Every Reformed Ministry Leader Would be Blessed by Attending this Event

Every autumn I experience the following:   

• Delight when I gather with my family for a picture in the pumpkin patch.
• Astonishment when I discover snowsuits for sale at Costco.
• Anticipation as I register to attend one of my favorite conferences for faith formation leaders.

Chances are you’ve also experienced the fun of being corralled into a photo with the people you love and the shock of seeing next season’s clothes for sale when the current season has just begun, but I’m willing to wager that you haven’t experienced the excitement of selecting workshops for the Association for Presbyterian Church Educators’ Annual Event, a faith formation conference designed specifically for both paid and volunteer Reformed ministry leaders.

In fact, it’s likely that you’ve never even heard of this event. And I get that. The name “Annual Event” doesn’t have me running outside shouting “Start the car!” either. What has me packing my bags each February is the conference content and the opportunity to connect with more than 600 faith formation leaders in order to be encouraged and equipped for another year of ministry.

Here’s some of what I’m looking forward to at the 2020 event in Little Rock, Arkansas:  

• learning from brilliant plenary leaders Theresa Cho and Lisa Sharon Harper. Worth the price of admission right there. 
• worshipping with John Bell. No need to fly to Scotland, he's coming to us. #savingyoumoney
• experiencing a worship space designed by Sanctified Art and learning how to integrate art with worship. Be still my art, I love these people!
• attending some of the over 70 workshops on intergenerational faith formation, creative arts, community building, pastoral skills, family faith formation, children, young adults, leadership, mission and social justice, theology, and more. So. Many. Choices. 
• spending time in the marketplace perusing new ministry resources like Dear Parent and Everyday Family Faith and having in-person conversations staff from Congregational Ministries Publishing, GenOnMinistries, Faith Alive Resources and more.
• eating delicious meals with ministry leaders from a variety of contexts.
• visiting the Little Rock High School National Historic site. 
• attending a screening of the screening the documentaries Trigger and Flint (from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) 
• and more!

Every ministry leader in your church would be blessed by attending this conference. Who will you send? 

For more details, visit the conference website. Hope to see you there!