The Church: Still the Plan
We are living in a day when a lot that is wrong with the church is being revealed - sexual abuse, cultural compromise, misplaced passion, etc. As a result, many are becoming disillusioned and disconnected from the church. This reality can be disheartening for ministry leaders. Yet despite these problems, the church still is God’s plan! God is working in and through his imperfect church to accomplish his eternal purposes. At this conference we will be reminded that in every season, Jesus is building his church. We will also consider how we are called to be salt and light in the midst of the current issues and challenges of our day.
I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
WOMEN, MINISTRY, LEADERSHIP, & COMPLEMENTARIANISM with Rebecca McLaughlin: One of the pressing issues facing the church in our day is the role of women in ministry. As cultural values shift, it is crucial that we think about this issue biblically so we can understand the goodness of God’s design and the wealth of opportunities available to women in ministry. Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin will help us think through the question “Isn’t Christianity Denigrating to Women.” After her presentation there will be a practical presentation from an EFCA church about involving women in leadership within a complementation ethos.
Rebecca McLaughlin
Friday Evening Worship Service
With Carlton Harris: During the Friday evening worship service, we will direct our gaze not to the problems and issues facing the church, but to Christ who is greater than any challenge we face. We trust that as we look upon the goodness and greatness of God, we will be strengthened with hope that God will do all that he has promised in and through his church. Through song, prayer, testimony, preaching, and communion will worship Jesus, the Head of the church.
Carlton Harris
Saturday Ministry Leader Equipping
During morning and afternoon roundtable sessions, ministry teams will consider practical ways in which God is looking to work through NEDA churches in this season. We will focus on the themes of “Salt: how is our church distinct?” and “Light: How is our church visible?” These sessions will involve guided roundtable discussion and large group debrief led by NEDA ministry leaders.
Conference Details
Schedule
Friday, October 28th
1:00pm Registration
1:30pm Pre-conference workshop session 1: Rebecca McLaughlin
3:00pm Break
3:30pm Pre-conference workshop session 2: EFCA Church Presentation
5:00pm Dinner
6:00pm Worship Service: Carlton Harris
Saturday, October 29th
9:00am Roundtable Discussion 1 - Salt: How is our church distinct?
10:30am Break
11:00am Business Meeting
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Roundtable Discussion 2 - Light: How is our church visible?
2:30pm Break
3:00pm Closing Session
3:30pm Depart
Format
This conference is geared for ministry teams. Pastors are encouraged to bring key leaders (elders, staff, program directors, small group leaders, etc). The pre-conference sessions will be lecture format with Q&A. The Friday evening session will be a worship service with a singing, prayer, sermon, and communion. The Saturday sessions will involve roundtable discussion with large group debrief.
REGISTRATION
Conference registration is $50 per person or $150 for a table group of 6. This includes pre-conference and conference sessions, Friday dinner and Saturday lunch. Registration will open in September.
HOTELS
Hampton Inn Westford MA
Courtyard by Marriot Littleton
Westford Regency Inn