Learning Sessions

Topic:
The ABCs of the New Testament

Presenter:
Stanley E. Porter is President, Dean, Professor of New Testament, and Roy A. Hope Chair in Christian Worldview, at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton. MDC is the seminary of the CBOQ. Porter has been president since 2001. During that time, MDC has been blessed with incredible growth in student numbers, programs, and students. As a result, students can study for either professional degrees such as the MTS, MDiv, or Doctor of Practical Theology (DPT), the last an innovative and unique degree in North American seminary education, or in academic degrees such as the MA or PhD. Porter, a New Testament specialist, is the author of over thirty books, including his most recent book on hermeneutics for pastors, entitled Interpretation for Preaching and Teaching (Baker).

Description of Session:
The New Testament is an incredibly practical book—or rather, set of books. All of these books, in one way or another, are addressed to the situations of the first-century church, offering advice, guidance, and even instructions on how to minister in a world that was full of various competing religions and superstitions, as well as secular philosophies. This session examines the New Testament in relationship to the theme of the assembly—associating, belonging, and called (the ABCs)—to see how the various New Testament authors endorse a number of fundamental ideas for the growth and development of the church as a community of followers of Jesus Christ.

Target Audience:
Everyone who wants to study the Bible—pastors, lay leaders, laity, anyone with interest in what God’s word in the New Testament has to say to us today.

Topic:
The ABCs of Being Anti-Racist

Presenter:
Dr. Rhonda Y. Britton is the Senior Pastor of New Horizons Baptist Church, formerly Cornwallis Street Baptist, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Britton has earned several degrees including a B.B.A. from Baruch College, New York, an M.C.I.S. from Rutgers University, New Jersey, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She has one adult son, Joseph, living in Florida.

Description of Session:
Being anti-racist must be a deliberate state of mind, followed by intentional action. The session will discuss some of the first steps to developing a consciousness of anti-racism.

Target Audience:
Anyone over age 18

Topic:
The Church and the Marketplace: How Kingdom Impact Occurs When Faith Meets Work

Presenter:
Michael Waddell, CBM and Brenda Halk, CBM

Description of Session:
In this learning session, led by CBM’s Venture team, we will share real life examples from the field that demonstrate the Kingdom impact that occurs when faith meets work.  Together, we will discover the importance of the ‘other six days’ for the Kingdom of God, while exploring how the local church can help people find meaning and purpose through their daily work.

Target Audience:
Church/Ministry Leaders and Pastors

Topic:
Parenting: Navigating Everything

Presenter:
Brett Ullman travels North America speaking to teens, young adults, leaders, and parents on topics including parenting, mental health, men, sexuality, pornography, dating, and media. Brett’s seminars engage and challenge attendees to try and connect our ancient faith with our modern culture we live in. Participants are inspired to reflect on what we know, what we believe and how our faith ought to serve as the lens through which we view and engage tough conversations in our society today.

Husband to Dawn, and father of Bennett and Zoe, Brett and his family make their home in Ajax, Ontario where Brett leads and directs Worlds Apart, a charity focused on empowering individuals to re-align their lives with Biblical core values often muddled by media but central to Christian living.

Brett was a teacher with the Toronto District School Board for 10 years before moving into speaking full-time back in 2005. Brett has a Masters degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton Graduate School in Chicago and is also a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program. Brett is currently working on his Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.

He and his family attend Sanctus Church (formerly C4 Church) in Ajax since 2004.

Description of Session:
We all want the best for our kids but which parenting information do we choose? With over 75,000 parenting books produced in the past 21 years and the many voices, articles and online resources available, the task of figuring out where to turn for parenting advice is overwhelming. Some foundational parenting questions all parents must consider:

• What is Parenting? What are Parenting Styles? – What are they and which ones should I be using? What might I need to alter about my current parenting style?
• Time – What does quality time and being present with my kids look like
• Communication – How can I learn better communication skills so that I can more effectively connect with my kids?
• Discipline – How do I effectively discipline my children?

It is from the foundational relationship we have with our kids that we can then talk about other issues such as mental health, media, etc.

Let’s look together as pastors, grandparents, and parents at how we can best help our kids navigate the world they are growing up in.

“They will not be with me forever, so I prepare them accordingly.”
~Trophy Child, Ted Cunningham

Target Audience:
Everyone who is trying to navigate how to bridge the gap of our previous, current and next generation.

Topic:
CBOQ Financial Support for Churches

Presenter:
Adam Cree is CBOQ’s Associate Director of Finance and Administration. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Adam also serves at Bethany Baptist Church in Toronto as Treasurer and Board of Management member.

Description of Session:
Is your church aware of the financial support available from CBOQ to our member churches? The focus of this learning session is on various areas of financial support, including grant funding, subsidies for the cost of basic health benefits, mortgages and loans, certificate loans, and fellowship fund. Providing financial support is one of the many ways that CBOQ equips churches and leaders as they engage in their mission from God in their community.

Target Audience:
Treasurers, Bookkeepers, Finance Chairs

Topic:
Re-invisioning Buildings and Spaces

Presenter:
Rev. Dr. Dallas Friesen serves as People Developer at Indwell. Indwell is a Christian charity that provides affordable and supportive housing throughout southern Ontario. Previously Dallas served as Director of Church Life and Leadership at CBOQ. He also has 10+ years of pastoral experience at Mount Hamilton Baptist Church. Dallas and his wife Leanne live on the Hamilton central mountain with their two children.

Description of Session:
How could our congregation innovatively use or re-develop our building?  We will consider project ideation, planning processes and barriers that churches are exploring to faithfully steward their building asset for their next season of mission.  This interactive workshop is designed for Pastors, Board Members, and congregational leaders.

Target Audience:
Everyone who wants to think creatively outside the box for engaging communities.