2021 Workshops
Watch, Listen and Learn: Workshops
In times such as these, one thing is certain. Shared knowledge and insights will provide the path for witnessing God’s changing world and the Church’s role in it. The 2021 Annual Conference’s workshops are designed to help you navigate this path. Workshops and worship will be live.
Topic Area #1:
The Future Economic Models of the Church: Leveraging Our Assets to Support Our Current and Future Ministries
Supporting and sustaining the Church of the 21st Century will be markedly different. Fundraising through the pledge and plate is no longer sufficient to meet the ever-increasing costs of ministry. Even congregations that have defined and implemented alternative funding streams are struggling during the pandemic. Together, we will explore what the Church’s economy in the future might look like.
Topic sponsored by Church Investment Group
Workshop One: Stewardship for a Changing Landscape
David King, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
Kristine Miller, Horizon Stewardship
The 21st Century Church continues to undergo rapid and significant change, and the work of sustaining ministry must change as well. Inherited models of stewardship and fundraising are not flexible or responsive enough to meet the evolving needs of ministry. Congregations of every size and in every context are struggling during the pandemic, regardless of their existing revenue model. These are economic challenges for leaders to meet with clarity and creativity. Together, we will explore what has changed, and what the Church’s economy in the future might look like.
Workshop Two: Staffing and Human Resources for Such a Time as This
Waajida Small, Trinity Church Wall Street, New York City
Joni Huerta, St. Martin’s, Houston
Tapua Tunduwani, Church of the Heavenly Rest, New York City
Bob Dannals, St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville moderating
In 'such a time as this' when the normal patterns of church life have been radically disrupted and continue to change, human resources and staffing face unprecedented challenges. Regardless of size, the pandemic has radically shifted the ways parishes go about their mission and ministry. Larger, resourced parishes bear particular stresses in this season, yet there are also ample opportunities for these parishes to not just survive, but thrive. Cultivating a healthy, nimble staff is key.
Workshop Three: Checking Our Assumptions: Congregational Economics and Holistic Sustainability
Mark Elsdon, Rooted Good
Eve Poole
Shannon Hopkins, Rooted Good, moderator
The economics of congregational ministry have been changing for some time. Too often, though, our conversations about congregational economics focus on questions of making ends meet rather than larger economic questions about mission, sustainability and justice. In this panel conversation, we will explore how our congregations might engage these larger topics in the midst of day-to-day realities. This conversation promises to capture your imagination and spark your creative reflection.
Topic Area #2:
The Third Place — Our Buildings and Communities
Throughout the pandemic, many churches have found their buildings strangely empty to their own members while at the same time serving their communities in new ways. Church buildings have again become civic spaces. As the pandemic persists, how do you continue to use your building(s) to serve your congregation’s needs as well as those of your neighbors and community.
Topic sponsored by Partners for Sacred Places
Workshop One: Once and Future Third Place
Mary Gray-Reeves, College for Bishops
Casper ter Kuile
As ever more Americans describe themselves as less religious, where are they going to find community and meaning? And how might we understand the gym, office, and yoga retreat center as new centers of religious activity? Join this conversation with Harvard Divinity School Ministry Innovation Fellow, Casper ter Kuile and Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves to understand what new opportunities are emerging in the growing landscape of third spaces crossing the secular/sacred divide.
Workshop Two: The Opportunity and Public Value of Church as Third Places
Renato Matos, Capel Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld
John Spicer, St. Andrew’s Kansas City
Joshua Castano, Partners for Sacred Places
Steve Lawler, Eden Seminary moderating
Churches are community assets that provide significant public value to their neighborhoods and communities. From performance and education, to community-serving ministries, and so much more -- parishes can and do use their buildings to create a welcome home for gathering as de-facto community centers and beloved "third places." In this workshop, presenters will highlight the value of churches as third places and explore ways to help parishes tell their stories and share their value with civic leaders. Presenters also will share examples of churches that have explored creative ways to make the most of their buildings for new uses and partnerships. They will outline effective strategies that congregations can use to engage the community to strengthen their roles as invaluable third places.
Workshop Three: Our Buildings and Resources as Disaster Response
Molly Carr, The Abundant Harvest Kitchen
Dianna Deaderick, Fresh Start at St. Luke’s, Columbia SC
Lisa Fischbeck, The Advocate, Chapel Hill, NC
Tamara Plummer, Episcopal Relief and Development moderating
From floods to pandemics to chronic homelessness, we are faced with disasters on a daily basis. How do our congregations utilize our physical resources, such as land and buildings, in response? In this panel discussion, we'll hear from leaders across the Church that have used vacant land, a food truck, an under-utilized gym, and other physical resources to help congregations meet the needs of their communities.
Topic Area #3:
Racial Reckoning Within the Church
In this moment, there is an unprecedented racial reckoning. The Church is complicit and must find new ways to participate in the quest of equality, inclusion, and justice. For some this is a new conversation, while for others this is an on-going priority. Wherever your congregation may be, join us as we discuss how we conceive of life in a more just way.
Workshop One: Preaching Black Lives to White Congregations
Gayle Fisher-Stewart, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Washington, DC
Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 10 am (EST)
There is a saying in the Black Church, "If it's not preached from the pulpit, it's not important." For many people, what is preached on Sunday provides their guide for how to live their lives as followers of Jesus Christ. How is it that in these turbulent and racially tinged times, there are Episcopalians who have never heard a sermon on race and clergy who have never preached one? The Rev. Gayle Fisher-Stewart will discuss the opportunities, challenges, and risks in preaching a word from the Lord that embraces the Holy Spirit as you embark on brave conversations that fully support your siblings of all colors.
Workshop One sponsored by Journeys Unlimited
Workshop Two: Telling Our Stories
Grey Maggiano, Memorial, Baltimore, Maryland
Sandye Wilson
Ora Houston, retired Austin City Council member, St. James, Austin TX
Kim Coleman, The Union of Black Episcopalians moderating
Individuals, congregations, and dioceses across The Episcopal Church are researching, reexamining, and confronting instances of historical racism. For some, this is new work. For others, this has been their life’s work. Join a panel discussing how we come to terms with the fullness of our history, lament the pain and damage done, and work to build a Church and world that reflect the love of God.
Workshop Three: Rainbow Theology: Intersections of Race, Gender, and Sexuality
Wil Gafney, Brite Divinity School
Tommie Lee Watkins, St. Andrews, Birmingham, AL
Altagracia Perez-Bullard, Virginia Theological Seminary
Patrick Cheng, Saint Thomas, New York City, NY moderating
The cry that “Black Lives Matter” this summer was quickly followed by the cry that “Black Trans Lives Matter.” What does the current reckoning on racism in the Church mean for people of color who identify as LGBTQ+? Join our panel of scholars for a discussion of how theological reflection can help the Church navigate these intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, and how we can see God's grace in practices of radical hospitality.
Topic Area #4:
Strategic Conversations
In the past year, our congregations have demonstrated tremendous agility in our ministries. Worship, formation, pastoral care, and vestry meetings, among others, have all gone on-line. We have reworked staff structures and asked our members and volunteers to do new things. We’ve adjusted budgets and adapted fundraising for these times. But where do we go from here? How do we think strategically about the future even as we continue to adapt our ministries to meet the needs of the present?
Workshop One: Flexibility and Rapid Execution: Practical Strategic Applications for Church Organizations
Paul Coombs, PIR Consulting
Karen Kraycirik, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, TX
Lauralyn Lee, Washington National Cathedral
Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 10 am (EST)
Our approach is based on three key areas: flexible strategy, dynamic communications, and focused operations including fundraising. 2020 has been a challenge, but 2021 can provide a raft of opportunities if we can think differently. Episcopal congregations are steeped in tradition, and at times struggle to see the benefits in implementing change. Our churches need to be more flexible and execute new processes and approaches reflecting the ever-evolving digital age while learning from public sector and commercial organizations so that we are not left behind. What are the tools used by consulting and marketing teams and how can we learn from business efficiency models to help pivot in the short-term with long-term goals in mind? In this panel discussion, you’ll hear from leaders in consulting, marketing, and operations in the Episcopal Church about the benefits of evaluating new ways of serving our communities with changes delivered in months, not years.
Workshop Two: The Next 12 Months: Responding to Change Driving Topics
Marc Boom, Houston Methodist
Luke Goble, Warner Pacific University
Chuck Robertson, Staff of the Presiding Bishop
Thursday, March 4 at 1:30 pm (EST)
How do organizations continue to pursue their long-term strategic goals when everything is disrupted in the short-term? How do leaders focus on what matters most when what matters now intrudes? How do organizations learn to be more resilient rather than reactive? A global pandemic, an unprecedented election season, and civil unrest can all impact congregations in ways never imagined. In this panel discussion, we'll hear from industry leaders beyond the Church about how they navigate sudden challenges ranging from the hyperlocal to the global.
Workshop Three: Becoming Bilingual: Navigating between 'Old Power' and 'New Power’ to Secure the Future of the Episcopal Church
Susan Marquis, RAND Corporation facilitating
Thursday, March 4 at 3 pm (EST)
As a society, and as a Church, we have become accustomed to power being held and exercised by the few. This ‘old power' is closed, inaccessible, and leader-driven. When power is acquired, it is guarded and infrequently relinquished voluntarily. Those holding power guard it and spend it carefully so as not to dilute the authority they hold in society.
With the technology revolution a new form of power is emerging - and it is one that is disruptive to the ‘old power’ model. 'New power' is made by many, meaning by its very nature, it is open, participatory, frequently leaderless, and peer-driven. New power is designed to be channeled and not hoarded.
Henry Timms, CEO and President of the Lincoln Center, is a leading thinker on the concept of ‘new power.’ In the book he co-authored with Jeremy Heimans, New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World--And How to Make It Work for You, Henry identifies how one can use 'new power' to spread ideas and lead in a world where ‘old power' is fading.’
During this workshop, we will watch a conversation with Henry Timms and dive into the concepts of ‘old power’ and ’new power.' Susan Marquis will lead our conversation as our use of “new power” gives people permission, and invitation, to engage in our mission on their own terms and creates space for participation for others to follow. The conversation will also take on the issue we all must address: which “old power” values to retain and which “new power” values to address as leaders and members of our church communities. Susan is dean of the Pardee RAND Graduate School and vice president for innovation at RAND Corporation. She is the author of two books, most recently I Am Not A Tractor! How Florida Farmworkers Took on the Fast Food Giants and Won about the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and a new model for achieving transformative social change. Susan chairs the advisory council for the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs (formerly the Woodrow Wilson School) and is Senior Warden at St. Augustine’s-By-The-Sea in Santa Monica, California.
Topic Area #5:
Leadership in the Moment
The Church’s understanding and assumptions of leadership have been challenged in this season of pandemic and protest. Clergy and lay leaders have risen to the challenge and proven resilient across months of uncertainty. The lessons we learn from this time will shape us for years to come.
Workshop One: Lay Leadership for Such a Time as This
Sarah Bentley Allred, Virginia Theological Seminary
Gray Lesesne, Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis, IN
Byron Rushing, The Episcopal Church
Lydia Kelsey Bucklin, Diocese of Northern Michigan moderating
Thursday, March 4 at 10 am (EST)
Even before the pandemic, the Church was grappling with societal and demographic changes and how to respond to them. What is the role of lay leadership in a rapidly changing world? Is it something entirely new or does it recall the earliest models of church? How can clergy both facilitate change - and get out of its way - in an institutional setting? This panel discussion will feature the perspectives of people who have embraced and facilitated different models of lay ministry, who exemplify leadership in lay ministry, and who have been active witnesses and participants to major cultural transformation.
Workshop Two: Adaptive Leadership in a Time of Mission
Jimmy Bartz, St. John’s, Jackson Hole, WY
Ryan Fleenor, St. Luke’s, Darien, CT
Christine Lee, St. Peter’s Chelsea, New York City, NY
Katie Nakamura Rengers, Presiding Bishop’s Staff moderating
The pandemic has presented the Church with daunting challenges but also exciting new opportunities to engage more faithfully in its mission. Join our distinguished panelists of experienced change agents to learn how well-resourced parishes can take advantage of this moment to model and create change in their churches and communities.
Workshop Three: The Positioning of Dioceses for a Time Such as This
Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 3 pm
Mariann Budde, Bishop of the Diocese of Washington
Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri
Rob Wright, Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta
Jennifer Reddall, Bishop of the Diocese of Arizona moderating
No time like dueling pandemics to examine the role of bishops and the relationship of diocesan staff to congregations. Join a group of distinguished bishops to hear their views on the evolving role of the episcopate in the 21st century from guarding the faith to caring for the entire flock of Christ.
CEEP 2021 Annual ConferenceKeynote SpeakersPre-Conference SessionsWorkshopsAnnual Conference AgendaConference RegistrationPartners and Sponsors
Watch, Listen and Learn: Keynote Speakers
The CEEP Network is honored to present the most influential thought leaders in the Church today opportunities.
Women Clergy Gathering
Women clergy across the Church are invited to join for the latest Women Clergy Gathering @ The CEEP Network Annual Conference.
Pre-Conference Sessions
2021 Conference Workshops
Five Topics and three workshops per topic area. Workshops and worship will be live.
2021 Conference Agenda
The agenda for the digital Annual Conference is designed to provide thought-provoking insights, information you can use immediately, and seamless networking opportunities.
The CEEP Network is grateful to our partners who generously help to make the 2021 Annual Conference possible.