LEAD Cohorts
LEAD Cohorts are online meeting places for small groups of MB pastors and leaders – or anyone interested in learning more about a specific topic or gathering with like-minded people.
LEAD Cohorts are FREE to all participants. The only cost is for books or materials, if recommended by the cohort leader. LEAD Cohorts typically last three months and meet online every two weeks for about an hour.
The next session of LEAD Cohorts is beginning in September. You may register for more than one cohort and can cancel at any time. Registration buttons are below. If you have additional questions please email Janae Rempel.
About Nothing for Those Who Want to Talk About Something - Phil Wiebe and Tim Thiessen
In community we can dream of fun possibilities, have a context to handle difficult stuff and celebrate each other’s victories. Out of relationships ministry partnerships happen. This cohort is about building and strengthening relationships through organic conversations – what’s on your mind this week? This cohort is for male pastors looking for real friends who love the Lord and want to build His Kingdom together. No other agendas please. (Note: there are two cohorts build on the same format)
This cohort is led by Phil Wiebe, lead pastor of Lakeview Church, in Stansbury Park, Utah, and Tim Thiessen, lead pastor of Birch Bay Bible Community Church in Blaine, Wash.
Cohort will meet every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 2
Sept. 2, 16 & 30, Oct. 14 & 28, Nov. 11 & 25, Dec. 2 & 16
This cohort is led by Phil Wiebe, lead pastor of Lakeview Church, a new church plant in Stansbury Park, Utah
Cohort will meet every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 9
Sept. 9 & 23, Oct. 7 & 21, Nov. 4 & 18, Dec. 9
Church Planters Chat – Fred Leonard
Are you currently planting a church or interested in becoming a church planter soon? This cohort will focus on current church planting issues, delve into vision and church planting strategies and provide opportunities for conversations and prayer with other planters.
This cohort is led by Fred Leonard, lead pastor of Mountain View Community Church in Fresno, Calif. Fred has a passion for developing church vision and equipping and releasing men and women into ministry.
Cohort will meet every other Tuesday at 9 a.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 8
Sept. 8 & 22, Oct. 6 & 20, Nov. 3 & 17, Dec. 1 & 15
Congolese Pastors and Leaders – Henri Ngolo and Garry Prieb
Unaalikwa kujiunga na Kiongozi mpya wa LEAD Cohort haswa kwa wachungaji wa Kongo na viongozi waliohudhuriwa na Henri Ngolo na Garry Prieb. Cohort ya LEAD ni ya bure. Jumuiya hiyo itakutana kila baada ya wiki mbili kwa karibu dakika 90 kuanzia Septemba 12. Hii ni fursa nzuri ya kukusanyika pamoja mkondoni na kujadili mada muhimu. Tunatumai utajiunga.
Vous êtes invités à rejoindre une formation spécifiquement pour les pasteurs et dirigeants congolais à partir de septembre. La formation sera animée par Henri Ngolo et Garry Prieb en collaboration avec USMB. La cohorte LEAD est GRATUITE. La cohorte se réunira toutes les deux semaines pendant environ 90 minutes. Les dates provisoires pour cette cohorte sont les 12 et 26 septembre, les 10 et 24 octobre, les 7 et 21 novembre, les 5 et 19 décembre.
This cohort will discuss Mennonite history; confession of faith; mission and culture; leadership (networking and trust); stewardship; community involvement; partnerships in God’s business; and looking ahead to the future. This cohort will include a panel discussion and Q&A session with Mennonite Brethren leaders during the Sept. 26 session.
This cohort is led by Henri Ngolo, director and founder of Diaspora Global Resources Ministries, from Kettering, Ohio, and Garry Prieb, retired Multiply staff member, originally from DR Congo and currently residing in Fresno, Calif.
Cohort will meet every other Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 12.
Sept. 12 & 26, Oct. 10 & 24, Nov. 7 & 21, Dec. 5 & 19
Contemplative Conversations – Chandelle Claassen
I would like to invite you into a sacred pause in your life during this wonky season, where we enter into a reflective curiosity and wonderment of God and His creation. We will explore God’s creation narrative found in Genesis 1, while wandering in some places of beauty that are intriguing to each of us personally. During our meetings, we will share our individual invitations and take time to grow in awareness in hopes of savoring the moments and wonder at the beauty and creation that God has placed around us.
This cohort is led by Chandelle Claassen, a trained spiritual director and certified life coach and member of the USMB LEAD Coaching team. Chandelle lives in North Newton, Kansas.
Cohort will meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 1
Sept. 1 & 15, Oct. 6 & 20, Nov. 3 & 17, Dec. 1
Continuing the Fight Against Racism: What Can We Do Together? - Terry Hunt and Greg Snider
There has never been a time since the Civil War and during the Segregation period that our nation has been so divided. Racism, which is a sin, has been the root cause of this unparalleled divide. The church has been silent too long on this topic and we have allowed the roots of racism to grow into our pews. Together, we will discover three ways that you and your church family can fully engage in the fight against racism through awareness, relationships and commitment (A.R.C.). We will learn more about “What can we do together” to be the light during these dark days. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see.” (TLB)
This cohort is co-led by Terry Hunt, lead pastor of The Life Center in Lenoir, N.C. and Eastern District Conference Minister; and Greg Snider, associate pastor of The Life Center, Lenoir, N.C.
Cohort will meet every other Monday at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 14
Sept. 14 & 28, Oct. 12 & 26, Nov. 9 & 23, Dec. 7 & 21
Developing Personal and Prayer Ministry Skills – Esther Leonard
Equipping the saints to pray is something we need to be intentional and strategic about. This will be a practical cohort where we will practice listening skills, prayers of healing, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, salvation praying and much more. If you want some practical hands-on experience along with some tools that you can use in your churches, this is a great cohort for you to join.
This cohort is led by Esther Leonard, Prayer Ministry Pastor at Mountain View Community Church in Fresno, Calif.
Cohort will meet twice monthly on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 9
Sept. 9 & 23, Oct. 7 & 21, Nov. 4 & 18, Dec. 2 & 16
The Disciple-Making Power of Expository Preaching – Jared Pulliam
This cohort is intended to inform and enhance the practice of expository preaching, aiming to demonstrate how expository preaching fits with the preacher’s calling to lead their congregation and disciple them from the word of God. This cohort is designed specifically for participants to refine Bible teaching skills in community with others, and in so doing, further develop their abilities in the service of Christ and his Kingdom.
This cohort will be led by Jared Pulliam, lead pastor of Christ Church Sellwood in Portland, Oregon.
Cohort will meet every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 16
Sept. 16, 23 & 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28, Nov. 4, 11 & 18
Ethiopian Pastors and Leaders – Endashaw Kelkele
This cohort is geared for Ethiopian pastors and church leaders who desire connection and community, gathering online on a regular basis to talk about church issues, pastoral ideas for worship and doing church during the COVID-19 pandemic, preaching and teaching, praying together and much more. The discussion will be in Amharic and some English.
This cohort is led by Endashaw Kelkele, lead pastor of Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Aurora, Colorado.
Cohort will meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 1.
Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1
Leading a Growing Church that Changes the World – Fred Leonard
Churches can and should be dynamic and growing and at the same time involved in ministry globally. How can your church begin to think and serve beyond the walls of the church building in your community and even beyond the boundaries of the United States? How can you help your church develop a passion for growing the Kingdom, investing in church planting here and abroad? How can you lead better and change your own leadership practices in order to lead a growing church that changes the world?
This cohort is led by Fred Leonard, lead pastor of Mountain View Community Church in Fresno, California. Fred has a passion for developing church vision and equipping and releasing men and women into ministry.
Cohort will meet every other Tuesday at 9 a.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 15
Sept. 15 & 29, Oct. 13 & 27, Nov. 10 & 24, Dec. 8
Leading When There's No Map – Stephen Humber
Traditional training does not prepare you for COVID-19 (and coming) church realities, but adaptive leadership does. Fortunately, Tod Bolsinger has written such a book for church leaders. Join us to discuss what it means to lead when you are "off the map"
Recommended Reading: Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger
This cohort is led by Stephen Humber who serves on the mobilization team of Multiply and lives in Denver, Colo.
Cohort will meet twice monthly on Thursdays at 3 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 3
Sept. 3 & 17, Oct. 1, 15 & 29, Nov. 12, Dec. 3 & 17
Pásame otro ladrillo – Daniel Rodriguez
"Pásame otro ladrillo" es un libro de Charles R Swindoll que guía al líder de una iglesia o ministerio a aprender las características y actitudes de Dios que son necesarias para ser más efectivos en su ministerio. Hay muchos desafíos nuevos en el ministerio en el tiempo que vivimos ahora y como líderes, necesitamos volver a nuestras Biblias y aprender a ser líderes piadosos para nuestros ministerios e iglesias. Este taller lo ayudará a se animado y aprender con otros pastores y lideres que puedan estar enfrentando algunos de los mismos desafíos del ministerio. únete a nosotros en este viaje.
(Translation: Through discussions based on the book, Hand me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll, we will discuss the many new challenges in ministry and as leaders we need to go back to our Bibles and learn how to be Godly leaders of our ministries and churches. This cohort will provide an opportunity to be encouraged by and learn from other pastors facing some of the same challenges.)
Recommended reading: Hand me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll
This cohort will be in Spanish and led by Daniel Rodriguez, lead pastor of Iglesia Agua Viva in Omaha, Neb.
Cohort will meet on Monday's at 8 p.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 21
Sept. 21 & 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19 & 26, Nov. 2 & 9
Shepherding in a Rural and Small-Town Context – Doug Habegger
No one ever said shepherding would be easy! It can be especially challenging in a rural and small-town context. In each session, we will provide an opportunity for some good, honest shepherd talk.
This cohort is led by Doug Habegger, Director of Partnership Ministries with the Rural Home Missionary Association in Morton, Ill.
Cohort will meet twice monthly on Tuesday at 10 a.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 8.
Sept. 8 & 22, Oct. 6 & 20, Nov. 3 & 17
Youth Ministry Realities – Russ Claassen
Get to know other youth workers as we engage in passionate discussion focused on the realities we face as youth workers. We will explore topics relevant to the group. Sessions may include anything related to youth ministry--from personal leadership development and spiritual growth, to recruiting and training volunteers, parent ministries and talking about Jesus with teens. The possibilities are endless. This cohort is for anyone who works with youth in your local church--volunteers, small group leaders, youth pastors, etc.
This cohort is led by Russ Claassen, Southern District Conference youth minister. Russ lives in North Newton, Kansas.
Cohort will meet twice monthly on Thursday at 10 a.m. (CDT) beginning Sept. 10
Sept. 10 & 24, Oct. 8 & 22, Nov. 5 & 19, Dec. 3 & 17
REGISTRATION
PLEASE CLICK BUTTON TO REGISTER
for the cohort(s) you are interested in. You may cancel your registration at any time. If you are interested in a cohort but the dates don't work, please register anyway and send admin@usmb.org an email with your preferences. Will will do our best to accommodate the needs of cohort participants.
Note: Times and dates on registration forms may not be accurate. The correct information is listed in the descriptions to the left. Once registered, you will be contacted by the cohort leader with more details and information. Thank you.
