Western Plains District

“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Please join us for Western Plains District’s

Leadership Training

for pastors AND lay church leaders!

February 8-11, 2015

Heartland Center for Spirituality, Dominican Convent, Great Bend, Kan.

Begins with lunch @ noon on Monday, February 9

Concludes Tuesday afternoon/supper time, February 10

Arrive as early as Sunday supper at 5:45pm and stay as late as Wednesday afternoon to take advantage of the opportunity for refreshing personal time. The Gathering 2015 Planning Team will be meeting Sunday evening – Monday morning. In addition to stimulating and inspiring training sessions (see below) Tuesday afternoon/evening – Wednesday will include opportunities for those who have interest in Springs of Living Water or Vital Ministries Journey to gather, Ministry Ethics training, and an Area Ministry Team meeting.

All costs, including lodging and meals, are underwritten by district funds as a part of our transformation initiative. Transportation is your only cost. These events are planned for all pastors and all congregational and district leaders to provide transformational training as well as fellowship and other spiritual growth opportunities.

Focus for our time together

We are not the first generation of Christians to struggle with change and uncertainty in the midst of many cultural options. Our Brethren forebears and the first Christians also wondered as we do if we’re on the right side of history, or even if we should be!

The training will be taught by Jeff Bach, director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, McPherson College alum, ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and former pastor. The theme for the weekend is “The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same: Encountering God in Troubling Times” with interactive sessions that incorporate scripture, worship, prayer and stories from that great cloud of witnesses who came before us. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available.

The RSVP deadline is Monday, January 26. Please notify Kendra Flory at the District Office (wpdcb@sbcglobal.net or 620-241-4240) that you plan to attend and include the following information:

1) when you plan to arrive and depart at Heartland Center

2) what nights you need lodging

3) what meals you plan to eat at the center

4) any special dietary needs

Pastors and congregations can look for an email with more information about the schedule in early January. For more information, contact Leslie Frye at fryeL3j@earthlink.net or 620-241-1965 before January 9, or the district office after January 9.