Conservative Anabaptists have historically been successful at retaining their own people, but have had difficulty integrating seekers. Why is this? Are we doing something wrong? How can a church protect its members from a decadent society without creating cultural challenges almost impossible for the seeker to navigate? In this session, Gary Miller looks closely at what Americans are actually searching for, examines ways that a local church can collectively reach out, and considers how each of u

What makes a leader stand out? What are the keys that make a difference in leading well? In this session, we consider trademark values, motivations, and strategies of successful servant leaders.

Sailing can be a wonderful experience! Sailing can also be dangerous. No one sets out to experience shipwreck! You can reach shore safely if you purposefully navigate the sea of life.

Can I, a conservative Mennonite in the 21st century, actually relate to the cultures of the world around me? This workshop identifies a few of the key hurdles we face, and offers vision, solutions and hope. Topics discussed include overcoming our ethnocentric bent and incarnational living.

Mankind has gone from scratches on cave walls to quill pens, the printing press, telephone, recorded audio, the digital explosion, and now personal devices and a host of related technologies! How do we sort through these opportunities and their impact? Typically, discussion revolves around practical issues and �Well, what�s wrong with it?� This discussion explores these issues in the context of what Jesus describes as the greatest commandments and what it means to be created in God�s image.

God reserves the best for those who invest the best in their marriage. Clair and Clara share what they have learned from Scripture, fifty-nine years of marriage, conducting marriage seminars, and marriage counseling.

Effective ministries are the product of communication, integrity, and accountability. This session explores ways to weave these ideas together with a support base to build confidence and stimulate vision for Kingdom building in other cultures. Illustrations will include recent scenarios from an IDP camp in Iraq.

Our physical bodies are made up of hundreds of interesting and different parts. So it is with the body of the bride of Christ. Our local church is where we visibly live out our commitment to our Bridegroom. Investing our lives for her beauty and strength is paramount for her role in confronting a decadent world.

These reflections will include stories from thirty years as a church planter�s wife. Lessons learned in this exhilarating, sometimes exhausting, but enriching journey will be applicable to other callings as well.

To what extent am I willing to invest personally in my place of ministry? What would be the results if I did? In this session, Laverne Beachy covers topics related to personal vision: answering �Why am I here?� remembering God�s call, and discussing practical ways to make the ministry I serve �mine.� While service in God�s Kingdom is personally demanding, the results are not about me, but about Him.

How can we effectively minister to those different from ourselves? How can we learn from the mass culture while not conforming to their ways? What are the important steps in understanding a culture? How can Mennonites as a sub-culture relate to and impact the mass culture in urban America? How can we reach across our different ways of understanding the world?

We work with our heads, hands, and hearts–and we work with our words in mission administration. As with any other skill, you can train yourself to shape your thoughts and organize your words to make your writing compelling and easy to read. Learn useful day-to-day writing skills that will help you to write clearly and effectively to avoid misunderstanding, frustration, and waste.

What should a supporting church do when the mission appears to be failing, when concerns are increasing, and when support is decreasing?

Have you ever felt your role on the team is insignificant? Have you struggled to find fulfillment in serving others? Have you wondered how you can better support your leader? In this session, Joel Yoder looks at aspects of teamwork and how to find fulfillment in serving in a support role. He looks at Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, and his role in ministry with Paul, then takes those lessons and applies them to settings when we are also serving others.

Board members cannot paint every detail of the picture, as only God holds the future, yet they are wise to have a clear vision of where He is calling them to go. In this session Kevin Bauman looks at how to create the big picture, set the stage and break out the desired journey into manageable pieces. This in turn creates an environment for all involved to be focused and passionate in their personal involvement in the mission.

This session is based on the book by the same title by Jean Lush. The counsel from this book enables women to approach each of life�s changes with a positive outlook. It aids in understanding one�s special emotional needs, and stresses the value of offering support to other women. Best of all, it reassures us we are normal!

What’s a woman to do with disappointments, difficult relationships, discouragement, grief, stressful schedules, endless sacrifice, and just plain weariness in well doing? In this session, Bernice Troyer discusses a word that holds the secrets for joyful flourishing instead of merely surviving in ministry roles.

Organizational success is dependent upon three key elements: 1) a clearly stated vision/purpose statement, 2) a written methodology of how to achieve the vision/purpose, and 3) a well-defined timetable and documents for regular evaluations of everyone from the CEO to the floor sweeper.