Transformation

Start the full playlist here.

Watch Adaptive Change Here

The Church has been in a prolonged season of change for many years, facing the changing religious landscape of our region with moderate success, and expending internal energy on transformation processes that haven’t worked well. The Covid-19 pandemic intensified the rate of change in our congregations and the sense of urgency within the congregation for useful, possibly significant, change.

In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Adaptive Change – what it is, how it works, basic definitions and trends, and how to recognize it in your congregation. You’ll also receive a list of additional resources for continued exploration of this topic. This workshop will not give you a formula to go and try in your congregation, because, as you’ll learn, adaptive change is highly contextual.

Rev. Dr. Kara Markell is pastor of Lake Washington Christian Church and a member of the Northern Lights Transformation Team. She is also a retreat leader and has worked with pastors and lay leaders seeking to engage in the process of transformation and adaptive action in their congregation. She received her MDiv from Brite Divinity School and her DMin from Seattle University. Her doctoral work focused on the link between Ecclesiology/Congregational identity and a congregation’s ability to engage in adaptive change.

Watch Part 1 of Winter Talk: A Conversation on the Doctrine of Discovery Here

Watch Part 2 of Winter Talk: A Conversation on the Doctrine of Discovery Here

Winter Talk is a conversation on the Christian Doctrine of Discovery (DOD).  Together we will spend time considering the DOD’s impact on Northern Light Disciples and our structure and theology. Winter Talk is a space of accountability to the Native American voice and how that voice is heard when exploring the past, understanding the present, and visioning the future.

Jon Ghahate (Laguna & Zuni Pueblo), the Museum Cultural Educator at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will lead us through an Indigenous understanding of the DOD.  Born and raised on both the Laguna & Zuni Pueblos Jon is a parent, educator, and Vietnam Era Veteran.  Jon’s work is to “give a voice of resilience and authenticity for those who have come before us and our future generations of Pueblo peoples.”

Alongside Jon is Nathan Hill who is pastor of University Christian Church of Hyattsville, Maryland.  Nathan is originally from southwest Oklahoma, the son of a public educator and a nurse.  Nathan is also a Core Anti-Racism trainer for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Currently working on a Doctor of Ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary, Nathan will help us understand the DOD’s impact on our lives and the church.

Watch Part 1 of Walking Our Way into Prayer: A Labyrinth Workshop Here

Watch Part 2 of Walking Our Way into Prayer: A Labyrinth Workshop Here

This online retreat is shaped for those who haven’t ever used a labyrinth before, as well as those who currently use labyrinths in their spiritual practice.  Bring a finger labyrinth and some color tools (pens, pencils, crayons, other).

The Rev. Warren Lynn is a Disciples Pastor who has served congregations in Texas, Illinois, Washington, and Montana. For 19 years he has been on staff at Disciples Home Missions, a General Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Warren has used labyrinths in personal spiritual practice for 30 years, and since 2000 has taught others how to incorporate labyrinths into their own spiritual lives. A Certified Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator through Veriditas, and previously served on The Veriditas Council to provide training and leadership to other labyrinth facilitators [veriditas.org/page-1863725]. He consults with congregations and organizations establishing labyrinth ministries. Warren is a ritual and liturgy creator for labyrinth experiences, and builder of labyrinths across North America [wellfedspirit.org/welcome/spiritual-practices/labyrinths/index.html]. Warren was a founding leader for Global Healing Response, an organized plan since 2004, using the labyrinth and labyrinth community for unified healing, and to promote mindful engagement around times and experiences of emergency, crisis, or disaster.

Watch Part 1 of Shining a Light on the Table: Exploring a Wide(r) Welcome Here

Watch Part 2 of Shining a Light on the Table: Exploring a Wide(r) Welcome Here

As Disciples we share a radically wide table. As we celebrate our tradition of gathering at the table, join with others to hear and share stories of welcome; and to explore a wide(r) welcome.
What is inclusion? What is an expansive welcome? Why Open & Affirming? Church communities who are living into what it means to be Open & Affirming will share experiences of joy and struggle. Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance leaders will provide relevant definitions and explanations as well as an overview of resources. With embodied practices, small group interaction and Q&A, join us as we shine a light on the table. Bring a candle and communion elements.

BUT WAIT!!!  Your church isn’t ready to become Open & Affirming? This conversation is for you. What better time to build community and increase your gifts of hospitality! Your church already welcomes LGBTQ people and doesn’t need to do more? There’s always more welcome to offer! This conversation is for you. Everybody in your congregation knows that LGBTQ people are welcome? Now it’s time to expand the welcome with and into your community. This conversation is for you.

Rev. Melissa Guthrie Loy is the Executive Director + Minister with the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance. She is the Founding Director of the nonprofit Salvage Garden, an expansive ministry with individuals with disabilities. Setting a place at the table for all has always been a part of Melissa’s call. Melissa is trained in Faith-Based Nonprofit Management by Wake Forest University School of Business and School of Divinity. She’s been a guest lecturer for the Institute on Theology and Disability and an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity.

Watch Adaptive Change for Congregational Leaders Here

Adaptive Leadership is an approach to making progress on the most important challenges we face as Church.  Adaptive leaders are able to move beyond quick-fix problem solving, to diagnosis of adaptive challenges, and the nurture of adaptive capacity in your organization.  For so long we viewed the Church through the built-to-last mindset.  Adaptive leaders can shift their congregation to a built-to-change mindset.

We will review the characteristics of adaptive change and deepen our understanding of the characteristics and skills of an adaptive leader.  We’ll explore how to nurture adaptive capacity through faith formation and worship.  And we’ll learn how to study scripture through an adaptive change lens.

This workshop is intentionally designed for pastors and congregational leaders who have a basic knowledge of adaptive change principles and want to go deeper in learning how to lead a congregation into and through adaptive change.  A significant portion of the sessions will be spent in small working groups.

Rev. Dr. Kara Markell is pastor of Lake Washington Christian Church and a member of the Northern Lights Transformation Team. She is also a retreat leader and has worked with pastors and lay leaders seeking to engage in the process of transformation and adaptive action in their congregation. She received her MDiv from Brite Divinity School and her DMin from Seattle University. Her doctoral work focused on the link between Ecclesiology/Congregational identity and a congregation’s ability to engage in adaptive change.