Article 13, theology, church outreach popular workshop topics
by Kathy Heinrichs Wiest
In addition to the well-attended Board of Faith and Life workshop on the Confession of Faith article titled Love, Peacemaking and Reconciliation, the 2014 National Convention featured two workshop sessions on topics ranging from theology to church issues to personal growth. The two most popular workshops were on theology and church outreach:
In a session entitled “How Do We Do Theology?” Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary Professor Tim Geddert talked about how theology is formulated and outlined the differences between biblical theology and systematic theology.
Gavin Linderman, pastor of Axiom Church, a church plant in Peoria, Ariz., led a workshop calling for unique and creative methods to reach “the unlikely”—people who would not naturally become involved in a church community.
Two other popular workshops dealt with personal growth. Executive Director Ed Boschman led a session on Life Coaching, a new program for pastors being made available through the conference. MB Mission Director Randy Friesen’s workshop looked at spiritual practices that “feed the soul.”—Kathy Heinrichs Wiest
PHOTO: “We can’t be everything to everybody, and we can’t afford to be copycats to the big churches,” said Bill Koogler, pastor of Good News Fellowship in Ferndale, Wash. Koogler and Aaron Box, pastor of North Park Church in Eugene, Ore., led the “Healthy and Effective Small Churches” workshop. Box, pictured above during the workshop, emphasized that “our energy and resources should go into developing relationships,” and told how a food program for low-income children has connected North Park with people who have a similar concern for their neighborhood children. — Photo by Steve Wiest
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