PROGRAM

God works in hearts, but we are called to go out. How do we reach people who have little connection to church, faith and Christian language? Our society is becoming more secular, but the mission of Jesus remains the same. We want to talk about how churches can develop a culture in which people without a Christian background encounter Jesus. What might we need to rethink? What must we never lose? And how can evangelism, church services, relationships and our everyday church life help reach people who are still far from church today?

How do we take a clear stand for our convictions while at the same time meeting people with genuine love? In an increasingly polarized society, we as the church need neither retreat nor culture war. We want to learn to hold truth and love together, to communicate our convictions boldly and respectfully, and to get involved where society and politics are being shaped. How can we, as pastors and leaders, shape a church that has a clear voice, doesn’t write people off, and credibly builds the Kingdom of God right in the midst of our society?

We can only lead others to where we ourselves are headed. This is precisely why we as pastors and leaders need more than strategies, goals and a full calendar. We must hear God’s voice and remain spiritually aligned ourselves. How do we create space for prayer and the presence of God in the midst of responsibility? How do we receive vision, rather than merely produce plans? And how do we shape our teams and churches out of our own spiritual life? This is about leadership that begins first with God and, from there, moves people and church.

Worship is more than music. A worship culture is more than the songs we sing on Sundays. How do we build churches in which people passionately seek God and his presence takes center stage? Together we will look at current worship trends, discuss opportunities and challenges, and ask what makes a spiritually healthy worship culture. How do we lead teams, develop worship leaders, and create spaces where it’s not about performance, but about our churches becoming, more and more, places where God is worshiped?

Discipleship happens through relationships, but good systems can help ensure that people are not overlooked and that spiritual growth is not left to chance. How do we accompany people from their first contact with our church all the way into discipleship, service and leadership? We’ll look at practical discipleship systems and ask which structures can help accompany people in their next steps. Systems never replace the work of God or personal relationships, but they can help us do our part as well as possible.