REFLECTIONS ON DOING A NEW THING:
EMPOWERING LAITY TO LEAD A TWO-CHURCH PARTNERSHIP

Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver
May 13, 2025
1-2:30 PM ET

The new and ongoing experience of Lakeville United Church of Christ and North Congregational Church UCC will serve as a case study as we explore the unique circumstances of lay leadership in a multi-church partnership with a sole pastor. Financial ministries, worship planning, and pastoral support and accountability are but three of the areas that change when two or more churches work together. Preparing lay leaders for the changes and empowering them with the right tools—as well as the ability to assess and make changes when initial ideas prove unworkable—is vital to the success of the partnership.

Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver is a United Church of Christ (UCC) pastor who has made transitional ministry her specialty after discovering that much of her life has been about transitions and problem solving for businesses and congregations. She is currently the ¾ time Interim Pastor and Teacher at The Congregational Church of Mansfield, UCC, in Mansfield, Massachusetts, where she worked with the transition/profile team to create a part-time profile for the new settled pastor search, which is ongoing. Previously, she served as Interim Pastor and Teacher at First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC, in North Conway, New Hampshire; and as pastor in Schellsburg, Pennsylvania and as associate in Attleboro, Massachusetts, in both cases doing work similar to that of an interim at the beginning of the calls. Between seminary and ordination, she was known as the “system fix-it woman” in two different temporary placement agencies for her ability to assess and correct office operational systems and dynamics that led to rapid turnover in administrative personnel. Rev. Shaver earner her M.Div. at Boston University School of Theology and her D.Min. at Lancaster Theological Seminary. She resides in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and fills the other quarter of her work time with course writing and course facilitation for PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., a non-seminary program for lay education, ministry preparation, and clergy continuing education.

BEING THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE:
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE THROUGH BOUNDARIED RELATIONSHIPS

Rabbi Dennis Ross, MSW
June 10, 2025
1-2:30 PM ET

A successful interim tenure rests on the skill of managing “triangulation” and reducing its negative impact on the congregation. While much writing and teaching on the topic focuses on theory and analysis, our field falls short when it comes to describing how to deal with specific situations. When, for instance, a former leader approaches their clergy with the ongoing complaint that the current president is “no good,” or a staff member continues to disparage a colleague, we may well find ourselves unable to offer a productive response. This interactive webinar will present real-life situations, brainstorm responses, and invite participants to reflect on their own congregational experiences.

Rabbi Dennis Ross, MSW, serves as Intentional Interim Rabbi at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford Hills, N. Y. He is a member of the IMN faculty and has served on the IMN Board. As a former Interim Program Associate for the Central Conference of American Rabbis, he developed and leads interim training for clergy in the Reform movement of Judaism. His most recent book, A Year with Martin Buber, was recognized as a Top Ten Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy.

BEING AN AGENT OF TRANSFORMATION

Rev. Cynthia Vermillion Foster
July 22, 2025
1-3:00 pm ET

Life and ministry are all about relationships. Sometimes relationships are rich and rewarding. And sometimes things can get sticky, and the energy in a system can get stuck. One of the stickier dynamics in relationships is emotional triangles.

Triangles can be frustrating, disempowering, and hurtful. Communities with a pattern of triangulation can become toxic. When this happens, we tend to want to shut the triangles down, but this is ineffective. We can, however, learn how to navigate emotional triangles skillfully, using the triangle to encourage transformation and to build healthy communities.

This webinar interweaves an exploration of the nature of triangles with skills for working with them effectively. It includes breakout groups to practice skills.

Rev. Cynthia Vermillion-Foster creates spaces for individuals and communities to discover, and unleash their full potential. An ordained Unity minister of 25 years, Cynthia served as the Director of Member Services for Unity Worldwide Ministries for 5 years. Prior to this, she served as the Regional Consultant and Regional Representative for Canada for 10 years. In these roles, Cynthia had the privilege of supporting, coaching and consulting with ministries throughout the US and Canada. Cynthia also served on the UWM’s Ethics Review Team for 10 years including 2 years as Chair of the team. With her husband, Rev. Don Foster, Cynthia served ministries in Chantilly, VA and Hamilton, ON. She is the 2016 recipient of Unity Worldwide Ministries’ Myrtle Fillmore Award and Unity Canada’s 2017 Northern Lights Award.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND CHURCH FINANCIAL PRACTICES

Rev. Belinda Sledge
September 16, 2025
1-2:30 PM ET

PRACTICAL TOOLS THAT STRENGTHEN SELF-AWARENESS

Rev. Dr. John Beck
September 30, 2025
1-2:30 pm ET

Mature emotional and spiritual functioning is not a one-and-done process.  Rather, it is a life’s work that often happens in fits and starts, often coming amid crises or meltdowns.  Yet growth into greater maturity is also a goal that can be worked on intentionally, especially when the waters of life are calmer. Like the tools the mechanic uses for your regular car tune up, there are special tools that can promote greater self-awareness and its benefits.  This webinar explores three tools that strengthen the ministry practitioner’s capacity: the Johari window, the genogram, and the Somatic Anxiety Inventory.  Join us to explore how to use these processes for greater self-awareness and how to use them with leaders in your context.

John Beck is a student of congregational and leadership dynamics and an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pastor. He works to strengthen relational and spiritual vitality, especially when conflict has disrupted mission. In addition to 30-plus years of parish experience, John has served as a chaplain, counselor, and seminary professor. He is an Associate of the Kaleidoscope Institute and is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). His MA in journalism strengthens his communication skills; his PhD in Marital and Family Therapy helps his understanding of family systems; his experiences teaching in several seminaries broadens his appreciation for a diversity of theological perspectives. He is finishing his certification as a trainer with the Stanford Forgiveness Project and is currently an apprentice member of IMN’s faculty.