God’s Work & Our Work in Raising Up the Next Generation
Often the barriers to serving in vocational ministry feel bigger than the call to it! Together, we'll face the misconceptions that keep people from saying "yes" and discover how to develop leaders of all generations who will serve with health, resilience, and faithfulness. The future of the Church won't happen unintentionally. Let's do our part to identify, equip, and send the next generation of FLD church leaders out into the mission field.
Link to registration is located at the bottom of this page!
Before you register, please read through our workshop and affinity group options!
Brian Farone has served as District Superintendent for EFCA's North Central District since 2017. He is a first-generation Christian who came to faith through the ministry of Young Life. Brian is a graduate of Arizona Christian University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to joining the NCD, he served in pastoral ministry in Arizona and California. In addition, he spent four years serving in district leadership on the staff of EFCA West.
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!
The Two Shoulder Tap: Developing Leaders through Divine Calling and Pastoral Affirmation - Bill Yaccino
Many potential leaders are in our pews, feeling a quiet prompting from the Holy Spirit but lacking the confidence to act. This workshop explores the “Two Shoulder Tap”; model of leadership development: the internal call of the Spirit and the external affirmation of leadership. Using the presenter’s journey from Software Engineering to full-time ministry, we will examine how to identify, mentor, and & “tap” the next generation of Kingdom leaders.
Muchos líderes potenciales están sentados en nuestras bancas, sintiendo un llamado silencioso del Espíritu Santo, pero sin la confianza necesaria para actuar. Este taller explora el modelo de desarrollo de liderazgo del “toque en ambos hombros”: el llamado interno del Espíritu y la afirmación externa del liderazgo. A partir del recorrido del presentador, desde la ingeniería de software hasta el ministerio a tiempo completo, examinaremos cómo identificar, mentorear y “señalar” a la próxima generación de líderes del Reino.
Surviving, Thriving, and Lasting in Ministry - Brian Farone
Guidance for pastors and church leaders as we pursue long-term health in a broken world. This breakout will help pastors and church leaders think about how they might stay healthy and fruitful for a lifetime of ministry. We will explore best practices and dive into crucial areas that form the foundation for living "one healthy whole life" in ministry.
Este taller ayudará a pastores y líderes de iglesia a pensar en cómo mantenerse saludables y fructíferos durante toda una vida de ministerio. Exploraremos buenas prácticas y profundizaremos en áreas cruciales que forman la base para vivir “una vida plena y saludable” en el ministerio.
What is your 20 Square feet that God has entrusted to you? How do you intentionally reach those outside our 20 square feet? Why? - Brad Eidsen
God is doing something in us in order to do something through us. In our overwhelmingly busy schedule, do we intentionally make space for those who may not fit into our cultural Christian space that may make us feel uncomfortable even trying to connect with? Barna has stated that less than 30% of the people in our community attend church regularly (about once a month). Without creating another program, what would it look like to intentionally enter these spaces that are already in our 20 Square feet and encourage others to do the same? In the workshop, we will be focusing on being who God has already called us to be but being more intentionally aware of His leading. We will share what God is doing in us in our churches to bring the gospel to those around us. We will share how we can create a culture in our churches that reaches out far beyond our church walls. John 4:1-44
Dios está haciendo algo en nosotros para hacer algo a través de nosotros. En medio de nuestros horarios abrumadoramente ocupados, ¿hacemos intencionalmente espacio para quienes quizá no encajan en nuestro espacio cultural cristiano y con quienes incluso puede resultarnos incómodo intentar conectarnos? Barna ha afirmado que menos del 30 % de las personas de nuestra comunidad asisten regularmente a la iglesia (aproximadamente una vez al mes). Sin crear otro programa, ¿cómo sería entrar intencionalmente en estos espacios que ya forman parte de nuestros 20 pies cuadrados y animar a otros a hacer lo mismo? En este taller nos enfocaremos en ser quienes Dios ya nos ha llamado a ser, pero estando más intencionalmente atentos a su dirección. Compartiremos lo que Dios está haciendo en nosotros y en nuestras iglesias para llevar el evangelio a quienes nos rodean. También compartiremos cómo podemos crear una cultura en nuestras iglesias que alcance mucho más allá de las paredes de nuestra iglesia. Juan 4:1-44
Preaching to People Who Live on their Phones - Chris Dolson – Executive Director of Didasko Seminars – Pastor Emeritus at Blackhawk Church
All week long, the screens on our phones are shaping our people—telling them who they are, what to love, and what really matters. As preachers, we get about 35 minutes. How can we preach God’s Word so that his voice becomes louder than their feeds? This seminar will offer practical, realistic tips to help your preaching cut through the digital noise so that the Holy Spirit can use it to form and transform people who live on their phones.
Durante toda la semana, las pantallas de nuestros teléfonos están moldeando a nuestra gente: diciéndoles quiénes son, qué amar y qué es lo que realmente importa. Como predicadores, tenemos unos 35 minutos. ¿Cómo podemos predicar la Palabra de Dios de manera que su voz se escuche más fuerte que sus feeds? Este seminario ofrecerá consejos prácticos y realistas para ayudar a que tu predicación atraviese el ruido digital, de modo que el Espíritu Santo pueda usarla para formar y transformar a las personas que viven en sus teléfonos.
Boosting Your Volunteer Pathway - Debby Rowe & Sarah Hayden
Jesus told us that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. How do we move from “few” to “more”? Come to this interactive workshop to discuss best practices to recruit, train, and retain volunteers. You will leave with tools to help you equip and multiply disciplemakers.
Jesús nos dijo que la cosecha es abundante, pero los trabajadores son pocos. ¿Cómo pasamos de “pocos” a “más”? Ven a este taller interactivo para hablar sobre las mejores prácticas para reclutar, capacitar y retener voluntarios. Te irás con herramientas que te ayudarán a equipar y multiplicar a quienes hacen discípulos.
The Gift Nobody Wants: Sabbath Rest for Ministry Leaders - Dan Johnston
Are you tired? Worn out? Overwhelmed with all that needs to be done? Jesus invites us to get away with him and take a real rest. In this breakout session, we will examine what healthy rhythms of work (doing) and rest (being) look like as well as what the primary obstacles are that prevent pastors from experiencing this rest. We will also explore practical next steps you can take to enter into Jesus’ specific invitation of rest for you.
¿Estás cansado? ¿Agotado? ¿Abrumado por todo lo que hay que hacer? Jesús nos invita a apartarnos con él y descansar de verdad. En esta sesión exploraremos cómo son los ritmos saludables de trabajo (hacer) y descanso (ser), así como los principales obstáculos que impiden que los pastores experimenten este descanso. También exploraremos pasos prácticos que puedes dar para aceptar la invitación específica de Jesús a descansar que tiene para ti.
Overview of AIR - Developing a Strategy to Identify Ministry Leaders in Our Churches - Panel Discussion
We all know there is a shortage of potential ministry leaders in our churches. What are practical steps we can take in our churches to identify and help individuals see their potential and call from God to vocational ministry. What resources and practices can we implement that will help get more apprentices, interns and residents into ministry to fill the openings we have in our churches?
Todos sabemos que hay escasez de líderes potenciales de ministerio en nuestras iglesias. ¿Qué pasos prácticos podemos dar para identificar a estas personas y ayudarlas a reconocer su potencial y el llamado de Dios al ministerio vocacional? ¿Qué recursos y prácticas podemos implementar que ayuden a incorporar a más aprendices, pasantes y residentes al ministerio para cubrir las vacantes que tenemos en nuestras iglesias?
Generational IQ - Jarrod Stichter
Why do generations see the world so differently? Let’s unpack the experiences and worldviews that shape each generation—and discover practical ways to connect, disciple, and minister to everyone from Boomers to Gen Alpha.
¿Por qué las generaciones ven el mundo de maneras tan diferentes? Exploremos las experiencias y cosmovisiones que dan forma a cada generación, y descubramos maneras prácticas de conectar, discipular y ministrar a todos, desde los Baby Boomers hasta la Generación Alfa.
Shepherding the Whole Person: Caring for Soul, Mind, Body, Relationships - Laurie James
Preparation for the day-to-day realities of serving people with complex needs while caring for our own. This workshop will provide practical tools for navigating the relational, emotional, mental, and spiritual demands of ministry.
Preparación para las realidades cotidianas de servir a personas con necesidades complejas mientras cuidamos de nosotros mismos. Este taller ofrecerá herramientas prácticas para navegar las demandas relacionales, emocionales, mentales y espirituales del ministerio.
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/Discipleship/Small Groups
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
Women's Ministry
Worship Ministry
Tech Leaders
Communications
Church Planter Wives
Pastor’s Wives
Young Adults/College Ministry
Care Ministries
Assimilation Teams / Welcome / Connection Team
Retired Ministry Leaders
FULL DAY SCHEDULE (Tentative)
7:00 - Partner Booth Setup
8:00 - 9:00 am REGISTRATION OPENS
9:00 - 10:15 am FIRST SESSION
10:15 - 10:45 am BUSINESS MEETING
10:45 - 11:15 am BREAK
11:15 - 12:15 pm WORKSHOPS
12:15 - 1:00 pm LUNCH
1:00 - 2:30 pm 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: August 25th - 31st ($109)
Standard Rates: September 1st - 21st ($129)
Group Rates: August 25th - September 21st (2+) - ($109)
Late registration starts: September 22nd - 30th ($139)
Registration Closes: October 1st
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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.
Approved ministry partners, please do not use this registration. We have already sent info your way about partner registration! If you have not heard from us, please email sberg@forestlakes-efca.org.
What If I Cannot Afford It?
Our heart is for all ministry leaders to be equipped, connected and encouraged in Ministry. We do not want finances to stand in the way. Please reach out to us, and we can let you know if we have any scholarship funds or discounts available!
