Christians & Money Conference

Co-Sponsored by:
C A L V I N T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A R Y A community of faith. A center of learning. A life of ministry.

FEATURING

Ken Medema - Musician, Composer, Conference Leader
	Ken Medema, a singer, composer, improviser and performer thinks that stewardship is more like giving to a friend than it is an obligation or duty to an overseer. His recent work on projects like “The Worship as Offering” and “Stories to Tell, Gifts to Share” have transformed his own thinking and practice. He will perform, entertain, reflect and help participants to share their own stories of gratitude. Working in tandem with Mark Vincent, biblical stories will take on new meaning and power. Blind from birth, Ken has been on the road for over 34 years demonstrating a joy for life in his music, piano playing and presentations, using his skills as a music therapist and performer. He is at home with small groups and large arenas and finds himself performing in churches, colleges, theaters, corporations and organizations.
Mark Vincent - Pastor, Author, Stewardship Champion
	Dr. Mark L. Vincent is Lead Partner with Design For Ministry, a network of consultants who help ministries, non-profits and service-minded businesses in increasing their capacity for service. In addition to a schedule of preaching, speaking and writing on the intersection between faith and money, Mark works directly with a variety of organizations each year in managing complex sets of issues. Evidence of his endless passion for stewardship, Mark is the founding editor of Giving magazine. He is a frequent presenter and board member for the Ecumenical Stewardship Center and the Christian Stewardship Association (newly merged with Christian Management Association to form Christian Leadership Alliance). His many published works include A Christian View of Money, now in its third edition.

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

8:00am	Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30am	Welcome and Opening Prayer Henry Doorn, Exec. Dir., Barnabas Foundation Rev. Duane Kelderman, VP for Admin., Calvin Theological Seminary

8:40am – 9:45am	Plenary Session “Surveying Stewardship Again for the First Time”

9:45am – 10:00am	Break

10:00am – 11:15am	Workshops

11:30am – 12:30pm	Luncheon Prayer - Rev. Jerry Dykstra, Exec. Dir., Christian Reformed Church in North America

12:45pm – 2:00pm	Plenary Session “Building a New Perspective for Discipleship”

2:00pm - 2:15pm	Break

2:15pm - 3:30pm	Workshops

3:40pm – 4:30pm	Plenary Session “Living the Master Plan” (Enjoy dessert and discovery during this conference wrap-up!)

PLENARY SESSIONS

“Surveying Stewardship Again for the First Time” (Morning Session) Ken Medema and Mark Vincent
	Ken Medema and Mark Vincent will work in tandem with word and music to look at traditional terms and ideas that have co-existed in defining the way congregations raise money and awareness to fund their ministries. Using biblical stories to look at transforming -- “scarcity to abundance”, “reluctant to lavish”, and “steward to host” -- to define new ways to think and talk about spiritually alive disciples for the 21st Century. Ken and Mark will use their gifts to help us discover how the management of money can become a vital part of a joyful Christian life.

“Building a New Perspective for Discipleship” (Afternoon Session) Ken Medema and Mark Vincent
	Ken and Mark will continue to add to the foundation established in the morning session by looking at new ways to frame the words and concepts of -- “tithe to firstfruits”, “budget to blessing” and “funding to worship”. Through sharing a variety of situations and stories of transformation, participants will begin to experience new perspectives on the age-old desire to offer our whole lives to the Creator of all.

“Living the Master Plan “ (Wrap-up Session) Ken Medema and Mark Vincent
	Following a day of sessions, workshops, and the sharing of a meal, the closing session will be a wrap-up of ideas for renovating stewardship work -- as individuals, as committees, as congregations. The conference will culminate in a renewal of our call for life and passion to God, in this exciting privilege of stewardship.

WORKSHOP SESSIONS

“Tales from the Trenches! Ideas on How to Do Stewardship in Your Church.” Rick Droog - Ministry Coordinator, Siouxland Diaconal Conference; - Barnabas Foundation Good Steward Ministry Consultant Rodger Rice – Director, Calvin Social Research Center (retired); - Barnabas Foundation Good Steward Ministry Consultant
	The best ideas are those that have already been tested. In their work with numerous churches, Rick and Rodg have gained first-hand experience with techniques and approaches that produce results. In this session, they will share stories and ideas that have positively impacted church stewardship development. Get ready for a lot of practical help! You'll also take a great "idea resource" back to your church.

“The Creative Makeover Workshop” Ken Medema - Musician, Composer, Conference Leader
	How can the arts -- music, film, painting, sculpture, visual arts, etc. -- help us in the tasks of leading our communities to move toward a lifestyle of stewardship? As a church leader, you’ll take away ideas about how music and the arts can express grateful giving. We will look at music as a teaching tool, and the arts as a way of telling and retelling biblical stories, and telling our own stories of “makeover” times in our lives. We will explore the use of artistic expressions as a way of offering ourselves and our lives to God. Anytime there is a “makeover” or a remodeling, we want to experience it on many levels. We want to hear it, see it, touch it, and show it to the world. Here is where the arts can expand our vision of stewardship.

“The Whys and Hows of Money Leadership” Mark Vincent - Pastor, Author, Stewardship Champion
	Churches struggle to get the money message, money flow and money management to work together as a whole. This workshop will help you become a better leader where money is concerned. Topics connected to money leadership include money messages in worship, leading people in learning generosity, and leading the congregation’s fiscal integrity.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Register by August 15, 2008 and SAVE on your registration fee.

Conference Cost for first registrant per church:

Early Bird Conference Registration (by August 15, 2008):

Conference Registration after August 15^th: $99.00

$129.00

Conference Cost for each additional registrant per church

Please enter discount code: GROUP $85.00

Conference Cost for Good Steward Ministry church members

Please enter discount code: GSM $75.00

Registration includes breakfast, lunch, plenary sessions, workshops and conference resource kit.

Cancellations and Substitutions Policy: If you must cancel, you will be assessed a
non-refundable registration fee of $25. You may send a substitute without penalty.
No refunds after October 17, 2008.