Workshops & Sessions
MAIN SESSIONS
THURSDAY 8:30-10 a.m.
Leadership 101
Led by Cam Huxford
Leadership is about choices. Leaders choose between dynamic or static, innovation or tradition, active or passive, courageous or fearful, faith or sight, wade in or dive in, my good or God’s good. This session will focus on a number of choices that effective church leaders make.
THURSDAY 1-2:15 p.m.
Becoming the Best Church for Your Community
Led by Rick Rusaw
Many churches strive to be the best in the community and have the best stuff to offer. What would it look like if we were the best church for the community?
THURSDAY 4-5:30 p.m.
Instilling Evangelistic Values Church-Wide
Led by Gene Appel
Learn why you can be missional without being evangelistic, but why you can’t be evangelistic without being missional.
FRIDAY 9:45-11 a.m.
Marathon Ministry
Led by Gene Appel
How do we care for body, mind and soul in the crush of life and ministry? How do we do it for the long haul? Gene will share wisdom about guarding what matters most while doing the most urgent, important work in the world.
FRIDAY 1:30-3 p.m.
Church Force Multipliers
Led by Cam Huxford
We’ll examine the unique traits of life-changing churches that enable and empower them to make an outsized ministry impact for Christ in their community.
WORKSHOPS
THURSDAY WORKSHOP 10:30am
1. PREACHING FOR LIFE CHANGE
Led by Gene Appel, Sr. Pastor Eastside Christian Church
Get practical ideas for high impact, fresh and relevant preaching.
2. Externally Focused – Making Missional Practical
Led by Rick Rusaw, Sr. Minister LifeBridge Christian Church
All around us today there is a call to be more missional in our approach to ministry. How can we do that? This workshop will focus on reasons and ideas to help your congregation engage your community.
3. LEADING THE LOCAL CHURCH: how elders CHART AND STAY THE COURSE
Led by Dale Bouchillon, Chairman of the Elders
Elders oversee the local church. It’s a critical role that demands spiritual maturity, practical and logical thinking, courage and humility. Join us for this panel discussion and come prepared with questions. We’ll give you our best advice for avoiding pitfalls and attaining your church’s God-given mission.
4. Student Ministry: Momentum builders and barriers
Led by Randall Tonini, Phil Fincher and Marcus Johnson, Student Ministry Pastors
Whether your student ministry is small, medium, or large, you will face challenges. Identifying and confronting potential obstacles to growth could be the difference in helping your ministry find momentum. Our panel of student pastors will talk about how they have faced challenges at various stages of ministry.
5. Global IMPACT: Moving BEYOND MONEY
Led by Dave Stewart, Global Outreach Pastor
What impact is your church having when it comes to reaching the world for Christ? How can you move your church family from simply giving money to having a heart for the world? Join us as we address two questions that make all the difference, no matter the size of your church.
6. Ministry mistakes: You think you’ve made some?
Panel discussion led by Jim Bolen, Community Care Pastor; Steve Angel, Associate Pastor for Community Care; Ken Philbeck, Regional Campus Pastor; and Phil Fincher, Student Ministries Pastor
You think you’ve made mistakes in ministry? Haven’t we all? Avoid our pitfalls by hearing from a panel of pastors who will come clean about their worst mistakes and what they learned from them.
7. Young Adult Ministry: Ideas for Reaching College- Age, 20s and 30s
Led by Dave Allgire and Nathan Swartz, lateCHURCH Pastors
We’ve had a thriving outreach to both college-age and young adults at our church for years, but to do that we’ve kissed a lot of frogs along the way. In this workshop we will do a few things: explain things we’ve done that have worked and other things that didn’t so you can avoid them and give some practical dos and don’ts for reaching this age group.
6. WORSHIP ARTS: ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS FOR YOUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGES
Led by the Worship Arts Team
Do you need to talk through a challenge? Have in-depth questions about a specific ministry area?
Reserve a one-on-one session for your ministry team leaders to sit down with our leaders. Individual sessions – available on a first-come basis – are with the worship arts pastor, associate worship arts pastors, instrumental pastor, drama pastor administrative assistant, production arts ministry team leader, and the administrative assistants to Worship Arts. Space is extremely limited so register early
- a) Mike Frazier, Director of Worship Arts, will be available to discuss issues related to worship, staffing and leadership.
- b) Sean Ihrig, Associate Worship Pastor, will be available to discuss issues related to worship, service programming, and discipleship.
- c) Drew Humphries, Associate Worship Pastor, will be available to discuss issues related to worship, service programming, and discipleship.
- d) Keith Baxter, Instrumental Pastor, will be available to discuss issues related to worship, building an instrumental team, and recruitment.
- e) Wayne Sullivan, Drama Pastor, along with Linda Fisher, Ministry assistant to Drama Ministries will be available to discuss issues related to building a drama team and effectively integrating drama into the worship environment.
- f) Gary Poole, Production Arts Ministry Team Leader, along with Pat Davis, Administrative Assistant to Production Arts/Instrumental will be available to discuss issues related to technical arts ministry and the many challenges of technology in worship.
- g) Ronda Hughes, Assistant to Mike Frazier, and Angela Wolfe, Assistant to Music Ministries, will be available to discuss issues related to copyright, recruitment, the strategic use of volunteers and organizing the Arts ministry.
THURSDAY WORKSHOP II 2:30pm
1. Vision Casting: helping others see what god dreams for your ministry
Led by Cam Huxford, Senior Pastor
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18
If you’re going to be an inspiring leader, you have to possess, articulate and give your life for an inspiring kingdom vision. Lead how you can recognize and communicate God’s vision for your church.
2. Externally Focused – Making Missional Practical
Led by Rick Rusaw, Sr. Minister LifeBridge Christian Church
All around us today there is a call to be more missional in our approach to ministry. How can we do that? This workshop will focus on reasons and ideas to help your congregation engage your community.
3. Social media: The risks and rewards of posting, tweeting, texting and more
Led by Randall Tonini, Student Pastor, and Esther Griffin, Communications Team Leader
Can Facebook and Twitter help you connect with people in meaningful ways? Are there strategies for creating dynamic online conversations without letting it consume you? What’s the best way to get started? People of all ages use social media to stay connected and stay in the know. Learn practical steps for using social media effectively for your ministry. Take away tips for teaching others how to use social media responsibly, too.
4. Come and see evangelism: Moving beyond just inviting people to church
Led by Harrison Huxford, Evangelism Pastor
The gospels give us a picture of becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus. The journey starts, however, with an opportunity to come and see Him. As a church we are devoted to leading people to a life-changing connection with Jesus. But how does that journey begin? How do we reach an increasingly unreached culture? Join us as we talk about ways we’ve been successful (and ways we’ve missed the mark, too.)
5. Children’s Ministry: Leading effecting large group programming
Led by the Children’s Ministry Team
Explore the elements of planning and presenting a large group program for children of every age. We will discuss adapting curriculum, props, staging, and recruiting and coaching the right volunteers.
6. Managing the Tension: Artistry vs. Discipleship
Led by Mike Frazier, Worship Arts Pastor
If you build a worship ministry around the basic call to discipleship will you sacrifice the quality of the presentation? We don’t think so. Join us as we discuss the foundational issues of building a ministry on what matters most.
7. Elders: One on one conversations for answers to your hardest questions
Led by Harvey Bream, Executive Pastor, and Elders Dale Bouchillon, Carlton Gill, Rick Monroe, Mickey Boutwell, and Dennis Meeks
Do you need to talk through a tough issue? Do you have unique questions? Schedule a one-on-one session for your church’s elders and pastors to sit down with two of our experienced leaders. Space extremely limited so register early.
- Harvey Bream, Executive Pastor and Dale Bouchillon, Chairman of the Elders
- Carlton Gill and Rick Monroe, Elders
- Mickey Boutwell and Dennis Meeks, Elders
8. Women’s Tea: A Time To Share and Unwind
Women are more successful when they’re surrounded by other women who lift them up. Join us for this women’s tea and leave inspired and encouraged.
FRIDAY WORKSHOP III 8:30am
1. Just for Women: Leading as the Women God Made us to be
Led by Sarah Huxford, Women’s Pastor
For women in ministry, the dynamics are different and the challenges are unique. We face incredible opportunities and some difficulties when working on a primarily male staff. Our passion for the ministry is often tempered by family concerns. Balance is essential but hard to obtain. Whether you work with children, teens, in worship, or with other women, if you are a woman in ministry, come to this workshop as we encourage and celebrate our God-given call to feminine leadership.
2. VOLUNTEERING: SERVING GOD BY SERVING OTHERS
Led by Kathie Briola, First Connections Team Leader
Volunteers are our everyday heroes. Without them ministry would not happen. But how do we attract volunteers, train them and keep them fulfilled in our ministry? In this workshop we will give you practical ways to do all three. “For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
3. Children’s Ministry: staging events to grow your kids ministry
Led by the Children’s Ministry Team
Planning events can be stressful and challenging. We’ll share ways to dream, plan, and stage major events to grow your ministry.
4. Developing messages: Becoming a Better Communicator & Helping Others Do the Same
Led by Dave Allgire, lateCHURCH Campus Pastor
This workshop is specifically aimed at two groups of people: those who teach but don’t have a lot of training in communication and leaders who want to help their communicators become even more effective. In this workshop we will share things we do to help each other be better communicators and go over the essentials of preparing an effective message.
5. Student Ministry: Heart of a leader, heart of a student
Led by Randall Tonini, Phil Fincher and Marcus Johnson, Student Ministry Pastors
How are we as youth leaders and volunteers approaching ministry? Is our heart in the right place? How are we relating to students? How can we focus on Jesus changing their hearts instead of just trying to change their behavior? This workshop will encourage us to evaluate how we’re doing with what matters most.
6. Making room for more: Starting a New Service
Panel discussion led by Mike Frazier, Worship Arts Pastor
When your church is growing, starting a new service is often the best way to make room for more people. There are, however, some key issues to consider. An experienced panel will share some inside stories and thoughts about mistakes we’ve made, lessons we’ve learned and how we would do things differently.
7. Elders: One-on-one conversations for answers to your hardest questions
Led by Harvey Bream, Executive Pastor, and Elders Dale Bouchillon, Carlton Gill, Rick Monroe, Mickey Boutwell, and Dennis Meeks
Do you need to talk through a tough issue? Do you have unique questions? Schedule a one-on-one session for your church’s elders and pastors to sit down with two of our experienced leaders. Space extremely limited so register early.
- Harvey Bream, Executive Pastor and Dale Bouchillon, Chairman of the Elders
- Carlton Gill and Rick Monroe, Elders
- Mickey Boutwell and Dennis Meeks, Elders
8. WORSHIP ARTS: ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS FOR YOUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGES
Led by the Worship Arts Team
Do you need to talk through a challenge? Have in-depth questions about a specific ministry area?
Reserve a one-on-one session for your ministry team leaders to sit down with our leaders. Individual sessions – available on a first-come basis – are with the associate worship arts pastors, instrumental pastor, drama pastor administrative assistant, production arts ministry team leader, and the administrative assistants to Worship Arts. Space is extremely limited so register early.
- Sean Ihrig, Associate Worship Pastor, will be available to discuss issues related to worship, service programming, and discipleship.
- Drew Humphries, Associate Worship Pastor, will be available to discuss issues related to worship, service programming, and discipleship.
- Keith Baxter, Instrumental Pastor, will be available to discuss issues related to worship, building an instrumental team, and recruitment.
- Wayne Sullivan, Drama Pastor, along with Linda Fisher, Ministry assistant to Drama Ministries will be available to discuss issues related to building a drama team and effectively integrating drama into the worship environment.
- Gary Poole, Production Arts Ministry Team Leader, along with Pat Davis, Administrative Assistant to Production Arts/Instrumental will be available to discuss issues related to technical arts ministry and the many challenges of technology in worship.
- Ronda Hughes, Assistant to Mike Frazier, and Angela Wolfe, Assistant to Music Ministries, will be available to discuss issues related to copyright, recruitment, the strategic use of volunteers and organizing the Arts ministry.
FRIDAY WORKSHOP IV 11:15am
1. Maximizing my Ministry Productivity
Led by Gene Appel, Sr. Pastor Eastside Christian Church
We never have enough hours in the day. Join us as Gene shares his secret weapon for major ministry impact.
2. Emotional Intelligence: The Secret to effective leadership
Led by Harvey Bream, Executive Pastor
Emotional intelligence is what can set you apart as a truly effective leader. Your IQ, your education, your experience – none of these count for more in terms of taking your ministry to the next level. Emotional intelligence is actually a set of skills anyone can acquire. Join us as we identify them, explain their importance, and show how they can be fostered. Raise your emotional intelligence and raise your leadership potential.
3. Social media: The risks and rewards of posting, tweeting, texting and more
Led by Randall Tonini, Student Pastor, and Esther Griffin, Communications Team Leader
Can Facebook and Twitter help you connect with people in meaningful ways? Are there strategies for creating dynamic online conversations without letting it consume you? What’s the best way to get started? People of all ages use social media to stay connected and stay in the know. Learn practical steps for using social media effectively for your ministry. Take away tips for teaching others how to use social media responsibly, too.
4. Children’s Ministry: creating a dynamic small group experience for kids
Led by the Children’s Ministry Team
We’ll take an in-depth look at how we grow our kids’ faith through small groups. We will explore curriculum, what a small group looks like, and recruiting the right volunteers for the various age groups in Children’s Ministry.
5. Ministry mistakes: You think you’ve made some?
Panel discussion led by Jim Bolen, Community Care Pastor; Steve Angel, Associate Pastor for Community Care; Ken Philbeck, Regional Campus Pastor; and Phil Fincher, Student Ministries Pastor
You think you’ve made mistakes in ministry? Haven’t we all? Avoid our pitfalls by hearing from a panel of pastors who will come clean about their worst mistakes and what they learned from them.
6. Spiritual formation: transforming people into the likeness of Christ
Led by Gina Roes, LifeCHANGE Christian Counselor
The focus of spiritual formation is the development of the inner-life and transformation into the likeness of Jesus. Discover ways you can move your congregation to greater spiritual formation. Leave with a solid understanding of spiritual formation, its importance for the growth and vitality of your church, and practical steps to take back to your church.
7. Simple Strategies for Developing a Thriving Worship Arts Ministry
Led by the Savannah Christian Worship Arts Team
We’ll share some of our successful approaches to practical ministry issues such as how we find great songs, how we recruit and train our worship band, how we work with our vocalists, how to manage the drama ministry in the local church, and how to use technology in worship.
8. Elders: One-on-one conversations for answers to your hardest questions
Led by Elders Dale Bouchillon, Carlton Gill, Rick Monroe, Mickey Boutwell, and Dennis Meeks
Do you need to talk through a tough issue? Do you have unique questions? Schedule a one-on-one session for your church’s elders and pastors to sit down with two of our experienced leaders. Space extremely limited so register early.
- Dale Bouchillon, Chairman of the Elders
- Carlton Gill and Rick Monroe, Elders
- Mickey Boutwell and Dennis Meeks, Elders
EXTRAS:
Men’s Wild Game Dinner
Join our men’s leadership team for our annual Wild Game Dinner at Dorchester Hunting Preserve, where you will enjoy the finest wild game you have ever eaten. After dinner, have a chance to gather around the fireplace with Bill McGee, our Men’s Pastor, and his volunteer leadership team as well as other pastors attending the Next Level. This is a wild night that you don’t want to miss. Cost is only $10 per person and transportation is included. We will leave from The Link building immediately after the last session on Thursday. Space is limited to 40 men.
Unwind
A place for women to relax, reflect and recharge Sit back and get comfortable for a little while. Use UNWIND as a place to relax and recharge. We also invite you to use this space to ask questions, get inspired and hear each other’s stories. The best tools and tricks for living a balanced life in and around ministry need to be passed along from one generation to the next or one home to another. We hope that some time together here will be just what you need to make your home and your church stronger.