Growing Together

Nearly one out of every 100 people in the United States are imprisoned or jailed. Over the past generation, those numbers have doubled, with the US having the largest number of prisoners in the world. What might be our role to proclaim Christ, disciple prisoners, and be better equipped to serve prisoners and their families? Metanoia exists for the work of biblically faithful prison ministry.

To learn more:

• https://www.metanoiaprisonministries.org/about-us
• https://pcamna.org/ministry/metanoia-prison-ministries/
• ByFaith Article mentioned in the podcast: https://byfaithonline.com/grace-like-a-fetter-how-the-gospel-is-transforming-an-alabama-prison/

When one says a church needs revitalization, people often picture a congregation needing urgent care or, worse, hospice. Renewal is a result of being revitalized, which every church should seek. Lampstand, a ministry of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, comes into this space. Lampstand offers resources for church planting, church revitalization, and church acceleration.

Join the Lampstand Birmingham Conference on January 23-25.

Every phase of church life has its challenges. Gathering people to begin a new work, launching public worship, moving from a mission work to an organized congregation all present their own difficulties. What is often overlooked is the next hurdle, often described as the “solidification stage,” the time when there is a transition to a shared form of leadership through the creation of a session.

 
To learn more: https://www.covenantseminary.edu/dmin

Between the Pew, a podcast of African American Ministries and hosted by Kellie Brown and Charles McKnight, is a conversation among African Americans in the PCA, sharing stories of engaging, surviving, and thriving in the PCA. Join this interchange between two PCA podcasts to discover new insights into the experiences of others in our denomination so that we can grow together.

Learn more about AAM here: https://aampca.org/, and tune into the Between the Pew podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-the-pew/id1568343327

While in the US we have an abundance of great options for equipping pastors, there will always remain a need for new options to reach new opportunities. ThirdMill has recently rolled out a seminary platform so men can learn locally and be ordained in the PCA. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Greg Perry, President of ThirdMill Seminary, Ben Hooper, a pastor at Restoration Southside in Chattanooga, TN, and faculty member, Dr Chris Hatch, to hear about seminary outside the box.

Learn more: https://www.thirdmillseminary.org/

Church planting is a marathon, not a sprint. However, supporting churches and presbyteries too often expect the plant to achieve self-sustaining status quickly. What if the planter establishes a physical presence in a facility early on? That space becomes an incubator out of which a church can grow. Join Dan Millward from The Detroit Project as he shares a model for planting that answers challenges often faced by planters today.

There are many places in North America where churches in small towns and rural communities struggle to find a pastor. One option that is being pursued is that of Town and Country Church Development. Hear how Zach Byrd in Mississippi Valley Presbytery is reaching Hinds County, west of Jackson, MS, by pastoring two churches, one in the county seat of Raymond and another out in the country. How might this model be an effective means to keep struggling congregations vibrant in their communities?

Does pastoral ministry always require it to be a full-time job? Throughout history and in most parts of the world, the pastoral vocation may include another line of work. Many pastors are bi-vocational…but not many in Presbyterian circles. Being bi-vocational or co-vocational is a viable option to reach a community in ways not available to one serving as a full-time minister. Join us as we explore what a bi-vocational ministry can look like.

Would you like to experience deeper more memorable and impactful conversations in ministry?  Whether in spiritual formation, pastoral care, session or staff meetings, the quality of our conversations either negatively or positively enhances our influence and impact as leaders.  In this podcast, we will present three skills that can be added to your pastoral tool belt to deepen your connections and conversations.

If you're interested in becoming a skilled and effective coach, join the Coaching Foundations Training event here: https://pcamna.org/events/mna-coaching-foundations-training-october-2024/

Evangelism: Why is it so hard for us to share good news? There are certainly costs to sharing the gospel yet we all know how critical evangelism is for the kingdom. Hear a conversation with Rico Tice from Christianity Explored as we delve into this indispensable topic.

Learn more at https://www.christianityexplored.org/.