Pre-Conferences
Pre-conferences provide an excellent opportunity to connect with others and explore a particular ministry area in greater depth. Pre-conferences run from 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST on Monday, February 1st unless otherwise indicated.
1. Biblical Peacemaking
2. Transfiguring Biblical Interpretation: A "Mere Christian" Hermeneutics
3. Beyond the Finish Line: Redesigning Your Disciple-Making Pathway
4. Cultivating a Disciple-Making Movement Culture
Local church leaders are invited to a hands-on workshop that will challenge how they think about making disciples and equip them with practical tools to begin putting that shift into practice. This pre-conference will be led by Dr. Emanuel Prinz, global movement expert and Executive Director of Catalytic Leadership (catalyticleadership.info), who has trained leaders around the world in principles of multiplication behind some of history’s fastest-growing disciple-making movements.
5. Mentored Ministry
6. Tending the Sacred Heart of Leadership
In this pre-conference, you will be given time and space to consider your sacred heart, with guidance from pastor and professor Mark Roberts and pastor and spiritual director Laura Murray. Through the biblical teaching, insights from social science, personal reflection, and spiritual practices, you will be encouraged to pay attention to your heart, noticing what and whom your heart is attuned to, becoming more aware of the ways you react in moments of stress, and considering how God is inviting you to tend your sacred heart for the sake of yourself and the people to whom God called you. You will come away, not only with fresh ideas and experiences, but also with tangible tools you can use to tend your sacred heart as you lead God’s people.
7. Listening Evangelism
8. Open Sound Check
9. Church Planting - Invite Only
Clarify your church’s unique DNA by exploring its history, community, and current reality.
Cultivate Track 1A - Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kaitlyn Wood, Director of Church Health, ECO
Examine the systems that shape how your church functions, including governance, policies, structures, and size dynamics. Learn how these environments can either support or hinder healthy growth and how to cultivate the right conditions.
Cultivate Track 1B - Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dana Allin, Synod Executive, ECO
Healthy churches need healthy leaders and that’s especially true in smaller churches. Explore practical ways to identify, equip, and empower leaders within your congregation to strengthen ministry and build a strong and sustainable future.
Speaker: Steve Oster, Commissioned Lay Pastor, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot, ND
Conflict, whether within our own congregation or across our surrounding neighborhood, presents a profound opportunity for gospel impact. When a church learns to navigate its internal disagreements with grace, it gains a powerful, credible platform to serve its community. This session introduces a practical pathway to equip your congregation for biblical reconciliation, transforming internal conflict into deeper discipleship and positioning your church as a trusted peacemaking hub where neighbors can find healing and resolution. Discover how leaning into conflict can build bridges, restore relationships, and serve as an intentional bridge for community outreach.
Speaker: Rev. Nate Dreesmann, Executive Director of Ecclesiastical Support, ECO
Small church or large, clergy or lay leader, we all need tools for addressing challenging care situations. Join us for a discussion on how we can offer Christ’s presence to all in this cultural moment.
Speakers: Rev. Beth Case, Pastor for Caring and Christian Formation, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX and Rev. Jeanmarie Tade, Pastor of Caring, First Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Great worship starts with a shared culture. Discover how to build alignment among your leaders and create a worship ministry that is unified, intentional, and rooted in your church’s mission.
Speaker: Brandon Muchow, Minister of Worship, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, CA
What if generosity became part of your church’s culture—not just a moment in the offering? Explore five key shifts that can transform how your church approaches generosity and fuel your mission and vision.
Speaker: John Terech, Executive Director of Operations, ECO
Discover how generosity can become a catalyst for church growth and transformation. Learn practical ways to cultivate a culture where giving deepens discipleship, strengthens community, and advances your church’s mission.
Speaker: Joe Park, CEO, Horizons Stewardship
Most church leaders would love to see people live on mission for Jesus beyond the four walls of the church—but many disciple-making pathways stop at attendance, groups, and serving inside the church. This breakout introduces Handcrafted Calling, a process that helps people discover and name their personal calling so they can live as disciples in every sphere of life. Explore why activating calling is essential to moving from church engagement to disciple multiplication.
Speaker: Dave Rhodes & Shane Stacey, Co-Founders, Clarity House
What happens when we stop holding tightly to leadership and start giving it away? Explore how to identify, equip, empower, and release leaders to expand the church’s impact.
Speaker: Noemi Chavez, Lead Pastor, Revive Church, Long Beach, CA
Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer will focus on the notion of transfiguring: Jesus’ transfiguration; the transfiguration of the literal sense; the transfiguration of the reader in the reading of Scripture.
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Systematic Theology, Litfin Divinity School, Wheaton College
Gain insight into Gen Alpha—their world, perspectives, and spiritual questions—and discover practical ways the church can engage, disciple, and empower the next generation.
Speaker: Kara Powell, PhD, Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Seminary, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute & Founder of the TENx10 Collaboration
Come learn more about ECO’s church planting process and see if planting with us is right for you!
Speakers: Rev. Luke Parker, Director of Church Planting, ECO & Rev. Nate Stratman, Pastor/Head of Staff & Church Planter, Hope Community Church, Wilmington, NC
The Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPI) and ECO have enjoyed a deep ecumenical friendship for many years. As a part of that ongoing relationship, the IPI has helped ECO plant a Portuguese-speaking church here in the USA and their desire is to assist with more. ECO leaders have expressed a desire to partner with some of the IPI’s strategic mission initiatives, as well, including their church planting work around Brazil including the Amazon, efforts to create a presbytery in Portugal, and plans to expand their intercultural mission engagement in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. The workshop will highlight some of these initiatives and feature a number of leaders from the IPI. ECO leaders are invited to attend and discern how God might be leading them and their congregations to partner in the IPI’s far-reaching vision. This event is sponsored by the ECO-IPI Community of Global Engagement.
Speaker: ECO Global Engagement
Developing a clear and compelling vision for both your congregation and the disciples it is called to form. This session helps leaders move from abstract language to a shared, actionable picture of maturity and direction.
Cultivate Track 2A - Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kaitlyn Wood, Director of Church Health, ECO
Explore what it means to build leadership that can sustain and carry the life of the church with a focus on defining leadership roles, creating pathways for development, and cultivating a culture that leaders can embody at every level.
Cultivate Track 2B - Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dana Allin, Synod Executive, ECO
Pastoral ministry can be deeply rewarding, but it also brings unique pressures and challenges for spouses, children, and the entire family. This breakout session will explore practical ways pastoral families can cultivate healthy relationships, establish life-giving rhythms, navigate ministry expectations, and thrive together in their calling. Join us for an honest conversation about building a home marked by resilience, joy, and spiritual flourishing.
Speaker: Rev. Chelsea Ham, Pastor/Head of Staff, Dinuba Presbyterian Church, Dinuba, CA
Learn how to launch a pastoral residency program that equips emerging pastors through hands-on ministry experience, intentional mentoring, and meaningful leadership development.
Speakers: Rev. Dr. Christopher DiVietro, President, Flourish Institute of Theology & Bethany Van Eps, Program Manager, Made to Flourish
What if today’s generosity could shape your church for generations? Explore how to encourage legacy gifts that strengthen your church’s mission and create a lasting impact.
Speakers: Jake Wilson, Director of Institutional Investing & Stefanie Marsden, Relationship Manager, Texas Presbyterian Foundation
A cornerstone of our Presbyterian heritage is shared leadership between pastors and elders on the session. When pastors and elders lead in true unity, the church flourishes; when disunity takes root, the toll on mission effectiveness is immediate and palpable. This session explores practical strategies for cultivating healthy, trust-filled leadership relationships that align your team and advance the mission of God in your congregation.
Speaker: Rev. Nate Dreesmann, Executive Director of Ecclesiastical Support, ECO
Explore how our attachment styles shape the way we relate to God, others, and ourselves—and discover how greater self-awareness can deepen our spiritual formation.
Speaker: Andrea Gurney, PhD, Psychologist, Professor & Author
Join us for a breakout to craft a personal Rule of Life. You will walk away with an intentional plan to order your life around the love of God so that your ministry for God can come out of being with God.
Speaker: Drew Hyun, President, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship
What kind of church will Gen Z want to be involved in? Discover how today’s churches can listen, adapt, and create spaces where Gen Z can find authentic community, meaningful faith, and opportunities to lead.
Speaker: Rev. Jamie Swope, Associate Pastor, First & Calvary Presbyterian Church, Springfield, MO
Most church leaders have been equipped to teach—but developing people requires more than transferring information. In this breakout, discover a practical framework for designing training environments that build real skills, confidence, and competence. You’ll learn how shifting from teacher-centered content to learner-centered experiences can help your church develop leaders from within, strengthen ministry teams, and create repeatable training that moves people from knowing what to do to actually doing it.
Speakers: Dave Rhodes & Shane Stacey, Co-Founders, Clarity House
Come learn how your church can start a church planting movement no matter your size or context.
Speaker: Rev. Luke Parker, Director of Church Planting, ECO
The Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan (friendsofpeb.org) serves over 5,500 students, many from families living in extreme poverty. In a country where Christians and girls often face significant barriers to education, PEB’s mission is simple but powerful: to provide high-quality education deeply rooted in Christian principles, regardless of the child’s gender, religious background, ethnicity, or ability to pay. Come and hear how you and your church can partner with this ministry to expand educational opportunities, strengthen communities, and bring hope for brighter futures in this strategically important part of the world. The workshop will feature Mrs. Veda Gill, Executive Director of PEB, along ECO leaders who have travelled to Pakistan to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and interact with the students whose lives are being changed. This event is sponsored by the ECO-Pakistan Community of Global Engagement.
Speakers: Veda Gill, Executive Director, The Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan & Rev. Dr. Brian Stewart, Director of Global Engagement, ECO
Discover practical ways to build relationships, listen well, and engage LGBTQ people with humility, hospitality, conviction, and love.
Speaker: Scott Kingry, Program Director, Where Grace Abounds
Learn how to evaluate and align your church's ministries to support real growth and formation—strengthen what's working, prune what isn't, and create space for new strategic ministry practice to emerge.
Cultivate Track 3A - Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kaitlyn Wood, Director of Church Health, ECO
Establish rhythms that sustain long-term health and fruitfulness. Meaningful measures, seasonal rhythms, and spiritual practices that help churches cultivate ongoing growth over time.
Cultivate Track 3B - Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dana Allin, Synod Executive, ECO
Pastoral ministry is a sacred calling, yet over the past 25 years, entry into helping professions, including pastoral ministry, has steadily declined. Why? And how do we reverse the trend? ECO’s vision is to see a movement of God unfold, but that requires movement-oriented leaders willing to step out of comfort zones and go where churches need pastors and communities need churches. Come engage in a vision-casting conversation on what it takes to lead on mission today.
Speaker: Rev. Nate Dreesmann, Executive Director of Ecclesiastical Support, ECO
Is your church preparing for, or navigating, a change in leadership? Pastoral transitions can feel uncertain, but they also hold unique opportunities for growth. In this session, our Flourish Navigators will share wisdom for churches facing a transition. They will also share about the different resources, tools, and assistance our denomination has to offer. Come explore how to lead your congregation through these seasons with hope, clarity, and purpose.
Speakers: Rev. William Enns & Rev. Dorington Little, Flourish Search Navigators
Helping form the next generation of pastoral leaders is a critical piece of building flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ. While seminary education is a necessary part of pastoral formation, it certainly isn’t sufficient. To see the kind of wise and experienced pastors we hope for, we need to cultivate relationships between the seminary who trains pastors and the local church where they serve. Come hear why Flourish Institute of Theology exists, how we’re preparing emerging church leaders for ministry, and what benefits you experience when you partner with us.
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Christopher DiVietro, President, Flourish Institute of Theology
If any group should be able to have civil and lively discourse, it should be us! Nate Stratman will facilitate some Hot Takes from pastors and leaders in our denomination. The “crowd” is encourage to offer a counterpoint to some of these opinions such as: “All preaching should be political”, “Small groups are ineffective”, “A pastor should know what everyone gives financially”, “It is unwise for a pastor to have close friends in their congregation”, “Sabbaticals aren’t that helpful” and “John Calvin was a jerk” just to name a few! You can submit a hot take to Nate Stratman before the breakout. This just might be fun!
Speaker: Rev. Nate Stratman, Pastor/Head of Staff, Hope Community Church, Wilmington, NC
Leadership can be demanding and unpredictable. Discover practices that help leaders navigate challenges, recover from setbacks, and remain grounded, healthy, and effective for the long haul.
Speaker: Glenn Packiam, Author & Lead Pastor, Rockharbor Church, Costa Mesa, CA
In an age shaped by scrolling, scanning, and short attention spans, many Christians struggle not only to study Scripture well, but even to read it carefully. The habits we bring to text messages, headlines, and online articles often shape the way we approach the Bible - causing us to miss its depth, nuance, and richness. This session equips church leaders to renew and strengthen congregational Bible study by teaching practical habits of attentive, faithful engagement with Scripture. Participants will explore how close reading and careful study can deepen discipleship, enrich small groups, strengthen theological formation, and cultivate more meaningful Bible studies across a variety of church contexts. Attendees will leave with practical tools to help their congregations move from skimming the Bible to better embodying it.
Speaker: ECO's Standing Theological Committee
Join us to explore what spiritual formation is and how we can foster that formation in our church communities, especially within our children's ministries.
Speaker: B.A. Snider, Director of Training, Great Commission Publications
Discover how to share messages of wisdom, hope, and pastoral sensitivity when your church or community is facing crisis, grief, uncertainty, or change.
Speaker: Anne E. Zaki, Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology ETSC
Many Christians genuinely care about their neighbors, yet few feel prepared to move beyond friendly relationships into meaningful spiritual conversations - especially with people from different faiths and cultures. This practical workshop equips church leaders with a simple discipleship framework for helping believers recognize spiritual openness, ask thoughtful questions, and naturally share the hope of Jesus across faiths with wisdom, confidence, and Christ-like grace.
Speakers: Renod & Karen Bejjani, Founders, iHOPE Ministries
God is bringing the nations to our neighborhoods, creating one of the greatest mission opportunities of our time. This breakout will explore how God is advancing the gospel through immigrant church planting across the United States. Participants will hear stories and insights from a panel of practitioners, engage in discussion and Q&A, and learn practical ways to partner with immigrant leaders to establish healthy, multiplying churches in diverse communities. This breakout is jointly sponsored by the Synod Church Planting and Global Engagement departments.
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Brian Stewart, Director of Global Engagement & Rev. Luke Parker, Director of Church Planting, ECO
