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ECO National Gathering

Pre-Conferences | ​Monday, Feb 2nd

Pre-conferences provide an excellent opportunity to connect with others and explore a particular ministry area in greater depth. Pre-conferences run from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST on Monday, February 2nd unless otherwise indicated. 

Children / Youth / Family

The Role of Anxiety in the Spiritual Formation of Adolescents: How Anxiety Helps and Hurts our Walk with Christ

As conversations concerning anxiety continue to surge among adolescent researchers and parents, what impact can faith and one’s “journey with Jesus” play in an adolescents mental health? In this pre-conference we will explore the cultural influences that are creating this anxious generation, discuss how anxiety can help and hurt one’s growth in Christ, and finally address how the Church can help foster resilience in both parents and adolescents. You will leave with biblical and practical wisdom to teach adolescents and their parents through the challenges of anxiety.

Rev. Dr. Kyle Livingston, Assistant Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, SC

$40

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Church Planting

Foundations for Church Planting: Leading, Building, and Thriving in New Gospel Communities

Planting a church is one of the most challenging and rewarding callings in ministry. In this interactive three-hour seminar, Shayne Wheeler draws from Scripture, experience, and insights from leading missional thinkers to explore the heart, habits, and leadership skills essential for planting healthy, gospel-centered churches. Participants will examine the call and character of a church planter, confront the unique challenges of starting new congregations, learn principles of vision and team-building, and discover how to sustain both soul and mission for the long haul. Designed for planters, pastors, and church leaders, this seminar offers practical wisdom, honest encouragement, and spiritual grounding for those seeking to lead new gospel communities that thrive.


To RSVP for this pre-conference or if you have questions, please email churchplanting@eco-pres.org.

Shayne Wheeler

Invite Only

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Creative Arts & Worship

Open Sound Check

Open sound check: Come get a behind-the-scenes look as our worship team prepares to lead us this week! This is more than just a tech run — it's a moment to soak in raw, unfiltered worship and witness the heart behind our praise.

Whether you're a worship leader, musician, tech volunteer, or just curious — this is your chance to catch the Spirit before the NG begins!

Brandon Muchow & the NG Worship Team 

Free

5:00 PM

Engaging Culture

Atlanta's Black History and Civil Rights Tour

Atlanta is known as 'the Black Mecca' for its wealth of African-American culture and history—and this 4-hour, small-group tour offers a comprehensive introduction to the city's key neighborhoods, landmarks, and more. This tour will leave from the Marriott Marquis Hotel and travel is in an air-conditioned vehicle. You'll see neighborhoods like Sweet Auburn, will visit local Civil Rights landmarks, will immerse yourself in Black arts and culture, and more. This is a 4 hour tour that will leave the hotel at 2:15 pm. 25 spaces are available. Registration for this tour closes December 15th. This is a Trip Advisor tour and is NOT led by ECO. More details can be found here (please do not register through this site - we have already secured the spots).


$74

2:15 PM - 6:15 PM

Global Engagement

The Mobilized Church

Local church mission leaders are invited to experience a taste-and-see event that will help them begin to discern a mission vision for their congregation. Has your church’s God-given potential to reach the nations been unlocked? In this highly interactive pre-conference workshop, we will draw upon the experience of two decades of mobilizing churches to be full partners in God’s global mission. Together we will explore some of the essential “keys” that God used to unlock the missions potential of the very first church that had a global vision - the church in Antioch of Syria. Focusing on Acts 13, we’ll unpack the Scriptural qualities of a congregation that is mobilized to make disciples of all nations helping participants think about what it looks like to cultivate and integrate a vibrant vision for missions into the ministry culture of a local church. Break-out sessions for your team are strategically scheduled to help your church dig deeper so you can apply biblically-based concepts in the context of your church and entire congregation. Large group discussions allow you to hear and learn from other churches and leaders. Develop an action plan that you and your leaders can use to engage your church staff and congregation.

Matthew Ellison 16:15 Outfitters (1615outfitters.org/churches) and Rev. Dr. Brian Stewart, Director of Global Engagement, ECO 

$40 

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Healthy Teams and Leaders

Peacemaking Principles

Biblical, Christ-Centered Conflict: Becoming a Peacemaking Leader - Essential to building a flourishing church, biblical peacemaking provides life-changing help to individuals, couples, families, churches, organizations, and communities experiencing conflict. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation for biblical peacemaking. Join us as we learn practical steps to becoming a peacemaking leader who navigates interpersonal and church conflict well. 

Christina Severinghaus, Bondofpeace.org & Rev. Dr. Julia Leeth, Lead Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX

$125 (Includes Lunch)  

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Healthy Teams and Leaders

Building the ECO "Order" for Retired and Retiring Pastors: A Retreat

At the 2025 National Gathering there was a pre-conference for retired and retiring pastors in ECO. The 2 hours we spent together caused us to long for more. This year we will spend 23 hours together prior to the National Gathering at the Ignatian Retreat Center in Dunwoody, GA. The hope is to continue to shape a group of retired pastors into an “order” (the O in ECO) for the purpose of helping us navigate the new sense of calling that comes with retirement from the ministries we once had. The retreat will focus on identity, purpose, community, vision, mentoring, and resilience.  

Details will be emailed to attendees. Please reach out to nationalgathering@eco-pres.org with any questions! 

Rev. Dr. Jim Singleton, Professor, Flourish Institute of Theology

$205 (Includes Sunday night lodging & 3 meals)  

Sunday at 5:00 PM through Monday at 4:00 PM

Healthy Teams and Leaders

On Flourishing and Relational Wellness

In this world, you will have trouble", Jesus tells us in John 16:33. Like always, He was right! In our over-anxious, hyper sexualized, tech-savvy world today where we are more connected than ever before in history, we are lonelier. We are, indeed, struggling. We are missing the mark on the very thing we were created for -- loving, intimate relationships. 

Supported by Harvard’s recent 75-year longitudinal study, “the secret” to leading a fulfilling life is no secret at all – it’s a life full of strong and safe relationships. In this workshop, Dr. Gurney will explore the burgeoning field of relationship science and human flourishing. Specifically we will examine models and predictors of human flourishing and discuss specific skills and strategies to increase well-being. As followers of Jesus, we are, after all, told to "take heart"  for He has overcome!

Dr. Andrea Gurney, Psychologist, Professor, and Author

$40

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Personal Leadership & Development

Equipping the Called for Their Unique Kingdom Contribution

Pastors and leaders are often champions of the general call—inviting all to repent, believe, and follow Jesus. But what if the greatest untapped resource in your church is not the people who have answered that call, but those who haven’t yet discovered how they are uniquely called to live it out? This interactive, four-hour pre-conference workshop explores the biblical, theological, and pastoral distinctions between general and special calling—and why both matter for building a thriving, missional church. Together we’ll examine how churches can move beyond one-size-fits-all discipleship by identifying, affirming, and releasing members into their Spirit-given callings: in the workplace, at home, in the neighborhood, and beyond. You’ll experience tools and frameworks designed to help your members discern their personal sense of vocation and purpose, not just the church’s shared mission. Expect both hands-on engagement and theological grounding that you can bring back to your session, small groups, and ministry teams. When leaders begin to coach their congregants toward special calling, people come alive—and the church becomes a movement. Come prepared to be equipped—and to be called anew.

Kelly Kannwischer, OptUp Consulting

$40

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Theology

Essential Tenets: The Practical Beauty of Theology for ECO's Future

Join us as the Standing Theological Committee launches its new eight-year project exploring the theological foundations and implications of our Essential Tenets.  This pre-conference will feature the Rev. Dr. Laura Smit as we tell the story of ECO's Essential Tenets and investigate the critical role theology plays in the everyday ministry of the church.  Discussions will include using the Essential Tenets in worship and liturgy as well as applying our Essential Tenets in pastoral counseling and healing. 

ECO's Standing Theological Committee

$40

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM