About the Vessel Institute

 

The Vessel Institure is New Castle Presbytery's training academy for pastors and laity.  The Vessel Institute provides comprehensive curriculum for today's church leaders.  Vessel stands for: 

 

". . .become a special vessel, dedicated and useful to God, ready for every good work. . ."

2 Timothy: 21b (paraphrased)

 

 

Join us for the Vessel Institute

 

MEGA EVENT!!

 

When:     Saturday, October 13, 2007

 

Time:      8:30am - 3:30pm

 

Where:    Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church

500 McKennan's Church Road, Wilmington, DE  19808

 

 

 LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR PASTORS & LAITY

 

 Classes:

 

"Practical Workshops for Emerging Ministries"

 

That’s Not Worship…Is It?  A Multicultural Exploration

9:30am–12:00 noon / Instructors:  Alice Davis, Arnetta McCrae, George Turner

An interactive exploration of our feelings about worship: what moves us and why; what repels us or leaves us cold.  Experience directly many elements of worship and church music from several cultures, including some that will be new.

 

Don’t Panic!  Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planning for Your Local Congregation

9:30am–12:00 noon / Instructor:  Bob Schminkey

Heard after hurricanes Katrina and Rita… “I wish I’d had a few days to prepare.”  Is your congregation prepared for a local or regional disaster such as a tornado, hurricane, pandemic flu or church fire?  Gain the tools for congregational preparedness so your building and members might be better prepared for an emergency.

 

Show Me the Money!

9:30am–12:00 noon / Instructor:  Jackie Taylor

Show Me The Money:  Excite your stewardship committee and congregation!  Learn new strategies for member giving, year round stewardship and basics of capital fund campaigns.

 

So You’re a Worship Leader:  How to Do Your Best

9:30am – 12:00 noon / Instructor:  John Potter

What is the role of the Liturgist/Worship Leader in your congregation?  What different styles of worship demand.  How can you best fulfill it?  Practice effective reading and public prayer and receive coaching and feedback from group and leader.

 

Ministering to Your Neighbors:  Strategies for Outreach and Evangelism

9:30am – 12:00 noon / 1:00pm – 3:30pm (repeated in the AM & PM) / Instructor:  Kathryn Cooper-Nicholas

Can we really reach out?  Assess your congregations for outreach ministry.  Learn appropriate and valuable approaches for ministering in the church’s neighborhood and identifying resources.

 

What Presbyterians Believe

9:30am – 12:00 noon / Instructor:  Bruce Gillette

What’s really in the Book of Confessions?  Find out!  Learn about your faith through these words of witness from the ages.

 

Creating Disciples with Staying Power / 9:30am – 12:00 noon (Clergy class) / 1:00pm – 3:30pm (Elders class) / Instructor:  John Winings

A practical way to create disciples in the congregation and keep them enthused and active; willing to share leadership with others and train new, growing-in-faith disciples.

 

Sexual Ethics for Clergy and Other Church Professionals

9:30am-12:00noon (Part I) / 1:00pm-3:30pm (Part II) / Instructors: Cheryl Simmons & Robert E. Vaughn

Learn definitions and prevention of sexual misconduct of clergy in the local church.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure..  Please note this is an all-day class.

 

When God’s People Travel Together:  Equipping Your church for Hands-On Mission

1:00pm – 3:30pm / Instructor:  Bob Schminkey

This workshop will focus on the many ways your congregation can aid in the recovery effort, the “how-to’s” of organizing a mission trip, and how to use that experience to grow the mission program of your congregation.

 

How to Take Great Digital Photos and Use Them on Your Website

9:30am – 12:00 noon / 1:00pm – 3:30pm (repeated in the AM & PM) / Instructor:  Tom Davis

Do’s and don’ts of taking clear and expressive photos.  Learn techniques for cropping, touching up, enhancing and resizing your photos.  Send and share photos, including Picasa and Flickr, and place them on Wiki and other web pages.  Bringing your own digital camera is strongly encouraged.