Plus Program Testimonials

On April 17^th, students in the Plus Program will once again gather in Wieboldt Hall, on the downtown campus of Kellogg School of Management.  The two-day session will be filled with seminars, discussions, and hands on problem solving.  Here is what some students are saying about their experience in the Plus Program.

“The Plus Program has enabled me to think critically and strategically about my full time ministry as a Deacon. I have enjoyed learning from the Kellogg faculty and guest lecturers as well as the conversations that we have as a cohort.” 

Lucas Pepper

Minister of Adult and Youth Formation

Kingswood UMC

Buffalo Grove, IL

“The Plus program offers an opportunity to network and to fellowship with other ministers from around the country and the globe.  The conversations held at the two-day events influenced my concepts for ministry directly in this way.”

Steven Trefz

Current D.Min. student at Garrett-Evangelical

Brandon, SD

“The Plus program has helped me see beyond my immediate circumstances that there are better ways of doing things rather than the prescribed method.  It has also helped me make connections in ministry. This is exactly what I needed.”

Rev. Wiley Gladney

Pastor of Discipleship

UMC of Whitefish Bay

Whitefish Bay, WI

“I am able to take the lessons learned though the Plus Program and apply them directly into the practice of ministry.  I have learned new ways of leading staff and have gained an understanding of how to budget for outreach ministries and strategies to keep the ministry going strong for the years to come.  It has been refreshing to get a business education to compliment the M.Div. I earned from Garrett-Evangelical.”

Rev. Wes Dorr

Minister of Education and Outreach

United Church of Rogers Park

Chicago, IL

“I enrolled in the program to further develop my leadership skills.  Now that I am in my first appointment, I can see my own strengths and weaknesses as a church leader.  This program has allowed me to continue learning with a community of my peers.”

Nancy Lynn

Pastor of First UMC of Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

“In the Plus Program, we’ve heard from professors who have been successful in their ministry, business, and daily life.  The quality of teachers is outstanding, it is a great thing for us to learn from them.”

Bishop Zothan Mawia

Bishop of Myanmar (Burma)

The Plus Program uses an Executive Education format developed by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in collaboration with the Center for Non-Profit Management at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Fall cohorts are forming now, to learn more go to www.transformativeleaders.org.

Time to Daydream?

Shane Nichols, Manager of
Communications & Events

When I was asked to participate in the Plus Program at Garrett-Evangelical, I agreed with some hesitation. As the Manager of Communications and Events at Garrett-Evangelical, I recognized that the opportunity to participate in this one-of-a-kind program could uniquely position me to tell others about Garrett-Evangelical’s newest program. I also recognized the tremendous value of learning from the faculty at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Garrett-Evangelical’s partner in the Plus program. Like so many of us, I live in that tension between the demands of work and my family, so I weighed my decision carefully.

With daycare arrangements in place for my children, I made my way to Kellogg’s Center for Nonprofit Management facility located just off of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Within minutes of the first session, Dr. Mark Fowler, Associate Professor of Church Leadership at Garrett-Evangelical, spoke of the importance of balance in effective leadership and precisely named that tension which had given me pause. “With 168 hours in a week how do you allocate your time? What does this allocation of time say about you and your priorities?” he asked rhetorically. My favorite question was, “Do you allow yourself time to daydream?” In the midst of juggling deadlines, meetings, soccer practice, dinner, and homework, am I suppose to daydream?

In his afternoon session, Harry Kraemer, Clinical Professor of Management and Strategy at Kellogg School of Management, continued exploring this theme. Kraemer is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter International Inc., a $9 billion global healthcare company. He became Baxter's chief executive officer in January of 1999 and assumed the additional responsibility of serving as Baxter's Chairman of the Board of Directors one year later. During Kraemer’s session, “Leading Today,” I took several pages of notes, but one insight in particular stood out to me. Despite being responsible for a $9 billion global company, he made teaching weekly Sunday School classes a priority. Sometimes he worked more from a plane than from his office, and yet he made it a point to regularly teach on Sunday, suggesting that such commitments made him a better leader on Monday. Go figure!

I still struggle to find balance. I think it is a process for most of us. The difference now is that I once thought giving 100% to work during the day and 100% to my family during the evening would only shortchange me. I never stopped to think about the direct or indirect consequences on coworkers and loved ones when I am out of balance. Effective leaders seek balance. Effective leaders take time for self-reflection.

Having completed only one-half of the Plus Program, I already see that the insights I have gained far outweigh the sacrifices. If you are looking for away to take your own ministry leadership skills to the next level, then I encourage you to seriously consider this program. Our churches and communities need effective leaders now more then ever. Don’t wait. Start leading today!

To learn more about the Plus Program,go to www.transformativeleaders.org/PlusProgram.

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Shane Nichols - Husband; Dad of Three; Manager of Communications & Events; Plus Program Student; and prefers his coffee with hazelnut creamer. You'll often find him on Twitter - @shane0206.

Annual Fund Matching Challenge

The Garrett-Evangelical community is grateful and encouraged by the hundreds of “unrestricted” gifts we have received for the annual fund since July 1, 2011.  As of December 31, 2012 we counted 860 alum participants.  With an alumni/ae family of over 4,000 we are confident that participation will continue to grow in the second half of our fundraising year.  Our goals before June 30 are to raise participation and dollars for the annual fund.  The annual fund provides money to be used where it is needed most – offering financial assistance to students. We want all students to finish what they start at Garrett-Evangelical, not to leave because of financial uncertainty.  The January issue of AWARE profiles six students.  Each gift we process will impact one of them as well as all who live and work in the Garrett-Evangelical community.

Jerre and Mary Joy Stead recently announced they are making a $400,000 challenge gift to this year’s Annual Fund.  They have agreed to match dollar for dollar any gift made to the unrestricted Annual Fund between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2012.  This means that a first time gift of $100 can become $200 or, your $150 increase over last year’s gift can become $300!  Gifts are accepted online at www.garrett.edu by telephone at 847.866.3988 (Kay Burlingham) or to the development office, Garrett-Evangelical, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201 through June 30, 2012.