LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – April 19-21, 2010, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center will host the African-American Clergy Leadership Retreat (formerly known as the Claiming Our Humanity for Ministry Retreat), which will focus on helping African-American clergy in The United Methodist Church become more spiritually attuned in order to have more successful ministries. The encouraging truth found in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us,” will be explored and applied at the upcoming retreat.
Reverend Dr. Carl Arrington, director of African-American Ministries at Lake Junaluska, states that “Many African-American clergy feel isolated from other African-American clergy in the church. This retreat is a time that allows them to connect and share common concerns of doing ministry as African-Americans in The United Methodist Church. It is a great time for reflection and learning specific skills to energize and motivate clergy to go back to their local congregations ready to achieve excellence in their ministries. It gives them much needed breathing room to plan for more effective ministry.”
In order to foster an enriching and motivational environment, the retreat will discuss how to strengthen ministry effectiveness, create an action plan for successful ministries, create a supportive network of colleagues, turn challenges into successes, provide tips to stay inspired and motivated in ministry, and discover new ideas for powerful ministry. Clergy will also have opportunities to reflect on their own spirituality and ministry, and share the subsequent joys and concerns with others in positions similar to their own.
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Leading the event will be Reverend Clarence Brown, pastor of Annandale United Methodist Church in Annandale, VA. The theme of the retreat will be “We Have This Treasure,” based on the above Scripture. Rev. Brown served seven years as District Superintendent of the Norfolk District of the Virginia Annual Conference, as well as serving as District Superintendent of the Charlottesville District, and as senior pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Chesapeake, VA. As last year’s conference speaker, Rev. Brown was incredibly well-received. “His facilitation of the retreat was so tremendously powerful that participants asked that he would return this year to lead them. His experience in the local church and throughout The United Methodist Church provided clergy with invaluable insights on being effective pastors,” said Rev. Dr. Carl Arrington. Rev. Brown is known for his expertise in church revitalization, and his insights on furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ are those that clergy will not want to miss.
The retreat will take place April 19-21, 2010. Attendees who register before March 31 will enjoy the early registration fee of $129. The cost of the retreat after March 31 is $159. Those who wish to attend may register online, where a printable brochure with information about the retreat is also available. More details about registration, the leader, lodging and directions can be found at www.lakejunaluska.com/african_american_clergy_leadership, or by contacting Pam Naplen at 828-454-6656.
Written by: Andie Robbins, Communications Intern