November 15, 2011

Voices of Transformation and Renewal

I am attending the Transformation and Renewal Conference at Kanuga Conference Centers in North Carolina. Co-sponsored by the Office of Black Ministries, the Union of Black Episcopalians, and Kanuga Conference Centers, this year's gathering focuses on increased innovation and vitality in black churches in the Episcopal Church. The plenary speaker, the Rev. Junius B. Dotson, Senior Pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist in Wichita, KS, was inspiring. 

Yesterday, I managed to sit down with five leaders at this conference and do brief interviews about their own leadership practices, what they hope to gain from this conference, and the challenges they are facing in their ministries. In regard how I did this, I took this series of clips using my iPhone, uploaded the clips to YouTube, and then edited it last night using YouTube's free video editor. As you will see, it's far from perfect, but using these tools is an easy and timely way of capturing the voices of those attending a gathering. (I'll be sending this link to the conference organizers today.) 

Finally, a word about the fourth interview, that of the Rev. Marcia Beam. Unfortunately the sound quality isn't great, but the story of her congregation and the leadership practice she shares merits close listening. Today, I hope to get more interviews from lay and vestry leaders.