| Date: | Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
| Times: | 7:30 a.m - 5:00 p.m. |
| Site: |
Bammel Church of Christ, Houston, TX |
ElderLink Houston 2007 will be held at Bammel Church of Christ and will feature highly-qualified speakers and a wide variety of topics. ElderLink attendees will have an opportunity to hear church leaders share their understandings and experiences in dealing with the challenges elders face. Practical resources and strategies for responding to such challenges will be offered along with special topics of interest including specific sessions for spouses. Attendees will receive information rooted in scripture and Biblical principles.
Registration Fee:
$124 per person
What Should I Expect?
Beginning with a continental breakfast and a time of worship and prayer, the forum will feature plenary sessions and a choice of several breakout sessions.
Space is limited so register early!
Meeting Site
The forum will be held in the Bammel Church of Christ facilities located at 2700 FM 1960 W, Houston, TX 77068. Telephone: 281.440.1910.
Lodging
If you desire overnight accommodations, the following hotels are nearby. Please call the hotel
directly for rates and reservations:
Holiday Inn Express
3555 1960 West
Houston, Texas 77068
Phone: 281-444-5800
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com
Fairfield Inn Houston I-45 North
17617 North Freeway
Houston, Texas 77090
Phone: 281-895-8989
https://marriott.com/search/findHotels.mi
Best Western Executive Suites
4434 FM 1960 West
Houston, Texas 77068
Phone: 281-866-0500
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern
Schedule
7:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:15 a.m. Plenary Session
Welcome and Worship
Spirituality for the Busy, Frantic and Overwhelmed
Randy Harris, Presenter
9:15 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions – Track A, Part 1
Healthy Leadership: The Personal Health of Each Leader
Richard Fancher, Presenter
Closing the Gap: Practical Listening Skills for Shepherds
Ben & John Siburt, Presenters
Beam Surgery: The Prerequisite to Speck Removal
Joey Cope, Roland Orr, Charles Siburt, Jerry Strader, Presenters
Ready, Set, Go – How to start and organize an active program with senior adults
Buck Griffith, Presenter
Opening Ourselves to God Through Scripture and Prayer, Part I
Jeanene Reese, Presenter
Tag Teams-Elder/Minister Relations, Part I
Elder/Minister relationship dynamics can be complex. Where there is trust, teamwork and shared values, much good can be done.
Ronnie Norman, Presenter
10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions – Track B, Part 1
Ministering to Persons Who Experience Same Sex Attraction, Part I
Sally Gary & Kurt Boyland, Presenters
Missionary Care in a Changing World, Part I
Sonny Guild, Presenter
Giving Elders the Last Word-Sending the Church with a Blessing, Part I
Michael Harbour, Presenter
Remembering the Poor: The Role of Christians in an Unjust World, A Biblical Perspective, Part I
Charlie Middlebrook, Presenter
The Discipline of Nurturing Your Soul – Learning to take care of yourself so you can allow the Lord to fill you completely and delightfully.
Beverly Ross, Presenter
Pastoral Care According to Paul, Part I
James Thompson, Presenter
Equipping Christian Caregivers
How to know what to say, what to write and what to do when those we know encounter difficult circumstances.
John Harp & Mike Garatoni, Presenters
11:45 a.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Track A, Part 2
Healthy Leadership: The Collective Spiritual Health of the Leadership Team
Richard Fancher, Presenter
Getting the Story Straight: Hearing Deeper Than Words to the Heart of the Matter
Ben & John Siburt, Presenters
The Jones Are Leaving: What Do We Do When Conflict Divides Us?
Joey Cope, Roland Orr, Charles Siburt, Jerry Strader, Presenters
Keeping Revitalized – How to pump new life into an existing program with senior adults.
Buck Griffith, Presenter
Opening Ourselves to God Through Scripture and Prayer, Part II
Jeanene Reese, Presenter
Tag Teams-Elder/Minister Relations, Part II
Ronnie Norman, Presenter
2:00 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Track B, Part 2
Ministering to Persons Who Experience Same Sex Attraction, Part II
Sally Gary & Kurt Boyland, Presenters
Missionary Care in a Changing World, Part II
Sonny Guild, Presenter
Giving Elders the Last Word-Sending the Church with a Blessing, Part II
Michael Harbour, Presenter
Remembering the Poor: The Role of Christians in an Unjust World, A Biblical Perspective, Part II
Charlie Middlebrook, Presenter
The Freedom to Love Well- Investigating tools to release anger and bitterness so we can begin the journey of forgiveness and healing.
Beverly Ross, Presenter
Pastoral Care According to Paul, Part II
James Thompson, Presenter
Resources for Equipping Christian Caregivers - A wide variety of Christian literature is designed to help us become better care givers.
John Harp & Mike Garatoni, Presenters
3:15 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Plenary Session
Worship
Spirituality for the Busy, Frantic and Overwhelmed, Part II
Randy Harris, Presenter
4:30 p.m. Evaluations
4:45 p.m. Worship and Dismiss
Speaker Information
Kurt Boyland has been working as a counselor in the Abilene Christian University Counseling Center since 2002. He holds a Bachelor's degree in finance from Texas Tech University, a Bachelor's degree in religious studies from the Institute for Christian Studies and a Master's degree in marriage and family therapy from ACU. He served as a youth minister for nine years and also works part time with the Texas Family Institute in Abilene. He is married and has three children.
Joe L. “Joey” Cope moved to Abilene in 1986 to practice law with a banking law and commercial litigation firm. After filling a number of executive roles for Abilene Christian University he was asked to establish a Center for Conflict Resolution. Joey was selected as its first director. Joey coordinates Center services in consultation and conflict resolution for businesses, non-profit organizations, and churches. He also maintains a small law practice and serves as an elder for the Highland Church of Christ of Abilene and as a board member of Christian Home of Abilene, an adoption, foster home, and maternity care organization. He and his wife Nancy have two sons and one granddaughter.
Richard A. Fancher has served the Sugar Grove Church of Christ (formerly Sharpstown Church of Christ) for the past 25 years in various capacities commensurate with his training, experience, and giftedness. He is currently serving as Executive Minister. Richard is a graduate of Harding University and Abilene Christian University, where he received a Master’s in Religious Education. Richard and his wife, Cynthia have two sons, Jarrod and Stewart, and are the proud grandparents of Kaitlyn, Emma, and Mia. Richard is a former presenter at Elder Link, LCU Lectures, ACU Bible Teachers Workshop, and The Christian Education Conference. He also serves as a consultant to church leaders.
Mike Garatoni is an elder at Sunset Ridge Church of Christ where he has worshipped since 1982. He is a graduate of ACU (BBA 1978) and The University of Texas School of Law (JD 1981). He has been in private law practice since 1981. Mike is also a certified Stephen Ministry Leader. He and his wife Terri (Hess) have three children—Ali who is a sophomore at Wake Forest University, Peter who is a freshman at Trinity University (San Antonio), and Michael who is a sophomore at MacArthur High School in San Antonio.
Sally Gary is a native of Wichita Falls, Texas and currently serves as assistant professor of communication and director of forensics at ACU. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in communications from Abilene Christian University and a degree in law from Texas Tech University. Sally has taught public school and practiced as a trial lawyer, serving as General Counsel for the Education Committee of the Texas Senate.
Buck Griffith is president of NewLife Behavior Ministries in Corpus Christi, Texas, a comprehensive program to assist individuals in behavioral improvement. NLB curriculum is used in prisons and for substance abuse recovery. Buck also directs Kings Crossing Prison Ministries. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University and served as pulpit minister at Windsor Park Church of Christ (now Kings Crossing) for 25 years. During his tenure there he organized the Golden Agers Ministry and has directed an annual Senior Adults camp for 26 years. Buck is the author of a “how-to" booklet entitled Days of Our Years. He is married to Janet (Ellis.) They have two grown children and one granddaughter.
Sonny Guild directs the Halbert Institute for Missions and teaches undergraduate missions' classes and general education Bible classes at Abilene Christian University. He also preaches for Woodlawn Church of Christ in Abilene. Sonny holds a Bachelor's degree from Harding University as well as a Master's of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Abilene Christian University. He served as a missionary among the Abaluyia people in Kenya, Africa for 10 years and has more than 40 years of ministry experience. Sonny and his wife, Eunice, have 3 children: Christopher, Eric and Theron, 2 daughters-in-law, Susan and Tiffany, and 7 grandchildren.
Michael Harbour has served the Southeast Church of Christ in suburban Houston as the preaching minister since 2001. Before coming to Southeast, he served churches in Nacogdoches, San Benito, and Wichita Falls, Texas. Michael was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He lived in Tulsa during his high school years. Michael is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University (Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts in History and English) and of Abilene Christian University (MS and Doctor of Ministry). In a former life, he was a restaurant manager, working for Casa Bonita Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Denver, Dallas and Abilene. His wife, Sandra, is from Abilene. They have two fine children, Jake who is a senior at ACU majoring in Theatre and Jacquie who is a senior at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood.
John Harp has ministered at the Sunset Ridge Church of Christ in various capacities for 26 years—the past 5 years as Senior Minister. He holds the Master of Divinity Degree from Abilene Christian University and is a certified Stephen Ministry Leader. John’s wife Necia (Sumrall) works as a Sexual Abuse Counselor at Child Safe in San Antonio. John and Necia have two children—Clinton who is a junior at Pepperdine University and Jami who is a freshman at Abilene Christian University.
Randy Harris currently teaches in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry at Abilene Christian University. He specializes in the instruction of ministry, theology and philosophy courses. He is also actively involved in the Graduate School of Theology mentoring program and serves as faculty advisor for numerous undergraduate student organizations. Randy graduated from Harding University with a Bachelor's degree in 1979. He earned a M.A. degree and a M.Th. degree from Harding Graduate School of Religion in 1983. He earned a M.Phil. degree at Syracuse University in 1987 and is presently a candidate for the Ph.D. degree there. Randy was pulpit minister at Donelson Church of Christ in Nashville, TN, for nine years prior to his arrival at ACU.
Charlie Middlebrook has preached for 40 years, the last 20 at the Impact Houston Church of Christ, an inner city congregation which emphasizes being inclusive of the poor in its ministries. He holds a B.A. in Bible and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from ACU as well as a Master’s of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Houston Graduate School of Religion. He serves on the boards of Lifeline Chaplaincy/Compassionate Touch, Small Steps Nurturing Center and the Youth Development Center. Other activities include working as a Missions Consultant in Urban Missions at ACU for 14 years and as a Professional Mediator, having mediated hundreds of cases, mostly through the courts in Harris and Montgomery County, Texas. Charlie has been married for 36 years and enjoys three children and 8 grandchildren.
Ronnie Norman is the Senior Minister and an elder at the First Colony Church of Christ in Sugar Land, Texas, located in suburban Houston. Ronnie was part of the small nucleus that planted the First Colony congregation in 1985. Ronnie’s undergraduate degree is from Freed-Hardeman University and his Master’s Degree is from Abilene Christian University. Ronnie has been a featured speaker at Lectureships, Conferences, & Churches across the nation. Ronnie and his wife Martha have been married 26 years. They have a married daughter and a son who is a college senior.
Roland Orr has served as an elder of the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas for 12 serves. He participated in the initial steering committee for ElderLink. He is a retired corporate executive and is currently working as a consultant and serving on several corporate boards. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Roland and his wife Jeri have three children.
Jeanene Reese is an associate professor in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry where she teaches ministry and text courses. She also directs the Center for Women in Christian Service and conducts workshops, retreats, and seminars for churches around the world. Jeanene and her husband, Jack, attend the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene where they serve on the Missions committee. Jeanene graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor's degree in 1974, her Master's degree in 1995 and her D.Min. in 2001. Jeanene and Jack have two married daughters and one grandchild: Jessica, Jonathan, and Simone Goudeau of Austin and Jocelyn and Mark Wiebe of Dallas. Their son, Jay, is a junior at ACU.
Beverly Ross is a marriage and family counselor in Decatur, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in counseling. Her husband Rick is pulpit minister for the Decatur Church of Christ. Beverly and Rick have three children and two grandchildren.
Ben Siburt is associate minister for the Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas. Previously, Ben served as a chaplain for Hendrick Hospital in Abilene, Texas and has worked with the Lifeline chaplaincy program in Houston, Texas. He and his wife, Emy, have one daughter.
Charles Siburt is an elder at University Church of Christ, Abilene, TX and vice president for Church Relations and professor of ministry, Abilene Christian University. He also directs ACU’s Doctor of Ministry Program and serves as the Frazer Professor for Church Enrichment and the Director for the Center for Church Enrichment. Siburt’s ministry of church consultation takes him across the nation encouraging both church leaders and members to a better understanding of their roles in serving God and others. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ACU and a D.Min. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
John Siburt has served as the preaching minister at Richardson East Church of Christ in Richardson, TX since October, 2002. He has extensive ministry training in a variety of contexts including churches, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Parkland Hospital in Dallas. John and his wife, Sarah, have two children, a daughter and a son.
Robert J. "Jerry" Strader, DDS, MSD, FACD, Brig. Gen., U.S. Army (retired), is an oral surgeon and Senior Vice President of Hendrick Health Systems, Abilene, Texas (retired). Dr. Strader began serving as Mediator-in-Residence at the Center for Conflict Resolution in January 2004. He has completed extensive training in dispute resolution and received his master's degree in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2003.
James Thompson is an elder for the University Church of Christ in Abilene, TX and serves as the Onstead-Packer Chair of New Testament Studies at Abilene Christian University. He received a B.A. and M.A. degrees from ACU, a B.D. degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. His wife, Carolyn, is an instructor for German at ACU. They are the parents of two children.
