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Jose Martinez announced as transitional NCM leader

Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF), which oversees New Church Ministry (NCM) on behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), announces a transitional leader for the NCM Team.

Jose Martinez

Jose Martinez, Associate Minister of New Church Strategies, will join outgoing Minister of New Church Strategies Terrell McTyer in overlapping leadership until the end of January, when McTyer begins a new position with a global, ecumenical ministry and Martinez takes transitional leadership of NCM.

Martinez has planted churches, launched innovative ministries, and served in hospital and military chaplaincy. He joined the New Church Ministry Team in 2019.

“Jose brings a wealth of experience, an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to both NCM and DCEF,” said Belinda King, DCEF President. “His grasp of the mission and vision of New Church Ministry provides the kind of continuity we need as we discern next steps with our church-wide partners.”

Martinez co-planted Multi Nation Christian Church, the largest and only Haitian Ministry in the Midwest for the Disciples of Christ. He also founded MissioKC, a micro-church based in Kansas City, Mo., focused on “helping make the world around us a spiritually healthier place.” 

Martinez sees the interim as a time to “ensure that the next Minister of New Church Strategies has a strong foundation to help Disciples live more fully into our identity as a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.”

“The watch word for this season is ‘continuity,’” he said. “We will double down on nurturing our churchwide partnerships, even as we continue the work of training new leaders, equipping the church, assisting regions, and multiplying disciples.”

Disciples Church Extension Fund inspires and empowers congregations to create Holy Places where people connect with God, each other, and the community.

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NCM leader accepts new post; interim to serve transition

Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF), which oversees New Church Ministry (NCM) on behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), announces the leader of NCM will step down at the end of January.

Terrell McTyer

Terrell L. McTyer, Minister of New Church Strategies, has accepted a position as Executive Director of Global Marketing and Innovation at The Upper Room, an ecumenical ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual life of Christians around the world.

“I am excited about the future,” Terrell said, “but it’s bittersweet to accept a new post, given my passion for this work. I’m going to miss this calling very much.”

Terrell began his work with New Church Ministry in August 2016, as the church was already successfully nearing the 2020 Vision goal to form 1,000 new Disciples congregations. NCM continued the momentum of this achievement by convening the New Church Summit, which set new aspirations for the movement to “make one million new disciples by 2030.”

Pastor Terrell leaves the ministry “in a sustainable position precisely because it is not dependent on a small, centralized group of leaders,” he said. “It truly is the work of the whole church.”

Under his leadership, the New Church Leadership Cooperative was established to bring together the dedicated leaders and teams of regional new church work to share in the strengthening practices of emerging congregations.

“This ministry would not be what it is if it were not for the team making it happen – not just the folks on New Church staff, but the whole DCEF staff,” Terrell added. “All the regional and general leaders across the church have played a critical role in its success. This is what gives me confidence that this vision will continue and rise to a new level with new leadership. Plus, just consider how many people continue to pray for this work to prosper!”

With an emphasis on the spiritual grounding of the movement, Terrell oversaw the launch of Water the Plants — a weekly prayer initiative that has hosted multiple prayer summits.

“It’s no surprise Terrell has been called to yet another ministry that values his innovative spirit,” Rick Reisinger, DCEF President, said. “Disciples have certainly benefited from his many gifts.”

Belinda R. King, who assumes leadership as President of DCEF on January 1, 2022, understands the impact this opening has on the entire Church.

“I will ensure that an interim is named before Terrell’s departure, so that NCM stays consistent in serving congregations and the wider Church,” she stated. “We will work faithfully with our churchwide partners to plan steps for the long term.”

Theory of Change workshop

November 8, 2021 @ 11:00 am – November 21, 2021 @ 5:30 pm EST

A Theory of Change is your ministry’s story of how you believe change will unfold.

Are you planning to change, grow or add a ministry?

What impact are you having? How do you know? What difference is your ministry or program making? Learn what your mission is and understand the roles in achieving it.

The cornerstone of effective evaluation is a thorough understanding of the program you are trying to evaluate. This workshop will help you break your program or ministry down into its component parts, differentiating between things like “what you do” and “what you achieve.” Upon completion of the workshop you’ll have a completed Theory of Change and logic model.

  • A Theory of Change will provide a roadmap that outlines the steps by which you will achieve your mission. A Theory of Change can aid in aligning your stakeholders to your larger mission and help them understand their role in achieving it.
  • We’ll illustrate your Theory of Change with a logic model to show your stakeholders the intended relationship between investments and results.

Class Structure

All work will be online and asynchronous, with regular live group Zoom sessions. Participants should plan for 3-6 hours of work for each of the five modules, depending on experience. Your work will include reading, learning activities, and online discussion, all done at your own pace. Those that want to explore the topic further, should contact the facilitator upon completion of the workshop.

Class Schedule

Schedule: Module 1 – Mission (from approximately November 8th to 11th, 2021)

November 8th, 2021: Live Session(s) – Program Overview, Problem Statement. Times: 11.15 AM; 5:30 PM, recorded

November 9th, 2021: Post Your Problem, Comment on the Problem of Others, Revise Your Problem

November 10th, 2021: Live Session(s) – Mission Statement. Times: 11.15 AM; 5:30 PM, recorded

November 11th, 2021: Post Your Mission, Comment on the Mission of Others, Revise Your Mission

Schedule: Module 2 – Impact (from approximately November 12th to 13th, 2021)

November 12th, 2021: Live Session(s) – Outcomes. Times: 1 PM; 5:30 PM, recorded

November 13th, 2021: Post Your Outcomes, Comment on the Outcomes of Others, Revise Your Outcomes

Schedule: Module 3 – Delivery (from approximately November 14th to 15th, 2021)

November 14th, 2021: Live Session(s) – Activities & Outputs. Times: 1 PM; 5:30 PM, recorded

November 15th, 2021: Post Your Activities & Outputs, Comment on the Activities & Outputs of Others, Revise Your Activities & Outputs

Schedule: Module 4 – Requirements (from approximately November 16th to 18th, 2021)

November 16th, 2021: Live Session(s) – Assumptions & Inputs. Times: 12 PM; 5:30 PM, recorded

November 17th, 2021: Post Your Assumptions, Comment on the Assumptions of Others, Revise Your Assumptions

November 18th, 2021: Post Your Inputs, Comment on the Inputs of Others, Revise Your Inputs

Schedule: Module 5 – Logic Model (from approximately November 19th to 21st, 2021)

November 19th, 2021: Live Session(s) – Logic Models. Times: 1 PM; 5:30 PM, recorded

November 20th, 2021: Post Complete Theory of Change & Logic Model, Comment on the Logic Model of Others, Revise Your Logic Model

November 21st, 2021: Live Session(s) – Final Review. Times: 1 PM; 5:30 PM, recorded

New Church Ministry is a collaborator on this event.

$50 Amount is in Canadian Dollars

EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development

1-800-268-3781 x4157

https://edge-ucc.ca/contact/

Tickets

Engage with love and justice

November 6, 2021 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm EDT

Join us for the Love and Justice Gathering this November!

Celebrate and ENGAGE Love and Justice Ministries of The United Church of Canada

The Church in Mission Unit invites you to celebrate and learn with us about the many love and justice ministries of our church. From November 3-7, the unit is hosting ENGAGE! an online love and justice gathering. Join us to worship, build community, and learn together. Throughout this five-day online event we will:

Engage deep spirituality

Engage daring justice

Engage courageous community

Engage bold discipleship

Engage hope

This will be an online event, and once you register, you’ll receive information about how to easily access our gathering. Tickets are free! We encourage you to make a donation if you are able.

We can’t wait to celebrate and recognize all that we do together as The United Church of Canada!

On day 4, Saturday, November 6, Pastor Terrell L McTyer will be exploring Bold Discipleship and asking such questions as, why is discipleship important and what is at stake? What could the future look like if we are bold disciples and engage in bold discipleship?

Contact edge@united-church.ca for further information and keep an eye on this page for future updates

*This event supports vaccine equity. COVID won’t be over until it’s over for all of us—and you can help that happen. Make a donation to bring much-needed support for people battling COVID in the global South.

EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development

1-800-268-3781 x4157

https://edge-ucc.ca/contact/

Register now

Southwest region trip

October 25, 2021 @ 10:00 am – October 29, 2021 @ 2:30 pm EDT

Pastor Terrell L McTyer (Minister of New Church Strategies) will be travelling for Connect Faith, an annual education conference and appointment-only trade show that brings together the most active planners, suppliers, and experts in faith-based meetings and events for three days of general sessions, roundtables, workshops, preset appointments and networking.

Connect

678-987-9900

https://www.connectmeetings.com

Kalahari Resorts

3001 Kalahari Blvd
Round Rock, Texas 78665 United States + Google Map
+1 877 525 2427
https://www.kalahariresorts.com/texas
Learn more
Leadership Academy 2021
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Leadership Academy expands its reach but keeps God’s work as its focus

150 registrants. 16 workshop leaders. 15 vendors. Seven denominations. All coming together for three days!

Despite being held online for a second year running, this didn’t stop church planters, regional representatives, and lay leaders from taking part in New Church Ministry’s Leadership Academy. In fact, registration was almost double what it was in 2020, with attendees reflecting age and racial diversity.

Moreover, with the Multiply Track session—a new addition for 2021—program staff, boards, and clergy of established congregations were able to learn alongside their peers, too. This cohort, facilitated by Pastor Terrell L McTyer (Minister of New Church Strategies) and Christie Love (pastor and church planter of The Connecting Grounds in Springfield, MO), was the largest track with 60 registrants who explored vision and problem statements, as well as growth and fixed mindsets.

But what keeps past participants returning year after year? Not only is it other tracks for core teams at the same stage of the church launch process, but it’s also thought-provoking plenaries, interactive practical workshops, and dedicated time for fellowship.

Learning in their own contexts

During the Start Track, core teams who had not yet planted their communities of faith joined from as far away as Maryland and California. Led by New Church Ministry Associate Minister Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez and New Church Ministry coach Pastor Jorge “Joey” Cotto, core teams of emerging faith communities explored how church planting has changed since the pandemic and how tools such as a spiritual gifts inventory can help leaders identify their skills and talents.

Meanwhile, in the Sustain Track, Sandy Harvey (long-time Leadership Academy track facilitator and President and CEO of Exodus Consulting Group), Carla Leon (New Initiatives Manager for the United Church of Canada’s EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development), and Rev. Selena Reyes (chair of the Florida region’s New Church Ministry Commission and the event’s Spanish translator) discussed money and marketing/branding with core teams that had recently launched their places of worship.

“As a founder, you are your brand,” shared Carla, who has previously teamed up with New Church Ministry on an episode of New Church Hacks and the Hopeful Economics UnConference. 

Sharing wisdom and experiences

Leadership Academy’s plenaries, or DOCTalks, are joint sessions led by a thought leader who addresses missional transformation. This year, the thought leaders were first-timer Rev. Dr. Eun Strawser (co-vocational church planter and physician), who spoke about disciple-making; returning guest Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija (Founding Director of TryTank), who spoke about innovation; and Rev. Dr. Delesslyn Kennebrew (Minister for New and Transforming Churches in the Greater Kansas City region), who led the event’s Commissioning Service.

“Discipleship is meant for everyone and not just some,” Rev. Dr. Eun told those present. “It’s meant to imitate Jesus and to have concrete models around us in order to imitate Jesus.”

Learn.Explore.Actuate.Discover.Laboratories

Leadership Academy’s workshops, or LEADLabs, are designed to help leaders imagine, innovate, and implement sustainable concepts. While the workshop leaders, called Spiritual Scientists and Subject Matter Experts, discussed topics ranging from building management to financial independence, the topic of rest was a common one that resonated with participants.

“Leadership Academy saved me from overworking myself and reminded me to lead with God first,” recalled Queen of New Eyes Village Church in Fort Collins, CO, a Leadership Academy participant.

Building connections

Participants had time to get to know one another during Wednesday morning’s Breakout & Breakfast session, a staple of the last couple years that has proven to be popular with those in attendance.

“The Leadership Academy is empowering me to align myself with God’s call, knowing that I’m not alone,” wrote Rev. Kristin Aardema Faigh, a Leadership Academy participant, in her feedback for the event, “and that what I am called to do is important, and possible.”

Breakout rooms were also used during tracks to enable participants to collaborate in small groups.

The future of Leadership Academy

What enabled this potentially unwieldy undertaking to take place? The hard work and dedication of Project Coordinator Wesley King, who organized speakers, facilitated registration, and helped attendees navigate the event’s digital platforms such as Zoom, Teachable, and Whova, the latter of which was also a 2021 addition.

“This was my first Leadership Academy,” explained Wesley, “and it was amazing to see the way that God is moving and working in the lives and ministries of folks all over the United States and Canada!”

And next year? Well, next year, Leadership Academy will continue to be an exclusively digital gathering, and the Church can only imagine the various opportunities that God will provide us to see the Spirit moving.

Crucial Hacks to Decolonize Your Church

Season 3, Episode 4

October 13, 2021 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT

In recent years, the term “decolonization” has entered popular vocabulary, drawing attention to the role of religious organizations in gentrification and the history of colonial oppression. This subject is complex and frequently fraught with contradicting ideas about defining religious ideals, colonialism, and its victims. How can congregations uphold their standards while actively combating social injustice? In this New Church Hacks episode, we unpacked these ideas and:

  • Focused on anti-racism as an approach to church development and community engagement
  • Created space for conversations and practical ways in which to shape and reshape congregational DNA to reflect anti-racist discipleship
  • Raised awareness of the ways in which your congregation is colonialistic 

Host Pastor Terrell McTyer was joined by featured guests Brandon Wrencher (Minister and Organizer of the Good Neighbor Movement), Naomi Washington-Leapheart (Director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs for the City of Philadelphia and Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force), and Chris Morton (Regional Minister of Disciples of Christ in Nebraska and Director of Cotner College Educational Ministries).

New Church Hacks provides practical (and sometimes peculiar) prompts for churches from start to restart. This free webinar series is jam-packed with clever solutions to tricky problems and empowers courageous leaders with the tools, tips and how-tos to start, sustain and strengthen congregations. For regular updates, be sure to check this page and follow along on social media with #NewChurchHacks!

A link to a recording of the webinar will be emailed to all registrants after the episode airs, regardless of attendance.

You can either view the webinar on Zoom by registering below or by watching Terrell, Brandon, Naomi, and Chris live on New Church Ministry’s Facebook page.

View Recording
track sessions

2021 Leadership Academy

September 21, 2021 @ 11:00 am – September 23, 2021 @ 6:00 pm EDT

At its annual Leadership Academy, New Church Ministry gathers leaders all across regions in the United States and Canada. Our team invites pastors, church planters, chaplains, and others who are interested in becoming empowered to join us. You do not need to be a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to attend.

This virtual event includes three separate track sessions for core teams who have yet to launch a community of faith, teams that have recently started one, and leaders of established congregations, DOCTalks facilitated by thought leaders who will address missional transformation inclusive of every stage of leadership and congregational vitality, and LEADLabs (Learn.Explore.Actuate.Discover.Laboratories) designed to help participants imagine, innovate, and implement missional concepts through interactive, practical workshops.

Accommodations for Spanish-speaking participants will be available.

Schedule

All times are in Eastern Standard Time. 

Tuesday, September 21

11 – 11:30a :30OpeningWelcome
Introduction of Staff and Trainers
Overview of platforms and schedule
11:30 – 12:30p :60DOCTalkDisciple-Making with Eun Strawser
12:30 – 1p :30BREAK 
1 – 2:30p:90Track Sessions 
2:30 – 3p:30BREAK 
3 – 4p :60LEADLabs1. Church Planting Process with Terrell
2. Relationships with Joy and Heidi
3. Self-Care with Joselyn
4. Facilities with Craig
5. Sabbath with Eun
4 – 4:30p :30BREAK 
4:30 – 6p :90Track Sessions 

Wednesday, September 22

11 – 11:10a :10 Opening 
11:10 – 11:30a :20 Breakout &
Breakfast		 
11:30 – 12:30p  :60 DOCTalkInnovation with Lorenzo Lebrija
12:30 – 1p :30 BREAK 
1 – 2:30p :90 Track Sessions 
2:30 – 3p :30 BREAK 
3 – 4p :60 LEADLabs1. Foresight and Futuring with Lorenzo
2. Financial Wellness with Cynthia
3. Trauma-informed Church Development with
Christie
4. Rebuilding with Joey
5. Soul-care with Tim
4 – 4:30p :30 BREAK 
4:30 – 6p :90 Track Sessions 

Thursday, September 23

11 – 11:10a :10Opening 
11:10 – 12:30p  :80DOCTalk
12:30 – 1p :30BREAK 
1 – 2:30p :90Track Sessions 
2:30 – 3p :30BREAK 
3 – 4p :60LEADLabs1. Missional and Social Action with Brandon
2. Communication with Nadine
3. Church Growth with Rebekah
4. Disciple-making with John
5. Digital Church with Mark
4 – 4:30p :30BREAK 
4:30 – 6p :90 Commissioning Service

Registration

Each registration is limited to five individuals. If your faith community is only signing up one individual, the cost is the same. There is a limit of one place of worship/church per registration. Please do not mix members from different churches in an attempt to avoid multiple registration costs per collective. There is financial assistance available for new churches at the discretion of the region. Registration is now closed.

$500

A Dozen Hacks for Digital Disciple-Making

September 1, 2021 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT

The rise of social media and digital platforms has opened up a whole new world of virtual discipleship possibilities. Because digital discipleship is still relatively new, you may find that you lack the necessary understanding to make disciples of Jesus Christ via virtual platforms effectively. This New Church Hacks episode will teach you how to develop in-demand digital media abilities that can be used for the glory of God: 

  • Make digital discipleship a central part of your church’s ministry approach
  • Provide principles and practical instruction no matter the size of your collective
  • Make the Gospel available electronically through emerging technologies
  • Leverage digital strategies to lead your participants into a deeper relationship with Christ
  • Fulfill the Great Commission using relevant, 21st Century tactics

The featured guests include Phiwa Langeni (Ambassador for Innovation & Engagement with the Center for Analytics, Research & Development, and Data (CARDD) in the United Church of Christ), Loren Baxter (Director of Technology Resources at Brite Divinity School), and Loren Richmond (pastor, podcaster, and social entrepreneur).

Hosted by Pastor Terrell L McTyer, Minister of New Church Strategies for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, New Church Hacks provides practical (and sometimes peculiar) prompts for churches from start to restart. This free webinar series is jam-packed with clever solutions to tricky problems and empowers courageous leaders with the tools, tips and how-tos to start, sustain and strengthen congregations. For regular updates, be sure to check this page and follow along on social media with #NewChurchHacks!

A link to a recording of the webinar will be emailed to all registrants after the episode airs, regardless of attendance. You can also join us on our Facebook page to watch a live video of the webinar.

View recording