SBC21 Annual Event equips churches for Effective Leadership
Effective Leadership for Real Church in Urban Ministry was led by Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Senior Pastor of Emory UMC in Washington, D.C. - one of the 25 initiative churches for the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.
On January 23- 24, 2010, North Alabama United Methodists gathered in Birmingham for the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) Annual Event. The focus of the 2010 event was Effective Leadership. Guest speakers and workshop leaders included leading United Methodist pastors from throughout the United States.
Conference Director of Ethnic and Multicultural Ministries Dr. Thomas Muhomba says, “This year’s event was great. I loved it. The speakers were outstanding and covered our theme well. We had a great crowd with lots of children and youth participating. The feed back from evaluations noted that the event was excellent.”
Approximately 270 people attended this year’s training event. That number included 120 children, youth and young adults.
The event began on Friday evening with a worship celebration. As worship began, those gathered were greeted by Fred A. Allen, the SBC21 National Director and by Bishop Will Willimon.
In his greeting Bishop Willimon noted that membership in ethnic minority churches is the fastest growing segment in the North Alabama Conference. He thanked all gathered for being that bright spot in the North Alabama Conference.
A video presentation then showed testimonies from 7 growing ethnic churches. Click here to watch the video.
Director of Connectional Ministries Rev. Dale Cohen also greeted the crowd noting the high caliber of workshop leaders who traveled in for the event. He also echoed the Bishop’s praise for the growth ethnic churches are showing in North Alabama.
The spirited worship service featured the SBC21 Choir under the direction of Dr. Anthony Powell, who is also the SBC21 Convenor and praise dancers from St. Paul UMC. Rev. Bruce Williams, pastor of Enon UMC served as worship leader. The preacher was Rev. Tyrone D. Gordon, pastor of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, a 6200 member church in Dallas, Texas. He was introduced by Pastor Marcus Singleton, pastor of St. Paul UMC. Rev. Gordon’s message focused on the Biblical story of Jesus sending the disciples to the other side of the lake during a storm. He encouraged worshippers to do what Jesus would do, but beware that sometimes following Jesus can lead you into a storm of opposition. As you remain faithful, God will lead you through those storms.
Saturday was a day of learning featuring workshops for clergy, laity, youth and young adults and activities for children.
Workshops for Clergy and Laity included
- Effective Leadership for Congregational Renewal and Church Growth led by Rev Tyrone D. Gordon.
- Effective Leadership for Real Church in Urban Ministry led by Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Senior Pastor of Emory United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. Under his leadership, Emory UMC has been awarded the "Kim Jefferson Northeast Jurisdictional Award" for effective urban ministry and has been selected as one of the 25 initiative churches for the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.
- Effective Leadership for Empowering a New Generation of Christians led by Rev. Telley Lynnettee Gadson, senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Sumter, SC and frequent national speaker.
- Effective Leadership Through the Change Process and Visioning led by Rev Dale Cohen, Director of Connectional Ministries for the North Alabama Conference.
- Effective Leadership for Reaching and Touching Secular People Rev. Rudy Rasmus, co-pastor – along with his wife Juanita – of St. John’s United Methodist Church in downtown Houston, Texas. In the 18 years the Rasmuses have served St. John, the congregation has grown from 9 members to more than 9,000 members (3,000 who are or were formerly homeless) to be one of the most culturally diverse congregations in the country where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew.
Times of learning for youth and young adults included Empowering Youth/Young Adults for spiritual growth, Empowering Youth /Young Adults for worship and Empowering Youth/Young Adults for ministry
The event also allowed time for participants to gather and fellowship – such as during the barbeque lunch on Saturday.
Dr. Muhomba adds that the goal is to make next year’s event just as successful. He notes that the possible focus for next year’s event is missios.
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