Churches and ministries face unprecedented levels of change, complexity, and polarization. Christian leaders report high levels of exhaustion and burnout. While pastors and ministry leaders are as dedicated as ever, too many are drained and ill-equipped for the challenges of this season of leadership.

How can ministry leaders thrive in the midst of this messy reality? Where are signs of hope and possibility for those who are ready to rethink church? What are leading ideas and practical applications for today’s faith communities and ministries?

This one-day training event will equip ministry leaders in Chicagoland to better offer Christ’s hope and healing. You’ll be inspired to navigate challenges with cutting-edge research and practical tools and approaches. In addition to the keynotes, breakouts will explore discipleship and spiritual formation, youth and young adult ministry, marketplace leadership, leading change in ministry, and much more. Invite your whole church or ministry team to attend and find a hopeful way forward together!

Cost

$75 per person for 1-4 people, $60/person for teams of 5-10 people, $50/person for teams of 11-25+ people. Scholarships are available. Lunch is included.

Register Here
Deadline to register is May 24, 2024 (or when event reaches capacity).

Audience

Church and ministry leaders (staff, board members/elders, and volunteers across all ministry areas)

Keynote Speakers & Topics

David Emmanuel Goatley (Fuller Seminary President, pictured upper left) on Christ-Centered Faith
Dan Meyer (Lead Pastor, Christ Church of Oak Brook, pictured upper center) on Hope in a Messy World
David Wang (Psychologist and Chair for the Formation of Emotionally Healthy Leaders, pictured upper right) on Mental and Emotional Health
Alexia Salvatierra (Academic Dean for Centro Latino, pictured lower left) on Churches that Transform Lives and Communities: Learning from the Comunidades de Base
Soong-Chan Rah (Professor of Evangelism, pictured lower center) on Biblical Justice and Biblical Evangelism
Scott Cormode (Professor of Leadership Development, pictured lower right) on Holistic Formation and Leading Change

Breakout Session Speakers

Each keynote speaker will offer a follow-up breakout session on their topic. In addition, we will offer the following breakout sessions:

Releasing the Third Third Potential of Your Church: How to Get Started
Rev. Dr. Mark Roberts

Increasingly, pastors and church leaders are sensing a great need and opportunity when it comes to their third third members (ages 55 and over). The potential impact of third third folk investing their lives in the kingdom of God is staggering. Plus, we want to help older adults live full, fruitful, and faithful lives as disciples of Jesus. The problem is, we’re not sure how to do this. After offering a vision for third third ministry, this breakout will offer a variety of practical “how-to-get-started” actions that pastors and churches can take in order to begin to release the third third potential in their congregations.

The Hospitable Leader: Creating Places of Welcome in a Lonely World
Rev. Dr. Laura Murray

The U.S. Surgeon General has described loneliness and isolation as an epidemic in the United States. How can Christian leaders respond to this reality? One such way is through the practice of hospitality that isn’t reserved for only homes or ballrooms but expands to classrooms, boardrooms, and wherever one might go. Come learn how the practice of hospitality meets the loneliness of our world.

Implementing Growing Young
Rev. Dr. Chuck Hunt

There are churches with energy and excitement, where teenagers are excited about coming to worship services and have relationships with people of all ages—and your church should be one, too. Utilizing the research from Fuller Youth Institute’s ongoing Growing Young project, we will offer tools to implement the Core Commitments in order to help your church thrive. This workshop will give pastors and leaders tools and new vision that will help them lead their churches to a new imagination for building lifelong faith in Jesus.

Reversing the Trends
Raymond Chang

Gens Z and Alpha are walking away from faith at alarming rates. During our time, we will explore why they are leaving and how we can turn the tide together. TENx10 is a collaborative initiative seeking to effectively reach and disciple youth that are disillusioned by and disconnected from their Christian faith. Gain theological, theoretical and practical frameworks for activating the church to engage with younger generations.

Multicultural Humility for Ministry Leaders: 3 Helpful Considerations and Behaviors when discussing DEI-related topics
Cedric Williams

Participants will learn basic skills when discussing topics that could be adversarial and complex.

Additional sessions will be added.

Meals

On-site lunch is provided in the registration cost.

Tentative Schedule

8:15 am: Registration opens
9:00 am: Main session 1
10:20 am: Break
10:50 am: Breakout sessions
11:45 am: Lunch
1:00 pm: Main session 2
2:10 pm: Break
2:30 pm: Breakout sessions
3:30 pm: Break
3:50 pm: Main session 3
5:00 pm: Conclusion

Questions?

Contact equip.support@fuller.edu

FAQs

Can I join electronically?

While the event will be recorded, joining live online will not be an option.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation at least seven days prior to the event is eligible for a full refund. Cancellation within seven days of the event is not refundable.

Will this event be held in other cities?

We are exploring offering this in other cities later in 2024 and 2025. Please contact us if you are interested!

Is this event only for Fuller students or alumni?

No! While we anticipate many Fuller students, prospective students, and alumni will attend, we are offering this as a practical training conference for ministry volunteers, elders, pastors, church and parachurch staff, and any others who are interested in the topics. Those from a wide variety of professional roles and theological backgrounds will find the event relevant and engaging.

Are scholarships available for this event?

Yes! To request a scholarship, please email equip.support@fuller.edu.