wfn.org | UMNS# 04470-Igniting Ministry training goes online

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Igniting Ministry training goes online 

Oct. 11, 2004	 News media contact:   Tim  Tanton * (615) 7425470* 
Nashville {04470}

NOTE: A photograph of the Rev. Larry Hollon is available at
http://umns.umc.org.

By Kathy Noble*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-Basic training in the United Methodist Church's
welcoming and television ministry will become accessible to nearly every
congregation with the launch of a new online course.

The course, "Igniting Ministry 101," begins Oct. 11 and will continue through
mid-November. It is being offered by United Methodist Communications, which
manages the Igniting Ministry program.

"We have heard the desire of leaders in local churches for easy access to the
training and hospitality skills offered through Igniting Ministry workshops,"
said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top staff executive of United Methodist
Communications. "We are delighted to be able to respond to this request by
offering this online course to congregations in areas where they have not
been able to get the face-to-face training. In addition, the course is a
reasonably priced option for smaller congregations."

The registration fee is $12 per student, and enrollment is open at
http://www.training.umcom.org.

As enrollees work through the course's four modules at their own pace, they
will:

7	Understand the motivation and research behind the national television
advertising.
7	Explore the importance of developing a welcoming lifestyle in their
lives and their church.
7	Begin creating an action plan to build a culture of welcoming as the
congregation invites the community into the church.

Students will be able to ask questions and discuss the material as they work.
Emily Reece, the Igniting Ministry training manager at United Methodist
Communications, and the Rev. Danette Howell, pastor of Rector Memorial United
Methodist Church in San Antonio, will coordinate the discussion.

The course will also allow churches with trained Igniting Ministry leaders to
expand their team. 

Igniting Ministry began in 2001 as a four-year effort, funded by the
denomination's top legislative assembly. Last spring, General Conference
approved another $25 million for the program and renewed it for four more
years. 

*Noble is editor of Interpreter magazine at United Methodist Communications
in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Tim Tanton, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org