Challenges and Solutions to Growing a Diverse Church Leadership

Pastor Rob Daniels (Executive Pastor : Westbrook Christian Church)

Description of Presentation

Our culture consistently expresses dismay with ethnic intolerance and racial prejudice. One of the greatest challenges for 21st century church leaders is to impact and transform today's church mindset to build a culturally relevant, biblically mandated church as it relates to racial and ethnic diversity.

Background Information

Rob serves as Executive Pastor of Westbrook Christian Church a growing, vibrant multi-ethnic church in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Having grown up in an ethnically diverse community and having a multi-ethnic family has shaped a unique perspective on issues related to race and ethnicity in the local church.

The Great Reset: The new normal in higher education and fundraising

Gordon D Ventruella CFRE (Vice President : University Advancement at Lincoln Christian University)

Description of Presentation

Post recession trends and implications for christian education and fundraising for nonprofits.

Background Information

Gordon holds the certified fundraising executive (CFRE) credential and is currently Vice President of University Advancement at Lincoln Christian University. He brings twenty years experience to his fundraising and urban studies presentations.

Recalibrate:  Adjustments that help the church stay on mission

Lance Hurley (Executive Director of Ignite Church Planting : Chicagoland)

Description of Presentation

Sometimes we forget what is most important.  Implementation of these simple adjustments will help churches have a greater impact in their community.

Background Information

Lance Hurley oversees Ignite Church Planting, an organization that starts Christian Churches in Chicagoland. Since 2001, Ignite has started 20+ churches and is currently working on a plan to start 6 churches in the O'Hare Airport region. Lance is a church planter and loves to creatively share ways the local church can make a difference in today's world. 

Cutting Costs During Difficult Economic Times

Dean Johnson (Executive Director : NACFM)

Description of Presentation

The current state of the economy has impacted everyone, including churches and their staffs. Those managing a staff face the uncertainty of whether their personnel budget will be cut. Attend this session and discuss what steps can be taken to cut costs without cutting programming.

Background Information

Dean Johnson is the Executive Director of the National Association of Church Facilities Managers and is Business Administrator for First Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. He has been on staff at First Lubbock for 17 years starting out as Facilities Director, a position that he is still responsible for. He is a charter member of the NACFM and a member of NACBA.

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 potentially transfer these disbursements 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.

Rethinking Your Church's Approach to Giving

Todd Zastrow (C.P.A. and Financial Adviser)

Description of Presentation

Most churches are living on half of their income potential. I will give them a simple process to see how their church is doing and specific steps to improve giving.

Background Information

I'm a preacher's kid, elder and financial professional who works with churches to improve their financial situations. I have spoken at Hearts at Home, NACC and many other conferences.

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.

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.

Renovations and Additions … how to create attractive space for less

Dale Reiser (Founder and President : PBS Church Visioning Group)

 

Background Information

Husband, father, grandfather, and ministry entrepreneur.  Reiser is honored to lead the talented Church Visioning Group team . This team has been instrumental in designing, renovating and economically expanding space for growing ministries around the Midwest for nearly twenty five years. Reiser is a graduate of Indiana University, Elder in his local church, member of boards that further the mission of the church,  and Certified Church Consultant (NACDB)

Renovations and Additions … how to create attractive space for less

Chad Charon (V.P. Project Development : PBS Church Visioning Group)

Background Information

Charon is a husband, Father of two girls, graduate of Olivet Nazarene University.  He serves on the worship team and is an elder and teacher in his local church.  Chad leads  the PBS team that enthusiastically serves the ministry customer in coordinating planning,  development and construction for nearly a decade. 

Renovations and Additions … how to create attractive space for less

Erik Pieters (Chief Designer : PBS Church Visioning Group)

Background Information

Erik has served hundreds of PBS customers by designing efficient, aesthetically pleasing ministry spaces around the Midwest.  Erik particularly enjoys the challenge of taking an existing space or building and converting it to a rejuvenated, vibrant ministry space serving the current and future needs of PBS Customers.  Erik is a husband, father of four, active in his local church, graduate of Purdue University, LEED AP and a Certified Church Consultant (NACDB).