Annual Gathering: Connecting Care to the Local Church

T-minus 25 days and counting to the Annual Gathering at St. Stephen Baptist Church in Temple Hills, Maryland. The Program Committee has once again pulled together an amazing line-up of speakers and topicscentered on offering practical resources for effective shepherding and spiritual care, and we are so excited to once again be able to gather in person as well as online. The following schedule provides information about the speaker(s) and sessions, but go online to https://www.dcbaptist.org/annual-gathering-2022 for more up-to-date information.

Thursday, October 27

Mental Health Training

Mental Health First-Aid Certification Training - Pt 1 and Pt. 2

Rev. Jevon Billups, Mental Health Coordinator, DC Baptist Convention 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2 p.m.–5 p.m. | Fellowship Hall (This in-person, 6-hour certification class is divided into two sessions)

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance-use problems by improving, understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance-use disorder. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need.

Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help/interact with someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, how to connect a person with help, where to turn for help, and expanded content on trauma, substance use, and self-care.

Lunch

1 p.m.-2 p.m. | Tent

Registration Open

1 p.m.–6:30 p.m. | Foyer

Informational

Foundations of Christian Coaching

Rev. Dr. Ken Kessler, Kessler Coaching LLC & Rev. Dr. Lisa Banks-Williams, Program Coordinator for Student Services, Wesley Theological Seminary 2 p.m.–5 p.m. | TBA

This session will explore the foundations of Christian coaching and discuss the differences of coaching from other disciplines like counseling, consulting, and mentoring. A demonstration of coaching and insights of the demonstration will be shared. Learn the basic skills and benefits of Christian coaching and discover how you can use these skills in your ministry.

Dinner

5 p.m.–6 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Dinner is sponsored by American Baptist Home Mission Societies and Judson Press.

Business Meeting

6 p.m.–7 p.m. | Sanctuary

The Business Session will begin at 6 p.m.; however, we are asking all Church Representatives to join the session at 5:30 p.m. so we can confirm our meeting quorum before the Session begins at 6 p.m. During this session, the Church Representatives will hear committee and partnership reports and vote on reports from the Program, Membership, Enlistment, and Stewardship Committees, as well as approve the 2023 budget. The electronic Book of Reports will be made available for each registered Church Representative.

Mental Health Panel Discussion

7 p.m.–8 p.m. | Sanctuary

Mental health issues impact individuals across all social and economic lines. Too often, the Church doesn't know how to respond or support them. Join us as we hear from a panel of ministry practitioners to discuss and answer questions on how their churches have integrated mental health into their ministries.

Evening Worship

8:15 p.m.–9:30 p.m. | Sanctuary Rev. Patricia Fears, Pastor, Fellowship Baptist Church

Friday, October 28

Registration Open

8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Foyer

Plenary

Opening Session

Rev. Dr. Orlando Bego, Pastor, CenterPoint Baptist Church 9 a.m.–9:45 a.m. | Sanctuary

Historically, the Church has lacked the practical steps to address mental health, but now the Church can be at the forefront of erasing the silence, shame, and stigma of Mental Health. The Opening Session will set the course and provide foundational tools for pastors and mental health coaches to create and maintain a thriving mental health ministry in the Church and the local community.

Convocations

Older Adult Ministries Convocation — Theme: FOCUS

10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Fellowship Hall During the Convocation, we have three (3) impactful speakers discussing areas of awareness for senior adults.

Presentation 1: Fraud and Identity Theft - Mr. Ted Meyerson (AARP)

Presentation 2: Estate Planning - Ms. Aimee D. Griffin, Esq.

Estate planning is a foundational component of strategic financial planning. Through estate planning, we write the vision and make it plain among tablets so they that read it can run with it (Hab 2:2).

God has commanded us to have an impact that goes beyond our limitations. We are proud to partner with you to create the vision that God has planted in your heart.

Presentation 3: Aging Is Not a Problem to Be Solved, But a Gift and an Opportunity from God -

Rev. Dr. Lawrence A. Sandidge

A common belief among older adults is that you should expect to be concerned about your identity, life choices and mortality. We might also start to believe that we will be marginalized by society and will be stuck in a slow aging decline. Or, we might regard aging as a never-ending midlife crisis. However, for older adults who strive to “Stay Focused” on making aging a pathway to spiritual maturity, God promises: “They shall still bear fruit in old age (Psalm 92:14).”

Pastors’ Convocation — Where Does the Pastor Go for Help?

Bishop C. Guy Robinson, Bishop and Pastor, Tabernacle of the Lord Church 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. |

Where are the safe spaces for pastors to thrive? Spaces extending grace and support in their struggles to defuse the misconception that they must suffer alone to uphold a fragile veneer of spiritual perfection?

There is a stigma surrounding pastors with mental health concerns. A lot will never admit to themselves, their spouses, children, or even the world around them that they, at times, feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately, pastors are the least likely to seek help because of the fear that their ability as spiritual leaders will be called into question.

Pastors are called to be leaders, champions of ministry, and to uphold biblical truth; however, itcan be difficulttomaintain the fullresponsibilities that the churchdemands.Theyare oftenbeing held to standards of biblical perfection that the majority of believers cannot meet. So, what causes a belief that in taking on religious leadership, humanity is forfeited and grace no longer needed? The clerical callingis an emotionally demanding one and cancause a strain on one’s mental health. Yet, pastors must not be afraid to seek counsel and learn how and when to prioritize mental wellness.

Lay Leaders’ Convocation - Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) for Lay Leaders

Rev. Dr. Thuam Khai, Senior Pastor, Judson Bible College; President, SiyinChinBaptist Church| 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | Sanctuary

For church leaders, spiritual intelligence derives from a performance of understanding, support, and targeting the innate strengths of the congregation. Whereas an emotionally intelligent manager is able to derive high performance through empathy and awareness of needs, the spiritually intelligent church leader is able to derive performance through the premise that each individual has talents that can manifest themselves through nurturing and mentoring. Alike, emotional and spiritual intelligence can result in higher participation by targeting the latent potential of congregants.

The Healthy Administration Model is Spiritual Intelligence; from self-awareness, universal awareness, self-mastery, and spiritual presence. Spiritual Intelligence investigates the relationship of the variables such as sex, age, education, ethnic, religion, and length of service. Discover selfawareness of life purpose, mission, and vision through the complexity of thought, servanthood, and decision making.

How does contemporary leadership recognize both emotional and spiritual intelligence as assets to the church through turbulent times?

Workshops A – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & Workshops B – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Workshop 1A/1B - Pastoral Care vs. Therapy: Knowing When to Refer Out

Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, Ecclesiastical Endorser & National Coordinator, Chaplaincy and Specialized Ministries, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) Location: TBA

Taking on the role of shepherding a congregation is no doubt a weighty task. There are those who will expecttheir leadersto have all the answers and equipment totackle needs great and small. In this session, learn how to create a compassionate plan for supporting the congregation dealing with mental health concerns.

Workshop 2A/2A - Transformational Leadership That Inspires and Motivates

Rev. Dr. Ruth N. Segres, Chaplain, The United States Air Force Location: TBA

With more energy being invested into mental health, churches may well be on the cusp of a revolution. To ensure that wellbeing becomes a staple of the church, it’s imperative to explore creating well-being initiatives. In this session, learn how to take the opportunity to reflect on how you can become a champion for congregational wellbeing within your own ministry.

Workshop 3A/3B - Compassion Fatigue: How to Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Mind

Rev. Dr. Cindy R Wallace, Mental Health Chaplain, Washington DC VA Medical Center Location: TBA

This workshop teaches signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout and provides interactive practices that help reduce stress and move toward compassion satisfaction. Participants will learn ways to identify stress in their bodies, acknowledge distress from eustress (positive stress), and practice ways to manage the spiritual and emotional effects of stress in our lives.

Workshop 4A/4B - Maintaining Your Mental Health While Helping Others

Rev. Lenny Wrigley, 1LT, Chaplain, District of Columbia Army National Guard Location: TBA

When focusing on others without practicing self-care, destructive behaviors can surface. A preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped can create secondary traumatic stress for the helper. This session will help those who help others learn how to avoid burnout, how to recharge, and how to practice self-help.

Workshop 5A/5B - Creating Community Connections for Mental Health

Dr. Shannon Williams, Mental Health Therapist Location: TBA

Is there a role for the church in walking alongside people living with mental health? One of the most powerful gifts the church can give is acceptance as equal members of the Body of Christ. In this session, learn how to promote mental health services and develop partnerships with community agencies.

Workshop 6A/6B - The Grief Recovery Method & COVID-19

Rev. Thomas Rodgerson, Counselor, Centrepointe Counseling Location: TBA

There is a high probability that someone you know is suffering from a broken heart. It may be due to a death, divorce, or another major loss like Covid 19? This session will teach you how to help others find relief from their emotional pain by offering practical tools for managing grief and loss.

Lunch

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch is sponsored by American Baptist Home Mission Societies and Judson Press.

Plenary

Master Class - Copeology

Dr. Joanne Frederick, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, JFL & Associates Counseling Services 2:45 p.m.–4:15 p.m. | Sanctuary

Coping with life’s struggles? Bibliopsychoeducation is a process of using faith concepts combined with psychology and counseling to educate others as a coping technique.

This Masterclass will use the book Copeology to discuss topics such as coping with grief and loss, the experience of Black males in America, disabilities, Covid-19, infidelity, anxiety, trauma, and single parenting in our world today. Participants will learn how to use their spirituality, along with counseling skills, to cope with stress. Copeology will develop for clergy and layleaders the tools to navigate the complexities of building and managing a wellness ministry. Through active exploration and redefining ways to stay resilient, communicate and collaborate, you will learn the secrets of coping with any new reality.

Closing Session

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, Executive Director/Minister, D.C. Baptist Convention, 4:15 p.m.–4:45 p.m. | Sanctuary

Where do we go from here? Part of fulfilling the Great Commission is building bridges within the Church to create authentic, genuine unity to foster holistic healing for every nation, tribe, and tongue. The Closing Session will embrace different cultural values and perspectives as we share in communion and go to serve as a catalyst for healing and reconciliation.

Emerging Voices

7 p.m.–9 p.m. | TBA

Thisyear,theEmergingVoicessessionwill highlight fiveassociatepastors/ministersofDCBC churches. Each will minister for 15 minutes.

www.dcbaptist.org