The busy pastor is filled with concerns about his people and ministry that often shape the focus and content of his sermons. He may ask himself, What are the needs of my church’s members? What do they need to learn? What spiritual gifts are they lacking? What has their attention on social media right now? Am I getting my messages across? What sins need to be addressed this week? The list goes on.

Ultimately, preaching must be Christ-centered and biblical, but what does that sound like? Busy pastors can lose sight of the forest for the trees. Our keynote speaker, Pastor Bryan Chapell, author of Christ-Centered Preaching, will lead a revitalizing refresher on God-honoring preaching and application, addressing many of these and other issues.

http://www.alliancenet.org/preaching-exposition-and-application?utm_source=P%26R+Announcements&utm_campaign=9365ef00cf-pastors_conf_2018_12_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cb12026819-9365ef00cf-232977061

This workshop is solely for white ministry staff and designed to help you unpack the complexities of racial dynamics in your context and to understand the experiences of people in color serving in primarily white ministries. Jael Chambers (founder of Cultured Enuf and director of Young Life, Philadelphia) will talk about today's cultural climate, and Josh Grace and Katie Grindle will share about their personal journeys. Register. 

about the host:

Helping You Minister in Multi-Cultural Settings

Cultured Enuf is a team of young diversity consultants who empower organizations to create a climate where teammates are both culturally and racially aware. They invite you and your team to two workshops in March called “The Talk” that are specifically designed for those serving in churches and other Christian ministries. 

This workshop is exclusively for people of color to learn practical ways to thrive in primarily white spaces and be agents of cultural competency without getting burned out. Presenters will be Jael Chambers (founder of Cultured Enuf and director of Young Life, Philadelphia) and Cultured Enuf partner Dr. Trent Mclaurin. Register. 

about the host:

Cultured Enuf is a team of young diversity consultants who empower organizations to create a climate where teammates are both culturally and racially aware. They invite you and your team to two workshops in March called “The Talk” that are specifically designed for those serving in churches and other Christian ministries. 

Because of the history of slavery and generations of racial oppression, many people in America today are dealing with generational trauma. For these individuals, families, and our nation to recover, we all need to address and begin the process of healing from this trauma. The Church has a role to play in helping suffering people in its communities.

This convening session will include:

-A viewing of the Emmy-nominated documentary, Unchained. -A walk through of a lesson from Healing the Wounds of

Generational Trauma: The Black & White American Experience.

-An invitation to you or members of your organization to be trained in the materials

Cost: Free, but space is limited

Registration: https://htwgt2019.eventbrite.com/ by February 26th, 2019

A conference that focuses on how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can demolish and break the
strongholds of sin.

The presenters include:
Dr. Mark Croston, a Philadelphia native, and Director of National Black and Western Church Partnerships, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tenn., who will speak on

"The Kingdom Citizen's Response to Racism, Systematic Injustice and Oppression;"

Dr. Phil Monroe, American Bible Society, who will discuss

"Trauma Healing as a key to Racial Conciliation and Reconciliation;" as well as a panel discussion with

Nazarene Baptist Church Pastor K. Marshall Williams and BRN's Executive Director Barry Whitworth, among others.
Register at www.nazarenebaptist@gmail.com or 215-223-9860

This webinar will be presented by the Director of the Institute for Community Justice, Assata Thomas. She will discuss the various consequences of health-related issues, as it pertains to incarceration and the impact it has on the individual, family, and community levels; and how communities of color disproportionately bear these issues. This webinar will be live-streamed at the Commons at the Critical Path Learning Center. 1233 Locust Street, 2nd floor. 

register here

Join thousands of Christian business professionals from around the world for a 1-day livestream event to hear from experts on connecting your faith and work.

$30 admission includes the full program plus:

refreshments, lunch and a tour of the museum following the Retreat

Register at: http://www.goodworksinc.org/waw/

Pastor Victor King from House of Joy Multicultural Church will be leading the time.  The theme of this prayer gathering is "Tearing Down Strongholds."  If you desire to come, it would be great if you could make a list of spiritual strongholds that you have identified in your area so that together we can pray for God to displace them and establish His kingdom strongholds there.

The Unfinished Story is another Simply Mobilizing course that inspires and challenges every believer to get involved in God's mission globally and locally. This is a preview of the entire four-session course. Training for those who would like to be facilitators follows the second session.

Friday, January 25, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. AND Saturday, January 26, 9:00 - 1:20 p.m., $25

For more information or to register, email Sophia Wang or call 215.450.8210.

Simply Mobilizing (who developed the Kairos course) is offering a preview of their four-part training, "Empowered to Influence," on being salt and light in the workplace. This is a great opportunity for church and small-group leaders to see whether this course could be right for your people.

$20. For more information or to register, email Sophia Wang or call 215.450.8210.

Designed for More author Lucas Ramirez, Liberti Church Newtown Square and Serving Leaders Ministries are hosting a ministry leaders event on the topic church unity. The primary subject of Ramirez's recent book, we'll hear from the author in more detail about the importance of unity in community of local churches, the current state of affiars and what we as vocational and lay leaders can be doing to spurr on unity in the church to the end of more accurately representing the Body of Christ to the world and defending against the evils of this world.

Intended for all variety of Christian leader, this event will be a 2 hour conference intended to spurr discussion on the topic of unity and function as a starting point for further work. Lunch will be provided and the first 75 RSVPs will recieve a free copy of 'Designed for More: Unleashing Christ's Vision for Unity in a Deeply Divided World' by Lucas Ramirez.

More info on Lucas can be found at: http://www.lucasramirez.org/

Register here

From the NW Division police chaplains:

The service will take place at New Hope Temple Baptist Church, 312 W. Manheim St. (Pulaski & Manheim) with people arriving at 10am for a 10:30am start. It will run approximately 30 minutes. A few elected officials and other community leaders will offer brief remarks.

Participants will then join in a prayer march to Wayne Junction, 4481 Wayne Ave. This “hot spot” location borders the 14th, 35th and 39th districts. According to Mapquest it is .8 miles from the church building to the location. Transportation for those unable to walk the entire distance is being arranged.

I hope that many of you will attend and that you will encourage others to do so. Inasmuch as the event is intended to foster unity and peace in the city it is worth the effort to make the effort of a short trip. We also don’t want an MLK event to be as segregated as many of our church services are.

Shepherds Club is a monthly gathering of pastors and leaders who desire to come together to connect, encourage and strengthen one another so that we can more effectively work together for the transformation of our city. We believe that together we are better! This month Pastor Mark Novales of City Reach Philly will be sharing with us, followed by a time of prayer, a meal and fellowship. RSVP to Pastor Brent at pastorbrent@ilight.tv if you plan to come.