The Iowa Conference facilitates Called to Lead Groups – a monthly gathering of paid and volunteer ministers who work with children, youth and family ministries in their local church. These group help these leaders to:
- Connect with their sense of call to their ministry
- Share resources with leaders from other churches
- Support and hold each other accountable to healthy spiritual practices
- Challenge each other to grow as leaders
These groups are made up of eight to ten individuals who covenant together to meet six to eight times per year to support, challenge and hold each other accountable to growing into the leaders God has called them to be. In 2011-12, the groups are reading together the book Faith Formation 2020 by John Roberto. These groups are held both in-person between people within an hour driving distance from one another and through non-geographic videoconferencing. Nicole Havelka, associate conference minister for youth and young adult ministries, facilitates the groups.
These groups are currently taking place in:
- Northeast: second Monday of the month, 6-8 p.m., First Congregational UCC, Waterloo, IA
- Eastern: second Thursday of the month, 6-8 p.m., Edwards UCC, Davenport
- Central: third Thursday of the month, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Plymouth UCC, Des Moines, IA
- Non-geographic videoconference group: time/date TBD, participate right from your own computer.
Even if you can’t join us for one of these groups. Please read the book, Faith Formation 2020 with us and comment on our blog. Here is the group outline, covenant and other resources needed for participants (and anyone else who is curious):
We’ll conclude the year with a Sabbath retreat for people who do these ministries! More details to come.
Contact Nicole Havelka if you’d like to start a Called to Lead group in your area in 2012-13!