Small Church
Every minister and church has undergone a transition period of some sort, and oftentimes, these moments are filled with stress and discomfort. Transitions can be disheartening or confusing. They can also bring about hurt and uncertainty about the future. Ministers may wrestle with emotional, spiritual, financial, and personal burdens, and churches may experience conflict. The small church community will examine how to move forward in healthy ways and provide ideas and resources that can help the healing process begin. It will also explore positive ways that churches and ministers can interact with each other so that when a new partnership begins, it will be fruitful and lasting. Come participate in this conversation as we walk through ministry in small churches together.
COMMUNITY SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12*
10:00 - 10:20 a.m. | Introduction | Shawn Johnson
10:20 – 11:10 a.m. | Topic: Helping Ministers with Healthy Church Transitions | Aurelio Henlon
11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Topic: Understanding the Impact of Transition on a Minister’s Family | Noland and Megan Higginbottom
2:00 - 2:10 p.m. | Introduction of Afternoon Conversations | Shawn Johnson
2:10 - 3:00 p.m. | Topic: Helping Ministers Heal: The Value in Support Resources | Robert Oglesby
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Topic: Walking Alongside Churches and Ministers through Times of Transition | Carson Reed
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Group Discussion | Shawn Johnson and Austin Wright
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13*
8:45 - 9:45 a.m. | Topic: Building Healthy Relationships Between Elders and New Ministers | Kevin Kirkpatrick and Austin Wright
9:35 - 10:45 p.m. | Topic: Helping Churches Move toward a Vibrant Future | Doug Peters
*Please note there is some timing flexibility with each of these sessions and the schedule may not be exact.
Facilitators
Michael Van Huis
SHAWN JOHNSON
Shawn D. Johnson preaches for the Church of Christ in Claude, Texas. For over 30 years, Shawn has worked in ministry with smaller churches in central Texas, the Texas panhandle, and Pennsylvania. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Abilene Christian University and graduated with his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2001 from ACU as well. When there was a local teacher shortage, he volunteered with the local school district and is now in his fourth year of teaching half days in the public school system. Shawn and his wife, Robyn, have three adult children.
AUSTIN WRIGHT
For 16 years, Austin Wright and his wife, Stephenie, have partnered in ministry with the Nocona Church of Christ. In Nocona, Austin is deeply involved in congregational and community ministry, working with both youth and adults. He also serves in the Child Welfare System as vice chairman of the Montague County Child Welfare Board and as a CASA volunteer. Both small-church ministry and child advocacy have emerged from Austin’s childhood experiences. The small church in Clyde, Texas, instilled in him an appreciation and love for small churches, and his adopted family inspired his desire to foster healing for children in need. Austin and Stephenie are also the proud parents of a young daughter who has enriched their lives greatly.
session information
AURELIO HENLON
Minister, Tolar Church of Christ (Tolar, TX)
Topic: Helping Ministers with Healthy Church Transitions
NOLAND & MEGAN HIGGINBOTTOM
Student Ministry, Naples Church of Christ (Naples, TX)
Topic: Understanding the Impact of Transition on a Minister’s Family
KEVIN KIRKPATRICK
Elder, Nocona Church of Christ (Nocona, TX)
Topic: Building Healthy Relationships Between Elders and New Ministers
ROBERT OGLESBY
Faculty, Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry (ACU); Coordinator, Ministers’ Support Network (Siburt Institute); Family Minister, Southern Hills Church of Christ (Abilene, TX)
Topic: Helping Ministers Heal: The Value in Support Resources
DOUG PETERS
Executive Director, Heritage 21 Foundation (Oklahoma City, OK)
Topic: Helping Churches Move toward a Vibrant Future
CARSON REED
Dean, Graduate School of Theology; Vice President, Church Relations; Executive Director, Siburt Institute for Church Ministry (Abilene Christian University)
Topic: Walking Alongside Churches and Ministers through Times of Transition