During the Morning of Equipping, you will have an opportunity to attend two breakout sessions. To help us in planning, please choose your top three choices from among the following sessions. Please note that these sessions are subject to change, and that it is possible that you two or more of your preferred choices may run concurrently in the same timeslot. Each breakout has been designated with the Spiritual Formation “Strands” that it is associated with: U for Union, H for Healing, M for Mission. We have also marked sessions have a ministry training focus with a “T”.
Beyond ICE – Developing a Long-Term Relationship through Short-Term Trips [Joel Kimsey] (M) – Many of us have had rich experiences visiting The River’s international partners through an ICE trip. But what happens after we’ve gone? Is there anything more? Join Joel Kimsey as he talks about how we can use repeated short-term experiences to develop a long-term heart for people in a specific region of the world. Joel has led short-term trips to Calcutta India for the past eight years.
Experiencing God in the Moment as a Parent – A Personal Workshop [Jill Bekaert] (U) – This workshop will focus on sharing some personal stories of how we “practice the presence” of Jesus as parents. It is limited to 5 adults and would be an excellent follow-up for anyone who attended the March parenting workshop. Jill is The River’s Kids’ Community Director, a mother of two young children, and a trained spiritual director.
Financial Hygiene Express [Dave Kwok] (U) – Our personal finance habits affect our lives every day, yet often receive little attention. Come get a refresher on your “financial I.Q.” We will talk about some of the common challenges of personal finance – budgeting and handling debt. Dave is The River’s Director of Operations and leads the Financial Hygiene seminar.
A Framework for Understanding Poverty [Andy Singleterry] (M) – We all know that Jesus calls us to be compassionate towards the poor. But it can be daunting to figure out how to actually do that. Join us as we explore concepts from Ruby Payne’s book A Framework for Understanding Poverty, that can equip us to focus our efforts where they will be most effective. Andy is the Director of Apostle’s Feet, a ministry fostering relationships between those with resources and those without.
Introduction to ICE Trips 2008 (M) – Here’s a great opportunity to learn about The River’s ICE opportunities in 2008. We are planning trips to Honduras, India, Liberia, Nicaragua, and Peru. Trip leaders and alumni will be present to provide an overview of the trips and answer your questions.
Introduction to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (U, H) [Nick Yatsko] – The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is one of the best known personality assessment tools. It has helped many people become more self-aware and sensitive to others. Nick is a certified Myers-Briggs instructor and will be presenting an overview of the key elements of the tool. If you don’t know the difference between an “SJ” and an “NT”, this is your chance to learn!
Leading Meaningful Worship Experiences in Small (or Large!) Groups [Krista-Dawn Kimsey] (U) – This workshop is designed for all worship leaders at The River whether you are leading in a small group or are a member of the Sunday morning worship team. We will engage with what it means to have a “meaningful” worship experience and receive some practical tools that we can apply in our specific contexts. Krista-Dawn is The River’s Celebration Pastor.
Mentoring for Impact [Michelle Manley] (U) – How do we walk with others in a way that is truly helpful to them? It can be easy to passively let our friends continue in bad patterns without any comment or challenge. Likewise, many of us have a propensity to become judgmental or harsh in our critique of others. Join us as we explore how to develop the essential pastoral skill of mentoring in a way that gives life to us and our friends. Michelle is The River’s Small Groups Pastor.
Notes from an Interracial Marriage [Angela Aviles & Brad Wong] (U, H) – One of Silicon Valley’s particular joys is its rich ethnic diversity. In the Valley and in the church marriages between people of different ethnic backgrounds are increasingly common. Join us for a casual conversation about some of the unique joys and challenges of these life partnerships. Angela is The River’s Senior Program Director and is responsible for coordinating our Sunday celebration services. Brad is The River’s lead pastor. Both are happily married to spouses of a different ethnic background.
Old Testament Survey [Chris Maitz] (U) – In this double session (encompassing both breakout slots), we will take a rocket ship ride through the history of the Old Testament. Fasten your seatbelts! Chris is one of our Sunday morning teachers and holds a Masters in Biblical Studies.
Practicing the Presence of God [David Alvarez] (H) – Practicing the presence of God is at the heart of overcoming many of our fears and anxieties, yet this practice is antithetical to much of our Silicon Valley culture. Practicing the presence of God is one of David’s passions and he is eager to help you move forward in the journey. David is The River’s Community Life pastor.
Scripture and Children – Simple Do’s and Don’ts [Jill Bekaert] (U) – Scripture is central to our faith, and as parents we hope that our children grow to respect and love Scripture as well. But Scripture also presents challenging themes, difficult language, and unfamiliar contexts. Join us as we talk through some simple strategies that can help us overcome these challenges as we share Scripture with our kids. Jill is The River’s Kids’ Community Director, a mother of two young children, and a trained spiritual director.
Spiritual Conversation and Invitation [Brad Wong & Kyle Guerrero] (M) – Do you struggle to talk to your friends about faith? Here’s a place where you can find some inspiration and practical tips on how to translate your inner passion into an interesting conversation. Kyle is The River’s Student and Evangelism Minister and Brad is The River’s Lead Pastor.
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