Special Needs Leadership Conferences
LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center: July 10-13, 2009
Schedule | Faculty
LifeWay Glorieta Conference Center: July 20-24, 2009
Schedule | Faculty
Plug in to special needs ministry conferences and connect with leaders from all over the nation. Energize your ministry with fresh ideas and get practical help for your specific needs. Core tracks for children’s ministry leaders and older youth / adult ministry leaders focus on connecting with moms and dads, connecting with volunteers, connecting with learners, and connecting yourself to something beyond special needs ministry. Electives for veteran leaders challenge you to develop effective ministry teams. Plus, there's opportunity for hands-on teaching experience in our Special Needs VBS Camp for kids, teens, and adults who have special needs.
Saturday, July 11
8:30-9:00 a.m.
The Gathering
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Rhododendron 5-6
Connect to new and old friends who have a heart for special needs.
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Option A: Space Planning
Carlton McDaniel and Ellen Beene, leaders
Rhododendron 5-6
Help learners connect to an environment that feels comfortable, safe, and welcoming. Conferees will design a teaching room to be accommodating and inviting.
Option B: A Place Where Kids Come to Learn
Susan Foster, leader
Rhododendron 4
Design a reverse mainstreaming classroom where kids of all abilities can learn together. Leaders will learn how these basic principles connect with other ministry programs.
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Option A: Our Space
Carlton McDaniel and Ellen Beene, leaders
Rhododendron 5-6
Personalize your space so it feels like home. Discover ways that learners can actively participate with classroom space to make it their own.
Option B: Monitoring the Power Grid
Susan Foster, leader
Rhododendron 4
Coordinate the flow of children into and out of the classroom. Discover the best way to schedule both children and volunteers to make the most out of your classroom helpers.
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Option A: Recharge Volunteers to a Commission Level
Carlton McDaniel, leader
Rhododendron 5-6
Want more than just helpers? Learn how to help volunteer’s amp up their passion and connect with the Great Commandment.
Option B: Get the Most Bang out of Your Buck
Ellen Beene, leader
Rhododendron 4
Am I using all of the available resources in my Special Needs Ministry? Discover everything you get with LifeWay’s special needs resources.
Option C: Special Friends VBS
Jo Ann Banks, leader
Rhododendron 3
Gain experience working with children and adults who have special needs. Sign up in advance.
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Option A: No Rubber Gloves Needed
Susan Foster, leader
Rhododendron 4
Want to learn some fun and easy ways to add fun to your lessons? Learn how easy it is to use adaptive teaching techniques through hands-on practice.
Option B: Special Friends VBS
Jo Ann Banks, leader
Rhododendron 3
Gain experience working with children and adults who have special needs. Sign up in advance.
After Evening Worship / 8:00 p.m.
Fellowship
Location to be announced.
Sunday, July 12
8:30–9:15 a.m.
Option A: Power Up
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Rhododendron 5-6
Every teacher needs to recharge sometime! Leaders from both tracks will assemble together and experience the Sunday School class they miss by teaching.
Option B: Special Friends VBS
Jo Ann Banks, leader
Rhododendron 3
Gain experience working with children and adults who have special needs. Sign up in advance.
9:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Option A: From Member to Minister to Missionary
Carlton McDaniel and Ellen Beene, leaders
Rhododendron 5-6
Connect to adults in your community through Special Friends VBS. Move your ministry into the community by creating unique events that will draw adults with special needs.
Option B: From Member to Minister to Missionary — Kid Style
Susan Foster, leader
Rhododendron 4
Connect to kids in your community through Special Friends VBS. Move your ministry into the community by creating unique events that will draw kids with special needs.
Option C: Special Friends VBS
Jo Ann Banks, leader
Rhododendron 3
Gain experience working with children and adults who have special needs. Sign up in advance.
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Option A: Recharge Your Battery
Carlton McDaniel, leader
Rhododendron 5-6
When did you last participate in something outside of special needs ministry? Learn how and why connecting to other ministries within the church is important for your spiritual health.
Option B: Resource Forum
Ellen Beene, leader
Rhododendron 4
Resources are created to support your ministry efforts. Provide feedback and help us gauge how well LifeWay’s resources are working in your specific ministry situation.
Option C: Special Friends VBS
Jo Ann Banks, leader
Rhododendron 3
Gain experience working with children and adults who have special needs. Sign up in advance.
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Final Inspection
Carlton McDaniel, leader
Rhododendron 5-6
Wrap up, review, and tie up loose ends. All group projects will be due by the end of this session.
Monday, July 12
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Easy to Make, Easy to Find, Easy to Use
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Rhododendron 5-6
Whether homemade or store bought, economical teaching aids create a successful and fun learning environment.
9:45–10:45 a.m.
Gotta Love ’Em
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Rhododendron 5-6
Connect parents to something special. Learn ways churches can connect to parents through support groups and other specific activites.
Ridgecrest Special Needs Faculty
JoAnn Banks is leader of the special needs ministry at Woodland Hills Church in Asheville, NC
Ellen Beene is a Leadership and Adult Publishing editor at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, TN
Susan Foster is a writer for LifeWay's Special Buddies curriculum, a conference leader, and a member of Clearview Baptist Church in Franklin TN
Carlton McDaniel is special needs specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, TN
Tuesday, July 21
9:15-10:15 a.m.
The Gathering
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Patio 15
Connect to new and old friends who have a heart for special needs.
10:15-11:00 a.m.
Space Planning
Rosie Rodriguez, leader
Patio 15
Help learners connect to an environment that feels comfortable, safe, and welcoming. Conferees will design a teaching room to be accommodating and inviting.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Our Space
Rosie Rodriguez, leader
Patio 15
Personalize your space so it feels like home. Discover ways that learners can actively participate with classroom space to make it their own.
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Gotta Love ’Em
Rosie Rodriguez, leader
Patio 15
Connect parents to something special. Learn ways churches can connect to parents through support groups and other specific activites.
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Special Friends VBS
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Patio 16-19
Gain experience working with children and adults who have special needs.
Wednesday, July 22
9:15 – 10:45 a.m.
No Rubber Gloves Needed
Melanie Goldsmith, leader
Patio 15
Want to learn some fun and easy ways to add fun to your lessons? Learn how easy it is to use adaptive teaching techniques through hands-on practice.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Recharge Volunteers to a Commission Level
Rosie Rodriguez, leader
Patio 15
Want more than just helpers? Learn how to help volunteer’s amp up their passion and connect with the Great Commandment.
FREE AFTERNOON
Thursday, July 23
9:15 – 10:30 a.m.
From Member to Minister to Missionary
Becky Goldsmith, leader
Patio 15
Connect to adults in your community through Special Friends VBS. Move your ministry into the community by creating unique events that will draw adults with special needs.
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Recharge Your Battery
Rosie Rodriguez, leader
Patio 15
When did you last participate in something outside of special needs ministry? Learn how and why connecting to other ministries within the church is important for your spiritual health.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Power Up
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Patio 16-19
Every teacher needs to recharge sometime! Leaders from both tracks will assemble together and experience the Sunday School class they miss by teaching.
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Final Inspection
Rosie Rodriguez, leader
Patio 16-19
Wrap up, review, and tie up loose ends. All group projects will be due by the end of this session.
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Special Friends VBS
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Patio 16-19
Gain experience working with children and adults who have special needs.
Friday, July 24
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Easy to Make, Easy to Find, Easy to Use
Melanie Goldsmith, leaders
Patio 15
Whether homemade or store bought, economical teaching aids create a successful and fun learning environment.
9:45–10:45 a.m.
Get the Most Bang out of Your Buck
Special Needs Leadership Team, leaders
Patio 15
Am I using all of the available resources in my Special Needs Ministry? Discover everything you get with LifeWay’s special needs resources.
Glorieta Special Needs Faculty
Becky Goldsmith is director of special education ministry at Willow Hills Baptist Church in Prescott, AZ
Melanie Goldsmith is a certified special education / elementary eucation teacher and a children’s ministry leader and special education ministry volunteer at Willow Hills Baptist Church of Prescott, AZ
Rosie Rodriguez is special ministries director for Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX