Forged in the Fire - Fairview Heights March 27, 2009

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Reforging a Passion for Evangelism in the hearts of the churches of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
In 2007, 74 percent of churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference received two or less persons by Professions of Faith. That same year, 60 percent or 529 IGRC churches had no professions of faith.
Pastors, church council chairs, lay leaders, pastor-parish relations chairs and outreach chairs are encouraged to take part in Forged in the Fire, a three site event hosted by the IGRC Evangelism Committee.
Speakers
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, Resident BishopIllinois Area, The United Methodist ChurchGeneral Session speaker, Saturday morning
Rev. Sylvester WeatherallPastor, Springfield Kumler-Grace UMC'sFriday evening worship, The Essence of Evangelism!
Rev. Tom GoodellPastor, Washington Crossroads UMCGeneral Session speaker, Saturday morning, Becoming Jesus!
Dr. Troy BenitonePastor, Pawnee UMCGeneral Session speaker, Saturday afternoon, Unapologetically Unashamed of the Gospel
Rev. Shane BishopPastor, Fairview Heights Christ UMCSaturday evening worship, A Church of Biblical Proportions
Workshops
In addition to the plenary sessions, each participant will be able to select from one of four breakout session tracks aimed at resourcing the needs of each particular congregation. The workshop tracks include:

Re-fine (pre-evangelism): Workshops include Re-forging the Culture of Your Church to Evangelism (led by Dr. Troy Benitone, pastor, Pawnee UMC); Ground Preparation: Spiritual Disciplines (led by the New Streams Team); and Discipleship that Lasts: Early Faith Formation (led by the New Streams Team).

Re-kindle (evangelism targeting): Workshops include Getting to Know Your Community (led by Mike Crawford, IGRC Coordinator of Congregational Development); Before You Leap: Radical Hospitality and Irresistable Evangelism (led by Dr. Kent Lolling, IGRC Director of Connectional Ministries); Evangelism in Urban and Ethnic Environments (led by Rev. Sylvester Weatherall, pastor of Springfield Kumler-Grace UMC and Rev. Adrian Garcia, pastor of Jesus es el Senor UMC, Cobden and IGRC Coordinator of Hispanic Ministries).

Re-fire (the evangelism word): Invitation 101: Offer Them Christ! (led by Rev. Mark Jordan, pastor of West Frankfort Trinity UMC); Relational Evangelism: Becoming a Contagious Christian (led by Ken Runkle, Springfield Kumler UMC);and Intentional Evangelism: Window Events (panel discussion)

Re-forge (Practical evangelism): Relentless Evangelism (led by Rev. Shane Bishop, pastor of Fairview Heights Christ UMC); Connecting to a New Generation: Evangelism to 20 to 35 year olds (led by Rev. Andy Adams, pastor of Champaign Quest UMC); Making Waves in the Small Rural Church Setting(led by Rev. Allen Miller, pastor of Fairview Heights Christ UMC)

Schedule


Friday

6 to 7 p.m.
Early Registration

7 to 9 p.m.
Evening Worship and Word -- Rev. Sylvester Weatherall preaching

Saturday

8 to 8:45 a.m.
Registration and Fellowship

8:45 to 9 a.m.
Pre-Worship

9 to 10 a.m.
Morning General Session -- Bishop Gregory Palmer speaking

10 to 10:15 a.m.
Morning Break

10:15 to 11 a.m.
Breakout Session #1

11 a.m. to noon
Morning General Session -- Rev. Tom Goodell speaking

Noon to 1 p.m.
Lunch -- provided on-site and included in registration fee

1 to 1:45 p.m.
Breakout Session #2

2 to 3 p.m.
Afternoon General Session -- Dr. Troy Benitone speaking

3:15 to 4 p.m.
Breakout Session #3

4 to 6 p.m.
Dinner -- on your own. A list of local eateries will be provided to participants

6:30 to 8 p.m.
Evening Worship and Word -- Rev. Shane Bishop preaching

Motel accommodationsSpecial room rates have been secured at the following motel for the Forged in the Fire event. Mention Illinois Great Rivers Conference when making your reservations to receive this special rate.
Comfort Suites137 Ludwig DriveFairview Heights, IL 62208618-394-0202Special rate: $79.99 per nightReservation cutoff date: March 20(Note: Make sure you have the correct dates as there is another block of rooms at thislocationfor Covenant Keepers)
Lay Speaker information
In order to receive credit for the event, there are some steps you need to follow:

1. Contact your District Director of Lay Speaking and let them know your intent to attend so you can receive the required Continuing Education form.
2. Obtain two event leader signatures while at the event and return the completed form to the District Director of Lay Speaking for credit and update of your record.
3. Required reading is Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg. You can order the book onlineby clickingthe link to Cokesbury.
4. You can sign up on any of the four tracks (Re-Fine, Re-Kindle, Re-Fire or Re-Forge) that best fits your situation and interest but in order to receive credit you need to attend the Relational Evangelism: Becoming a Contagious Christian session which is held on the Saturday Breakout Session #2.
5. You are expected to attend both days of your chosen event.

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Ticket Info:  

• Registration Fee, $10.99
• Registration of Additional Participants, Free

Official Website: http://forged-fairviewheights-upcoming.eventbrite.com