Are you curious about grant writing but don’t know where to start? Have a Big New Dream but don’t know how to fund it? Is your community hungry to do more for your neighbors? Come to a step-by-step workshop on assessing your grant-readiness, finding available and applicable grants, and writing an actual proposal. This is an interactive and transparent discussion on what works and what doesn’t for winning faith-based grants! 

Michaela Murray is a lifelong nonprofit executive, specializing in grant writing and program design for social services, children and youth ministry, higher education, and capital projects across all Christian denominations. She loves visioning with organizations to bring their biggest dreams for transformation to fruition, and especially enjoys projects rooted in social justice and nurturing children’s faith formation. Micháela received her Bachelors degree from The University of Notre Dame and has extensive post-graduate studies in non-profit management at Rutgers University’s Institute for Ethical Leadership. 

It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl’s pretty yellow dress can’t quite hide the ugly scar on her chest. 

Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he’s restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives. 

Before it’s over, they’ll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners. 

Leader – Brett DeHart 
Discover how your church can become a trusted, valued, and even indispensable presence in your community. This workshop unpacks the theological foundation of blessing your community and offers practical tools and strategies to make it happen. Participants will gain actionable steps for becoming a church that city leaders celebrate, neighbors appreciate, and the community genuinely depends on. 
Brett DeHart has served United Methodist congregations for 23 years, guiding each toward deeper community involvement and expanded missional impact. Passionate about reaching new people, he is an active leader in the Messy Church, Dinner Church, and Fresh Expressions movements. 
One of the churches he pastored received its city’s Business of the Year award for outstanding service following a historic flood. Brett himself is a recipient of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award. 
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Florida State University and a Master of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Leaders – Cassie Waits and Joe Evans
With one in four Americans regularly participating in online worship, churches face the vital task of shepherding and nurturing these digital disciples. This engaging webinar offers practical guidance on how to bridge the gap between in-person and online experiences to cultivate meaningful faith formation. Participants will discover how forward-thinking church leaders embrace online ministry as a fruitful, dynamic expression of how God is at work today..
Rev. Cassie Waits is a former industrial engineer who has served as the Associate Pastor for Discipleship at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta since 2019. She holds degrees from Georgia Tech and Emory University, and earned her M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Joe Evans has served as the Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta since 2017. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College and Columbia Theological Seminary, and has published five books of sermons. 

 Leader – Patti Berner 

This annual 90 MINUTE training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.  

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session at Elmhurst Presbyterian and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson 

Leaders – The Changemaker Initiative
What if the secret to revitalizing a church isn’t a slick new program, but unleashing the passions already alive in the pews? People are a church’s greatest asset. Do you know what their passions are? Do you know what keeps them up at night? What might happen if we focus on the cares, callings, and social concerns God has stirred within people? Learn about a simple approach to bring congregants alive and support their passions, connecting and encouraging them to live out our faith where it matters most. You’ll leave with a blueprint to recreate this profound encounter in your own church, galvanizing your people’s passions and talents toward God’s good work.
Yvonne Murray has been deeply involved in community activism and social justice, while also serving on several nonprofit boards. After 20+ years of leadership in the technology sector, she made a major pivot to join The Changemaker Initiative where she serves as Director of Community Engagement. She brings a compassionate and collaborative approach to her strengths of facilitation, mentoring, and problem solving.
Kim Jones worked as a pediatrician for 20 years, and then felt called to start a movement that would spark and activate ordinary people of faith to make a difference in their communities. She now serves as Co-founder and Executive Director of The Changemaker Initiative, a nonprofit that began in her congregation in California and has expanded to churches across the United States. 

Leaders – Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh
Intentional listening can inspire people in your church to take action against hopelessness, exploitation and isolation. Ministry consultants Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh address questions such as: Why is listening important to doing justice? Who to involve in intentional listening, and what questions to ask? What can you discover about the root causes and resources for the justice work needed in your community? How do you bridge from listening to action? Joy and Heidi share practical steps to make listening in your community and congregation a vital part of your church’s justice ministry. 

Joy Skjegstad is a national speaker, author and consultant with over 35 years of experience starting and growing nonprofits and church-based community ministry programs.  She founded the Institute for Ministry Leaders at the University of St. Thomas, and has held a variety of other leadership positions with nonprofit groups. She is the author of four books: Real Connections; 7 Creative Models for Community Ministry; Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church; and Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry.
Heidi Unruh  is a writer, trainer and coach supporting God’s people in their calling to love their neighbors. A Palmer Seminary alumna, Heidi develops practical resources for effective, asset-based ministry. In addition to working with churches, her collaborations have included World Vision, Christians for Social Action (formerly ESA), the Center for Congregations, and various Christian colleges and seminaries. She brings special expertise in faith-and-work initiatives, coalition building, and trauma-informed ministry with vulnerable families and youth. She lives in Hutchinson, KS. Books coauthored by Heidi include: Churches That Make a Difference; Real Connections; Hope for Children in Poverty; Saving Souls, Serving Society; Salt & Light Guidebook; and Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work. 

Leader – Erin Reed Cooper
In this webinar, we’ll get into some specific tools for including child-focused time in your corporate worship service. We’ll discuss children’s unique social and cognitive developmental needs, and we’ll discover that when we seek to meet their needs, it will be good for everyone else, too! Finally, we’ll look at putting together a team or helping volunteers prepare to lead these wonder-filled moments in worship.
Erin Reed Cooper(she/her) is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (DoC) and has been serving in family ministry roles in DoC, PC(USA) and UMC congregations for over 20 years, from rural Indiana to Atlanta GA. Erin has four children and lives in Richmond VA with some of those children and her wife, Emily. Erin earned her MDIV from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and her DEdMin from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. 

Leaders – Stephen Fearing, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Explore how sacred music can serve as a vital tool for faithful resistance against the rising tide of Christian nationalism. In this engaging webinar, renowned hymnwriters Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing and Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette share practical resources and theological insight on utilizing worship arts to proclaim a gospel of expansive love and justice. Participants will gain fresh perspective and concrete musical selections to equip their congregations for prophetic, inclusive worship.
Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing is an accomplished hymnwriter and the pastor and head of staff at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. A graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary, Stephen earned his Doctor of Ministry degree with a focus on sacred music and homiletics. His original hymn texts focus on connecting ancient faith to contemporary justice and social issues. 
Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is a prolific hymn writer and Presbyterian pastor who recently retired from serving the First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego, New York. She has authored over 550 modern hymns—many of which respond directly to current events, social justice causes, and peacebuilding—published in popular hymnals and resources across numerous denominations. Carolyn’s work strives to offer churches accessible, meaningful music that speaks directly to the needs of today’s world.

 Leader – Patti Berner 

This annual 90 MINUTE training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.  

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session at Elmhurst Presbyterian and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson 

Leader: Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross
The world has changed, and ministry has changed with it. Drawing from Not Just Sundays, this webinar explores the cultural shifts that have fundamentally reshaped how people connect, belong, trust, and engage with the Church. Together, we’ll examine the major changes influencing congregational life today and consider what these realities mean for preaching, discipleship, and even reaching new audiences. Rather than longing for a return to the past, participants will be challenged to embrace a renewed vision of ministry that is responsive to today’s culture while remaining deeply rooted in the gospel.
The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross is a transformational ministry thought leader with two decades of experience across diverse urban and suburban contexts. Previously the Teaching and Online Community Pastor at St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis—where he expanded the church’s global digital footprint—he now serves as the Director of Church Revitalization and New Developments for the Indiana Conference of the UMC. In this role, Dr. J equips over 640 congregations with innovative strategies for physical and digital ministry. An ordained pastor, author, and professor, he holds an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a D.Min. in transformational leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary.

Leaders – Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh 

We are all called to “do justice” (Micah 6:8)—but not all in the same way! How has God designed people in your congregation to work toward the flourishing of your community and beyond? Ministry consultants Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh share seven key Gifted for Justice roles, along with examples of how each type has made a difference in critical issues like hunger, health care and education. Learn ways to discover and engage the full range of gifts and passions in your congregation for doing justice. 

Joy Skjegstad is a national speaker, author and consultant with over 35 years of experience starting and growing nonprofits and church-based community ministry programs.  She founded the Institute for Ministry Leaders at the University of St. Thomas, and has held a variety of other leadership positions with nonprofit groups. She is the author of four books: Real Connections; 7 Creative Models for Community Ministry; Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church; and Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry.
Heidi Unruh  is a writer, trainer and coach supporting God’s people in their calling to love their neighbors. A Palmer Seminary alumna, Heidi develops practical resources for effective, asset-based ministry. In addition to working with churches, her collaborations have included World Vision, Christians for Social Action (formerly ESA), the Center for Congregations, and various Christian colleges and seminaries. She brings special expertise in faith-and-work initiatives, coalition building, and trauma-informed ministry with vulnerable families and youth. She lives in Hutchinson, KS. Books coauthored by Heidi include: Churches That Make a Difference; Real Connections; Hope for Children in Poverty; Saving Souls, Serving Society; Salt & Light Guidebook; and Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work. 

Leader – Cesie Delve Scheuermann
When a beloved pastor moves on, they often take decades of deep personal connections and institutional memory with them—leaving congregations wondering how to sustain their momentum. Join stewardship expert Cesie Delve Scheuermann for an engaging webinar where you’ll discover creative, practical strategies to maintain stable funding, preserve vital donor relationships, and anchor your church’s generosity through the winds of change. Learn how to transform a challenging transition into a powerful season of shared leadership and renewed spiritual growth!
Cesie Delve Scheuermann has been teaching and learning about generosity for close to 25 years. First while attending Church of the Saviour, Washington, DC where the phrase, “God is the owner, I am the ower” became a profound realization and ongoing mantra. Cesie channeled her passion for teaching generosity principles by working with nonprofits and congregations to write grants, develop annual appeals and find creative ways to express gratitude to donors. She loves helping others find and experience the joy of generosity.
Cesie earned an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) from the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving through Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy. She serves as the stewardship consultant for the Oregon-Idaho United Methodist Annual Conference and enjoys publishing the weekly blog, “Inspiring Generosity.” Cesie is a former Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Lay Leader and US-2 missionary. Previously, she ran the Volunteer and Public Service Center at Georgetown University and was the Director of Student Activities at Willamette University.
Cesie originally hails from Azusa, California and received her undergraduate degree from Westmont College and her MA from the University of Maryland, College Park. She attends and is active in her church in Salem, OR.
Cesie puts in her 10,000 steps a day so she can eat ice cream later. She also has two grown children and she and her husband now care for a dog, a cat, and…a parrot. How she came to own a parrot is a story in and of itself. 

Leaders – The Changemaker Initiative
Where are the young adults? What do they think about faith and the church? We have a generational gap that affects our ability to care for one another, collaborate together, and pursue flourishing in community. We need to better understand the joys, sorrows, and concerns of young adults in their twenties and early thirties. In this webinar you will hear directly from young adults and develop deeper empathy that will guide your future conversations and actions as you work to bridge this gap.  
Yvonne Murray has been deeply involved in community activism and social justice, while also serving on several nonprofit boards. After 20+ years of leadership in the technology sector, she made a major pivot to join The Changemaker Initiative where she serves as Director of Community Engagement. She brings a compassionate and collaborative approach to her strengths of facilitation, mentoring, and problem solving.
Dorcas Cheng-Tozun is an award-winning writer, editor, speaker, and social impact professional. She is the author of Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways. She also has published Bible studies on the topics of migration and mental health. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, and dozens of other publications in the US, Asia, and Africa. She currently develops curriculum and resources for The Changemaker Initiative. 

Leaders – Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh

Limited resources don’t have to hold your church back from meaningful engagement with the neighborhood! Ministry consultants Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh share a range of inexpensive ideas for local outreach that focus on creativity, celebration and connection. Energize the congregation by involving people based on what they like to do best and care about the most. Joy and Heidi will guide participants in next steps toward “less-is-more” community outreach that can happen all throughout the coming year.

Joy Skjegstad is a national speaker, author and consultant with over 35 years of experience starting and growing nonprofits and church-based community ministry programs.  She founded the Institute for Ministry Leaders at the University of St. Thomas, and has held a variety of other leadership positions with nonprofit groups. She is the author of four books: Real Connections; 7 Creative Models for Community Ministry; Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church; and Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry. 
Heidi Unruh  is a writer, trainer and coach supporting God’s people in their calling to love their neighbors. A Palmer Seminary alumna, Heidi develops practical resources for effective, asset-based ministry. In addition to working with churches, her collaborations have included World Vision, Christians for Social Action (formerly ESA), the Center for Congregations, and various Christian colleges and seminaries. She brings special expertise in faith-and-work initiatives, coalition building, and trauma-informed ministry with vulnerable families and youth. She lives in Hutchinson, KS. Books coauthored by Heidi include: Churches That Make a Difference; Real Connections; Hope for Children in Poverty; Saving Souls, Serving Society; Salt & Light Guidebook; and Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work. 

 Leader – Patti Berner 

This annual 90 MINUTE training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. 

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session at Elmhurst Presbyterian and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson 

If you were living in civilized places like England or the Netherlands, why would you consider boarding the Mayflower, bound for the New World? The Atlantic crossing would be a nightmare, with the threat of storms, pirates, and cramped, dark conditions. Even if you reached land, you were destined for a wild place, lacking shelter and filled with uncertainty. Your odds of survival hovered at fifty percent. 
 
Enter the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a time of transition from Queen Elizabeth to King James in England, and in the Netherlands, the Dutch Golden Age. The story of the thirty-three years leading up to the famous Mayflower voyage is told in this meticulously researched novel, combining known names like Brewster and Bradford, with the fictional London family of printer Nicholas Okes. 
 
The printing press connects the characters, with some obeying the King’s rules, and others fleeing to the Netherlands for religious freedom and printing forbidden works. Romance ripples through the families, leading them to the docks in Southampton, waiting in the shadow of the ships. Who will venture aboard, and will it be for love, land, or religious freedom? 

What if your church’s building is not simply an expense to maintain, but one of your congregation’s greatest resources for mission? As churches navigate declining attendance, changing neighborhoods, and financial pressures, questions about buildings and property are becoming increasingly urgent. Drawing from his forthcoming book, The Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive, Loren Richmond Jr. will explore how congregations can reimagine their buildings and land as resources for hospitality, connection, and community flourishing.
Through real-world examples of churches utilizing their property for housing, childcare, food programs, social enterprise, shared space, and other community initiatives, participants will consider what’s possible in their own contexts—and practical first steps for getting started. The webinar will also address common pitfalls, including allowing revenue to drive mission, evaluating church property solely through financial return, and waiting until a crisis forces a decision.
Rev. Loren Richmond Jr. is a pastor, chaplain, nonprofit leader, consultant, and founder of the Future Christian Podcast. His work focuses on helping churches and nonprofit organizations navigate leadership, ministry, and change. Loren currently serves as a hospital chaplain and works with churches and nonprofits through consulting, coaching, and leadership development. He holds a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary and an MBA in Nonprofit Management from Hope International University.
A writer, speaker, and podcast host, Loren explores theology, church life, and the future of the church through his Substack newsletter, The Church Nerd, and the Future Christian Podcast. Drawing from experience across multiple Christian traditions, he is passionate about congregational vitality, thoughtful leadership, and helping communities discern faithful next steps. Loren lives in Thornton, Colorado, with his wife, Corinna, and their family.  

Leaders – Ev Worthington, Science for the Church
This webinar seeks to deepen our understanding of forgiveness, especially for those involved ministry tasks such as pastoral care, pastoral counseling, Christian education, spiritual formation, and preaching. I examine biblical and practical theology for how to forgive and how to promote forgiveness. Biblical theology tells us to forgive unilaterally and every time but does not offer much about how to do it. Practical theology tells us how to help people forgive using five categories of helping (such as many kinds of prayer, using restraint, looking to models, drawing on the Christian community local church, and being able to look to God’s general revelation). Forgiveness science, a part of God’s general revelation, reveals a general stress-and-coping theory of forgiveness that leads to emphasizing the benefits of forgiving (to offender and forgiver), an injustice gap, and two different types of forgiveness–decisional and emotional forgiveness. We will conclude by looking at both decisional forgiveness and emotional forgiveness as through the lens of both science and Christian practice.
Everett L. Worthington, Jr. has been elder in Presbyterian Churches for nearly 5 decades, serving on session for nearly half of them.  Professionally, he taught and did research at Virginia Commonwealth University for 40 years, and now his salary is retired, but he is still active in research and speaking globally. He has published over 50 books and over 600 articles and chapters. He has taught a year at Wheaton College and spoken to Christian venues all over the world. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia.  

Leaders – Ev Worthington, Science for the Church 
This webinar seeks to equip pastors to make better interventions to promote forgiveness in local congregations. I will deal with psychoeducation, counseling, Christian education, and congregational deep dives into forgiveness. The approach will focus on REACH Forgiveness, an empirically validated method of helping people forgive (test in nearly three dozen randomized controlled trials involving over 4,500 participants in 5 countries). I will detail the 5 steps of REACH Forgiveness as well as evidence for its effectiveness, noting its connections to practical theology and other clinical psychological approaches. Finally, I examine multiple studies in Christian colleges, a secular university and churches in the USA and Australia. We will conclude with practical advice on how to better engage and cultivate forgiveness in your congregation.  
Everett L. Worthington, Jr. has been elder in Presbyterian Churches for nearly 5 decades, serving on session for nearly half of them. Professionally, he taught and did research at Virginia Commonwealth University for 40 years, and now his salary is retired, but he is still active in research and speaking globally. He has published over 50 books and over 600 articles and chapters. He has taught a year at Wheaton College and spoken to Christian venues all over the world. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia.

 Leader – Patti Berner 

This annual 90 MINUTE training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.  

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session at Elmhurst Presbyterian and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson