This page is for those organizing a seminar or conference where Neil MacQueen is a participant. Please be sure to read the "Seminar Requirements" information at the bottom of this page. The photo of Neil is provided for those needing one for publicity. It can be saved to your computer using the copy command when you click the photo with your RIGHT mouse button. The format is jpeg and the file size is very small. For more information, contact Neil at neil@sundaysoftware.com, or 614-527-8776.

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General Bio

Neil MacQueen is a Presbyterian minister, Christian educator, author and consultant with over 27 years of experience working in children, youth and adult ministry. While serving as Associate Minister in a Presbyterian congregation near Chicago, Neil and his church began exploring new models and tools for Christian education. This exploration included the creation of what is now commonly referred to as the Workshop Rotation Model for Sunday School and the regular use of computers in Christian education. In response to growing interest, Neil and several church members founded Sunday School Software Ministries in 1996 to provide congregations with reliable software reviews and sources, software teaching materials and technical know-how.

“Sunday Software” is now the largest publisher of Christian education software. It is an ecumenical publishing ministry validated by the Presbytery of Scioto Valley (Central Ohio), P.C.U.S.A. In addition to his software ministry, Neil consults with churches and denominations about their Christian education programs and those using the Rotation Model. He is also the founder of rotation.org, non-profit ministry helping the Rotation community.

Neil has written for several publications, including: Church Educator, Presbyterian Outlook, ALERT, Evangelizing Today's Child, Children's Ministry, Your Church, Net Results, Group Magazine, Church & Synagogue Library, Clergy Journal, Computing Today, Church Web Advisor, and Christian Computing. He has also written two books, Computers, Kids & Christian Education (Augsburg Fortress), and Workshop Rotation: A New Model for Sunday School (Presbyterian Publishing). His software is found at his website (sundaysoftware.com), and a number of his titles are also carried by Cokesbury, Augsburg, and Christian bookstores in the US and abroad.

Neil, his wife Malinda, and their three daughters live in Hilliard Ohio, a suburb of Columbus.

To save or print the above picture, right click your mouse over the picture or use your browser buttons .

General Seminar Descriptions

Computers, Kids and Christian Education

Kids love to learn Bible lessons with their teacher at the computer. This seminar will introduce you to how churches are using kid-friendly multimedia Bible Software to create exciting lessons that stimulate student engagement, attendance, learning and Bible literacy. You will view several examples of state-of-the-art Christian education software and hear important teaching and technical advice. You will also hear an educational and theological foundation for the use of these new tools. Led by Neil MacQueen, Presbyterian minister, founder of Sunday Software, and nationally recognized expert on the subject of kids and computers.

A New Model for Sunday School -- The Workshop Rotation Model

If you're frustrated with bored kids, burned-out teachers, beige classrooms, recruiting hassles, and curriculum no one is crazy about, the Workshop Rotation Model may be the answer you’re looking for. The Workshop Rotation Model offers a different way to organize your Sunday School that addresses these problems with a practical and exciting approach that doesn’t require purchasing curriculum. The Model addresses chronic problems, revitalizes leaders, increases attendance, and improve Bible literacy through creative teaching. Come hear about this rapidly spreading new way to do Sunday School. Led by Neil MacQueen, Presbyterian minister, and co-author of Workshop Rotation -- A New Model for Sunday School (Presbyterian Publishing Corp. 2000). For more Model information and resources, visit www.rotation.org.

Advanced Training for Computers in Sunday School

This seminar is for those already teaching with computers or about to get started. The discussion will focus on lesson planning with software, teacher training, and addressing your particular questions about your lab. You'll hear how other churches are getting along with computers in their programs and have the opportunity to discuss specific software programs you are using or thinking about using. Led by Neil MacQueen, Sunday Software. (minimum time: 1 hour)

Designing Good Church Websites

A discussion and presentation of the important concepts in church website design and content. This seminar will present a rationale for creating a website and how to begin while avoiding common pitfalls. It will examine a number of good and bad church websites, and discuss website maintenance and updating issues. While primarily non-technical, some technical information will be shared. Led by Neil MacQueen, Presbyterian minister, webmaster on several sites, author of numerous articles on the use of computers and technology in the Church, contributor editor to Church Web Advisor magazine, and Christian software developer.

Seminar Requirements:

Please print and read through the following carefully...

The following is intended to motivate good planning and publicity, while being a good steward of my time and yours.

I'm honored to be asked and blessed to be available to a wide range of church education events. Most go off without a hitch, --generally as a result of good communication between us...... so here we go:

It is the responsibility of the seminar host to confirm with Neil all arrangements ONE MONTH ahead and TWO WEEKS prior to the event to update Neil on the arrangements.

The Seminar Host is responsible for my travel expenses. In some cases, the host will be asked to prepay airline expenses or be asked to make the arrangements on my behalf. I don't require an "honorarium" for one day seminars but have never turned one down either! One day is defined as my travelling there and back in one day. In some cases, I DO charge for an extra day of seminars or travel. Please talk with me.

Whenever possible, I prefer to fly in and out the same day. Please check airline schedules and plan your seminar times accordingly if possible. If an overnight stay is necessary, it will in most cases be the night prior to the seminar and the seminar must be concluded by 3 p.m. the next day. Overnight expenses (room and food) are the responsibility of the seminar host.

A minimum of 25 registered participants representing a minimum of 10 different churches is required, otherwise Neil may ask to reschedule the event. If the number isn't met one week prior to the event, call me at 614-527-8776 (office) or 614-527-8738 (home). Rescheduling may incur an airline rebooking fee paid for by the seminar sponsor.

In most cases, I strongly request that Presbyterian churches within a 50 mile radius be included on your publicity mailing list. In order to help attendance it is also strongly recommended that area UMC, ELCA and UCC churches be included (as some of my articles have appeared in their publications).

Early and excellent publicity, coupled with fewer seminar options for participants will help registration.
Be prepared for me to be a stickler about the required numbers.

Please confirm dates and times by sending a seminar flyer/brochure as soon as they are available. Please confirm airport pick-up arrangements with Neil one week prior to the event.

I require a minimum of 90 minutes for my Computers in CE seminar but prefer 120 minutes. I do not travel overnight in most cases, where my total seminar time at your event is under 2 hours.

I will bring all necessary handouts, computer and projection equipment. The seminar site must provide a power cord, equipment table, and projection screen.

I do not bring software to sell at events, however, I may bring books to sell.

F.Y.I....While I am happy to lead discussions about the Rotation Model, generally I do not travel to only talk about the Rotation Model. I will do seminars about the Rotation Model the same day as a seminar about Computers in C.E. Please check with me on this issue.