Click here to watch the small groups:Big Ministry promo video
CEF Spring Workshop and Meeting
The Iowa Christian Educators Fellowship Spring Workshop and Meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3.
Please note the change in dates. The schedule was changed so that CEF members can participate in the small groups: Big Ministry conference featuring keynote speaker Tony Miltenberger, Pastor of Next Step and Life Groups at Ginghamsburg Church in Ohio. Ginghamsburg Church is where Rev. Mike Slaughter is the Lead Pastor. In addition to being a pastor, he is also the author of Christmas is Not Your Birthday and several other books.
Small groups was identified as the topic for our spring workshop, so when it was learned that this conference was being held in Ankeny, efforts were combined. The cost for a CEF member to attend the conference is $25 per person with an additional $10 added to the registration for our lunch on Friday. The extra $10 is to cover the cost of lunch on Friday. Both the CEF meetings and the small groups: Big Ministry event will take place at the Ankeny First UMC Christian Life Center at 710 NE 36th St, Ankeny.
CEF members are asked to arrive by 11:30 a.m. on Friday morning for the start of the business meeting, which will include a box lunch. Then at approximately 1:30 p.m. the CEF members will attend a pre-conference session called “Creating Strategic Plans for Discipleship of all Ages”. This event is NOT included in the Small Groups: Big Ministry event, which is important to note should there be laity from your church attending the conference. That being said please note that laity and other church staff are highly encouraged to attend the Small Groups: Big Ministry event.
CEF Schedule on Friday
11:30 a.m. – CEF Business Meeting begins. Boxed lunch served as part of the meeting.
1:30 p.m. – Creating Strategic Plans for Discipleship of all Ages – A pre-conference workshop for CEF and church staff with Tony Miltenberger
Dinner with Tony and the planning team
6 to 8:30 p.m. – The Domino Effect: Who are you impacting? – Workshop with Tony Miltenberger
CEF Schedule on Saturday
8 a.m. – Gathering Time
8:30 a.m. – Worship/Opening Prayer
9 a.m. – Boundaries and Expectations: Stop your group from failing before it starts
10 a.m. – Invitation and Challenge: The difference between accountability and judgment
11:30 a.m. – Lunch (provided)
1 p.m. – The art of asking good questions
2 p.m. – Finding your replacement
3 p.m. – Servant Leadership: Washing your group’s feet
4 p.m. – Flextime and questions
4:30 p.m. – End of the event
For more information about the small groups: Big Ministry event, visit http://smallgroupsbigministry.blogspot.com/.
This is also where you will find hotel accommodations at a reduced rate. This link will also allow your church laity and other staff members to register for the $25 rate.
REGISTRATION for CEF members can be done by going to
http://ankenyfumc.org/component/com_dtregister/Itemid,0/controller,event/eventId,34/task,individualRegister/. This link will allow you to pay the $35 fee for CEF members with a credit card or opt to pay with a check.
Click the link for a video about the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oowSj9yY3g.