Welcoming - Training
Overview
When newcomers respond to our “Open hearts” messages, they especially check out the people. The real test of our advertising happens when seekers encounter “The people of The United Methodist Church.” That’s why training is one of the key components of Rethink Church. Welcoming training is available in four convenient forms and supported by the advertising and welcoming resources of United Methodist Communications.
1. Welcoming training online course
The "Welcoming Training online course" is a highly interactive learning experience that includes quizzes, discussion areas, and more. There are four weeks of discussions, and you’ll have six weeks to complete all the material in the course. This course is provided free by United Methodist Communications.
2. Welcoming national training events
Sponsored by United Methodist Communications, staffed by welcoming trainers, and hosted by annual conferences, these training events take place throughout the United States (view current schedule). Each event offers three training tracks at the same time. Choose one, or bring a team and cover all three:
- Welcome: Basic Welcoming Training
- Connect: Advanced Welcoming Skills
- Identify: Creating a Unique Identity
3. local welcoming training
Trainers from across the country are available to come to your conference, district or church to help your congregation learn about this ministry and develop a church lifestyle of welcoming. Although United Methodist Communications does not sponsor these local events, we can help you locate a local trainer for your event.
4. DIY COMPREHENSIVE HANDBOOK
Here is a welcoming and advertising evangelism tool, free for the downloading -- in convenient sections, if desired. How do you reach out effectively to your community? Here are how-to ideas. How does your church intentionally live into a welcoming lifestyle? Look at yourself in light of what God has in mind for you and where you are. Create an environment in which guests are comfortable and members are ministers of hospitality. Here are assessment tools and training for church leaders.
Download the comprehensive handbook by section:
The wealth of offerings include a media Matching Grant application, tips on how advertising can help get your message into your community, best practices for working with media organizations, how to find free collateral on MediaWarehouse, and how to form a committee and get started.
If you'd like to host a local training event with trainers from your area or you want more information, call us at (877) 281-6535 or email the training office at IMtraining@umcom.org.
Find-an-Event
These events, co-sponsored by United Methodist Communications and the annual conferences of these areas, offer three different training options at the same time. You can bring a team and cover all the sessions or just catch up with the newest "Welcoming" information and resources.
If there is no event scheduled in your area, take a look at "Find a Trainer" to locate a local trainer who might come to your church or district to offer a local training event.
List of Events:
- Rethink Church Conference - Nebraska
- November 13-14, 2009
Location: Lexington, NE
Contact: Kathryn Witte
email: kwitte@umcneb.org
Registration Deadline: 11/8/2009
- Learn More
- Welcoming Training for Rethink Church - Eastern Pennsylvania
- Saturday, November 14, 2009
Location: West Chester, PA
Site Coordinator: Suzy Keenan
email: suzy.keenan@epaumc.org
Registration Deadline: 11/08/2009
- Learn More
Find-a-Trainer
Calendar
- Rethink Church Conference - Nebraska
- November 13-14, 2009
Location: Lexington, NE
Contact: Kathryn Witte
email: kwitte@umcneb.org
Registration Deadline: 11/8/2009
- Learn More
- Welcoming Training for Rethink Church - Eastern Pennsylvania
- Saturday, November 14, 2009
Location: West Chester, PA
Site Coordinator: Suzy Keenan
email: suzy.keenan@epaumc.org
Registration Deadline: 11/08/2009
- Learn More
