PURPOSE

¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

The 2^nd Arkansas Shepherding Conference is organized with the goal of equipping elders and church leaders to shepherd congregations for the glory of God. If you are an elder, deacon, minister or other church leader who loves the church and desires to be more equipped for ministry, this conference is for you.

• David Wray’s messages will address the spiritual formation of elders, the pros and cons of the “shepherding model,” what happens in a good elders’ meeting, and healthy interaction between elders and ministry staff.
• Using Case Studies, Ross Cochran will facilitate Breakout Sessions that get us talking with each other about issues that face us all.
• Panels composed of elders and ministers from around the State will share what is working well for their congregations in the “How Do We” sessions Saturday.
• In times of Devotion and Reflection, we will process what we are learning.
• Fellowship in worship and at mealtimes will facilitate interaction that will bless us all.

PROGRAM

Thursday, March 4

7:00 p.m.  Welcome/Introductions

7:15 p.m.  “The Sacred Rhythms of a Shepherd,” David Wray

8:30 p.m.  Break

8:45 p.m.  Breakout Sessions

9:45 p.m.  Pray and Adjourn

Friday, March 5

8:00 a.m.  Devotional (Steering Committee)

8:30 a.m.  “The Shepherding Model: Congregational Care or Mission?” David Wray

9:30 a.m.  Break

10:00 a.m.  Case Study, “Shepherding Across Generations,” Ross Cochran

12:00 p.m.  Lunch at PVCC

1:30 p.m.  “When Shepherds Gather,” David Wray

2:30 p.m.  Break

3:00 p.m.  Case Study, “When One of Us is the Problem,” Ross Cochran

5:00 p.m.  Dinner at PVCC

7:00 p.m.  “God’s Working Upstream,” (Jimmy Adcox)

7:30 p.m.  “The Shepherd and the Staff,” David Wray

9:00 p.m.  Reflections (Monte Cox)

9:30 p.m.  Pray and Adjourn

Saturday, March 6

8:00 a.m.  Devotional

8:30 a.m.  Breakout Sessions: “How Do We . . .” 

                        One: How do we identify/mentor future elders?

                        Two: How do we build stronger marriages in our churches?

                        Three: How do we make decisions?

                        Four: How do we work with ministry staff?

                        Five: How do we lead our congregations to be outwardly focused?

9:30 a.m.  Break and switch groups

10:30 a.m.  “Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” David Wray

11:15 a.m.  Pray and Adjourn

REGISTRATION

• Registration fee of $25 covers costs of meals, speakers, advertising, and facilities.
• Register on-line NOW at this link.
• Spouses are invited to attend the entire event free of charge. We do ask, however, that spouses register on-line before March 1, 2010 (so we may get an accurate count).

SPEAKERS

David Wray, Abilene Christian University, Associate Dean of Spiritual Life and Co-curriculum, Associate Professor of Christian Education. After twenty years in congregational ministry, David Wray began his teaching career at ACU in 1990.  As an Associate Professor specializing in Christian Education, he teaches courses which focus on education ministries in the church.  He works with church leaders on weekends throughout the southern region of the United States. Currently, his research interests include Christian spiritual formation, adult learning, and small group ministries. David has been an elder at the Highland congregation in Abilene since 1986.
 
Ross Cochran, Harding University Professor of Bible, served as a missionary in Limerick, Ireland, served as associate minister for Holmes Rd. Church of Christ in Memphis, TN until 1986 when he began teaching full-time for Harding University. He teaches courses in Vocational Christian Ministry, New Testament Church, Life of Christ, Gospel of John, and OT Survey. In 2007 Ross took a sabbatical from his teaching duties to study the Case Study method of teaching and learning. Ross has served as an elder at the Downtown church in Searcy since 2008.

To register for attendance at the Arkansas Shepherding Conference, please use this online registration form , paying securely online through PayPal.