Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

For church professionals, lay people in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and beyond

“Getting Unstuck”

“I think there are leaders in the church that feel like they’re stuck – they’re stuck in ministry; their churches are kind of stuck in a rut, and they don’t know what to do about it.” Thomas Daniel

“How can we think together about what it would mean to ‘get unstuck’ – unstuck in relationship to how we understand God…the Church… spirituality…” Cynthia Rigby

Hebrews 12:1-2, 12 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” NRSV

Key Leadership

• Craig Barnes, Pittsburgh, PA; Bible Study/Worship Leader; Craig was raised on Long Island, NY. After graduating from The King’s College and Princeton Seminary, he received a Ph.D. in The History of Christianity from The University of Chicago. In 1981 he was ordained into the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and has served parishes in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C. Dr. Barnes has an innovative dual position and serves as the Robert Meneilly Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the senior pastor of The Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the author of several books and articles that center on the struggle of contemporary people making sense of God’s grace. His published books include Yearning, When God Interrupts, Hustling God, Sacred Thirst, Extravagant Mercy, Searching For Home, and most recently, The Pastor as Minor Poet.

• Amy Miracle, Columbus, OH; Bible Study/Worship Leader; A life-long Presbyterian, she grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and attended Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. Following graduation, a Marshall scholarship sent her to Northern Ireland where she received a Masters of Social Sciences in Irish Political Studies from Queen’s University of Belfast. Upon returning to the United States, she earned a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She served as associate pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Denver, Colorado, and senior pastor and head of staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa before coming to Broad Street Presbyterian Church in 2008 as pastor and head of staff.

• Cynthia Rigby, Austin, TX; Bible Study/Worship Leader; W.C. Brown Professor of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Rigby’s special area of interest is setting Reformed theologies in conversation with theologies of liberation, particularly feminist theologies. An energetic scholar, Rigby is the author of more than thirty articles and book chapters. In 1998 She received her PhD in systematic theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she was awarded a doctoral fellowship and the Wildrich Award for Excellence in Homiletics. She earned her MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1989. Prior to her appointment to the Austin Seminary faculty in 1995, she was co-instructor and visiting lecturer at Princeton Seminary, Princeton University, and New Brunswick Seminary. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Rigby most recently served as a member of the General Assembly taskforce that authored “The Trinity: God’s Love Overflowing,” a document that articulates the relevance of Trinitarian doctrine to our lives of faith today.

• Debra Mumford, Louisville, KY; Bible Study/Worship Leader; Frank H. Caldwell Assistant Professor of Homiletics; Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Mumford, a native of Kinston, North Carolina, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Master of Divinity from the American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, California; Master of Arts in Biblical Languages and Ph.D. in Homiletics (with an allied field in New Testament) from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Church and has served as associate minister at Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Formosan United Methodist Church, and Church By the Side of the Road, all in Northern California. She serves as a mentor for the Louisville Youth Group (a community grassroots organization that provides resources and safe space for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people).

• Beth Daniel, Atlanta, GA; Liturgy co-pastor, Kairos Church. Beth graduated with a Master’s of Divinity with honors in Practical Theology from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia and began working as a Director of Christian Education at Columbia Presbyterian Church in Decatur. She worked at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta as the Pastor for Discipleship before starting and serving as co-pastor at the new Atlanta-based Kairos Church.

• Nicole Partin, Tampa, FL; Liturgy; Associate Pastor for Congregational Care, Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. Nicole Partin joined the PCPC staff in 2005. Nicole was born and raised in Bonita Springs, Florida. She received her BA at Stetson University, and a Master of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. As the Associate Pastor for Congregational Care, Nicole focuses on pastoral care and hospital visitation, staff liaison for congregational care, including Stephen Ministry, Parish Nurse Program, and Hungry Hearts. Additionally she serves as a resource for the Tapestry Women’s Ministry, the Presbyterian Women and the Policy sub-committee.

Eric Wall, Asheville, NC; Music; director of music and organist, First Presbyterian Church. Eric has served on the faculty, planning team, and as director for past Montreat conferences on Worship and Music.

Workshops

Choose three workshops and three alternates. If you have already registered for the conference, but didn’t sign up for your workshops, SIGN UP FOR WORKSHOPS NOW!

• Adaptive Leadership—Steve Yamuguchi
• Tools for Leadership—Peter Hazelrigg
• Celebrating Endings, Envisioning Beginnings—Pete Peery
• Worship: Ping Pong, Not Tug of War—Dave Davis and Noel Werner
• Music Giving Life and Voice to Worship—Eric Wall
• Liturgy/Drama/Arts Giving Life and Voice to Worship—Beth Daniel
• Mainline Evangelism—Brian Dunnagan
• Multiculturalism—Rafat Girgis
• Exhibition of the Kingdom of God—Darrel Guder
• Relationship Between Gospel and Justice—Mark Labberton
• What is Biblical Authority?—Mark Achtemier
• The Kindle and the Spirit (working title)—John McCall
• Sabbath Keeping—Julie Johnson
• When Things Don’t End Well

General Schedule

The following is a tentative schedule for the event. Please note: changes may be made to the schedule, and you will receive a final schedule at the conference registration table. Worship is always open to the public, but attendance at plenary sessions and workshops requires registration for the entire event.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

• 3:00 pm – Check in to your housing facility
• 3:30-5:30 pm – Conference Registration in Assembly Inn Lobby (Late registration: Pick up registration packet at Assembly Inn front desk)
• 5:00 pm – Introduction to Montreat (optional)
• 5:30-6:30 pm – Dinner Break
• 6:45 pm – Welcome
• 7:00 pm – Opening Program & Worship in Upper Anderson Auditorium (open to general public)

Monday, October 24, 2011

• 8:45 am – Morning Prayer
• 9:00-10:00 am – Bible Study
• 10:30-12:00 noon – Small Groups
• 12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch Break
• 2:00-3:30 pm – Workshops
• 3:30-5:30 pm – Free Time
• 5:30- 6:30 pm – Dinner Break
• 7:00 pm – Evening Worship in Upper Anderson Auditorium (open to general public)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

• 8:45 am – Morning Prayer
• 9:00-10:00 am – Bible Study
• 10:30-12:00 noon – Small Groups
• 12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch Break
• 2:00-3:30 pm – Workshops
• 3:30-5:30 pm – Free Time
• 5:30- 6:30 pm – Dinner Break
• 7:00 pm – Evening Worship in Upper Anderson Auditorium (open to general public)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

• 8:45 am – Morning Prayer
• 9:00-10:00 am – Bible Study
• 10:30-12:00 noon – Small Groups
• 12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch Break
• 2:00-3:30 pm – Workshops
• 3:30-5:30 pm – Free Time
• 5:30- 6:30 pm – Dinner Break
• 7:00 pm – Evening Worship with Communion in Upper Anderson Auditorium (open to general public)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

• Remember to check out of your housing facility by 11:00 am
• 7:30-8:30 am – Breakfast for those staying in Assembly Inn, Winsborough, or Glen Rock Inn

Registration & Accommodations

Comprehensive Rates (program, housing, and meals)

Comprehensive rates below include discounted conference fee of $100 per adult, room in Assembly Inn, Winsborough, or Glen Rock Inn (Sunday through Wednesday night), meals in the Galax Dining Room (Sunday supper through Thursday breakfast), plus a $4 community services fee per adult. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Some rooms have private baths, and some rooms have connecting baths. After September 12, 2011, these rates will increase by $25 per person.

Assembly Inn

• $569.00 single occupancy
• $389.00 per person, double occupancy
• $25.00 spouse discount (when registering online, enter “spouse discount” in the comment section)
• $105.00 for children 12 and older
• $53.25 for children ages 5-11
• no charge for children under 5

Winsborough or Glen Rock Inn

• $369.00 single occupancy
• $289.00 per person, double occupancy
• $25.00 spouse discount (when registering online, enter “spouse discount” in the comment section)
• $105.00 for children 12 and older
• $53.25 for children ages 5-11
• no charge for children under 5

Commuter Rates (program only)

Rates below include conference fee plus a $4 community services fee per person. After September 12, 2011, these rates will increase by $25 per person. Optional meal packages for the Galax Dining Room may be purchased when you register online or at the front desk of Assembly Inn.

• Commuter Rate – $179 per person
• Spouse Rate – $79 per person
• Daily Rate – $70 per person/per day

Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received by September 12 in order to receive a full refund less a $25 service charge. Cancellations received after September 12 but on or before October 16 will receive a 50% refund of the conference fee and payments made toward room and meal charges (if applicable) less $40. No refunds will be issued after October 16. All requests must be in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.

Watch the Video to Learn More…

Introducing the 2011 Signature Conference & Institute for Church Leadership

More Information…

• Questions about registration? Email the registrar at susana[at]montreat.org.
• If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org.
• Find out more about housing options available in Montreat.

Learn more about other opportunities offered by The Center for Faith & Life…

Register online for conference only »

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