Summits

Summits are in-person gatherings that convene teams of congregational leaders committed to becoming a more welcoming worshipping community and to nurturing the faith of children through worship and prayer. Our time together will be marked by engaging

• biblical and theological exploration,

• deep listening and critical conversations,

• cultural and contextual realities of challenges and possibilities, and

• best practices and emerging ideas.

From this we intend to foster leadership, to discern what resources need to be developed and experiences offered, and to provide foundations for beginning, strengthening, and sustaining the journey of nurturing children through worship and prayer.

Families

Intergenerational or multigenerational
Those bound by birth or those knit together by love and faith

Seminaries

Professors who shape the identity and priorities of congregations
Students who will shape the identity and priorities of congregations

Pastors and Educators

Who want to help their churches and families grow in worship and prayer but unable to form a team

Congregational Teams

Committed to the journey towards a more welcoming worshipping community
Elders, pastors, educators, and disciples together from
Small – Medium Membership churches (teams up to 3 people)
Multi-Staff Congregations (teams up to 4 people)

Congregational Leaders

Elders and ministry team leaders of
Worship
Christian Education
Pastors
Educators
Disciples who want to include children in worship but are struggling

Artists

Who help us move beyond mere words and into the creative nature of the Divine in prayer and worship.

Solo-Staff Congregational Teams

We are inviting ten teams of leaders from congregations served by a solo pastor or commissioned ruling elder. Our hope is that these three-member teams will include one paid staff member (pastor, educator, or commissioned leader) and one to two congregational leaders (non-staff) who serve in worship, Christian education, and/or family ministries.

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Multi-staff congregational teams

We are inviting ten teams of leaders from congregations with multiple paid staff members. Our hope is that these four-member teams will include at least one pastor, a Christian educator or ministry director, and one to two congregational leaders (non-staff) who serve in worship, Christian education, and/or family ministries.

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Seminary Professors

Seminary professors play a critical role in shaping the identity, values and practices of emerging pastors and educators, who in turn help shape the identities, values, and practices of children and their families. We are inviting ten seminary professors in practical theology, worship, preaching, pastoral care, and/or Christian Education join us on the journey of nurturing and equipping leaders to nurture the faith of children and their families through worship and prayer.

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Individual Church Leaders

This Summit is an in-person gathering for individual church professionals or congregational leaders who, for whatever reason, cannot form a congregational team but who are committed to helping congregations become more welcoming worshipping communities and to nurturing the faith of children through worship and prayer. We are accepting ten to fifteen participants.

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FallFestivalWeekend2019-39 Kirsten Trachsel

Regional Intergenerational

These intergenerational Summits provide children and their families opportunities to engage in practices that nurture faith in fun and engaging ways. We will explore both worship and prayer through art, music, stories, and practices that enrich our experiences. All participants will have an opportunity to share, through video, what they love about worship and what they find challenging. Lunch and materials will be provided. Each region can host up to fifty participants.

Intergenerational/Family Summits will take place in:

Charlotte, NC
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Richmond, VA
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

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Artists

Artists, whether they work in paint, word, textiles, movement, music, or some other medium, help us imagine things that have never existed before. Artists are invited into the work of Font & Faith because this initiative seeks to create things that have never existed before—communities, resources, practices, and opportunities. Our goal is to have artists participating in every aspect of this initiative, contributing their own insights, and helping participants first imagine, then create, welcoming communities that nurture children’s faith through worship and prayer.

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Seminary Students

Seminary students whose vocational call is to congregational ministry are invited to participate in Summits as they learn and lead together with those who bring wisdom from their congregational experience. Students do not have to form a team but will be invited to participate with the teams who comprise a Summit.

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