About the Conference

The Church Leadership Conference is an annual event designed to provide opportunities for participants to hear from nationally-known speakers, attend a variety of workshops, learn from others and process within church leadership teams. This conference brings together vestries and other church leaders for learning, reflection and formation. It’s a time and space to explore how churches can refocus their energies and deepen the faith of their congregations. This distinctive community invites group discussion on real-life issues participants would like to address. The ideas and resources shared by outstanding speakers and workshop leaders will inspire and offer practical tools for ministry.

This year we will explore the theme Finding Your Place, discovering and discerning what church leaders are called to do within their congregations and communities. Encounter well-versed speakers with innovative ideas on understanding your role as a guide within the Church. Workshops and presentations will address how to support others in finding where their talents are most fruitful. There will also be workshops on stewardship, leadership skills, and discipleship for leaders.

Join Rachel Held Evans, the Rev. Canon Frank Logue and a team of workshop leaders as they delve into avenues of “finding your place” as individuals and leaders within your congregations. We will discuss reasons people find their way to our congregations, how to make them feel appreciated, and effective courses for personal growth.

Keynote Speaker

Rachel Held Evans is a New York Times best-selling author whose books include Faith Unraveled (2010), A Year of Biblical Womanhood (2012) and Searching for Sunday (2015). Hailing from Dayton, Tennessee—home of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925—she writes about faith, doubt and life in the Bible Belt. Rachel has been featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian, Christianity Today, Slate, The Huffington Post, The CNN Belief Blog, and on NPR, BBC, The Today Show and The View. She keeps a busy schedule speaking at churches, conferences, and colleges and universities around the country. A lifelong Alabama Crimson Tide fan, Rachel is married to Dan. Her preferred writing fuel is animal crackers and red wine.

Speaker

The Rev. Canon Frank Logue is Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Georgia. A 1984 graduate of Georgia Southern University, he worked for small newspapers in Georgia for several years prior to becoming a freelance journalist and photographer. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2000 and returned to Georgia, where he successfully planted King of Peace Episcopal Church. Logue joined the diocesan staff in 2010. Read about his life and his travel adventures at loosecanon.georgiaepiscopal.org.

Conference Staff

Chaplain
The Rev. Ron Byrd is serving his sixth year as rector of St. Katherine’s Church in Williamston, Michigan.
In 2011, Ron and St. Katherine’s developed and successfully launched Forster Woods Day Center, an adult care facility that provides assistance to persons living with dementia and other physical or mental impairments. Prior to becoming an Episcopal priest in 2007, Ron was employed for over 20 years in executive management and leadership positions at four Fortune 500 companies. Ron is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and holds degrees in Marketing, Management, Finance and Business Administration.

Workshop Descriptions

Rates

Early bird registration through November 17!

Double Occupancy
$320 per person $288 through November 17, 2016
Includes program, lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities.

Single Occupancy
$400 per person $360 through November 17, 2016
Includes program, lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities. (Based on availability)

Commuter
$155 per person $140 through November 17, 2016
Includes program, lunches, suppers and use of recreational facilities.

Non-participating guest
$225 per person $203 through November 17, 2016
Includes lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities.

Optional Stay Over on February 19
$80 per person
Includes lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities.

Payment

Deposit: $100 per person Nonrefundable. Nontransferable. Deposit deducted from total fee.
Balance Due: January 16

(To register after this date, please send a check or use a credit card for the full amount.)

Cancellations and refunds are provided in a tiered system based on proximity to the event start date. Any cancellation made at least three weeks (21 days) before the event start date will result in a refund, minus the $100 nonrefundable deposit. Cancellations made 20-15 days before the event start date will receive a 50% refund, minus the $100 nonrefundable deposit. Cancellations made 14-8 days before the event start date will receive a 25% refund, minus the $100 nonrefundable deposit. Cancellations made within 7 days of the event start date are not eligible for a refund.

Check-In/Check-Out

Check-in: 4–6 p.m. Friday, February 17
Check-out: after lunch Sunday, February 19