Dates:

APRIL 21-25, 2024

We believe all ministry is transitional ministry! The Week One #AOTM is a leadership training designed for clergy and church leaders seeking a deeper understanding of ministry in times of transition. Seminarians and retirees are welcome to attend.

TRAINING CONTENT

(INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO)

  • Leading in Times of Change
  • Dealing with Difficulty and Conflict
  • The Transitional Ministry Tasks
  • Transitional Preaching and Worship
  • The Church as a Family System
  • Beginning with the End in Mind
STORYTELLING

How do the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves provide a picture of our history and our hope in times of transition?

SERVICE & MISSION

How do we discover a meaningful sense of mission in the face of a rapidly changing church and community?

SYSTEMS THINKING

What happens when we view the congregation as a living ecosystem? How to identify key partnerships in times of change?

SELF-AWARENESS

What essential tools and skills are needed to be an effective transitional leader? How to avoid the pitfalls of transitional ministry?

 

FACULTY

Brady Radford

Lead Teacher

The Reverend Brady “Brother Brady” Radford is an Ordained Minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia.  He has served in diverse educational, clinical and congregational settings from Greenville, SC to Atlanta, GA. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University.  Brady is also a trained conflict mediator with experience consulting local and national ecclesiastical entities.  His deepest joy in life comes from family and the relationships he shares with his wife, Celestine and their three children, Aniyah, Brayden and Kalia.

Rev. Jessica Dixon

Teacher

Rev. Jessica Dixon is the Interim Pastor of Old Tennent Presbyterian Church. She began her service with Old Tennent Presbyterian Church in Manalapan, NJ on September 8, 2021.

Rev. Dixon is a professional Interim/Transitional Pastor and served churches in Oak Park IL (near Chicago) and Norman, Oklahoma prior to coming to New Jersey. She is a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL and St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM. She is a Colorado native and loves her work in caring for her congregation and helping others navigate the complex work of transitional ministry.

Rev. Julie Thompson-Barrier

Teacher

In 34 years of ministry, Julie has served in a variety of roles in congregations in urban, suburban, and rural communities in the northeast (CT), mid Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA) and southeast (SC and GA) in congregations ranging from 80 to 2700 members. She is a graduate of Miami University (Ohio) and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, with credits earned from Gordon-Conwell, New York, and Union (NY) seminaries.

Julie and her husband John Barrier live near the New Jersey shore, where she is the Designated Pastor at The Presbyterian Church on the Hill in Ocean, NJ. Their blended family includes
five adult children, a son-in-law and a new granddaughter.

Guests Presenters:  TBA

Accommodations

Participants will be staying with us Calvin Center in the 24-bedroom Conference Center.  Each hotel-style room is nicely appointed with private bath and a queen and twin-size bed in each room.  

Food Service

Meals will be provided by Food Services Director, Janaye Williams and her team.   A full breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided along with snacks available throughout the day.  We finish things off with an outstanding banquet that is a highlight of the week.   Food and service so good, you will be sad to leave indeed.   Please note that we are able to accommodate special requests such as to provide a vegetarian or gluten free option, or just to keep things healthy and safe for those who may have certain food allergies.  

Amenities

  • 436 beautiful acres to explore
  • Private Lake
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking or Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Free Wifi
  • 40 minutes from Atlanta Airport

COST

  • Single Occupancy $875
  • Double Occupancy $715
  • Commuter Option $475