Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership
Ruth Haley Barton
Jesus indicates that it is possible to gain the whole world but lose your own soul. If he were speaking to us as pastors today, he might point out that it is possible to gain the whole world of ministry success and lose your own soul. So how do you know if it’s happening to you? In this seminar, assess the state of your own soul and explore practical ways of forging a stronger connection between your soul and your leadership. Topics include: solitude as the place of our own spiritual seeking, the dynamics of calling, spiritual rhythms in the life of the leader, and leading from your authentic self.
When the Buck Stops Here: Dealing with the Loneliness of Leadership
Ruth Haley Barton
Leadership involves a very peculiar kind of loneliness. It has to do with staying faithful to God and to our calling in the face of criticism, disbelief, and even being abandoned by those who started the journey with us. At times we feel abandoned by God himself! Using the life of Moses as a framework, this seminar is an opportunity to take an honest look at this universal experience of leadership. Together we will explore loneliness as a dynamic that compels us to travel inward to face our emptiness in God’s presence and then invites us to journey outward and move beyond isolation to leadership community.
Developing World-Changers: Capturing the Heart of the Next Generation of Leaders
James Choung
What inspires younger people for leadership in Christian communities? What does it take for rising generations to become effective leaders for the Kingdom? Drawing from thirteen years of ministry to college students, this seminar will explore the motivations of young people in rising generations, and provide a simple model for leadership development that will be more inspiring and compelling for younger potential leaders.
The Attentive Life and Leader: Mindful and Soulful Ministry in a Distracting World
Leighton Ford
Learning to be disciples and leaders who do pay attention is imperative, when so many of us are living in a state “continuous partial attention.” Over-programmed churches don’t always help. As Christian leaders how can we model Jesus’ call to “give full attention to what God is doing right now”? We will consider how we can begin to slow down, eliminate hurry, and use ancient (and timely) practices like “lectio divina” and praying “the hours” to listen more deeply to God, our own hearts, and those we lead.
Banyan Tree and Aspen Tree Leadership: A Conversation on the Importance of Spiritual Mentoring
Leighton Ford
In thirty years of worldwide ministry Leighton Ford observed that many prominent leaders are like the “banyan tree” which does not let the sun through to nurture the seedlings under its spreading branches. In this workshop we will focus on mentoring and spiritual direction for emerging leaders. What does it mean to be “artists of the soul, and friend on the journey”? How do we as pastors/evangelists/leaders listen deeply to others, and help them to discover God’s agenda and direction for their lives?
How to Deal with Demanding People without Losing Your Sanity
Elaine Hamilton
The church draws all types of people. And our hope is that everyone who comes will feel cared for and encouraged to grow and serve. But some folks are never happy, no matter how much you give or how hard you try, they're always upset or in crisis. We'll talk about keys to understanding and helping these difficult people without sacrifing yourself in the process.
Leadership from the Inside Out: How a Leader Guards and Grows Their Soul
Kevin Harney
Ministry can be hazardous to your health. But, it does not have to be. In this seminar we will examine how a leader can have an expanding heart, a joyful disposition, and energy to serve the church, world, their family, and even some spare time for personal refreshment. Sound too good to be true? Join us and discover how you can lead for a lifetime and love it.
Why a Formulaic Approach to Ministry Grows Churches but Hurts Pastors
Skye Jethani
How is it possible that one of the greatest miracles in Moses' leadership was simultaneously the moment of his greatest failure? What if the measurable outcomes of our ministry are not evidence of God's blessing? Using life of Moses and the artwork of Vincent van Gogh, we'll look at how we have bought into a mechanical understanding of ministry with predictable outcomes rather than the agricultural view advanced in scripture which is full of mystery and grace.
Women in Ministry: A Case Study in Rethinking How We Read the Bible
Scot McKnight
Sticky Church: Slamming Your Back Door Shut
Larry Osborne
Sticky churches not only attract people – they keep them for the long haul. They understand that without long-term retention, discipleship and lasting growth is impossible. Bottom line: It doesn’t really matter how many people come through our front door if the back door is left
+ Why stickier churches are healthier churches
+ Why assimilation is not enough
+ What makes a church genuinely sticky
+ Strategies for slamming the back door shut
What Every Youth Pastor Wishes Their Pastor Knew
Mark Riddle
If you’ve ever wondered what makes your youth pastor tick? If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is it normal for my youth pastor to….” This seminar will help you get inside the mind of your youth pastor so that you can more effectively lead, guide, and pastor them. It will help you understand their motivations, and their heart for ministry in new ways.
Stopping the Revolving Door
Mark Riddle
Each time a youth pastor leaves, it costs you. In the average youth ministry, youth pastor turnover not only costs you and others in your church time, money and heartache, but your church pays a costly price with your kids and their families. This seminar dives into the common reasons for staff turn over in youth ministry and gives direction toward having a more sustainable youth ministry. The solutions are not what you think.
Transitioning to a New Work
Randy Frazee
This seminar will focus on transitions in a church. It will look at transitioning a church to a new model. How to plan, implement and transition staff and congregation. It will look at some of the detours that may arise. The seminar with also look at transitioning of a senior leadership roles.