The Institute for Clergy Excellence

The Atlanta Artisans

The Atlanta Artisans completed their project in 2010. The artist model distinctly shaped the focus of learning for them. They shared a common desire to expressively break out of a stagnation that has culturally and socially bound the church in the arena of preaching and worship. They studied excellence at The Disney Institute, the art of Storytelling with Jay O’Callahan, the art of Video Editing, how to mobilize congregations and forming effective worship in San Francisco, and indigenous churches on the Amazon. Shown from left to right, back row, is Rob Lanford, United Methodist; Bob Winstead, United Methodist; Phil Schroeder, United Methodist. Standing on the front row, left to right, is Tom Elliott, United Methodist; Alice Rogers, United Methodist; Dave Benson, United Methodist; Amy Morgan, United Methodist; John Merk, United Methodist.

The Emmanuel Group

The Emmanuel Group closed out in 2009. Their Preaching and Worship experience encompassed study in Israel and Greece, where they were discovering fresh ways to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Shown from left to right, front row, is Pastor Brandon Watkins, Apostolic New Testament Church; Jim Stringfellow, United Methodist, Facilitator; Pastor Derrick Flanagan, Apostolic New Testament Church. Shown on the back row, left to right, is Bishop Sam Rice, Apostolic New Testament Church; Apostle Maurice Write, United Christian Church; Apostle Karokas Watkins, Apostolic New Testament Church; Pastor Kirk Arnold, Eternal Word Ministry; Pastor Thomas Davis, Apostolic New Testament Church; and Elder Pete Pierce, United Christian Church.

Decatur Bait and Tackle

The Decatur Bait and Tackle group completed their studies in 2009. Their Preaching and Worship study sought to cultivate leadership skills that would allow them to share Jesus in a way that invites diversity and builds communities of faith that represent God’s love in the world. Shown from left to right on the front row is Carol Cavin-Dillon, United Methodist; Byron Vance, United Methodist; Charlie Hayes, United Methodist, Facilitator; Emily Penfield, United Methodist; Eric Bagwell, United Methodist. Shown on the back row, left to right, is Diane Housler, United Methodist; Stephanie Arnold, United Methodist; Wade Griffith, United Methodist; Bryan Sisson, United Methodist.

All Saints Group

The All Saints Group closed out in 2008. The sought to discover and implement new resources and styles for preaching the Gospel story for leading worship that results in spiritual growth, both for themselves and their congregations. Shown left to right, Bob Alford, United Methodist, Facilitator; Vicki Cater, United Methodist; Margaret Scalise, Episcopal; Charles Durham, Presbyterian, PCUSA; Kenneth Fields, Episcopal; Sandra Felkins, United Methodist; Deborah Braden, Episcopal; Gregory Bently, Presbyterian, PCUSA. Kneeling is Scott Thayer, First Christian Church of Tuscaloosa.

Atlanta Plus

The Atlanta Plus group worked on ways to develop bridge building skills that enhance the preaching and worship leadership of the pastor and worship leaders. From left to right Walter Butler, Missionary Baptist; Marvin Morgan, Interdenominational Theological Center; Kathi Chavous, Missionary Baptist Church; Willie Boldern, Missionary Baptist Church; Georgianna Bolden, Missionary Baptist Church; Betty Jones, United Methodist; Paula Christian-Stallworth, The Potter’s House, Clinton Hubbard, Jr., United Methodist, Facilitator; Evaleen Litman Sargent, Baptist.

Round Table Group

The mission statement of the Round Table Group is: Our interfaith study group seeks to acquire more effective worship and preaching skills in order to help people in our diverse culture worship so that they may be transformed through a meaningful connection with the divine and be challenged by the demands of faith. From left to right on the back row is Rabbi Jeffrey Ballon, Reformed Jewish; Sherill Clontz, United Methodist; James Roberts, Presbyterian; Mitchell Williams, United Methodist, Facilitator. Front row, left to right is Robert B. Hurst, United Church of Christ; Robin Palmer, Presbyterian; David Freeman, Baptist; Alice Syltie, The Unitarian Universalist Church.

The Transformer Group

The Transformer Group’s goal was to pursue Excellence in preaching and leading worship by developing their skils for preaching, ministry and leading, furthering their personal spiritual formation and they aspire to more faithful worship. Shown left to right Brent McDougal, Cooperative Baptist; Melissa Saccucci, United Methodist; Michael Carver, United Methodist; Sara Cameron, United Methodist; Richard Patsios, United Methodist; Dorothy Scott, United Methodist, Facilitator; Howard Wayne Johnson, United Methodist; John E. Briscoe, Jr., United Methodist and not shown David W. Duncan, Full Gospel Churches International.

The NICE Group

The Nashville Institute for Clergy Excellence Group goal was to enhance their overall call to ministry by participating in a structured program of study with fellow clergy of various denominations looking particularly at preaching and models of ministry. Shown left to right, Michael O’Bannon, United Methodist; Ken Dunivant, United Methodist, Facilitator; Sandra Randleman, Presbyterian; Harriet Bryan-Harris, United Methodist; Richard K. Gross, Roman Catholic; Gene Manning, Episcopal; Judy D. Cummings, National Baptist; Carol Tate, Presbyterian; Victor Singletary, Baptist.

The Pensacola Group

The Pensacola Group sought the answer to the question, “How do we become authentic leaders of transformational worship experiences?” They considered the heart of worship — the pastor’s interior life and spiritual preparation for worship leadership; the context of worship and the fundamental elements of Worship. Shown from left to right is Carl Dickerson, United Methodist; Gorman Houston, United Methodist; Mack Strange, United Methodist; Ed Glaize, United Methodist; Bill Elwell, United Methodist; Henry Roberts, United Methodist; Michael Collins, Interdenominational; Michael Stewart, United Methodist, Facilitator and Tonya Elmore, not pictured.

The Macaroni Group

The Macaroni Group sought to develop a greater understanding of self, our world, our community of faith, and our solemn task of leading worship and preaching. Shown left to right is Bob Murray, United Methodist; Stella Moore, Presbyterian; Steve Reding, United Methodist; Bart Bowlin, United Methodist; Deborah Timmons-Toney, United Methodist; Kobee Fitzgerald, Missionary Baptist Church; Dale Cohen, United Methodist, Facilitator; Mike Butler, United Methodist; and Mark Pucket, United Methodist.

The Asbury Group

The Learning Goals of the Asbury Group were to grow in understanding of self, church, and community so that they could more effectively communicate the gospel through preaching and worship leadership. Pictured left to right is Keith Pugh, Southern Baptist; Roland Brown, Southern Baptist; Bo Lloyd, United Methodist; Paula Jones, United Methodist; Jeff Armbrester, United Methodist; Todd Henderson, United Methodist; Jonathan Todd, United Methodist; Mark Lacey, United Methodist, Facilitator.