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SEE Conference 2019

Singles Engaged and Empowered

November 1 & 2, 2019

Centre Street Church – Central Campus

Missed the Conference?

Vision

The SEE Conference 2019 brings together:

– Pastors & church leaders
– Single adults in the church
– Ministry leaders and advocates
– Anyone with a heart for inclusivity in the church

to SEE with fresh eyes a biblical vision for singleness that engages singles into community and empowers them for kingdom service. Join us as we equip singles, pastors and leaders with tools and resources for developing this vital sector of the next generation church. All are welcome!

Conference Videos

Friday Intro and Prayer

Intro Session 1

Discipleship Session 2

Theology Session 3

Community Session 4

Opportunities Session 5

Mission Session 6

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Barry Danylak

Barry currently serves as the community pastor for single adults at Centre Street Church in Calgary where he has developed a vision for integrating singles into missional community with an emphasis on disciple-making and empowered kingdom service.

Dr. Christopher Yuan

Dr. Christopher Yuan has taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for over ten years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. 

Lewie Clark

Lewie Clark is a disciple-maker. With pastoral experience in large churches, small churches, church planting, and even a stint in higher education, he has spent his life learning to love others well. Lewie’s heart is to see the next generation follow Jesus, and he is currently living and ministering in Chicago, IL. Interact with Lewie more at: iconministries.org

Lawrence Irwin

Lawrence Irwin has a B.Sc. degree, and became a Doctor of Chiropractic at age 25. At around the same time Jesus changed his life, and gave him a heart to share Jesus with others. Over the last 20 years he has been blessed to see people come to Christ from his family, friends, workplace, prisons, street ministry, and numerous different outreaches. 

Melanie Nelson

Melanie currently serves on Centre Street Church’s Board of Governors and Ministry Health Committee as well as Sr. Community Leader in Single Adult Ministries. She is an IT Professional and enjoys serving in the church using her leadership, team building and project management skills and is passionate about building community in the body of Christ. She is currently completing a Master’s degree in Christian ministry leadership at CSBS. 

Special Performance

Special spoken word performance by the 

Fire Exit Theatre’s Artistic Director, Val Lieske.

Val is the founder and Artistic Director of Fire Exit Theatre which is launching its 18th season in Calgary. She has a BA in Theatre & Speech from Trinity Guild (UK) and is a member of the Playwrights’ Guild of Canada. She, along with her colleague, Barrett Hileman, launched the first ever Theatre Program at Ambrose University which is now part of Ambrose Arts. Val worked for 15 years with Centre Street Church in Creative Arts and Communication. 

Breakout Speakers

Amy Beange

Amy Beange is a life-long Christian who has lived in Calgary for eight years. She is a speaker with Faith Beyond Belief, specializing in worldview issues and impact of religion on society, whose interest in apologetics was sparked through an online conversation with someone who had questions about the Bible. 

Andrew Fewell

Andrew Fewell joined the staff of the Gideon’s as the Regional Manager for AB, SK & North in 2018. Prior to that he worked for The City of Calgary.

Andrew met Jesus in 2007, but before he met Christ he had drug and alcohol addiction, and was in trouble with the law as well.

Brad Friesen

Brad and his wife, Krista, have two daughters and they attend Centre Street Church, where Dr. Friesen is the Pastor of Global Ministries, overseeing over 150 partners globally. From Saskatoon, SK., Brad and Krista moved to Calgary in 2000. A third generation pastor, Brad quickly found a pastoral position and completed his Masters of Divinity.

Elizabeth Loewen

Elizabeth is a founding leader in the Koinonia community and has served on the lead team for over 5 years. She is a teacher with a BA (Hons) and a Masters in Teaching. As a junior high teacher in an Indigenous community, she realizes the importance of belonging and having a supportive community. This is one of the main reasons she is so passionate about building community and relationships for Singles in Christian community.

Glen Sharegan

Glen has been involved in the early stages and leadership of 3 singles ministries in Ottawa and Calgary. He is a regular speaker at Centred Singles in Calgary as well as a strategic leader and small group facilitator. Glen has been a missionary to Hungary, served in relief and disaster responses in Haiti, Indonesia Samoa and Canada. 

Jutta Wittmeier

Jutta Wittmeier has served at the Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre in various capacities for well over twenty-five years. She began her involvement with the Centre as a volunteer, and is currently the Executive Director. 

Rev. Dr. Kevin Trick

Kevin Trick serves as the Community Pastor for Men at Centre Street Church. He previously worked for Promise Keepers Canada for ten years, and before that as an Associate Pastor of a Baptist Church in Winnipeg. Kevin also holds a Teaching Certification, a Journeyman qualification as a welder, and served with the Canadian Forces Reserves (as a paratrooper and Demolitions Instructor) for twelve years. 

Margaret Wright

Margaret is a long time member of St. James Anglican Church where she serves both on their worship team and Mission’s committee. She is a registered nurse working part-time at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and has her degree in nursing from the U. of Manitoba, with 35 years of working in her profession.  She has recently stepped down from both starting and leading a worship team for one of the Singles groups at Center St. Church.

 

Mia Kitteringham

Mia is a registered Counsellor through Canadian Professional Counselling Association (#3875) with a specialty in ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences). Her passion is to support, validate and enrich the lives of individuals affected by life’s traumatic experiences. She has extensive mentoring experience in working with families and vulnerable populations and creates weekly blogs for marginalized women. Check her out at Hope4theheart.net

Patricia Garner

Patricia currently serves at Centre Street Church as a Community Leader in the Single Adult Teleios Ministry and Children’s Ministry. She is a Program Coordinator and Facilitator and is pleased to serve the church using her experience in mentoring, conflict resolution, facilitation and leadership. 

Rosemary Flaaten

Rosemary Flaaten is a long time member at Centre Street Church and is involved in the areas of leadership development, global missions, teaching and preaching. Most recently she has helped CSC plan and manage the By Design series that delved into the topics of identity and sexuality. 

Shafer Parker

Shafer Parker – Faith Beyond Belief: Staff Apologist, Church Relations Shafer brings 39 years of pastoral experience to FBB, most recently finishing a 12-year stint as senior pastor of Hawkwood Baptist Church in Calgary. He has an M.Div. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently completing a D.Min. in Applied Theology with Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Verdeen Bueckert

Verdeen Bueckert leads quality improvement in Alberta’s health system. Her team’s work to improve seniors care is recognized nationally and internationally. Verdeen is a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Christian Leadership.

Schedule

Friday, November 1
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Registration and Coffee
6:30 - 7:00 PM
Welcome and Introduction
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Session #1: Radical Discipleship
Lewie Clark
8:00 - 8:15 PM
Break
8:15 - 8:30 PM
Worship Music
8:30 - 9:00 PM
Special Performance
Val Lieske
9:00 - 10:30 PM
Connection Time
Meet n' Greet
Games
Ice Cream
Saturday, November 2
8:00 - 8:45 AM
Coffee
8:45 - 9:00 AM
Welcome and Worship Music
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Session #2: Grounded Theology
Dr. Barry Danylak
10:00 - 10:30 AM
Stretch Break
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Session #3: Community at the Core
Melanie Nelson
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Session #4: Opportunities and Challenges
Dr. Christopher Yuan
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Lunch and Connecting
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Session #5: Emboldened Mission
Pastor Lawrence Irwin
2:30 - 2:45 PM
Break
2:45 - 3:30 PM
3:30 - 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 - 4:30 PM
Breakout Session #2

A. Strategies for Being a Single-Friendly Church
Dr. Barry N. Danylak

B. Friendship and Singleness
Lewie Clark

C. Sexual Discipleship
Dr. Kevin Trick

D. Roots to Branches
Jutta Wittmeier

E. The Improbable Romance of Jim and Elizabeth Elliot
Shafer Parker

F. Evangelism in Our Everyday Life
Andrew Fewell

G. Cast Your Net on the Other Side
Amy Beange

H. Conflict Resolution
Patricia Garner
4:30 PM
Cafe, Appleseed, Exhibits Open
6:30 PM
Invitation to Centre Street Church Saturday Service

Keynote Sessions

Grounded Theology: The Needed Paradigm Shift in How We See Singleness in the Church

Dr. Barry Danylak

In a culture where singles now outnumber marrieds, it is vital to ground our perspective of singleness and marriage in what Scripture really teaches. Following the storyline of Scripture, Dr. Barry Danylak provides a fresh biblical-theological foundation for the paradigm shift in how singleness is viewed within the new covenant and demonstrates how this shift is rooted in the redemptive work of Christ.

 

 

Radical Discipleship: Singles at the Centre of the Discipling Vision of the Church
Lewie Clark 

At the center of the expansion of the early church was a radical commitment to discipleship that empowered both marrieds and singles. Looking closely at the model of the early church, disciple-maker Lewie Clark takes us on a journey in examining some of their methods of discipleship and how singles can play a vital role in disciple-making as leaders on the forefront of kingdom expansion.

 

 

Community at the Core: Keys to Integrating Singles into the Life of the Church

Melanie Nelson

Though the church was designed by God to be in inclusive spiritual family, singles are underrepresented in all dimensions of church life. What are the pros and cons of a dedicated Singles’ ministry? Singles ministry leader, Melanie Nelson, explores community in the early church as a foundation for developing practical approaches for effectively integrating singles into the community life of churches of all sizes.

Opportunities and Challenges: Strategies for Engaging Our LGBTQ Friends and Neighbours

Dr. Christopher Yuan

Sexual identity is one of the most relevant topics of our day and most Christians know someone who is gay. How can Christians better engage with our loved ones and friends in the LGBTQ community? Without any compromise of truth or grace, Dr. Christopher Yuan combines his life experiences and his theological training in biblical languages to bring a fresh and unique perspective on this important topic.

 

 

Emboldened Mission: Singles Poised for Service to the Kingdom

Pastor Lawrence Irwin

In the context of Jesus’ great commission to the church and the model of the early Christian expansion, singles are uniquely positioned for radical kingdom service. Pastor Lawrence Irwin explores how singles are strategically poised to be leaders in the evangelistic mission of the kingdom of God with personal examples of how to motivate and empower young adults for radical kingdom service.

Breakout Sessions

Select from a total of 16 informative breakout sessions, based on the conference theme of Singles Engaged and Empowered!Sessions will cover a wide range of relevant topics and will be delivered by professors, pastors, ministry leaders, community leaders and professionals.

Breakout Session # 1

A. Engaging Our LGBTQ+ Friends and Neighbours: Questions and Responses

Dr. Christopher Yuan

This session will follow on Dr Yuan’s keynote session on how Christians can better engage with their friends and loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community. This session, moderated by Dr. Barry Danylak, will provide opportunity to address the practical challenges that arise when balancing truth and love, as we engage and invite LGBTQ persons into Christian community. There will be opportunity to take questions from the floor.


B. Single – A plot point in the story you are telling with your life

Val Lieske

How to live life intentionally using all the elements of story – character, adventure, conflict, risk. Everything you need to tell a good story are exactly the things you need to live a good life.


C. Designed for Mission

Dr. Brad Friesen

God has created you in His image, but you are unique compared to others. Too often this is why we feel like we don’t fit. We assume God’s mission only takes an availability from us. But He wants to use us the way He made us. He doesn’t ask us to live outside of the design He created us with. In fact, His design reveals His will for our lives. Designed for Mission will look at how God has created you in His image with unique details that are all you. We will look at what our identity in Christ means in practical terms.


D. Unleashing your Leadership Potential in Building Community

Melanie Nelson and Elizabeth Loewen

All of us have spiritual gifts. Learn how to recognize and unleash your potential for God’s kingdom. Join Elizabeth and Melanie as we explore innovative and creative ways to use your inspired gifts and leadership skills to engage singles (and others!) in community and the broader body of Christ.


E. Sexuality and the Single Christian: Are Our Only Options “Don’t !” or “Go For It!”?

Rosemary Flaaten

All humans are created with a need for love and intimacy. Additionally, God designed men and women to have sexual desires. Culture blasts the message that sexual fulfillment is paramount and necessary to thrive. This poses a challenge for single Christians who desire live by the traditional biblical sexual ethic. How do we live with a pure heart while also finding appropriate ways to meet our needs and desires? What hope does Scripture provide? With sensitivity and candor, Rosemary will speak to these real struggles around sexuality, and will offer biblical-based, practical ways to live a life that is rich with intimacy and relationships in ways that doesn’t squelch desires but rather their fulfillment is found in Christ.


F. How to Avoid an Ordinary Life

Verdeen Bueckert

Jesus promised some audacious things. He says that anyone who believes in him will do the same works he has done, and even greater works. He says that you can ask for anything in his name and he will do it. There’s just one condition. Discipleship, leadership, community and mission depend upon it. And yet this condition is frequently missed and misunderstood. It’s not complicated, but it is difficult. Your mission is found in the Coles Notes version of the Sermon on the Mount. Practice these 23 verses, and embark on your extraordinary life!


G. Finding Resilience, Balance and Meaning When There Is Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

Margaret Wright and Mia Kitteringham

Stress can affect all of us at work and in ministry. We will be addressing traumatic stress and resilience in these areas. We will be covering:
-the importance of soul care and how to care well for those in our communities who have experienced trauma.
-how to tell the differences between helpful stress and traumatic stress.
-how to build resilience to face your own workplace/ministry stress.
-how to build the resilience of others.


H. Avoiding the Gossip Train Wreck

Glen Sharegan

All of us have seen the impact of gossip within community and wanted to do something. This session will offer a practical discussion of how to react when you are the victim of gossip and how to prevent gossip from starting and spreading. Participants will leave with a pocket guide with tips on how to handle gossip.

Breakout Session # 2

A. Strategies for Being a Single-Friendly Church: How to be  a church that attract, integrate and empower singles

Dr. Barry N. Danylak, PhD

Singles remain underrepresented in every area of church life. This session offers a pastor’s perspective on some lessons learned in how to draw singles into the local church community and integrate them into every aspect of church life. Whether your church is large or small, we will address a variety of ways and approaches to engaging singles into community, effectively discipling them, and releasing them for service and leadership in the church.


B. Friendship and Singleness

Lewie Clark

As the kingdom of God expanded we see how ministry flowed out of the friendships between singles such as Barnabas, Paul, Titus, Timothy, and Luke. In this breakout session we will look at: the factors in North American culture that inhibit singles in developing friendships; how friendship comes from the essence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how they relate to one another and mankind; the misconceptions about friendship within the church; and practical steps a single can take to build friendships.


C. Sexual Discipleship: Living Out God’s Design, God’s Way, in God’s Power Modeling and Teaching a Lifestyle of God’s Truth as it relates to our Sexuality

Dr. Kevin Trick

It’s not enough to know what we, as Christ-followers, are to think; we must be trained in how to think and how to follow Christ obediently in our real-life decisions and the struggles we face. We may know that God wants us to save ourselves sexually until marriage, but we must understand why purity matters, what to do if we’ve made mistakes, and how God enables us to live a life that honors Him. We must learn how to apply the broader message of the gospel (Jesus’ love and redemption, the power of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling) to our lives in all circumstances.


D. Roots to Branches: Thriving through Challenging Circumstances

Jutta Wittmeier

We all start with hopes, plans and dreams for a wonderful future. Many of us, however, find ourselves on a path we didn’t anticipate. Sometimes we are there because of unanticipated results of our own choices, but often we are there because of the choices of others; choices over which we have no control. In this workshop we will explore how the unexpected losses in life can be the opportunity for growth.


E. The Improbable Romance of Jim and Elizabeth Elliot: What Happens When a Dedicated Celibate Meets the Woman of His Dreams

Shafer Parker

Jim Elliot was committed to living the single life in service to the Lord. Then he met Elizabeth, the first woman whose single-minded determination serve God equalled, or perhaps exceeded, his. Their diaries and letters form the basis for a deep examination of how serious-minded single Christians balance priorities under the Lordship of Christ.


F. Evangelism in Our Everyday Life

Andrew Fewell

As our time is limited, we need to make the most of every opportunity to point people towards Jesus. No matter what stage of life you’re in, God provides opportunities and wants to use you! Come join the fun and be engaged in this interactive workshop as we look at different tools on how to share your faith.


G. Cast Your Net on the Other Side: Improving Your Odds at Finding Love

Amy Beange

So often, Christian women think that God will simply drop the man of their dreams into their lap “when the time is right”. But what if God wants to partner with you in your love life rather than doing it for you? Remember the saying, “God can’t steer a parked car”? Let’s explore some of the ways that we accidentally sabotage ourselves and what simple things we can do to improve our odds in our quest for love.


H. Conflict Resolution

Patricia Garner

In this session we will identify your current, and most preferred conflict management style (both strengths and weaknesses). Participants will gain some self-awareness of “the think-feel-do cycle” and we will on touch on strategies to handle emotions in self and others.

Worship

Rick Lett

Rick is originally from Saskatchewan and studied music at the University of Saskatchewan, the Banff Centre, and various workshops around North America. He has spent most of his adult life teaching band and instrumental music, from elementary to university levels. He has played for symphonies in Canada and overseas, numerous jazz projects and festivals, and recorded for Canada Council projects and classical CBC national radio broadcasts. His chief joy is found in worshipping our Lord; all else pales in comparison. He has been blessed to be a part of the worship experience at Centered Singles and has a passion for sharing that joy with others.

Milton Kim

A bassist, guitar teacher, and a worship leader, Milton has been involved in worship & worship education for nearly three decades.  Milton has taught guitar & bass, modern band concepts, jazz theory, as well as worship for churches & colleges in Southern Alberta.  Milton currently plays professionally, owns a music studio, teaches privately, builds worship teams for churches & events, and is a band leader for several bands.  Milton is the musical director for the worship teams for the SEE conference. 

Milton is an avid outdoors lover, volunteer with youth outdoor groups, is a paddling instructor, a back country camper and he loves board sports.  His love of God, music and people have led to a lifetime of involvement with worship teams, worship education, camps and roles as a worship pastor.

Centred Singles Worship

The heart is at the centre of Centred Singles worship at Centre Street Church. Our goal is to lift up God, and ascribe glory and beauty and honour to Him. We strive to encourage those who are on the platform to be in the Word, and to live in a spirit of worship, submission, and praise throughout the week. We have an attitude of joining together with those in the room in humble adoration rather than leading or performing music. We wish to join together as one unified voice, seeking to meld the truth contained in biblical lyrics with the passion of music.

Register

Conference Ticket Prices

Single Advance Ticket Early Bird (purchase by October 23) – $69.00

Single Advance Ticket Regular Price – $89.00

Single Ticket at Door – $109.00

Saturday lunch option – $12.50 (choice of sandwich or salad)

Get the most for your money and purchase your ticket by October 23, 2019 and pay only $69! After October 23 the price goes up to $89 online and then $109 at the door on November 1 & 2.

 

Event has ended. Registrations are closed.

Lodging

If you are travelling to Calgary for SEE Conference 2019 and need a place to stay, please email centredsingles@cschurch.ca and we will provide you with a list of hotel options. 

 

FAQ

Thank you for your generosity! Please email centredsingles@cschurch.ca and we will be in touch with more information.

No, it is general or rush seating.

Both electronic and paper copy tickets will be accepted.

Tickets are non-refundable but can be passed on. If you have an exceptional circumstance, please contact centredsingles@cschurch.ca to request a refund.

Yes, but please email centredsingles@cschurch.ca to report the change and correct the contact information.

Thank you for your interest in sponsoring! Please email centredsingles@cschurch.ca and we will contact you with more information about sponsor opportunities.

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