Shepherding a congregation comes with many responsibilities. In addition to preparing weekly sermons, pastors manage church teams and minister to a variety of people with different needs. Attempting to tackle these roles separately can be exhausting and may eventually affect the health of the church. How should leaders integrate their roles to effectively shepherd their congregations? This guide shows pastors how to simplify and strengthen their ministry work by integrating leadership, preaching, and pastoring in biblical exposition. Authors Scott Pace and Jim Shaddix clearly lay out 6 categories of leadership—scriptural, spiritual, strategic, servant, situational, and sensible—and explain how to leverage them through sermon development and delivery. Offering practical advice and biblical wisdom related to each role, they help readers find balance in their ministries while nurturing their congregations in healthy, sustainable ways.
There has always been a special weight to ministry. As pastors come to lead their churches, they recognize very quickly the task they have been called to comes with very special expectations. And with each passing year, it feels like we now live in a time when pastors and ministry leaders can no longer live up to those expectations. Burnout is rampant. Pastors are stepping down in order to protect the well-being of themselves and their families. Moral failings seem to bring down leaders we once viewed as giants. And amid all of this, upcoming pastors are entering the ministry with the difficult task of finding hope in trying times. Mark Dance addresses this frustration in his book, Start to Finish. In this book, ministry leaders will find the guidance to finish the race well from start to finish. Whether you are ten years into your ministry or have not even taken the first steps, this book will discuss the important steps to take that will encourage the reader to serve well, lead well, and end well.
We are made for community. Deep within the heart of people is a longing to both know others and be known by them, and groups ministry has the opportunity to meet these needs in every church. Groups are an art, not a science. There's no one-size-fits-all formula for designing transformational groups that God uses to mold people into the image of Christ together. There are dozens of variables and unknowns in the work of groups, but we believe the following is true: There is no lasting transformation in a person without another person or persons. The less relational your church is, the less transformational your church will be. The people in your group are a partial inheritance from the Lord right now. Groups exist for community with God and one another. So goes groups, so goes the church. So goes the church, so goes groups. Groups, at their core, embody the call to love one another found sixty times throughout the New Testament. This book is for people who love the possibilities of groups. And for those who want to.
Room 221 Church interest in stewardship has largely focused only on spending wisely and giving. However, Scripture has much to say about investing and the use of capital by Christian organizations and individuals, whether the amount is large or small. Come hear a practical discussion of a theology of stewardship as it applies to investing for you, your church and Christian ministries.
Room 107 You cannot align your church's systems for maximum sending if you cannot identify what creates the engine for sending in your church. In this breakout session, we will dive deep and examine the elements that create a powerful engine for sending and how to strategically implement systems that harness and leverage this engine for maximum impact.
8 a.m. — Doors Open 9 a.m. — Main Session 10:30 a.m. — Breakout Session 1 11:30 a.m. — Lunch 12:30 p.m. — Breakout Session 2 1:45 p.m. — Breakout Session 3 3 p.m. — Main Session 4 p.m. — Dismiss
Room 202 (10:30 a.m.) / Room 122 (1:45 p.m.) Christians spend around 20x as much time in the workplace than they do their local church. How can church leaders and ministry leaders equip congregants to see their workplace as another space where they can live out the Christian life?
Room 207 (12:30 p.m.) / Room 208 (1:45 p.m.) In this breakout we’ll discuss the importance of reaching women across the state, equipping them to study God’s Word as we send them out to serve Christ in their circles of influence on mission together. Discipleship is fueled by missions and leads to evangelism; the gospel above all.
Room 222 When children come to VBS for the Sno-Cone snack time, show them Jesus! During this breakout we will share key components about Vacation Bible School ministry opportunities and organizational strategies. Discover how practical planning and goal setting can broaden your VBS vision beyond the status quo to effective, lasting kingdom change in children, families and communities.
Room 123 Worldviews are in flux as culture changes. A study of worldview change in the contemporary context is helpful in making disciples.
Room 124 Explore an effective young adult disciple-making strategy that prioritizes small-group ministry at its core. Learn how creating gospel-centered communities is the key to reaching and discipling young adults in their faith journey.
Room 208 As we look to God’s Word, we see the beauty of God’s design for women in the fulfillment of His “Creation Mandate” (Genesis 1:27-28) and filling the earth with His image bearers. Through the gospel of Christ, we will hear His call for women in the fulfillment of His “New Creation Mandate,” also known as “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20), through discipleship and making Christ’s image bearers.
Room 205 (10:30 a.m.) / Room 123 (1:45 p.m.) God is moving across the nation in the hearts of healthy churches to help struggling churches get on mission again. Come hear how your church, regardless of size or location, can get involved.
Room 221 (10:30 a.m.) / Room 220 (1:45 p.m.) Technology surrounds our lives; it’s in our pockets and homes. It affects our lives in drastic ways, and parents must be equipped to protect and teach their children about the dangers of toxic influences, cyberbullying and pornography. This breakout is designed for pastors to help equip parents to navigate walking alongside their children amid these struggles.
