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Every day, policy decisions are analyzed, debated and made regarding the public school system, health and safety, and the society that our youth will enter. Far too frequently those decisions are made without any input from the young people and individuals who will have to live with them. Members of the communities most impacted on issues such as immigration reform, anti-war, education reform, sustainable green works have taken to the streets. The questions young believers are struggling with is “Do I take to the streets as well?”

This workshop explores real social-economic issues and helps to develop a better understanding of racism and classicism. We will also explore developing biblical perspectives to approach such issues.

I hated everything I saw – my obesity, my narrow eyes, my puny arms, my flat nose. My body was never thin or muscular enough. I disliked how clothes felt on me. My body tormented me and, in response, I tormented it back – calorie restriction, excessive exercise. No matter what I did, I was not happy with what I saw. Dysmorphic body image goes beyond struggling with weight loss and describes a deeper dislike for one’s body no matter how much is done to improve it.

Adolescents care tremendously about how they look because it’s how they show themselves to the world. Since so much depends on image, teens could be absolutely harsh towards what they see in the mirror. In this workshop, I will share about my own struggle with my body and how I reclaimed the Image of God that is within me. This workshop is for those who are interested in exploring the issue of body image and how it could crippling and how confidence can be restored.

We talk a lot about discipleship and how we are called to make disciples as followers of Christ but what does that look like? Is there a difference between mentoring and discipleship?

Some of us say that we’re not in a place to lead anyone. Who can disciple? Who shouldn’t?

There is also a difference between “second hand spirituality” (trying to walk through someone else’s experience) and being guided by someone through their walk. We’ll look at the biblical foundation for discipleship to draw our key principles and learn how you can be an effective one.

He is the ultimate Shepherd-Leader, able to confront and encourage, correct and nurture, direct and walk along beside us! That’s a balance that most of us find very difficult to attain. Our tendency is to favor the side of this equation that comes most naturally, but is that the best way to lead? For some of us the hard conversations about conduct and choices seem like just the opposite of the encouraging words we want to speak. Others of us leave people wondering if we really care about them!

How do we reach the balance? Dr. Peter Pendell will help us wrestle with the high calling of “Shepherd Leadership.” Forty years of pastoral ministry provide insight that will be valuable for all who want to lead like Jesus in the home, on the job and in the church.