Schedule

The primary biblical metaphor for leadership (no matter what the size of the group or ministry we are leading) is that of a “shepherd.” In this track we will take a deep dive into the heart and best practices of biblical leadership. Whether you are a vocational pastor or a volunteer leader, these principles are universal and transferable to all who take on the mantle of spiritual leadership.

Do you want to make progress in studying, applying, and communicating God’s Word, and in equipping others to do the same? In these interactive sessions, we’ll aim to grow as Word-filled women – women who hear, do, and share God’s Word, for the glory of Christ Jesus – and as those whom God graciously uses to multiply and mobilize Word-filled women in our local churches. We’ll focus on Old Testament narrative, specifically working with the book of Ruth.

Our culture’s obsession with health, wellness, and physical fitness stands in stark contrast to the current neglect of the spiritual fitness of the body of Christ. This learning track looks at ways to make disciples who are fit for the purpose of living out their citizenship of the gospel. Special focus will be given to the “diet” of doctrine, the scriptural imagination, and the role of the pastor as a fitness trainer who leads congregational core exercises.

New blockbuster drugs, gene therapies, three-parent embryos, surrogacy. We live in a world of ever increasing medical and technological sophistication with all its benefits and pitfalls. How are we to live wisely and faithfully in such times? This track will explore foundational biblical and theological concepts, pastoral competencies, and practical applications for Christian engagement in our MedTech age. Special emphasis will be given to contemporary issues in infertility and assisted reproduction, and contemporary issues in technology use among other topics.

We’ve all heard that healthy things multiply. If you’re not seeing disciples multiply, the problem may not be health but rather a missing ingredient needed for multiplication. We’ll share a few diagnostic tools that will help you access your context then explore five simple questions that help to shift thinking from teaching paradigms to training paradigms. Leave this breakout with the first steps towards building a disciple-making culture unique to your church context.

The primary biblical metaphor for leadership (no matter what the size of the group or ministry we are leading) is that of a “shepherd.” In this track we will take a deep dive into the heart and best practices of biblical leadership. Whether you are a vocational pastor or a volunteer leader, these principles are universal and transferable to all who take on the mantle of spiritual leadership.

Do you want to make progress in studying, applying, and communicating God’s Word, and in equipping others to do the same? In these interactive sessions, we’ll aim to grow as Word-filled women – women who hear, do, and share God’s Word, for the glory of Christ Jesus – and as those whom God graciously uses to multiply and mobilize Word-filled women in our local churches. We’ll focus on Old Testament narrative, specifically working with the book of Ruth.

Our culture’s obsession with health, wellness, and physical fitness stands in stark contrast to the current neglect of the spiritual fitness of the body of Christ. This learning track looks at ways to make disciples who are fit for the purpose of living out their citizenship of the gospel. Special focus will be given to the “diet” of doctrine, the scriptural imagination, and the role of the pastor as a fitness trainer who leads congregational core exercises.

New blockbuster drugs, gene therapies, three-parent embryos, surrogacy. We live in a world of ever increasing medical and technological sophistication with all its benefits and pitfalls. How are we to live wisely and faithfully in such times? This track will explore foundational biblical and theological concepts, pastoral competencies, and practical applications for Christian engagement in our MedTech age. Special emphasis will be given to contemporary issues in infertility and assisted reproduction, and contemporary issues in technology use among other topics.

We’ve all heard that healthy things multiply. If you’re not seeing disciples multiply, the problem may not be health but rather a missing ingredient needed for multiplication. We’ll share a few diagnostic tools that will help you access your context then explore five simple questions that help to shift thinking from teaching paradigms to training paradigms. Leave this breakout with the first steps towards building a disciple-making culture unique to your church context.

The primary biblical metaphor for leadership (no matter what the size of the group or ministry we are leading) is that of a “shepherd.” In this track we will take a deep dive into the heart and best practices of biblical leadership. Whether you are a vocational pastor or a volunteer leader, these principles are universal and transferable to all who take on the mantle of spiritual leadership.

Do you want to make progress in studying, applying, and communicating God’s Word, and in equipping others to do the same? In these interactive sessions, we’ll aim to grow as Word-filled women – women who hear, do, and share God’s Word, for the glory of Christ Jesus – and as those whom God graciously uses to multiply and mobilize Word-filled women in our local churches. We’ll focus on Old Testament narrative, specifically working with the book of Ruth.

Our culture’s obsession with health, wellness, and physical fitness stands in stark contrast to the current neglect of the spiritual fitness of the body of Christ. This learning track looks at ways to make disciples who are fit for the purpose of living out their citizenship of the gospel. Special focus will be given to the “diet” of doctrine, the scriptural imagination, and the role of the pastor as a fitness trainer who leads congregational core exercises.

New blockbuster drugs, gene therapies, three-parent embryos, surrogacy. We live in a world of ever increasing medical and technological sophistication with all its benefits and pitfalls. How are we to live wisely and faithfully in such times? This track will explore foundational biblical and theological concepts, pastoral competencies, and practical applications for Christian engagement in our MedTech age. Special emphasis will be given to contemporary issues in infertility and assisted reproduction, and contemporary issues in technology use among other topics.

We’ve all heard that healthy things multiply. If you’re not seeing disciples multiply, the problem may not be health but rather a missing ingredient needed for multiplication. We’ll share a few diagnostic tools that will help you access your context then explore five simple questions that help to shift thinking from teaching paradigms to training paradigms. Leave this breakout with the first steps towards building a disciple-making culture unique to your church context.

Are you seeking a greater understanding of the EFCA? Join us whether you are new to the EFCA, if you are interested in learning more about the EFCA, or if you are in a qualifying ministry and seek a ministry credential as you serve a Free Church. This learning lab explores the history and theological distinctives of the Free Church movement and the EFCA. For those in a qualifying ministry who are seeking a ministerial credential, attendance of the sessions, along with assigned readings and writing a theological paper, serve toward meeting requirements for licensing in the EFCA.

From a Biblical perspective, experiencing the Holy Spirit is an expected reality. As church leaders, we long for our churches to be vibrant expressions of the presence of the Spirit. However, due to many abuses in the past, we often find ourselves approaching this area more with caution than expectation. In this learning lab, we will be sharing practical ideas about how to gently and Biblically lead our churches (and ourselves) into a deeper experience of the Spirit.

Every news cast has coverage of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and vulnerable people groups. We (the Church) have been talking about this for some time now. What have we learned? What progress are we making? Our hope is in Jesus. How do we convey that hope to a broken world? Join us on Thursday as we learn together, exploring prayer, partnerships, resources and more. This session will equip you with tangible ideas of how your church can be involved.

Some congregations are tackling the challenges facing the church through meeting in multiple locations. Whether you currently have more than one location or not, we would love to explore some of the dynamics for starting and sustaining new campuses for your church. Note: Pre-registration is required. Please visit the conference information desk if you are interested in attending.

The value of this lab will be the interactions with peers in missions. Everyone will have a room full of “free” consultants. Our prayer is that God would use this Kingdom collaboration to bring gospel transformation to our world.

How you can prepare yourself and your church for a successful future. This lab is designed to help you and your church prepare well for that time in the distant, or not so distant, future.

Do elder board meetings feel frustrating? Have you ever left a board meeting and wondered, “What does any of this have to do with making disciples and reaching our community with the gospel?” This learning lab is a case study of Blackhawk Church (Madison, WI) and the various transitions that we painfully went through over 25 years. Come and learn from our mistakes.

Everyone wants to see people converted and transformed by Christ, but why is it so rarely happening in our churches? Join us for testimonies from current EFCA pastors who are experiencing growth and conversions in their church through their work with the Church Evangelism Institute at the Billy Graham Center. Learn simple steps of accountability that will help shift your church onto a trajectory of sustainable conversion growth. You will also hear some exciting new research on the unchurched and the churches reaching them that is a game changer.

Two new tools assist churches to face the changing demographic reality. “40 Days to Jubilee,” which is centered on Isaiah 58, orients the church to become personally transformed into a community ready to engage their extended community in a relevant way. It is a whole-church, 40-day engagement including five sermons and synced cell group studies with practical applications. The second tool, “Community RoundTable,” assists our EFCA districts and churches to become a reconciliation catalyst. This booklet provides a biblical process for different communities gathering and exchanging points of views in a way that is engaging and learning how to do ministry in other contexts.

The Pathways study is designed to be used in a small group to teach members how to study the Bible for themselves. It is a simple, uncomplicated and transferable method for learning how to study the Bible. The tools have proven effective and have been used all over the world to teach pastors and laymen and women of all educational levels.

An affinity group gathering to support one another through a variety of discussions (informal, facilitated and open discussion formats). Come to encourage and be encouraged!

Are you seeking a greater understanding of the EFCA? Join us whether you are new to the EFCA, if you are interested in learning more about the EFCA, or if you are in a qualifying ministry and seek a ministry credential as you serve a Free Church. This learning lab explores the history and theological distinctives of the Free Church movement and the EFCA. For those in a qualifying ministry who are seeking a ministerial credential, attendance of the sessions, along with assigned readings and writing a theological paper, serve toward meeting requirements for licensing in the EFCA.

From a Biblical perspective, experiencing the Holy Spirit is an expected reality. As church leaders, we long for our churches to be vibrant expressions of the presence of the Spirit. However, due to many abuses in the past, we often find ourselves approaching this area more with caution than expectation. In this learning lab, we will be sharing practical ideas about how to gently and Biblically lead our churches (and ourselves) into a deeper experience of the Spirit.

Every news cast has coverage of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and vulnerable people groups. We (the Church) have been talking about this for some time now. What have we learned? What progress are we making? Our hope is in Jesus. How do we convey that hope to a broken world? Join us on Thursday as we learn together, exploring prayer, partnerships, resources and more. This session will equip you with tangible ideas of how your church can be involved.

Some congregations are tackling the challenges facing the church through meeting in multiple locations. Whether you currently have more than one location or not, we would love to explore some of the dynamics for starting and sustaining new campuses for your church. Buses will depart The Compass Church Hobson campus at 9 a.m. and will not return until 2 p.m. Note: Pre-registration is required. Please visit the conference information desk if you are interested in attending.

The value of this lab will be the interactions with peers in missions. Everyone will have a room full of “free” consultants. Our prayer is that God would use this Kingdom collaboration to bring gospel transformation to our world.

How you can prepare yourself and your church for a successful future. This lab is designed to help you and your church prepare well for that time in the distant, or not so distant, future.

Do elder board meetings feel frustrating? Have you ever left a board meeting and wondered, “What does any of this have to do with making disciples and reaching our community with the gospel?” This learning lab is a case study of Blackhawk Church (Madison, WI) and the various transitions that we painfully went through over 25 years. Come and learn from our mistakes.

Everyone wants to see people converted and transformed by Christ, but why is it so rarely happening in our churches? Join us for testimonies from current EFCA pastors who are experiencing growth and conversions in their church through their work with the Church Evangelism Institute at the Billy Graham Center. Learn simple steps of accountability that will help shift your church onto a trajectory of sustainable conversion growth. You will also hear some exciting new research on the unchurched and the churches reaching them that is a game changer.

Two new tools assist churches to face the changing demographic reality. “40 Days to Jubilee,” which is centered on Isaiah 58, orients the church to become personally transformed into a community ready to engage their extended community in a relevant way. It is a whole-church, 40-day engagement including five sermons and synced cell group studies with practical applications. The second tool, “Community RoundTable,” assists our EFCA districts and churches to become a reconciliation catalyst. This booklet provides a biblical process for different communities gathering and exchanging points of views in a way that is engaging and learning how to do ministry in other contexts.

The Pathways study is designed to be used in a small group to teach members how to study the Bible for themselves. It is a simple, uncomplicated and transferable method for learning how to study the Bible. The tools have proven effective and have been used all over the world to teach pastors and laymen and women of all educational levels.

An affinity group gathering to support one another through a variety of discussions (informal, facilitated and open discussion formats). Come to encourage and be encouraged!

Are you seeking a greater understanding of the EFCA? Join us whether you are new to the EFCA, if you are interested in learning more about the EFCA, or if you are in a qualifying ministry and seek a ministry credential as you serve a Free Church. This learning lab explores the history and theological distinctives of the Free Church movement and the EFCA. For those in a qualifying ministry who are seeking a ministerial credential, attendance of the sessions, along with assigned readings and writing a theological paper, serve toward meeting requirements for licensing in the EFCA.

From a Biblical perspective, experiencing the Holy Spirit is an expected reality. As church leaders, we long for our churches to be vibrant expressions of the presence of the Spirit. However, due to many abuses in the past, we often find ourselves approaching this area more with caution than expectation. In this learning lab, we will be sharing practical ideas about how to gently and Biblically lead our churches (and ourselves) into a deeper experience of the Spirit.

Every news cast has coverage of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and vulnerable people groups. We (the Church) have been talking about this for some time now. What have we learned? What progress are we making? Our hope is in Jesus. How do we convey that hope to a broken world? Join us on Thursday as we learn together, exploring prayer, partnerships, resources and more. This session will equip you with tangible ideas of how your church can be involved.

Some congregations are tackling the challenges facing the church through meeting in multiple locations. Whether you currently have more than one location or not, we would love to explore some of the dynamics for starting and sustaining new campuses for your church. Buses will depart The Compass Church Hobson campus at 9 a.m. and will not return until 2 p.m. Note: Pre-registration is required. Please visit the conference information desk if you are interested in attending.

The value of this lab will be the interactions with peers in missions. Everyone will have a room full of “free” consultants. Our prayer is that God would use this Kingdom collaboration to bring gospel transformation to our world.

How you can prepare yourself and your church for a successful future. This lab is designed to help you and your church prepare well for that time in the distant, or not so distant, future.

Do elder board meetings feel frustrating? Have you ever left a board meeting and wondered, “What does any of this have to do with making disciples and reaching our community with the gospel?” This learning lab is a case study of Blackhawk Church (Madison, WI) and the various transitions that we painfully went through over 25 years. Come and learn from our mistakes.

Everyone wants to see people converted and transformed by Christ, but why is it so rarely happening in our churches? Join us for testimonies from current EFCA pastors who are experiencing growth and conversions in their church through their work with the Church Evangelism Institute at the Billy Graham Center. Learn simple steps of accountability that will help shift your church onto a trajectory of sustainable conversion growth. You will also hear some exciting new research on the unchurched and the churches reaching them that is a game changer.

Two new tools assist churches to face the changing demographic reality. “40 Days to Jubilee,” which is centered on Isaiah 58, orients the church to become personally transformed into a community ready to engage their extended community in a relevant way. It is a whole-church, 40-day engagement including five sermons and synced cell group studies with practical applications. The second tool, “Community RoundTable,” assists our EFCA districts and churches to become a reconciliation catalyst. This booklet provides a biblical process for different communities gathering and exchanging points of views in a way that is engaging and learning how to do ministry in other contexts.

The Pathways study is designed to be used in a small group to teach members how to study the Bible for themselves. It is a simple, uncomplicated and transferable method for learning how to study the Bible. The tools have proven effective and have been used all over the world to teach pastors and laymen and women of all educational levels.

An affinity group gathering to support one another through a variety of discussions (informal, facilitated and open discussion formats). Come to encourage and be encouraged!