Reputation. Perception. Reality.

Mark MacDonald (Creative Director, PinPoint Creative Group)

Description of Presentation

Every local church has a brand. We'll examine what a brand is, why you need to rebrand yourself, and how to start the process of brand-finding. Mark MacDonald, with his 25 years of branding experience (in the commercial and ministry world), will break it down into bite-sized, practical steps. Come prepared to interact, react and dream big.

Background Information

For 25 years, Mark MacDonald, an award-winning marketing-communications strategist and Creative Director, has been assisting corporations and ministries to develop effective brands. In the past 10 years with PinPoint Creative Group, he has dedicated his time to assisting churches (and companies that work with churches) communicate effectively.

Facility Security in an Ever Changing World

Oliver Fladrich (Lieutenant, Dunwoody, GA Police Dept.)

Description of Presentation

Back ground checks for employees and volunteer staff, facility security, surveillance systems, legal issues about concealed weapons in churches, potential active shooter preparation and responses, bomb threats, internal theft, etc.

Background Information

Command Staff member on the newly formed Dunwoody Police Dept. Master's degree in Public Administration. Graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., and the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange.

What Pastors and Musicians Wish We Knew About Each Other

Dr. Lisa M. Allen (Associate Professor of Church Music and Worship : Interdenominational Theological Center)

Description of Presentation

One of the biggest conflicts in the church often occurs between pastors and musicians. Churches have been known to suffer losses in membership and even church splits over disagreements between the pastor and members of the music staff. This presentation seeks to uncover why pastors and musicians bump heads over what is supposed to be a common goal serving the Lord through worship.

Background Information

Dr. Lisa M. Allen has served in church music and worship arts ministries for the past 35 years. She is currently the program director for the Master of Arts in Church Music Program at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Church Facility Management: The Facts

Tim Cool (VP of comperio C3 and founder of Cool Solutions Group)

Description of Presentation

Why should we maintain our facilities? What are the direct and indirect costs? How does on-site staffing compare to outsourcing? How much should be allocated for facilities management in our budgets? What kind of capital reserve account should be established? How do Life cycle costs impact our budgeting, and many other issues? Learn the answers to these and other questions.

Background Information

Tim Cool is the VP of comperio C3 and founder of Cool Solutions Group. Comperio C3 is a Facility Stewardship Specialist firm specializing in facility planning, development/construction and long term life cycle management. Cool Solutions Group is a provider of industry leading software solutions to assist churches in promoting their Facility Stewardship initiatives.

Using the Purchasing Process to help fund your ministry

Mark Towell (President : National Church Purchasing Group, Inc.)

Description of Presentation

In today’s economy, most ministry budgets are being squeezed tighter and tighter, while at the same time, they are being presented with more and more ministry opportunities. What if there were some creative ways that you could help fund these ministry opportunities through your regular purchasing process? Every day, your ministry makes purchases, some routine and some unique, as well as paying utilities, insurance, and other business related expenses.
In this session, we will look at several saving opportunities available to you in your everyday business life that could be applied to enhancing your ministry.

Background Information

President of National Church Purchasing Group, Inc. , Mark has been a leader with several ministry organizations. He has developed a passion for local ministry outreaches, realizing the impact a local church can have on its community. This goes hand and hand with NCPG’s philosophy and mission statement - every ministry dollar saved on expenses equates to a ministry dollar that can be invested back into the ministry, where it belongs.

Churches Going Green

William Zagorski (President - Roswell Recon Corporation)

Description of Presentation

We will cover how church administrators, managers and building engineers can save resources, and how to maintain a green mindset for the members of the community that they operate in. We will demonstrate several products that help to lower operating costs and preserve operating capital.

Background Information

Bill has owned and operated a mid size construction company in Atlanta for over twenty years. He has experience with new and remodel market construction, and will speak about how technology is influencing our current energy saving mindset.

How to Leverage Your Church's Online Portfolio to Do More and Reach More

Lee Brogden Culberson (Principal : Professional Mojo)

Description of Presentation

Learn how every piece of your church's online content can be managed and leveraged to better communicate your message internally and externally. It's a competitive online world. How are you reaching more and doing more? Get actionable techniques in this workshop on websites, blogs, search and online reputation monitoring.

Background Information

Lee Brogden Culberson is a new-media marketer who is known for her dynamic speaking, actionable content and real-life application of "new-fangled" technology to churches of all sizes. Her company has trained hundreds of staff and leadership across the U.S. (in almost every denomination) on how to improve their digital portfolios.

Reaching the Next Generation Through Dance and Funding Opportunities

Pat Martin (Executive Director : KIDDS Dance Project)

Description of Presentation

The term K.I.D.D.S. stands for Kids Influenced by self Discipline, self Determination and positive Self Image. Our goal is "Building Character through The Performing Arts". We involve Youth from the community in major stage productions to build their character and self esteem. This Seminar will cover various aspects of our ministry and teach the Art of Grant writing learned from our experience in just receiving a $50,000 grant from Pepsi-Cola. You will learn how to find funding, and how to find common interest with potential funders.

Background Information

Ms. Martin is a Registered Nurse with fifteen years experience in the field of Behavioral Health. She is also the Pastor of the Liberty Center located at 7199 Maddox Rd. Lithonia, GA where her husband Marcus L. Martin is the Sr. Pastor. Ms. Martin is also the Playwright and Director for all of the major stage productions performed by the Youth. She is the author of the production "Butterfly" which debuted in October 2008 and will appear again on the Rialto theater stage May 1st of 2011. She has also recently been requested by the Trinity Broadcasting Network to create a Christian Childrens Television Show.

Social Media?  The Next Step!

Darrell Myers (Vice President : NCPG)

Description of Presentation

Unless you have just decided to bury your head in the sand, you know there is huge potential with implementing a social media strategy for your ministry. Several questions always arise: How do we implement it effectively? Which platforms should we use? How do we track it? Should we do it ourselves or hire a company? How should we deal with negative or misleading comments on social media platforms? There are real answers to these questions and applications that can solve all of these issues. 

Background Information

Darrell is the VP of Sales and Marketing for NCPG.  He majored at Virginia Commonwealth University in Business Administration and Marketing.  He has worked on staff as a Youth Pastor and a Worship Minister.  With a strong aptitude for and interest in electronics, Darrell pursued training and education that allowed him to quickly master the professional sound and audio/video world in the 90’s.  This, in turn, led to specialties in programming, web development, and graphic design.  Darrell has been interviewed by several national magazines for his expertise in media and marketing.

"Invite, Inform, Include, Instruct and Inspire" Helping Your Church with Communications

David Bennett (Faith Based Vertical Marketing Manager : Ricoh US)

Description of Presentation

Explore the 5 steps of communication methods of how to connect with and grow your ministry, in ways that set you apart and grasp a clear understanding of what matters to your members and visitors. 1)Maintain control of how you communicate. 2)Keep the continuity of your mission and message. 3)Help set you apart. 4)Understanding of what matters to your members and visitors.

Background Information

Grew up in Worcestershire, England and have now been in the USA for 21 years, have and continue to work with many faith based /church organizations, learning more about them and constantly exploring how we can help them flourish. In my job capacity I am awarded the privilege to be responsible for the faith/church market in the US and to help our people empathize and align them with your goals.

Health Care Reform and Creative Ways to Design Your Benefits

Eric Haglund (Senior Vice President Benefits : Digital Insurance)

Description of Presentation

Eric Haglund will address health care reform and its direct impact on churches. He will offer cost saving strategies for your employee benefits package including information on health savings accounts. Don't miss this informative session.

Background Information

Eric Haglund works for Digital Insurance, the nation's leading employee benefits agency specializing in insurance for small- and mid-sized companies. He specializes in advising churches on their employee benefits plans. With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Haglund is well known for his knowledgeable client services.

Marketing Your Church

Philip Schroeder (Associate Director of Connectional Ministries : North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church)

Description of Presentation

Presentation topics will include: Why do churches need to market? What makes marketing more challenging today? What does your church stand for? Who is your best audience? What is your message? Marketing is more than Ads and How do we measure success.

Background Information

Consultant on all aspects of church life, especially stewardship, creative communication and evangelism. Former Sr. Pastor of the Grayson United Methodist Church in Grayson GA which grew from 450 to 1500 members in 7 years. Graduate of the Wharton School of FInance with a concentration in Marketing and have an MBA from Emory University.

Worship - Can You Feel The Love?

Joey Nicholson (Worship Leader, Speaker, and Recording Artist)

Description of Presentation

As we see the globalization of the world, we invariably see the immediate effects in our local congregations. We can reach out through social media, but how can we reach in and bring people together in music to worship the Lord as one? We'll explore how adding a touch of salt or hint of lime can flavor worship with love. We'll also discuss how to effectively lead a congregation, blend a worship team, and serve the Pastor through music and worship.

Background Information

Joey Nicholson, a Worship Leader, Minister, and Recording Artist, is also an Award-Winning Songwriter whose music is impacting people across the U.S. and abroad. With over 20 years of experience in worship, Joey teaches and trains worship teams, and ministers at churches, conferences and youth camps around the country.

Ministry Planning prior to Master Planning

Robert Gerber (President : GJS Architects)

Description of Presentation

Ministry Planning is the process of thorough analysis of the church's ministries in which to help determine its personality and then make informed projections about the future. Our approach to the Ministry Planning process involves a variety of step to successfully create the desire Master Plan. The steps include an in-depth analysis concern mission, ministries, strategies, facilities and resources.

Background Information

I have been working with churches since the late 1980's and have been involved with over 300 church projects since then. Our firm is on the edge of helping churches start well. We are not of a specific style of worship and have helped young, old, traditional and contemporary churches.

"Generation to Generation: How Different Age Groups On-Ramp to Giving"

Alan Wildes (Generosity Coach : GENERIS)

Description of Presentation

We will discuss what motivates people to give depending on what generation they are from. Our age and when we were born directly impacts if we give, what we give to, and how much we give.

Background Information

GENERIS is a generosity firm located in Atlanta, GA. I am in my 11th year with GENERIS helping churches with their generosity and stewardship needs.

Making Social Media Work

Dave Schroeder (Principal & CIO : Cogitechnology Consulting)

Description of Presentation

The value of Social Media and other communications and information technologies for strengthening your ministry without breaking your budget.

Background Information

Dave Schroeder is a recent public company Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer who has presented on Social Media and how I.T. can support the church at Emory's Candler Theological School and denominational meetings. Dave has also worked at IBM's Interactive Media division and iXL, a leading interactive company. He has an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.Div. from Drew Theological School.

It's Always Time to Play: Leadership Lessons from Your Toy Box

Bob Adams (Church Development Consultant : JH Batten Inc.)

Description of Presentation

Everything you need to know about leadership and teamwork you can probably find in a toy box really! Combining the best of leadership experts like John Maxwell and Bill Hybels with toys from the play room, you will laugh and learn like a kid again. This session will demonstrate how one church team is unpacking their "toy box" and learning valuable leadership skills along the way.

Background Information

Bob Adams is a church development consultant with JH Batten. His passion is helping churches and leaders THRIVE by turning challenges into opportunities. Before joining JHB, Bob's background included 23 years as an associate/executive pastor with primary responsibility in church facilities administration. Bob is a Certified Church Consultant (NACDB) and a Certified Church Administrator (NACBA). With a background in both church operations and construction, he has been a favorite speaker on diverse church issues at the Creation Care Conference, EPA's Sustainable Communities Conference, all eight WFX events, Church Solutions Expo, NACBA, NACDB, and the NC & Virginia Baptist Church Building Conferences. A life-long learner, Bob's current areas of mission curiosity include multi-site opportunities, guest services in churches, leadership coaching, urban ministry practices, and understanding and impacting the generational cultures around us.