At the end of September, fourteen leaders from Hennepin Avenue UMC took a road trip to Leawood, Kansas to participate in the Leadership Summit at Church of the Resurrection. Attendees took seminars from worship to stewardship, leadership development to creation care and justice work. Many things were gleaned by this group, see for yourselves what they had to say about their time in Kansas.

Leadership Institute was amazing! The general sessions featured incredible and inspirating speakers. The breakout sessions I chose gave me tips on best practices ranging from staff parish relations to volunteer management to artificial intelligence. I loved learning about how other churches are revitalizing their congregations and their communities.

Liz Buckingham

I was blown away as so many often are in their first visit to the leadership institute hosted by Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City area. To say these people are organized around their mission, and intentional in everything they do, would be an understatement. Round that out with a very high level of friendliness and happiness in all of their staff and volunteers, and one analogy that comes to mind is a sort of religious equivalent to Disney World in how outward facing the entire organization is.

It’s pretty amazing to see such a large church so focused on others, that after they continue to add their own local discipleship that’s currently well past the 10,000+ mark, they now see it as part of their mission to extend that work by sharing quite freely whatever knowledge and insights they’ve gained along the way… and in doing so leverage their capacity thru other congregations in making even more disciples of Christ well beyond their local region.

John Carroll

Towards the end of the second to last day, Lynne Carroll called us together to meet and debrief between sessions. 12 or so of us gathered in a (mostly) unoccupied space, sat around a table and shared with each other things we had learned at the Institute up to that point. I wish that everyone could have experienced the joy of seeing 12 dedicated people leaning into and loving HAUMC – what it does, what it can do better and what it will do. I was so taken, that I did not say a word.

Bill Tipping

“Encountering Christ on the Streets” workshop: Food lines (Community Meals, The Dignity Center) could easily turn into “I give. You receive.” dynamics. So rather, may we sit at the table TOGETHER, really KNOW people, and BE community. May we welcome our guests, get to know them, and allow ourselves to be changed by them–welcome them into our community so that we all may be changed.

“To reveal someone’s beauty is to reveal their value by giving them time, attention, and tenderness. To love is not just to do something for them but to reveal to them their own uniqueness–to tell them that they are special and worthy of attention.” Jean Vanier

Ellen Sundell

I learned that Methodists and Lutherans are very closely aligned in their proclamation of God’s love and grace poured out for all. Learning more about the Wesleys and Methodist history helps me in my role of equipping our musical leaders to proclaim this good news so that all will hear it through hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. Studying the similarities between these two denominations helps me find a theological and spiritual (in addition to musical!) home at Hennepin.

Sally Messner

One of my main takeaways was this: Lean into the Holy Spirit; attend to what is already stirring in our midst.

There was an interesting session on defining the culture of a congregation. I am still pondering the words that capture Hennepin Church’s culture.

I left with deep appreciation for all Hennepin Church now does and offers – and enthusiasm for focus and innovation in the near future.

Tom Arneson

Going to conferences with church members and staff is a great way to get to know each other better. Then it’s frosting on the cake to hear great speakers. Brian McLaren, author of Life After Doom, our all-church read, spoke at the conference. He said we are all on Team Earth and part of something glorious. He challenged us: How can we help our people repair our relationship with the earth? I attended sessions on hospitality, stewardship, small groups and creating space for all where I heard – Care for each other is front and center. Be fruitful. Keep planting seeds.

Ginger Sisco