Some of my Projects
I first encountered SLI through Providence UMC’s lead pastor who led a training session at a Leadership Institute session several years ago. Along the way I participated in the Royce and Jane Reynolds church leadership training and served on conference teams in evangelism and discipleship as well as large church training teams.
Alexandria District of the Virginia Conference United Methodist Clergy
I was asked by our now retired District Superintendent to help establish a SLI team for clergy on the Alexandria district utilizing SLI principles which at the time our Bishop and cabinet were utilizing to make disciples of Jesus Christ which the conference discerned was the clear goal. SLI coach, Ideal Curtis, partnered with me to coach the team just as the Pandemic hit in June of 2020 and we were forced to be all virtual. We prayed and worked hard to that end and have 7 team members that once we complete our project will meet as a covenant group so that we can apply ongoing SLI principles of L3- Loving, Learning and Leading in our local churches. SLI principles are filtering through many of these churches leadership teams and changing the culture of leadership and discipleship making in each context. Leading a project by Zoom for 15 months has had its challenges but each clergy is gaining valuable support, learning, and accountability so that they can be effective in ministry and in building generative ministry. I am seeing this play out in my own church as we work on Strategic Priorities moving towards 2025. We are working hard to build teams and to grow in spiritual leadership. Our staff and Lay leadership are working together to help a church in decline look at new ways of doing ministry and looking for new “Fresh Expressions” where we can reach into the community to reach people for Christ. There is renewed energy and enthusiasm amongst our staff and leaders as we plan ministry together.