Mission Update January 2023

Some key things on the horizon!  

1. We have our first Leadership Summit on February 11. The conversation will be lead by elder Jennifer Crow! She is amazing. Jennifer and Ben George helped design the conversations. Kudos to them:) The day is open to anyone who has a heart for God's mission in the world, and moving the church forward. Several people from outside our system will be there. To learn more or signup, visit: https://mvpresby.org/leadership-summit/ ; if you can not sign up on line, just send me an email.  

2. Terri Bate is our new Director of Mission Development, her job is to raise funds so that we can call, train, and send local mission partners (missionaries) to work with churches around eastern Ohio. The mission partners will help churches engage and love their communities and emphasize both physical and spiritual care.  To connect with Terri, save her contact information: https://linqapp.com/terri_bate   

3. We firmly believe that every church deserves 3 forms of leaders in this day: a) organizational leaders who can align the work of the church to the mission of God, b) pastoral leaders whose central focus is to equip others, and c) local mission leaders who help congregations love their local communities. One way we do this is through church partnerships. We have one partnership established and are excited that we have 2 others in progress. We are always looking for ways get these forms of leadership in every church, Presbyterian or not.  

4. If you are new to our podcasts, there are a few great podcasts to nourish you and get you up to speed. You can listen through a web browser, or app on your phone.   

The most recent is “Birthing Jesus,” in is a recap of a Christmas sermon I gave at Reedurban Presbyterian Church during Advent: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SV7lwJc577beJe8aj4UFo?si=jH_4Jn4_TTKY7hTSd9HFdA This message is gentle and encouraging while it calls the church to birth Jesus in the world;   

The second is called “Ministry Pipelines” with Pastor Mike Smith, and is focused on how to reach the masses, serve a subsets, and welcome as many as possible into a Christian community. https://anchor.fm/matt-skolnik/episodes/What-are-your-3-ministry-pipe-lines-e1qcijt/a-a8qoh88 

5. We have changed contact information in the past year, and we are trying to stay in touch better. To save Matt's contact information, follow the link below, and click “save contact,” then “download contact.” Terri's contact information works the same way.  https://linqapp.com/matthew_j_skolnik 

We want to do better at staying in church.  As elders, please sign up for our emails, so you can be up to speed on the exciting things that are going on around the presbytery. Currently, there is a sign up box at the top of our webpage https://mvpresby.org

6.  Finally, we are in a mode of equipping. We have a wonderful training that is designed to help individuals build skills and comfort with praying out loud with and for others. To learn more see: https://mvpresby.org/prayer-lab/ You are welcome to join one of the upcoming Prayer Labs, or work with Matt to schedule one in your area.   

Thanks for everything! Much love, Matt