Church Development Pre-Conference Event

The groundbreaking National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference will take place Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. The event, sponsored by the General Assembly Council (GAC), brings together Presbyterians from across the church who are interested in the broad sweep of Presbyterian evangelism programs, including new church development, church transformation (redevelopment) and multicultural ministries. Small, rural and urban church ministries, as well as health ministries, are all integral parts of this conference.

Pre-conference event
August 30–31

The Black Congregational Enhancement office will hold a pre-conference event for pastors/elders of Black Presbyterian congregations that will delve into the topics of church growth and evangelism specifically related to African Americans.  We invite you to join us August 30–31. The cost is $50 per person and includes three meals.

See the schedule.

Be sure to select the "PRE-CON: Black Congregational Enhancement" option when registering.

Meet the speakers
The Rev. Warren Lesane is a minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbytery of Charlotte where he serves as the associate presbyter for Church Development.

Ms. Lynette Hawkins owns Awesome Insight, a company that focuses on helping congregations reach new people in the community by preparing pastors, church leaders and members on how to attract, reach and keep worship guests.

Learn how to develop and maintain healthy churches
The pre-conference presentation, workshop and dialogue sessions will present effective approaches to developing and maintaining healthy churches.  Particular emphasis will focus upon developing a strategic plan to enable African-American churches to become viable and healthy centers of ministry, mission and spiritual development.

One approach will be from the perspective of a middle governing body staff person who has served as small church pastor, new church development organizing pastor, university chaplain and interim pastor. 

Another approach will be an interactive presentation and dialogue session that will share how the Internet, cell phones, microwaves and e-mail have changed the mindset of the non-churched and the next generation of believers. Attendees will be encouraged to begin to look at what these changes mean to a congregation.