Many congregations are facing significant challenges—declining attendance, lower giving, and a lack of engagement with young adults, to name a few. This session will provide an overview of some of the most recent research on US congregations and some insights into how congregations can be healthier and more effective in their mission and ministry.
Dr. Chris Gambill, Director of the Center for Congregational Health will be the presenter. As a Baptist pastor and consultant, he has experience with the challenges of today’s faith institutions. He will speak from this experience and share what he has learned about flourishing congregations. Chris has been with the Center for Congregational Health since its beginning in 1992 and currently directs the Center’s work. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University (B.A.), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Capella University (Ph.D.). Chris received certification as an Intentional Interim Minister through the Center for Congregational Health®. He has previously been Sr. Consultant at the Center, and is a Board Certified Coach. Chris is also an ordained Baptist minister and has served previously as a pastor, interim pastor and as a campus minister at UNC-Charlotte, NC State University, and Appalachian State University. He and his wife Joy also served as student workers in Taiwan, Republic of China. He has extensive experience helping individuals and groups in managing interpersonal and intergroup conflict; developing capacity and skill in utilizing emotional intelligence; creating participative processes for strategic planning; facilitating staff team development; improving job performance; developing effective communication and dialogue processes; and providing individual and team leadership coaching.
Cost: FREE (includes light breakfast)
Registration Deadline: August 21, 2017