Transforming Leadership For Inclusive/Diverse Faith Communities

How do we mainline Protestants break out of our traditional ghettos of race and class? How do we nurture visionary, transformational leader- ship to draw in younger generations, spiritual seekers, different eth- nicities, nationalities, and sexual orientations? While starting afresh with new worshipping communities might be easier, this course will aim to look at that model as well as not leaving behind opportunities for established churches that are literally dying for a new day. Current literature, working models and examples along with shared experiences and ideas will be part of this week.

Raafat Girgis has been on the National Staff of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 2001, directing the office of Multicultural Ministries. For the last 12 years, this office has pioneered innovative and cutting edge programs of evangelism and racial and cultural diversity that have generated spiritual energy, equipped regional, national and international transformative leadership, and inspired multicultural church growth within the PC-(U.S.A.) as well as other parts of the world. The five major areas of this office focus on Holistic Evangelism, Multicultural Church Growth, Leadership development, Networking, and Ecumenical Partnership.

When Robert Chesnut became pastor in 1988, East Liberty was a church with an impressive building (built by the Mellon family). Over the next ten years Chesnut sparked a remarkable turnaround in membership, ministry, and finances. In telling his story Chesnut is honest about the struggles he encountered, including the fact that resistance from the “old guard” in the church almost destroyed his ministry. Chesnut urges all congregations to be more open to diversity, to emphasize the art, and a broad range of music, to support aggressive, entrepreneurial leadership, and to move beyond narrow denominational concerns in favor of an approach that responds to the religious hungers of a new generation

Three ways to register:

1. Download printable registration form and mail to: Ghost Ranch Registrar, HC77 Box 11, Abiquiu, NM 87510. OR scan and email your completed form to: [email protected]
2. Register by telephone at 877-804-4678, extension 4152 or 4155 — available Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. MST.