Small and Mighty Presentations
Updated: 4 days ago
Next Small and Mighty Zoom Gathering
October 6
7:00 – 8:00 pm ET / 6:00 – 7:00 pm CT
Topic: Does Your Church Still Have a Future? Eight Questions Your Church Must Answer Before Seeking Renewal
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Danny Murphy, General Presbyter, Trinity Presbytery (South Carolina)
Zoom Recordings & Resources Shared at
Past Small and Mighty Gatherings
September 1st
Topic: Small Church Seedling Network
Facilitators: Billie Sutter, Certified Christian Educator, Synod Commissioner, Cultivate Committee Member, and Member of Cherokee Presbytery (Georgia) -and- Rev. Caroline Dennis, ASC President and Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Greenwood, SC)
Summary: The Board of the Association of Smaller Congregations (ASC) which has enjoyed a 38-year history of connecting, equipping and encouraging smaller membership churches in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida has decided to dissolve ASC and seek reformation as a Seedling Network of the Synod of the South Atlantic. Participants were invited to a generative discussion around the formation of this Seedling Network and able to ask questions about this new thing God is doing to connect, equip, and encourage our smaller congregations.
Zoom recording: Gathering #12: Small Church Seedling Network
August 4th
Topic: Building a Digital Bridge
Facilitators: Rev. Cassie Waits, Associate Pastor for Discipleship -and- Rev. Joe Evans, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church (Marietta, GA)
Summary: One in four Americans regularly participates in online worship, but how do churches shepherd these digital disciples? How are they cared for? How is their faith nurtured? Participants in this workshop learned how cultivate disciples in this digital age. They received practical guidance on how your church can bridge the gap between in-person and online from two leaders who have done this well at First Presbyterian Church (Marietta, GA).
Zoom recording: Gathering #11: Building a Digital Bridge
April 7th
Topic: Round Table Discussion
Facilitator: Rev. Caroline Dennis, ASC President and Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Greenwood, SC)
Summary: Participants were invited to share things that were going well in their congregations and challenges in the hopes of learning from one another and encouraging one another. Discussion closed with participants sharing their hopes for the future of Small and Mighty Zoom Gathering Presentations.
Zoom recording: Gathering #10: Round Table Discussion
March 3
Topic: Making the Most of Polity in Small Churches
Facilitator: Rev. Andy James, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
Summary: Sometimes it can feel like Presbyterian polity must be stretched and squeezed to make things fit for small churches, but small churches are also used to stretching resources to make the most of the gifts we have and figuring out how things designed for a different space can work. Join us for a conversation about ways that small churches (and the presbyteries that love them!) can use Presbyterian polity to support and extend the ministry and mission of our smaller congregations.
Zoom recording: Gathering #9: Making the Most of Polity in Small Churches
January 6 and February 3
Topic: A Quick Introduction to Systems Thinking – Part I & Part II
Facilitator: Rev. Scott Crane, a retired pastor after 30+ years of ministry in small churches and current stated supply pastor for Willington Presbyterian Church (McCormick, SC) and Calhoun Falls Presbyterian Church (Calhoun Falls, SC) on alternate Sundays
Summary: Systems thinking is a framework that is based on the belief that the component parts of a system can best be understood in the context of relationships with each other and with other systems rather than in isolation. The only way to fully understand why a problem or element occurs and persists is to understand the part in relation to the whole. (from Wikipedia)
Zoom recording: Gathering #7: A Quick Introduction to Systems Thinking – Part I
Zoom recording: Gathering #8: A Quick Introduction to Systems Thinking - Part II
November 7
Topic: Tips & Tricks of Conflict Resolution
Facilitator: Britanny DiGiammarino, Christian Educator and Small Church Coordinator forFlint River Presbytery
Summary: Conflict is inevitable in every congregation—but it doesn’thave to be destructive. In this session, we’ll explore practical tools for navigating disagreement with grace, understanding, and confidence. Drawing on resources from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, participants will learn simple, effective strategies for resolving tension, fostering healthy communication, and strengthening community relationships.
Zoom recording: Gathering #6: Tips & Tricks of Conflict Resolution
October 7
Topic: Whole Person Leadership: Taking Faithful Steps Toward Leading Well
Facilitator: Alicia Demartra-Pressley, Associate for Missional Equipping, Interim Unified Agency, PCUSA
Summary: What does it mean to be well? Together we will explore what it means to be a whole person, leaning into well-being in life and leadership. Using the Wheel of Life as a guide, we will reflect on the different areas that shape our wholeness—naming challenges, engaging spiritual practices, and drawing on the resources that sustain us.
Alicia offers her contact information and these links as well.
Zoom recording: Gathering #5: Whole Person Leadership
September 9
Topic: Pick a Peck of Partnerships
Facilitator: Rev. Caroline Dennis, ASC President and Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Greenwood, SC)
Summary: Never were we meant to go alone! These days smaller membership congregations are finding new life in mutually beneficial partnerships. Sometimes this means that the church is partnering with a non-profit. Sometimes this means a small church is partnering with another small church. Sometimes this means a larger church is partnering with smaller churches. Hear examples about several mutually beneficial partnerships and pointers for finding, cultivating, and sustaining partnerships that recognize and build upon God’s kingdom in our midst.
Zoom recording: Gathering #4: Pick a Peck of Partnerships
August 5
Topic: Cultivating Emotionally Healthy Leaders
Presenter: Rev. Joy Fisher, Congregational Consultant with the Greater Atlanta Presbytery
Summary: Parking lot meetings, breaches of confidentiality, that one elder who always "goes off" at every meeting. We know that church is made up of sinners. But also, the Holy Spirit promises we can get better! How do we love people where they are and also create expectations of growing into spiritual maturity?
Zoom recording: Gathering #3: Cultivating Emotionally Healthy Leaders
July 1
Topic: Christian Nurture Resources for All Ages
Presenter: Britanny DiGiammarino, Christian Educator and Small Church Coordinator for Flint River Presbytery.
Summary: Brittany offered a summary of resources for blended classes, intergenerational groups, and young adults. Participants shared resources that were working well in their own contexts. Brittany shared a resource list.
June 6
Topic: ACS Introduction and Connection
Presenter: Rev. Caroline Dennis, ASC President and Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Greenwood, SC)
Summary: Introductions to ASC, its mission, and board members. Initial conversation with 38 small church leaders who gathered to share good news of small and mighty things God is doing in and through their congregations. Conversation shifted to participants current greatest needs which will be used to identify the topics of future monthly conversations.
Zoom recording: Gathering #1: ACS Introduction and Connection
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