In a culture where power and authority often overshadow care, empathy, and love, we will explore a refreshing take on what real leadership looks like. It's not just about titles, systems or techniques…it’s about leading from the inside out. If you're ready to lead with more purpose, depth, and authenticity, this is an event for you. Let’s rediscover what it means to LOVE THOSE YOU LEAD.
Link to registration is located at the bottom of this page!
Before you register, please read through our workshop and affinity group options!
Matt has served in local Church ministry for over 30 years. He has authored three books: A Normal Guy, Joy for the Journey and Living with Passion. He is a coach to several pastors and has been featured on multiple TV shows including Cornerstone TV, Babbie's House and guest on several radio programs. He is a speaker at retreats, conferences and seminars. He is the Senior Pastor at Faith Evangelical Free Church is Stanley, Wisconsin. He enjoys coaching sports, reading, and helping his beautiful bride Cyndy for 33 years and is the father to four grown children.
BEFORE REGISTERING, please read through the descriptions to determine which workshops would be best for you! If there are several that you would like to attend, don’t worry, we will have recordings of all the sessions available after the conference!
Take Your Teamwork to the Next Level- The 6 Types of Working Genius
(Brian Burquest)
This workshop offers a practical approach for boosting self-awareness, maximizing individual impact, and fostering high-performing teams. Dig deeper into understanding your gifts and frustrations so you can better experience fulfillment and dignity in your ministry!
This workshop builds off the knowledge of the Working Genuis Assessment from Patrick Lencioni. If you have not yet taken the assessment, you can do so here for a small fee! Brian will be notified and connect with you about your results!
Beyond the Meal Train - A Care Ministries Panel
What could it look like to become a church who cares well for those who are grieving, struggling and in need? Come and hear from a panel of ministry leaders who bring years of experience in training, equipping and unleashing the church to care well for one another on not only physical level, but spiritually and emotionally!
Leading Through Trials (Matt Miklasz)
The journey of leadership is not a leisurely stroll along a paved road; it’s a rugged trek filled with trials, uncertainty, fear, and obstacles. In this workshop, we delve into the heart of leading those you love with a resilience mindset, exploring how leaders can view trials not as impediments, but as opportunities for growth and transformation.
Effective Communication with Your Team & Church (Andy Shanholtz)
As a Ministry Leader have you encountered the blank stares of your team when you are trying to generate conversation and feedback? You are not alone. We will identify our communication channel and learn how to bridge the gap with your staff and congregation. We will also discuss effective listening techniques and identify the missing link to effective communication.
Leading Safe Churches: Prevention and Response Best Practices (Mike Sloan, Grace Ministries)
This workshop, led by Mike Sloan of G.R.A.C.E. (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), equips church leaders to further a culture of protection for the vulnerable, rooted in Christian Faith, rather than institutional preservation. Through interactive scenarios, we will learn about implementing safeguarding best practices, including policies that are both accessible and effective. Mike is a former pastor with 15 years of experience training and consulting with churches on abuse prevention and response best practices.
Rightly Dividing the Word: Building Your Hermeneutical Toolkit (Andrew Gutberlet)
In an age of biblical confusion and cultural complexity, faithful teaching begins with faithful interpretation. This session will equip younger church leaders with a robust framework for studying and teaching God’s Word with accuracy, depth, and confidence. We’ll explore an essential triad for faithful interpretation (a historical, literary, Christocentric approach) and walk through practical tools to help you rightly handle the Word of Truth. Whether you're prepping sermons, leading Bible studies, or discipling others, this breakout will sharpen your hermeneutical approach and help you build a toolkit for lifelong biblical faithfulness.
The Sermon Snapshot: Actionable Feedback for Every Communicator on Your Team (Ryan Morrison)
Your Church has probably never heard you at your best. Not because you don’t work hard, but because you don’t have a reliable system for feedback.
How do you know if your teaching is both biblically accurate and deeply relevant?
What blind spots might be quietly eroding your credibility?
If you could grow in just one skill that would make an immediate difference in your preaching, would you know where to start?
Join us for a practical conversation on how busy leaders can get the honest, actionable feedback they need to take their teaching to the next level.
Ministry Meets Mental Health: How to Walk with People Through Anxiety, Depression, and More (Adam Mollica)
Ministry leaders are often the first people someone turns to when facing anxiety, depression, or other mental health struggles. This workshop equips you to respond with clarity, compassion, and gospel-centered wisdom—offering meaningful care without overextending your role. You’ll also learn when and how to make a trusted referral to professional help.
Living Life at the Intersection of Loving God & Loving People (John Gerhardt, Urban Impact)
This workshop draws on 34 years of ministry experience in the inner city of New Orleans. Join us as we explore what it looks like to live at the intersections of race, politics, age, and gender. We will look to scripture regarding Christ’s life, which involved navigating complex cultural and social intersections, as a case study for addressing these challenges. We will also explore community engagement, specifically focusing on fostering local leadership, reflecting practices that Urban Impact has implemented for decades.
A highlight of many at the Forest Lakes conferences is the Affinity Network time. This time is designed to connect ministry leaders with other in their ministry space. It's possible that you may be feeling the loneness that ministry can bring, this time is designed for you to find others to walk alongside you!
Best practices are shared, brainstorming takes place, and most importantly, connections are made. Our prayer is that the connections made during this time will continue beyond the conference.
OUR AFFINITY NETWORKS-
Hispanic / Cosecha Network
Office Administrators
Finance / HR / Operations
Associate Pastors/Directors/Adult Ministry
Campus/Multi-Site Pastors
Children & Family Ministry Leaders
Chuch Planters
Elders & Other Lay Leaders
Executive Pastors/Directors
Interim Pastors
Missions & Community Partnerships
Multiple Staff Senior Pastors (over 400)
Multiple Staff Senior Pastors (under 400)
Solo Pastors
Student Ministry Leaders
Women's Ministry
Worship
Tech Leaders
Communications
Church Planter Wives
Pastor’s Wives
Young Adults/College Ministry
Small Group/Life Group Directors
Assimilation Teams / Welcome / Connection Team
Care Ministries
Partnership Ministries - Self Led
Discipleship Ministries / Spiritual Formation
FULL DAY SCHEDULE
7:00 - Partner Booth Setup
8:00 - 9:00 am REGISTRATION OPENS
9:00 - 10:30 am FIRST SESSION
10:30 - 10:45 am BUSINESS MEETING
10:45 - 11:15 am BREAK
11:15 - 12:30 pm WORKSHOPS
12:30 - 2:30 pm LUNCH w/ AFFINITY NETWORKS
2:30 - 2:45 pm BREAK
2:45-4:00 pm SECOND SESSION
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CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DATES & COSTS-
Early Bird Rates: July 28th - August 12th ($109)
Standard Rates: August 13th - September 24th ($129)
Group Rates (2+) - July 28th - September 24th ($109)
Late registration starts: September 25th October 1st ($139)
Registration Closes: October 2nd
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LUNCH OPTIONS-
When registering, you will be able to select one of these three options:
REGULAR
GLUTEN FREE
VEGITARIAN
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LODGING-
TBD
Who Is This Conference For?
The FLD Ministry Leaders Fall Conference is for everyone who is on staff or is a key leader at your church! Each of you play an extremely important role in the mission God has in our district.
If you are married, please know your spouse is encouraged and invited to attend! We know that your spouse is your biggest encourager and supporter. They are equally a part of the FLD Family, and we would love to have them there with you!
How Do I Become A Ministry Partner?
We do have ministry partner booths at the conference. However, there is limited availability. To inquire, please apply to be a partner with us here! After you have done that, email Steph at sberg@forestlakes-efca.org.
Once the application has been received, our FLD Executive team will either approve or deny your application based on the criteria we have set. We are seeking ministries affiliated with the EFCA to be at our conferences.
Please note: All people at your table will need to register for the conference.
