Date: June 2nd-4th 2008
Where:Abilene Christian University: Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building
Purpose: This conference is especially for church leaders working with older adults.
Cost: $75 which includes 3 meals and light refreshments.
Click Here To Register On-line
What Can You Expect?
Do you want to know more about involving, educating, and motivating members who are nearing or presently in retirement years? Do you want to learn how to be more productive in your own retirement years? The Pruett Gerontology Center is happy to gather gifted presenters, church leaders, and retirees for the annual Retirees Ministry Conference. Each session seeks to inspire the individual retiree and educate ministry leadership. Come to the campus of ACU where we will learn together, praise God together, share meals together, and enjoy laughter together. This is a wonderful year to bring a group.
Speakers & Panelists
Dr. Charles Siburt (Keynote Speaker)- Charles serves as the Vice President for Church Relations, Frazer Professor for Church Enrichment, and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program in the Graduate School of technology at Abilene Christian University. He also serves as an elder at the University Church of Christ in Abilene. He teaches graduate ministry courses, including Introduction to Christian Ministry, Church Leadership, Pastoral Ministry Skills for church leaders, and managing conflict in churches.
Charles completed his A.A. degree at Lubbock Christian University before graduating from Abilene Christian University with a B.A. degree in 1968 and a M.Div. degree in 1971. He earned his D. Min. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1978. He came to ACU in 1988 after serving as a minister in several congregations in the U.S. and Canada. Charles and his wife Judy, have two married sons, John and Ben, both of whom are also ministers.
Charlie Pruett is the Director of the Pruett Gerontology Center and advisor for the graduate gerontology program at Abilene Christian University. He has been with Abilene Christian University since 1993 and holds two degrees from ACU as well as completing his Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in Sociology with an emphasis in sociology and gerontology. His area of interest in research includes spirituality in aging, social support in later life, and adult development in later life. He is actively involved in consultation to churches in the area of older adult ministry. As a faculty member of the Sociology and Family Studies Department, Charlie offers an exceptional perspective on aging for the individual, family, church, and housing facilities. Charlie attends church at Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have three grown children and are the proud grandparents of three beautiful grandchildren.
Stuart Freeman-graduated from ACU in '87 with a BA in Bible. Stuart and his wife, Jelisa have been married for twenty-two years. They have two children: Aubrey(19) and Trevor (18). They have been serving at the University Church of Christ since 1996. He served as the Youth Minister for a little more than nine years. In 2005, he became University's Family Life Minister and now works primarily with the adult ministries and Senior Servants. Basically, he does everything their preacher, Jerry Hodge and their youth minister, Jason Rogers, don't want to do.
Hazel Fillmon- Hazel has worked at Abilene Christian University for the past thirty-four years. Hazel was married to Wesley Fillmon ('52) in June of 1954. For the next eighteen years they served churches in Texas and Nebraska. In 1972, her husband suddenly died of a massive heart attack. Hazel began her journey as a widow with three children still at home. In June (1974), Hazel moved back to Abilene where she worked in the registrar's office, Sikes Residence Hall (1978) and the Department of Family and Consumer Science (2001). In August of 2000, she went to Oxford England for a year to serve as a "Dorm Mom" for the Study Abroad Program. She as completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Gerontology (1991) and a Masters of Science degree in Family Studies (1997). Since, 1990, Hazel has served as the Housing and Registration Director for the Summer Workshops (formerly known as Bible Teachers Workshops). She attends Woodlawn Church of Christ where she teaches a Ladies Bible Class, serves on the youth and women's ministry committees and is actively involved in the Abilene chapter of the Women of Abilene Christian University. She is currently the Executive Assistant (full-time) to Carol Williams, Dean of the Graduate School of Abilene Christian University. Hazel is an inspiration and a wonderful example of serving others in the retirement years.
Steve Wages- a professor and Director of the Family Studies Program in the Department of Sociology and Family Studies at Abilene Christian University, Abilene Texas. He graduated from Florida State University with a doctoral degree in Family, Child, and Consumer Sciences and holds a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University. Steve is a certified Family Life Educator and member of the Texas Council on Family Relations Board of Directors. He teaches two gerontology courses at ACU, Counseling Older Adults and Their Families in addition to Aging and the Family. He is actively involved in local church and community based programs pertaining to issues of aging, particularly the role of grandparents and the role of caregivers. Steve and his wife Wanda attend Hillcrest Church of Christ and have three grown children and one grandchild.
Panelists:
Jamie Knapp- is a professor of sociology at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. Dr. Knapp completed his undergraduate degree in business administration and his master's degree in education at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas and his Ph.D in sociology at the University of North Texas. Dr. Knapp has served in an advisory capacity to a number of groups including the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He has made presentations at national and international conferences on aging and his work has been published in numerous academic journals as well as Christian publications like the Gospel Advocate, Wineskins, and the Christian Chronicle. He is the author of two books: The Graying of the Flock which focuses on the need for churches to minister to senior adults; and Understanding the Generations which introduces the five living generations and the influence that each can have on the local church. Dr. Knapp and his wife, Tracy, have two children- Ashley and Andrew. They are members of the Western Heights Church of Christ in Sherman, Texas.
Jim Hughes- After finishing his Ph.D at the University of Nebraska, Jim has specialized in the study of ministry with people in the second half of life. Dr. Hughes is an adjunct professor at Abilene Christian University, in Abilene, Texas, and was recently selected to receive Distinguished Alumni Citation. He is an author, public speaker, and for the last 15 years, has served as the Senior Adult Minister at Skillman Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas. Jim and his wife Kathy have five children and six grandchildren.
Schedule:
6/02/08 Monday
3:00-5:00 Check In and Registration in the Hall of Servants in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building (Light Refreshments will be served)
6:00-7:00- Catered meal at Hillcrest Church of Christ
7:00-8:00- "A Worthy Ministry" by Dr. Charles Siburt, Abilene, TX. Dr. Siburt is admired and loved by ministry students, full-time ministers, missionaries, and spiritual shepherd's across the world. We expect Charles to give us a word from the Lord that will help all attendees rekindle their spirit for service in retirement.
6/03/08 Tuesday
8:30-9:30- "All Grown Up But Still Growing Faith Development for Retirees" by Charlie Pruett, Abilene, TX. The retirement years, and especially later life, may be the most opportune time for spiritual development. This presentation will discuss the issue of later life and how each presents opportunity for faith development for older adults in a community of faith.
9:45-10:45- "Generations Achieving Partnership: Insight in the Development and Leadership of an intergenerational Ministry" by Stuart Freeman, Shreveport, LA. This practical presentation will discuss the goal, development, and ongoing leadership of a ministry which purposefully unites a youth ministry and senior adult ministry in spiritual, social and service activities.
11:00-11:30- Praise Service (Chapel on the Hill) Jack Boyd, Abilene TX
11:30-1:00- Catered Luncheon
1:30-3:00 Afternoon Panel Discussion "You Ask For It: A Response To the Most Asked Questions in Retiree Ministry" by Jamie Knapp, Van Alstyne, TX and Jim Hughes, Dallas, TX. The Pruett Gerontology Center recently sent a survey to the leaders of retiree ministries across the nation. Jamie will give, a Christian sociologist's perceptive to these questions, while Jim answers the same question from years of experience as a minister to retirees.
3:30-4:30- What is Happening at Your Place? This session has been provided as a time of sharing creative ideas for spiritual, social and service activities in retiree ministry. All attendees will have the will have the opportunity to share ideas and ask questions for the entire group.
6:00-8:30- Meet at the parking lot at the Whitten Inn University, for Dinner at Ball Ranch. 1625 Hwy. 351 @ I-20, 325-673-5271
6/04/08 Wednesday
8:30-9:30 "Single Women and Service in the Bonus Years" by Hazel Fillmon, Abilene, TX. Most congregations are blessed with single women in the retirement years. Hazel, who is an inspiration to university students and older Christian alike, will offer insight and instructions in the involvement of a powerful resource.
9:45-10:45- "Christian Grandparenting: Passing Our Faith On to our Grandchildren" by Steve Wages, Abilene, TX. At times grandparents are not clear in ways to communicate their faith with grandchildren. This presentation gives specific examples and steps for intentional Christian grandparenting within a community of faith.
11:00-11:30- Praise time & dismissal , Jack Boyd, Abilene TX
Motel Information:
Comfort Suites University Super 8 North LaQuinta Inn 1902 East Overland Trail I-20 & Hwy 351 3501 West Lake Rd.
325-672-0335 325-673-5251 325-676-1676
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Travel Inn Hampton Inn & Suites
1802 E. I-20 2202 I-20 3526 West Lake Rd. 325-675-9800 325-677-2463 325-673-4400
Best Western Abilene Inn & Suites Executive Inn Days Inn 350 I-20 West 1650 I-20 East 1702 I-East 325-672-5501 325-677-2200 325-672-6433
Abilene Whitten Inn,University 1625 Hwy. 351@ I-20 325-673- 5271
(20 Rooms Are Reserved)
