Agile Church
Church leaders are invited to attend a seminar led by the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile where he implores Christians who want to revitalize their congregations to embark “on a journey of exploration as we approach agility and innovation in light of the church’s establishment legacy and the Spirit’s movement.”
In this seminar, the Rev. Dr. Zscheile will provide practical counsel on how we can try new ways of participating in God's mission through innovation and experimentation. He will lead in-depth discussions on many important questions including:
- How can we carry forward the best of our traditions while adapting the church’s life to connect with new populations and generations?
- What can we learn from both the Bible and Silicon Valley about innovation?
- How might the treasures of our traditions come alive as we proclaim God’s promises in an insecure world?
Event Details:
This 2 day seminar will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville, KY. The first session will be on Friday evening, February 27th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The second session will be Saturday, February 28th, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lunch is included on the 28th. There is a group rate available at the Hampton Inn in downtown Louisville for out-of-town participants under "Diocese of Kentucky Reservation".
The Rev. Dwight Zscheile, Ph.D.
Dwight Zscheile is an Episcopal priest, associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a member of the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church. He also serves part-time as associate priest at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul. He is the author of The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age (Morehouse Publishing, 2014), People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity (Morehouse Publishing, 2012), and more. A graduate of Stanford University (BA), Yale University (MDiv) and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership), he previously served congregations in Virginia and Connecticut. Dwight’s experience growing up in a secular home in California has shaped his commitment to helping the church cultivate Christian community with new populations and generations in today’s changing world.
Clergy Continuing Education
This event has been designated by the Commission on Ministry as a continuing education opportunity for clergy. Eligible clergy may seek a grant to offset the hotel accomodations and registration fee. See the Clergy Continuing Education webpage for more details.
Reviews:
“Dwight’s work on innovation is a rare gift for pastors and church leaders wanting something rooted deeply in scripture and Christian imagination, not just one more trend,” writes Alan Roxburgh, founder of The Missional Network and a long-time colleague of Zscheile’s.
“For any church that feels like a deer caught in the headlights, The Agile Church offers new hope and fresh direction,” says David Fitch, professor at Northern Seminary.
"The Agile Church will inspire congregations to innovate in new ways, trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide them. After all, as Zscheile writes, 'An agile church is, above all, a Spirit-led church'" writes Rebecca Wilson of Canticle Communications.
