From Preparation to Presentation-Keys to an Impactful Preaching Event!
(2 Part Seminar) with Troy Dobbs

In this session we will explore the 7 types of sermons and dialogue practically about the “How To’s” of sermon preparation.

Troy Dobbs

Troy Dobbs is the Senior Pastor of Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota—an active and growing non-denominational congregation of over 5,000 members and attendees. Pastor Dobbs earned an undergraduate degree from Ball State University (BS Criminology) and a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He has pastored churches in Kentucky and Florida. Troy resides in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with his wife, Cheri, and their three children (two daughters and a son).

Leading Boards that Matter with Pat Mazorol

An effective church governing board plays a large role in a healthy, growing church. Sound board practices give ministries, staff, and volunteers opportunities to thrive. This seminar will explore effective board processes from the point of view of a board member.

Pat Mazorol

Active in the Twin Cities area, Mazorol has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 41B, which includes West Bloomington and South Edina in Hennepin County. He has served on the Bloomington Human Rights Commission, was vice chair of the Board of Trustees for Bethel University, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Private Colleges Council. He has served on the Board of Directors for United Hospital Foundation, was a member of the Twin Cities advisory board for The Salvation Army, and is the Church Chairman at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie.

Introduction to the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference with Nick Granitsas

This seminar will answer three basic questions:  “Who are we?”, “Where did we come from?”, and “Why join us?”.  The seminar will be most helpful for those who are considering the CCCC or are new to the Conference, but will also be beneficial for those who would like to learn about the origins and early development of the CCCC.

Nick Granitsas

Nick Granitsas was born and raised in Marlboro, Massachusetts, the son of a Greek Orthodox father and a Roman Catholic mother.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College and a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Blessed to be married to his wife Joan for forty-two years; they have seven adult children and nineteen grandchildren.  Since July 1, 1974, he has been the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Revere, MA.  He has served in various leadership capacities in the CCCC, including four years as national president.  An adjunct faculty member of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary since 1980, he teaches the denominational standards course for the CCCC.

Helping People Find Their Identity in Christ (2 Part Seminar) with Ed Rinehart and Rich Cook

One of the most significant issues a church faces to increase its fruitfulness for the Kingdom of God is leading people to find their identity in Jesus Christ.  In this seminar, members of the CCCC Church Development Team provide principles from our LifeFlow Church Development process relating to discipleship on the topic of identity.  Designed as much for the layperson as for the pastor, this seminar provides life-changing insights.

Ed Rinehart

Pastor Ed Rinehart is married to Jodi and they have 2 children. Since 2005, he has pastored the First Evangelical and Reformed Church in Lima, Ohio. Accepting Christ at the age of 24, he entered full time ministry in the United Methodist Church, serving in multiple locations over an 8 year period. Ed taught Jr. High Bible at Mansfield Christian School for 3 years and served as Conference Evangelist of the Free Methodist Church for the State of Ohio during the same time. Ed currently serves on the Church Development Team of the CCCC.

Rich Cook

Pastor Rich Cook has been married to his wonderful wife Charlotte for 27 years. The Cooks have four grown children and one grandchild. Rich has known the Lord for 38 years. He graduated of Elohim Bible Institute in Castile, NY in 1985 and has been involved in some sort of ministry since then. Rich currently pastors New Bethel Congregational Church, Hazen, ND.  He has been an ordained minister with the CCCC since 2001, and has served as a member of the CCCC Church Development Team since 2007.

Because Seeing is Believing—The incredible impact of the Jesus Film Worldwide with Nancy Weigel

The JESUS Film has been called the most effective evangelism tool in existence by many, with millions making decisions for Christ and discipled after viewing it. At this seminar we will explore how attenders might make use of this tool now in over 1,168 languages to help reach the world at our doorstep in America!

Come and receive a free multi-language DVD to give to a friend!

Nancy Weigel

Nancy Weigel, a commissioned Christian worker with the CCCC, is currently on staff with the JESUS Film Project. She has seen the JESUS Film used effectively on numerous mission outreaches in Europe, reaching out to Arabic speakers as well in the U.S. Previously, she spent 16 years training missionaries for Japan. She holds degrees in Intercultural Studies, Teaching English as a Second Language and Christian Apologetics.

The Changing Role of the Pastor’s Wife with Sharon Galloway

Church Planters Roundtable Discussion with the Church Multiplication Team

From Preparation to Presentation-Keys to an Impactful Preaching Event!  (Part 2) with Troy Dobbs

See description above

Helping People Find Their Identity in Christ (2 Part Seminar) with Ed Rinehart and Rich Cook

See description above

Leading from the Middle with John Sommerville

Rarely do leaders have an opportunity to dictate vision and direction “from the top.” Leaders, particularly in churches, find themselves working with hosts of peers and even with supervisors. How can successful leaders lead from the middle?

John Sommerville

John is a University of Kansas graduate (go Jayhawks!) and has an MBA from Indiana University. After spending 12 years in marketing at General Mills, (he still eats Cheerios most every morning), John left the corporate world for the non-profit— going to seminary and serving on the boards of several Christian organizations. After several years as a staff pastor at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, MN, God called John to plant City Church in Southwest Minneapolis. John says, “When I heard the vision for starting a church in this community, I was all in. Our love for this neighborhood and the vision of a church committed to serve the city is what grabbed me. To be a part of a church committed to “love God and love others” is something I can give my life to.” John and Kathy have two daughters.

SAT-7: A Christian Satellite Television Ministry to the People of the Middle East and North Africa with Don Zoller

Every day and every minute of the day, SAT-7 brings the message of transforming hope in Jesus Christ  to over 15 million viewers in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Europe, by way of satellite television.  Operating on two satellites, SAT-7 supports five channels in three languages: Arabic, Farsi and Turk.  A wide range of programming includes a 24/7 kids channel that is watch by several million children and their parents. A new leadership initiative is providing theological training to pastors of house churches.
(sat-7@usa.org)

Don Zoller

Since 2007, Don Zoller has been the regional representative for SAT-7.  After 35 years with US Department of Interior, he served as Director of Development for the Raleigh Rescue Mission, North Carolina with short-term mission assignments to Panama, Honduras, Mexico and Scotland, and as director of missions for a local church.  He teaches the Bible to adults and is involved with inner-city mission initiatives. Don is a graduate of Sioux Fall University, SD and lives with his wife, Bev, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Infectious Generosity: Building a Culture of Giddy Generosity with J. Loring Carpenter

The enthusiastic generosity of the Macedonian church stirred others to model their joy in giving. Paul tells us “God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor 9:7).” Yet the American church is more frugal than excited, restricting rather than releasing the joy of God’s bounty. How can we release disciples to overflow with joy when faced with financial challenges and asked also to give generously? Let’s explore what God says and principles of stewardship that should be the fabric of any congregation.

Loring Carpenter

Rev. J. Loring Carpenter has spent over forty years in pastoral ministry as well as coaching congregations and nonprofit organizations in transforming the future and funding new vision and mission. He has served as pastor, director, board member, and leader for many nonprofit ministries, being part of the start-up of five, including a shelter for homeless families, a day camp, a preschool and a youth. As coach and consultant he has assisted churches and nonprofits seeking new directions of mission and support. He has served many nonprofit boards including the North American Maritime Ministry Association, the CCCC, and is currently Finance Chair of our Conference. Loring is currently is Executive Director of Seafarer’s Friend and lives in Haverhill, MA with his wife MaryAnne, enjoying time with their three grown children and 6 grandchildren whenever possible.

The Seven Guiding Values of the CCCC with Paul McPheeters and Todd Venman

As a Conference we have prayerfully committed ourselves to seven “Guiding Values” which we believe God has called us to live out in our ministry and mission together.  These values flow from the clear teaching of Scripture and are rooted in the local church.  This seminar will flesh out these guiding values and provide opportunity for people to respond and interact with them.  The seminar is led by Paul McPheeters and Todd Venman, the President and Vice President of our Board of Directors.

Paul McPheeters

Paul McPheeters is a happy husband to Nancy, and a devoted dad to Sarah and Rebekah.  He has served as the pastor of the Forestdale Community Church in Malden, MA for 30 years.  He currently serves the Conference as the President of the Board of Directors, and a member of the NEX church multiplication hub in New England.  In the past he has served as an Area Representative in New England, the local arrangements chairman for the 1999 Annual Meeting in Sturbridge, and the chair of the national Church Multiplication Committee.

Todd Venman

For the past thirteen years, Rev. Todd Venman, his wife Dawn, and their three boys have been serving the Lord in Russell Pennsylvania. He received his B.S. in Bible with a minor in Christian Education: Youth Ministry Focus, from Lancaster Bible College.  After graduation he served at Harmony Grove Community Church in Dover PA as Pastor of Youth and Christian Education for five and a half years.

Todd currently serves the CCCC’s as Chair of the Development Team and Vice President of the conference.

Leading Change in the Small Church and Living to Tell About It with Jeff Holton

Pastors have many joys and challenges in serving small churches.  One of the greatest difficulties small church pastors encounter is implementing healthy and successful change in their congregations.  Join Jeff Holton as he shares his stories, struggles and insights as he has prayerfully (and continually) implemented change in his rural church.  This seminar will look at how healthy change can happen. There will also be a designated time to share ideas and stories from other small town peers in our Conference.

Jeff Holton

Jeff Holton is the Pastor at Spring Valley Congregational Church, a small rural church in Western Wisconsin since 2007.  He graduated from Calvary Chapel Bible College in 1994 and entered full-time ministry that same year.  He served in youth ministry for nearly 14 years at Fluvanna Community Church for 7 years, and at Church of the Cross in Erie, PA for 6 1/2 years.

Jeff is originally from Jamestown, NY.  He enjoys spending time with his family, his wife Carrie and four children: Micaiah, Gabe, Simon-Charles and Berea; reading and music.