March 7-9, 2017 Centennial Christian Church 4950 Fountain Ave

43rd Annual Black Ministers Retreat

Transforming Clergy, Church and Community

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV) March 7-9, 2017 Centennial Christian Church 4950 Fountain Ave. St. Louis, MO 63113

Sponsored by the Office of Black Ministries of Disciples Home Missions

Greetings from Disciples Home Missions & our partners in ministry

Retreat Schedule

Tuesday, March 7th

8:45am Morning Manna- Rev. Delesslyn Kennebrew

9:00am Preston Taylor Institute CE Course I: Theology for Transformation– Rev. Dr. Chris Dorsey

10:15am Break/ Registration/ Exhibit Set-up

10:45am Preston Taylor Institute CE Course II: Theology for Transformation (continued)

12:30pm Lunch

1:45pm Preston Taylor Institute CE Course III: Preaching for Transformation– Rev. Dr. Chris Dorsey

3:00pm Q & A/ Evaluation

5:00pm Break

6:00pm Opening Dinner Sponsored by National Benevolent Association

7:30pm Opening Worship Service– Rev. Dr. Robert Scott (See page 10 for Order of Worship)

9:00pm Free Time

Wednesday, March 8th

8:45am Morning Manna– Rev. Delesslyn Kennebrew

9:00am Clinic I: Transforming Congregations Rev. Dr. R. Wayne Calhoun– Clinician

10:30am Mission in Minutes Sponsored by Disciples Mission Fund

10:45am Coffee/Restroom Break

11:00am Future of Black Ministers Retreat Black Ministers Wives & Husbands Fellowship Meeting & Time

Retreat Schedule (continued)

Wednesday, March 8th (continued)

12:30pm Lunch Sponsored by Global Ministries

1:30pm Clinic II: Leaders Who Transform the Church Rev. Denise Bell– Clinician

2:45pm Break

3:15pm Clinic III: Transforming Clergy for Effective Ministry Rev. Angela Whitenhill– Clinician

4:30pm Mission in Minutes Sponsored by Phillips Theological Seminary

4:45pm Free Time

6:00pm Dinner Sponosored by Disciples Home Missions & Disciples Women

7:30pm Evening Worship Service– Rev. Dr. William Curtis (See page 10 for Order of Worship)

9:00pm Free Time

Thursday, March 9th

8:45am Morning Manna– Rev. Delesslyn Kennebrew

9:00am Clinic I: Transforming Women Ministry Rev. Chesla Nickelson– Clinician

10:00am Clinic II: Strategies for the Congregation and Minister Rev. Aaron Smith– Clinician

11:00am Mission in Minutes Sponsored by Disciples Church Extension Fund

11:15am Clinic III: Transforming the Church Through Technology Rev. Terrell McTyer

12:30pm Lunch Sponsored by Greenwood Cemetery

Retreat Schedule (continued)

1:30pm Mission in Minutes Sponsored by Office of the General Minister and President

1:45pm Merger Summit The Sankofa Moment– NCMC, NCCC, Merger– Where Do We Go From Here? Dr. Eric Brown, Rev. Dr. William Lee, Dr. Norman and May Reed‒ Presenters

6:00pm Closing Dinner Sponsored by Christian Church Foundation

7:30pm Closing Worship Service (See page 10 for Order of Worship) Rev. Dr. William Curtis

9:30pm Free Time/Retreat Ends

Blessings & safe travels home!

Transportation Schedule

Monday, March 7, 2016 12:00pm Bus run from Airport to Hotel 5:00pm Bus run from Airport to Hotel 9:00pm Bus run from Airport to Hotel

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 8:00am Bus run from Hotel to Church 10:00am Bus run from Hotel to Church 12:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 1:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 5:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 7:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church 9:30pm Final bus run from Church to Hotel or after worship

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 8:30am Bus run from Hotel to Church 10:30am Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 12:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 1:30pm Bus run from Church to Hotel 3:00pm Bus run from Church to Hotel 5:30pm Bus run from Hotel to Church 7:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church 9:30pm Final bus run from Church to Hotel or after worship

Thursday, March 10, 2016 8:30am Bus run from Hotel to Church 10:30am Bus run from Hotel to Church 12:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 1:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 2:30pm Bus run from Hotel to Church 4:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 5:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church and reverse run 7:00pm Bus run from Hotel to Church 9:30pm Final bus run from Church to Hotel or after worship

Friday, March 11, 2016 8:00am Bus run from Hotel to Airport 10:00am Final run from Hotel to Airport

Evening Worship Order of Worship (Wednesday, & Thursday evening) Announcements Rev. Dr. William L. Lee Musical Prelude Musician/Choir Call to Worship/Invocation Worship Leader (or Appointee) Praise with Music Musician/Choir Scripture Worship Leader (or Appointee) Pastoral Prayer Worship Leader (or Appointee) Offering Worship Leader (or Appointee) Introduction of Preachers Worship Leader Praise with Music Musician/Choir Sermon Preacher for the Evening Altar Call/Invitation Preacher/Worship Leader Special Recognitions Appointee/Dr. William L. Lee (Tuesday night only) Communion Appointees (Thursday night only) Benediction Worship Leader

Preachers

Reverend Dr. William H. Curtis Senior Pastor of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. William H. Curtis accepted the call to ministry at the age of 17. For seven years, he served as the Senior Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in York, PA; however, since 1997, he has served as the Senior Pastor at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mount Ararat Baptist Church is a large urban ministry and ministers to more than 10,000 members in the community, providing four well-attended weekend services. Mount Ararat believes in ministry to the whole community, and under the leadership of Dr. Curtis, the church implemented a Community Tithe Program, which returns over ten percent of the congregation’s weekly offerings to small churches, para-church ministries and non-profit organizations.

Dr. Curtis has been an instructor at the United Theological Seminary and has graduated several groups of doctoral students at the institution. Aside from pastoral instruction, he is Co-Owner of The Church Online, a successful technology and full-service marketing firm that provides top of the line services to ministries all over the world.

His Board relationships include the following organizations: Amachi Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority; the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; The Ellis School, the Interdenomi- national Theological Center; and the Baptist School of Theology. In addition, he served as President the Hampton University Minister’s Conference from 2007 – 2011. His fraternity memberships include: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi, and Jericho lodge #20.

Dr. Curtis has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards. In 2009, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College. Dr. Curtis has authored the following books: “FAITH — Learning to Live Without Fear,” and his second book, “Dressed for Victory: Putting on the Full Armor of God.” Dr. Curtis holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Morgan State University, a Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University School of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Dr. Curtis is married to the former Christine Y. Richardson, and they are the proud parents of one lovely daughter, Houston.

Reverend Dr. Robert Charles Scott is a native of Monticello, MS and a soon to be resident of Charlotte, NC. He is married to Pier Charisse Scott and they are the parents of Charis

Jordyn Scott. He is the Senior Pastor-Elect of St. Paul Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC a historically significant congregation with nearly 5000 disciples serving in the Charlotte/ Mecklenburg County area for over 116 years. He preached his initial sermon at the age of 11; licensed at the age of 12; and ordained at the age of 18 at the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church (Monticello, MS). He is the son of Mrs. Dorothy Newsome (formerly Scott) and Mr. Robert Funches.

Dr. Scott is a 1986 honor graduate of Monticello High School. He attended Jackson State University in Jackson, MS where he served his peers as president of the Student Government Association. In May 1991, he graduated with honors from JSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Pre-law. He pursued his seminary education at Duke University Divinity School, Durham, NC and graduated in 1994 with a Master of Divinity. He earned his doctoral degree (at the age of 29) from United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH) in December 1997 under the mentorship of the Reverend Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker.

Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt Divinity School Salutes the 43rd Black Ministers Retreat

DISCIPLES DIVINITY HOUSE @ Vanderbilt discipleshousevandy.org

Study with one of the most diverse and distinguished theological faculties in the nation, with generous tuition support and housing near campus for Disciples of Christ students. Work with outstanding congregations and pastors and cutting edge justice movements in Nashville. Certificate in Black Church Studies available in the Kelly Miller Smith Institute. Contact us: discipleshousevandy.org

Worship Leader

Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew, J. D., M.Div. Ray of Hope Christian Church Atlanta, GA

Rev. Dr. Delesslyn Kennebrew is an energetic, articulate, organized, open-minded, optimistic, and visionary young woman who stands on the promise that her past accomplishments or accolades are not worthy to be compared with the glory of God that has yet to be revealed through her life! Dr. Kennebrew was licensed and ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 2006 under Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr. at Salem Bible Church – Atlanta, GA. For over ten years, across the southern United States, she has worked to give life to the vision and mission of local churches, trained ministry leaders at all levels including youth and young adult leaders, and organized ministry conferences, retreats, worship services, and other community events. Dr. Kennebrew is active in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has had ordination standing in Tennessee and Georgia. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Convocation, the General Assembly Mission Council for the denomination, and President of the National Convocation Black Clergywomen Fellowship. In April 2017, Dr. Kennebrew will launch The Living Room Christian Fellowship, a mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It will be an ecumenical gathering of believers who come together to seek, to serve, and to celebrate. She has excelled academically. Having earned Bachelors of Arts degree in Mass Communications at Loyola University in New Orleans, LA, she went on to earn three professional degrees – a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law and a Master of Divinity from Emory University. She is now a proud 2016 graduate of the Doctor of Educational Ministry program at the Columbia Theological Seminary and is excited about the doors that God will open in this new season. In the fall of 2014, she launched The WOVEN Network by hosting networking and empowerment events for women to operate victoriously in their lives. In June 2016, she co-founded The Orchid Project. The Orchid Project exists to invest in the lives of girls in Africa by meeting a basic need to promote healthy personal hygiene and cultivate positive self-esteem in order to prepare them to be leaders in their local schools and in our global community. Anyone who knows Delesslyn is clear about her passion for the ministry of writing. Delesslyn has written over 400 blog posts for her blog, Salvation and Stilettos hosted at www.SpiritedConcepts.net and is also the author of two books: Step Out of the Boat: An Invitation to Walk on Water and The Power to be PERFECT: A Collection of Reflections on Spiritual Perfection, both of these titles can be purchased on Amazon.com. Her ministry motto and motivation for pursuing excellence in all areas of her life is found in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Continuing Education

Preston Taylor Institute Tuesday, March 7th – Begins at 9:00am

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Chris Dorsey President Higher Education and Leadership Ministries Disciples Home Missions

“Theology for Transformation”

One of the most striking promises of the Gospel is change. But what does that change look like in the life of a church leader? How is that change developed? What part does the church play in the process of transformation?

The Rev. Dr. Chris Dorsey will help us wrestle with these questions during the Preston Taylor Institute.  CE Course I- “Theology for Transformation”

 CE Course II- “Theology for Transformation” (Continued)

 CE Course III- “Preaching for Transformation”

Workshop Leaders

Transforming Congregations

Rev. Dr. R. Wayne Calhoun Executive for Evangelism & Congregational Transformation Disciples Home Missions

Pastor, leaders and congregations must adopt a new mindset about what a 21st century church should be. This mindset change includes how we view, see and do church in the 21st century. 21st Century Congregations must have transformational leadership in order to come to terms of what God is calling them to be and do as it relates to your vision, mission and ministry. We must change our mindset if st our congregations are going to be relevant in the 21 century.

Leaders Who Transform the Church

Rev. Denise Bell Regional Minister of Georgia Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)- Macon, GA

Church vitality and transformation are leadership dependent. However, leadership is not solely pastor dependent. The synergy and shared commitment on the part of pastor and people is a key component to increase vitality, to enable new vision and mission to emerge and to bridge the past, celebrate the present and embrace the future. This workshop is about learning the principles of “Shared Leadership” and its ability to strengthen the local church.

Transforming Clergy for Effective Ministry

Rev. Angela Whitenhill Mental Health Initiative Manager National Benevolent Association– St. Louis, MO

During times of transition when change is inevitable, it is important clergy have time to pause and reflect on their own transformative process. This interactive workshop will explore key elements of change, discuss barriers to healthy transformation, and highlight effective mental, and spiritual wellness strategies for resilient, soul nurturing ministry.

Transforming Women Ministry

Rev. Chesla Nickelson Program Director Disciples Women

An opportunity to talk about liberating women’s ministries from a specific “ideal model” and developing women’s ministries that are relevant and impactful for their context.

Your Pension Fund Programs

Rev. Aaron Smith Director of Employer Services Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

This workshop will explain the benefits of the Pension Plan, a retirement benefits program offered by Pension Fund of the Christian Church. Pension Plan is a valuable benefit during full time ministry and after retirement. We will also discuss the Excellence in Ministry program, a partnership with Lilly Endowment to address financial challenges facing pastors today.

Transforming the Church Through Technology

Rev. Terrell McTyer Minister of New Church Strategies Hope Partnership

Pastor Terrell L McTyer is the newest addition to Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation in Indianapolis, IN. Rev. McTyer serves as the Minister of New Church Strategies. He comes from the Greater Kansas City Region where he was the Chair of the New Church Ministry and founder of Manifestation Christian Center. MCC was an innovative, cause-driven group of Millennials that steeply used technology and unique tactics for discipleship.

Thank you to our volunteers & partners in ministry

Centennial Christian Church of St. Louis, MO Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation CBP/Chalice Press Lexington Theological Seminary Christian Church Foundation National Benevolent Association Disciples Church Extension Fund National Convocation of the Christian Church Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt (Disciples of Christ) Disciples Home Missions Office of the General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Disciples Mission Fund Pension Fund of the Christian Church Disciples Women (Disciples of Christ) Global Ministries Phillips Theological Seminary Greenwood Cemetery of Nashville, TN Week of Compassion

Black Ministers Retreat 2017 Planning Team

Rev. Dr. R. Wayne Calhoun, Sr. Executive for Evangelism & Congregational Transformation

Rev. Dr. Timothy James Associate General Minister & Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation

Rev. Dr. William Lee Director of Black Ministers Retreat

Rev. Chesla Nickelson Program Director, Disciples Women

Rev. Derrick L. Perkins Host Pastor, Centennial Christian Church of St. Louis, MO Ex– Official

Min. Sheila Spencer Director of Christian Education, Disciples Home Missions

Rev. Dr. William L. Lee Director, Black Ministers Retreat 540-314-3265 or [email protected]

Marissa Ivey Ministry Associate Disciples Home Missions 317-713-2641 or [email protected]

Your giving through Disciples Mission Fund supports this ministry