What is Hope Leadership Retreat?

  It’s a Friday evening to Saturday afternoon retreat designed for pastors and their leadership teams of small churches. While there are many leadership learning programs available, few specifically address the needs of small churches. This one focuses primarily on the distinctives and needs of the small church.

The Objectives are:

• To encourage pastors and leadership teams
• To model a leadership retreat
• To provide resources for leadership training
• To give an opportunity to network with other church leaders

Some possible topics:

• Hope for the Small Church
  Small churches have BIG potential
• What are Small Churches Like?
  A look at their strengths and needs
• Leadership in the Small Church
  What kind of leadership is appropriate?
• Building A Healthy Leadership Team
  Choosing and developing your leaders
• Doing Board better
  Make your meetings joyful and effective

Who Should Attend a Hope Leadership Retreat?

   The retreat is designed for leaders in small churches. Pastors and boards must attend together. There is little value for a pastor to attend the retreat without his leaders present. There will be a breakout session where boards talk about their church and leadership needs. Private and follow-up consultations with Abe Funk can be arranged. A pastor who needs information should contact Abe Funk.

Your Presenter

   Abe Funk recently concluded 48 years in formal ministry. He began ministry as the pastor of a small town congregation, and concluded his formal ministry as the District Minister in Saskatchewan, where he coached many small churches. The greater portion of his ministry was in regional and national leadership in the Baptist General Conference of Canada. An active board member of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada for many years gives Abe a great appreciation for churches of many denominations. Abe is the author of two books, one being Hope for the Small Church, a training manual for church leadership teams.

References

   References will be provided upon request

Sample Retreat Schedule

 Friday:

5:00 p.m.         Arrive and settle in

6:00                 Dinner

7:00                 Introductions and Orientation

7:30                 Worship

8:00                 Session One:

                                    Hope for the Small Church

9:00                 Refreshments and fellowship

11:00               Quiet (Sleep optional)

 Saturday:  

8:00 a.m.         Breakfast and devotional around tables

9:00                 Worship

9:30                 Session Two:

                                    Understanding the Small Church

10:30               Refreshments and sharing

                        Tell us about your church

11:00               Session Three:

                                    Leadership in the Small Church

12:15 Noon     Lunch

2:00 p.m.         Session Four:

                                    Doing Board Better

3:00                 Refreshments with breakout by church group

and guided work session

4:00                 Evaluation, concluding comments and farewell

Some topics and scheduled events can be planned to suit each retreat’s distinctives and needs, if planned well in advance. Special requests should be directed at Abe Funk.

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