Upgrade Thursdays Archive

Fall 2023

Upgrade Thursdays was a creative experience using a virtual platform to inform, inspire, and encourage the Christian Church in Georgia family. These workshops emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as the use of virtual learning tools increased and Georgia Disciples sought new ways to interact. Drawing from expertise throughout our region and denomination, presenters offered hour-long, Assembly-style workshops on Thursday evenings. Resources and recordings can be found below.

• Alpha: A Tool for Conversations About Faith was presented by Michelle Tepper, Florida Network Director for Alpha USA, as a part of Upgrade Thursdays on 10-26-23. We learned how Alpha helps creates a safe space for people to be real, learn the basics of the Christian faith, build authentic relationships, and encounter the power of the Holy Spirit in the process. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Drink of One Spirit: Living Our Truths in Community was presented by Rev. Monique Crain Spells, Director of Christian Education/Faith Formation for Disciples Home Missions (DMF) and the National Convocation, as a part of Upgrade Thursdays on 10-12-2023. We explored characteristics of the Spirit, practiced tracing the Spirit, and discussed discerning when to course-correcting in the Spirit. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• How Does Your Garden Grow was presented by church leaders and growers in the Region of Georgia as a part of Upgrade Thursdays on 9-28-2023 . They told their stories of how they got started, who is served by their gardens, lessons learned, and plans for the future, with the goal of inspiring your church’s green thumb. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Disciples Home Missions: A Ready Resource for Your Church was presented by Rev. Chris Dorsey, President and CEO of Disciples Home Missions, as part of Upgrade Thursdays on 9-14-2023. The group learned more about the focus of DHM on mission, advocacy, and programs. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Welcome with a Wow! Your Visitors’ First Impressions was presented by Rev. Kyle Ermoian, Regional Director of New Church and Church Development, on 8-24-2023. The group learned about ways to up their church's hospitality through an effective "H.U.G.S.” (Hospitality, Ushering, Greeting, Security) Team. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Disciples Women: Questions for the Future was presented by Rev. Lainie Jenkins, Interim Director of Women’s Ministries for the Christian Church in Georgia, on 8-10-2023. The group engaged in a spirited discussion of ways to engage women of all ages in relationships that matter. Check out the Zoom recording here.

Winter 2023

• Growing Your Church Through BIG Days on 3-23-2023 was presented by Rev. Kyle Ermoian, who has pastored high-growth Disciples churches and is the Director of New Church and Church Development for the Christian Church in Georgia. Here he reviews principles for attracting and engaging new people who visit on BIG Days like Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas, etc. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Preaching in a Divided Age: Part 2 from Surviving a Dangerous Sermon was presented 3-09-2023 by Dr. Frank Thomas, Professor of Homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Thomas continued the discussion about preaching in a way that is faithful to the gospel and to our churches. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Preaching in a Divided Age: Part 1 from Surviving a Dangerous Sermon was presented 2-23-2023 by Dr. Frank Thomas, Professor of Homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Thomas discussed preaching the gospel in a way that it can do its work on the human heart without destroying or damaging the church, its people, or the preacher. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Week of Compassion: Your Compassion at Work on 2-9-2023 was presented by Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold, Associate Director for Domestic Disaster Response. In this discussion, Rev. Hamilton-Arnold presents an overview of the current work we are doing together. Check out the Zoom recording here or the powerpoint.

• Seeing is Believing: Cultivating God’s Vision in Your Church on 1-25-2023 was presented by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, Founder and Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur, GA. In this discussion, Dr. Hale shares insights and experiences from her long ministry at Ray of Hope Christian Church. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Hijacking Jesus: A Rebuke of Christian Nationalism on 1-12-2023 was presented by Rev. Adam Bradley, Associate Pastor of Downey Avenue Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN. In this important discussion, Rev. Bradley defines Christian nationalism and analyzes these movements through the lens of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Check out the Zoom recording here.

2020-2022

• Rev. Carol Devine discusses the ministry of The Green Chalice, presented on 6-17-2020. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Rev. Debi Acree and Rev. Dr. Diane Bales discussed The ABCs of Child Abuse Prevention on 8-25-2022. Check out the Zoom recording here or the powerpoint, both of which covers signs of abuse, ways to prevent and intervene, and who is a mandated reporter.

• Nearly 30 Disciples from around Georgia gathered on 9-8-2022 to hear from Georgia pastors on What’s Next? The Future of Church and the Church of the Future. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Innovative Ministry: Change is Your Friend on 10-13-2022 was the theme as Rev. Kyle Ermoian, Georgia Disciples Director of New Church and Church Development led a panel around a discussion of innovation in new and transforming churches. Check out the Zoom recording here.

• Intentional Intergenerational Christian Faith on 10-27-2022 was presented by Rev. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove, Minister for Ministries Across Generations (MAG). Abundant resources are available here through this ministry of Disciples Home Missions. Check out the Zoom recording here.

August 10, 2023, 7-8 pm

Disciples Women: Questions for the Future

Rev. Lainie Jenkins

How do we re-think women’s ministries to engage women of all ages and nurture meaningful connections on both the congregational level and across the Region of Georgia? On the heels of two wonderful Spring Conferences, we know women love to fellowship and are interested in more opportunities, so what does that look like? What is organic mentorship? How can we use social media and other technology to appeal to our younger women? How can the Georgia Disciples Women Commission encourage CWF and DW groups in our churches? Would someone in your church like to take part in a focus group to further explore these and other questions? Our discussion will conclude with a brief note on "Dancing in the Rain," our upcoming Disciples Women’s Fall Retreat, Sept 22-24, 2023, at Epworth by the Sea. Rev. Lainie Jenkins is the Interim Regional Director of Women’s Ministries for the Christian Church in Georgia. 

August 24, 2023, 7-8 pm

Welcome with a Wow! Your Visitors’ First Impressions 

Rev. Kyle Ermoian

Surveys show that first-time visitors will make the decision on whether they think they will come back to your church or not based on their first impressions made within the first 3-12 minutes of their visit. Other surveys indicate that the #1 reason why first-time visitors do not return to a church is because of poor hospitality. This is why it is vitally important to tune up your church’s hospitality ministry. In this session, Pastor Kyle Ermoian (PK) will present “Developing Your H.U.G.S. Team” (Hospitality Ushering Greeting Security). PK will be offering practical methods to “Welcome with a WOW” that he honed while growing Celebration Community Church in Hays, KA, into one of the largest Disciples churches in the country. Rev. Kyle Ermoian is the Director of New Church and Church Development for the Christian Church in Georgia.  

September 14, 2023, 7-8 pm

Disciples Home Missions: A Ready Resource for Your Church

Rev. Chris Dorsey

Disciples Home Missions (DHM) remains committed to its mission of equipping Disciples for Christ and connecting people to the life-changing love of God while facilitating faithful and effective ministry. We do this by focusing on three key priorities:

• Mission – Engaging in coordinated missions on behalf of the whole church.

• Advocacy – Acting and speaking to promote greater justice and mercy.

• Programs – Providing innovative programs and resources to congregations, regions, clergy, and laity.

DHM ministries include: Ministries Across Generations, Green Chalice, Disciples Farm Worker Ministry, Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel, Clergy Search and Call, Disciples Volunteering, Disciples Interims, African American Congregational Nurture, Faith Formation/ Christian Education, and so much more! Come and learn more about how you and your church can access these Disciples resources. Rev. Chris Dorsey is the President & CEO of Disciples Home Missions, a General Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

September 28, 2023, 7-8 pm

How Does Your Garden Grow? Georgia Disciples Tell Their Stories

Amplify CC, Cherry Log CC, Chestnut Ridge CC, New Hope CC, Ray of Hope CC

Gardens are thriving at Georgia Disciples churches. Whether plots are leased or are cultivated for the community, Georgia Disciples have a wide range of experiences and stories to tell about “How does your garden grow?” In this panel discussion, church leaders and growers will tell their stories of how they got started, who is served by their gardens, lessons learned, and plans for the future, with the goal of inspiring your church’s green thumb. Presenters will include Rev. Orlando Scott, Amplify Christian Church; Katherine Juhan Arnold, Baby Katie’s Pharm & Kitchen; Sharon Meek, lead gardener at Cherry Log Christian Church; Debbie Abernathy, master gardener at CrossRoads Community Garden (Chestnut Ridge CC); Jennifer Genzy, lead gardener at Oakland Community Garden (New Hope CC); and Chanté Lively, lead gardener at Garden of Hope (Ray of Hope CC). 

October 12, 2023, 7-8 pm

Drink of One Spirit: Living Our Truths in Community

Rev. Monique Crain Spells

Given the numerous ways we encounter God and the heart of God among one another, what does it look like to “drink of one Spirit” as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14? How do we ensure our community of faith is taking up the Spirit of God as witnessed in the ministry of Jesus? In our time together, we will explore characteristics of the Spirit, practice tracing the Spirit, and discuss discerning when to course-correct in the Spirit. Rev. Monique Crain Spells is the Director of Christian Education/Faith Formation for Disciples Home Missions (DMF) and the National Convocation, both General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

October 26, 2023, 7-8 pm

Alpha: A Tool for Conversations About Faith

Michelle Tepper, Alpha USA

You’re invited to this workshop to explore Alpha and learn why it's a highly effective tool for introducing people to Jesus in today's culture. Alpha helps creates a safe space for people to be real, learn the basics of the Christian faith, build authentic relationships, and encounter the power of the Holy Spirit in the process. This space allows those who might not attend a Sunday service to explore faith for themselves without judgment or pressure. This workshop will share how Alpha can help your church:

• Offer a space where people can be known and loved

• Develop an invitational culture

• Engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha through Alpha Youth

• Empower people who've attended Alpha to become actively involved in the church

• Create a hospitable environment, both in person or online, where people are met right where they are

• Grow in dependence on the Holy Spirit through prayer

• Witness people far from God take important steps on their spiritual journey

Michelle Tepper is the Florida Network Director for Alpha USA, with two decades of experience helping skeptics engage and move past their biggest obstacles to faith in Christ and training Christians to be evangelistically positioned in their everyday lives.