Top Church Conferences

As a new church planter that is launching a church this year I thought I would list out five conferences I would love to attend this year in order. My hopes are that financially we would be able to travel and attend.

Hopefully these conferences could be a resource to what you are wanting to do.

1. Multi-Site Practicum - If you are a church that is planning to go multi-site or is multi-site already this is the conference for you. At this conference you will learn to develop a step-by-step strategic plan for how to make it a reality! You will learn to cast a vision for multi-site, identify key leaders, develop a core team and create an unstoppable culture. This conference is February 25-26, 2008, and is put on by the Newthing Network and Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL 60540.

My reason - One of our core values for our church is to be a multi-site church...CCC has a great vision and system for reproducing their sites.

2. Innovate 2008 - Hosted by Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana, this conference is Thursday & Friday, September 18-19. Innovate 2008 will have inspiring stories and surprising strategies to help you and your team make the most of your ministry, your people and your unique place in the world. You’ll network with the best of the best, hear from great leaders and compelling speakers doing ministry in a variety of environments - big churches, new churches and those making the challenging transition from traditional to contemporary.You'll also hear from a combination of innovators outside of Granger: Shawn Wood, Seacoast Church, the leadership team from Lifechurch.tv, and Steven Furtick, Elevation Church.

My reason - Another core value of ours...and with some of the top innovative churches there...it just makes sense.

3. Church Planters Conference "Evolve" - Pastor Shawn Lovejoy, Senior Pastor of Mountain Lake Church which is just outside Atlanta in Cumming, Georgia is hosting this conference. Held on February 18 - 19, 2008, Evolve is loaded with some of the best speakers/church planters. With guys like Bil Cornelius, Mark Batterson, Darrin Patrick, and Steven Furtick, this conference is set to be fantastic.

My reason - Probably since I'm a new church planter it would make sense to go to one. Stacked with some of the most innovative and creative church planters I follow this one is loaded to the tee. On top of that, Bil Cornelius, who pastors a little church in Corpus where we go on Sunday's is going to be there.

4. Unleash - Hosted by Newspring Church in Anderson, SC. Unleashed is a one day conference, May 13, 2008, that is designed to challenge, encourage, and motivate church leaders to take action to reach their communities for Christ. To make it easy for both staff and volunteers to attend, they keep the experience short and cheap. There will be two sessions in the auditorium with Perry Noble and the band plus two breakout sessions. Current cost for the conference is $55/person for groups of 20 or more, $65/person for groups of 6 to 19, $75/person for groups of 1 to 5 if paid by February 11, 2008.

My reason - I love what Newspring has done in their county. Growing a church to their size in the county they are in is a God-incredible feat.

5. Reproducing Church Network - This conference explores how God might be leading you to become a vital component of a reproducing church network. At this event you will get the opportunity to: Catch a vision of God’s dream for an apostolic movement. Enter into the minds of innovative church planters. Interact with like-minded leaders through problem solving projects. Learn how to make your church reproducing from the very beginning. This conference is June 9-10, 2008, and is put on by the Newthing Network and Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL 60540.

My reason - Long term we are going to reproduce what we do. Having a practical knowledge will make us that much more effective.

What conferences, for churches, youth ministry, children's, small groups, etc... are on your list of wanting to go to????