congregations that have embarked on different sorts of partnerships in recent years to start thinking about what collaborative efforts might help deepen and broaden the ministry of your congregation. Presented in partnership with the Presbytery of Charlotte by members of congregations from both presbyteries.

Resilience and Improvisation for the Small Church

Thursday, March 11, 2021 • 6:30-8:30 P.M.

Slide Handout (PDF)

Small churches have unique capacities for resilience in the face of changing circumstances—what artists often refer to as improvisation. Such improvisation is not random but is developed with learning and practice, all built on the stories of our past that will continue to inform the way ahead. Join with leaders from small-membership congregations across the presbytery to sit with scripture and explore ways of finding meaning and building patterns for improvisation within and beyond this present season. Led by Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

Small Scale Live Streaming for the Long Haul

Thursday, February 11, 2021 • 6:30-8:00 P.M.

Slide Handout (PDF)

The covid-19 pandemic has pushed many of our congregations into a world of technology they never anticipated: pre-recording, zoom worship, and live streaming have all become commonplace for congregations of all sizes. As we move into 2021, with optimism that worship may return to something resembling normal, we need to be strategizing about how to utilize technology going forward. Small Scale Live Streaming for the Long Haul will cover some basic steps you’ll need to take and pivotal decisions you’ll need to make as you develop your plan for worship in 2021 and beyond. Presented by Rev. Brian Wallace, Associate Minister for Pittsburgh Presbytery.

Stewardship: Beyond the Offering Plate

Thursday, October 28, 2021 • 7:00-8:30 P.M.

In the midst of our rapidly changing world, where things so rarely change for smaller churches, is it even worth doing stewardship anymore? How can we look at stewardship as more than taking up pledges, distributing offering envelopes, passing the plate, or even sending out the online giving link? Join us for a discussion of the book Stewardship: Beyond the Offering Plate, a series of essays that seek to broaden our understanding of stewardship, as we walk together through this challenging season.

No recording was made of this live small group conversation. For a copy of resources shared, contact Andy James.