Leader – Renato Matos & Alexandra Columbo
This webinar will explore important legal provisions to consider when negotiating Lease Agreements and Use and Occupancy Agreements. Special attention will be given to understanding potential tax consequences when churches share their space with third parties.
Alexandra Columbo practices in the area of Real Estate, Corporate and Commercial Transactions, and Religious and Charitable Organizations. Alexandra represents religious and not-for-profit clients in various types of real estate transactions including sales and acquisitions of properties, long-term leases and other types of use agreements. Alexandra regularly advises religious corporations and not-for-profit corporations on navigating the statutory approval process for the sale and other disposition of real property assets, including the submission of applications to the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Supreme Court of the State of New York, pursuant to Not-For-Profit Corporation Law Sections 510, 511 and 511-a, and Religious Corporations Law Sections 12 and 18.
Renato Matos is the Managing Partner of the firm. Since joining the firm in 2009, Renato has primarily focused on the Real Estate and Religious and Charitable Organizations areas of our practice. Renato routinely represents religious and not-for-profit corporations on complex real estate transactions including purchases and sales, long-term ground leases, air rights transfers, joint ventures and affordable housing development projects. Renato earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Hofstra University School of Law. In 2015, Renato was selected by the New York Law Journal as a Rising Star—one of 50 lawyers under the age of 40 who have established a record of accomplishments and demonstrated that they are top contributors to the practice of law and their communities. Renato is active in the community and regularly donates his time and expertise to numerous charitable organizations. He is president of the board of directors for the Council of Church Advisors.

Leaders – Joy Skjegstad & Heidi Unruh 

This session is the fourth in a series of four PRC webinars. Each webinar covers a different pathway for doing justice:One approach to seeking justice in your local community is to collaborate on creating something new. Joy and Heidi share how churches can work with others in the community to launch innovative approaches to tough issues. Examples of what this might look like include starting a new program, developing a diverse coalition, connecting with artists and entrepreneurs, or building a network of mutual care. Even small movements toward justice can lead to other changes. We describe three vital steps toward innovation: discovering untapped resources and ideas; building effective partnerships; and discerning a clear focus for what you want to accomplish together.

Webinars in the Doing Justice Series (click the links to register for each one so you don’t miss out!):

Doing Justice: Options for Congregations When Getting Political Isn’t an Option
Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Doing Justice: Involve More People as Agents of Change
Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Doing Justice: Influence Decision-Makers
Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Doing Justice: Innovate Solutions Through Partnerships
Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Joy Skjegstad is a national speaker, author and consultant with over 35 years of experience starting and growing nonprofits and church-based community ministry programs, including serving as Executive Director of the Park Avenue Foundation at Park Avenue United Methodist Church, and as President of the Sanctuary Community Development Corporation. She has extensive experience working with United Methodist churches and African American-led congregations and nonprofits. She founded the Institute for Ministry Leaders at the University of St. Thomas, and has held a variety of other leadership positions with nonprofit groups. She is the author of four books: Real Connections; 7Creative Models for Community Ministry; Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church; and Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry.

Heidi Unruh is a writer, trainer and coach supporting God’s people in their calling to love their neighbors. A Palmer Seminary alumna, Heidi develops practical resources for effective, asset-based ministry. In addition to working with churches, her collaborations have included World Vision, Christians for Social Action (formerly ESA), the Center for Congregations, and various Christian colleges and seminaries. She brings special expertise in faith-and-work initiatives, coalition building, and trauma-informed ministry with vulnerable families and youth. She lives in Hutchinson, KS. Books coauthored by Heidi include: Churches That Make a Difference; Real Connections; Hope for Children in Poverty; Saving Souls, Serving Society; Salt & Light Guidebook; and Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work

Leader – Mark Elsdon 

The closure and repurposing of 100,000 church properties this decade presents both a crisis and an opportunity. What happens next is up to us. Churches often wonder how to better serve their neighbors and use buildings and land that is empty much of the week. Drawing upon stories from around the country and insights from his two books, Rev. Mark Elsdon, will help expand our imagination for what is possible using church buildings, land, and investment assets for housing and social enterprise projects that transform neighborhoods. 

Rev. Mark Elsdon lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as a serial social entrepreneur, strategic executive, and author. He is a national thought leader and speaker on subjects of faith-based impact investing, social enterprise, and property development. Mark is the author of We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry. and editor of the book, Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition. Mark holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley; Princeton Theological Seminary; and the University of Wisconsin School of Business. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA and serves as co-founder of RootedGood and principal at Threshold Sacred Development. Mark lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his family.

Leader – Patti Berner

This annual training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson at EPC (Elmhurst Presbyterian Church) in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Leader – Cesie Scheuermann 

Ideas on how to put a program together and get something started. More to come. 

Cesie Delve Schuermann –  As a consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing, Cesie has helped raise more than three million dollars for numerous non-profit organizations. For more than 20 years, she’s been working with churches and non-profits to increase and celebrate generosity.  She is a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship and her Inspiring Generosity blog helps clergy and lay people learn about fundraising and overcome their fear of asking for money, and she loves thanking donors 

Leader – Jeff Rabe 

Designed to help adults better understand the rapidly evolving spectrum of GENDER, this workshop uses the UCC-commissioned Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Curriculum for Adults, as well as interviews with members of the Trans community, to explore biological sex, orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and pronouns. The program explains terms such as cis / trans / non-binary; and introduces participants to the history of the fluidity of sexuality. 

Jeff Rabe, Director of Christian Education at First Congregational UCC in Madison, WI, shares his 30+ years of Children & Youth Ministry in small town/rural and large city churches, along with two decades as an OWL Facilitator, to lead a workshop focused on a topic laying heavily on many hearts today.    

Leader – Jim Ozier
Most pastors agree that their church’s culture is the key to being a vibrant, healthy congregation! It is the key to building a dynamic staff and to making a difference in your congregation and community. It is the environment that allows guests to connect with your church. A compelling culture enables a church to go beyond spinning its wheels and to become clear in its identity, purpose and mission. Yet, many pastors don’t even know where to begin to assess their church’s culture, or how to change the culture in productive ways. Are you looking for ways to connect with new people, grow and make an impact? You will learn how in this webinar. And good news… The audible version of “Church Culture: How to Assess it, Shift it, and Shape it” is available now!
Jim Ozier is a church coach, consultant, author of three books and workshop presenter who has trained more than 20,000 pastors and church leaders in the areas of church culture, accelerating growth, and Passing the Baton of leadership.  He has keynoted numerous major church conferences and spoken at many of the largest churches in the country.
Jim is the founder and CEO of “Church Difference Makers” which He retired from the United Methodist Church after 51 years of active service.  Leading up to retirement he served as the Director of New Church Development and was on the Appointive Cabinet of the North Texas Conference for eight years.  Prior to that appointment he was senior pastor of Trietsch Memorial UMC in Flower Mound, a 4000 member church that birthed three successful new congregations.
Jim is well known for his fast-paced, interactive, engaging workshops in which he shares practical tools that can be utilized in any congregation to train and inspire churches to accelerate their ministry’s impact and to see real results.
In addition to his current book, “Church Culture: How to Assess it, Shift it & Shape it”, … He is also co-author of “Clip In Risking Hospitality in Your Church,” and, “The Changeover Zone: Successful Pastoral Transitions, all published by Abingdon Press.  His work has appeared in numerous religious publications. 

Leader – Karl Vaters
We have an unhealthy relationship with bigness in the church. Especially in the American church. And it’s killing us. The rate of church closures, departing members, and pastoral burnout is growing exponentially. And our relentless chase for bigger! faster! is hurting, not helping.
Bigness is not about size, it’s a dangerous mindset that both big and small churches struggle with. In this session, based on his book, De-sizing the Church, Karl Vaters will talk about how we became so obsessed with bigness in the church, why it’s dangerous, and what we can do to change course.
Karl Vaters produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com. His heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church – something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. He also believes that big and small churches can and should work together more often – to the benefit and blessing of everyone.
Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry. Episodes feature in-depth interviews about the topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context.
Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. He and his wife, Shelley have three children and two grandkids. 

Faith leaders and faith communities face a series of complex and interrelated challenges that require nimbleness and creativity: polarization, loneliness, mental health, burnout, and shifting economic structures. If left unattended, these and other challenges can isolate faith leaders and faith communities instead of creating space for collaboration and community. In this webinar, Dr. Dustin D. Benac will introduce a field-tested model to build collaborative teams that allow faith leaders to serve and equip their communities during times of transition, change, and uncertainty. As the author of Adaptive Church: Collaboration and Community in Changing World, the co-editor of Pathways to Belonging, and the Director of the Program for the Future Church, Benac’s work combines empirical research with a theological vision for leadership, community, and the future of faith. 

Dustin D. Benac (ThD Duke University) is a professor, educator, and organizational strategist. He teaches at Baylor University as a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director and Co-founder of the Program for the Future Church. As a speaker and advisor to faith leaders, congregations, and organizations, he guides individuals and communities that are navigating uncertainty and change. His books include Adaptive Church: Collaboration and Community in a Changing World, Pathways to Belonging, and Crisis and Care: Meditations on Faith and Philanthropy. You can find him across social networks @dustindbenac. 

Join Rev. Amy Johnson, UCC Minister for Sexuality Education & Justice and Dr. Melanie Davis, UUA Our Whole Lives Program Manager, for an engaging webinar about Our Whole Lives sexuality education in faith communities. Benefit from their wisdom about lessons learned after 25 years of this interfaith partnership doing this sacred work. Now, more than ever, this ministry is vital!  

Rev. Amy Johnson (she/her) serves as the Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice in the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ. She is the co-author of Our Whole Lives for Grades 4-6, 2nd Edition. Amy is a trainer for all levels of Our Whole Lives/Sexuality and Our Faith nationwide and internationally, where she has been a partner in interfaith efforts to bring faith-based sexuality education to both Christian and Muslim communities. She is passionate about supporting people in organizations and faith communities to create healthier, braver spaces in which people can thrive as their authentic selves. 

Dr. Melanie Davis (she/her) is the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Our Whole Lives Program Manager. She is the author of Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education for Older Adults and Sexuality and Our Faith: A Companion to Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education for Grades 7-9, 2nd edition. Her masters and doctoral degrees are from the Widener University Center for Human Sexuality Studies and she is a certified sexuality counselor and educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. She has been a UU lay preacher across the US and Canada for 20 years. 

Leader – Patti Berner

This annual training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson at EPC (Elmhurst Presbyterian Church) in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Leader – Patti Berner

This annual training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson at EPC (Elmhurst Presbyterian Church) in Elmhurst, Illinois.