Top 11 Things That Pastors Wish They Knew Before They Built

Kurt Williams (Project Development : T & W Corporation)

Description of Presentation

Discussions with hundreds of pastors about the good, the bad, and the ugly of building projects has produced a "Top Eleven" list of advice and wisdom that may keep your church from becoming one of those unfortunate building statistics that we hear of way too often.

Background Information

Kurt Williams is a Design/Build veteran with almost 25 years of guiding over 120 churches through the various stages of Planning, Designing and Building their new facilities. Kurt's industry experience has ranged from project management to project development on projects that range from $500,000 up to $8,000,000.

Develop & Empower the Community You Serve

Darrin D. Gray (Director of Corporate Partnerships : Family First)

Description of Presentation

Develop and Empower the Community You Serve

Background Information

Darrin works with NFL celebrities, franchises, media and sponsors as the Corporate Partnership Director for the national fatherhood initiative that Tony Dungy co-founded, All Pro Dad. He characterizes his work as "Strategic Sports Philanthropy" and as such has developed strategic partnerships with some of America's finest brands including UnderArmour, Papa Johns, FedEx, hhgregg, Campbell's Soup, Shriners Hospitals for Children, to name a few. Darrin is passionate about inspiring others to reach their ultimate potential, and has logged thousands of hours consulting and speaking about topics including Leadership, Branding, Philanthropy, Media, Sports Marketing, and Family Values.

The Do's and Dont's of Building a Church Cafe

Michael Bacile (Owner : The Daily Java)

Description of Presentation

Mike will focus on the Whys and Hows of setting up a successful church cafe that builds Fellowship while creating a revenue stream for your Ministries or Bottom-line. He will cover the importance of layout/flow, design, equipment, menu, products, training and other Dos and Don'ts of a successful cafe.

Background Information

Mike and The Daily Java has been helping small business, corporations and churches set up successful cafes since 1995. The Daily Java is consider a national leader in the Coffee industry for its training, products and service. Mike has also been nationally published on building Third Place Cafes that work.

Resolving Conflict Biblically

Jeremy Bialek (Pastor/Senior Elder : Indianapolis Christian Fellowship)

Description of Presentation

Conflict, even within the church, doesn't happen any less frequently these days. Whether it comes through marriages/families, members, staff, or the community, the Word lays out for us proper ways to handle conflict and actually grow through it.

Background Information

Jeremy has served in leadership positions since high school facing and learning about conflict resolution throughout his work experience in business, ministry, and even coaching basketball. He holds a Masters in Media Management from Syracuse University and has been pastoring Indianapolis Christian Fellowhsip for nearly three years.

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.

Health Care Reform and Benefits Exchange - Creative Ways to Design your Benefits

Jerry Schilf (Vice President : Digital Benefit Advisors)

Description of Presentation

Health care reform is complicated. Sifting through all the regulations and provisions can be time-consuming and confusing. Today business owners are looking for a simplified overview and clear, concise answers to the health care reform issues facing them. Hear from Jerry Schilf how health care reform will have a direct impact on churches. Don't miss this informative session.

Background Information

Schilf has forty years experience in the insurance industry. Prior to Digital Benefit Advisors, he was president of his own employee benefits agency. Schilf also has underwriting and sales experience on the carrier side of the business. Schilf serves on the board of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, St. Irene Catholic School and sits on the AMA DuPage Regional Board.

OPEN YOUR EYES: Arts as the Divine Imperative

Dr. Michelle Louer (Director of Music and Fine Arts : Second Presbyterian Church)

Description of Presentation

The arts are viewed by most Christians as inessential and irrelevant to the real work of the church. But if we believe that the real work of the church is transformation, faith development, theological education, discipleship and service, then the arts are one of the church's most powerful and untapped resources.

Background Information

Dr. Michelle Louer has served as the Director of Music and Fine Arts at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN for five years. Under her leadership, the quality, breadth and substance of the arts program has grown and flourished.

Urban Christian Assistance Network (UCAN)

Tom Polak (Executive Director : Metro Baptist Center)

Description of Presentation

The mission of a Christian ministry is to meet the true needs of the people it serves. The UCAN system has been designed to spend less time on the process of collecting information and more on engaging people where they are. With this tool the Christian community will be able to share resources, best business practices and promote excellence.

Background Information

Tom Polak is the founder of the UCAN system. Tom serves as the Executive Director of the Metro Baptist Center located in downtown Indianapolis, IN. He is an inner city missionary with the North American Mission Board and Pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship.

The Sensational Life

Marsha L. Lenski (Author, Inspirational Speaker)

Description of Presentation

The world around us is moving in to chaos fast. It means change for all of us. It's easy to run scared, and this world has no solutions to offer. Thankfully,God doesn't change. Let's talk about His take on the solution, and then take ownership together! The place of agreement is the place of power! We're even equipped to carry it with us wherever we go.

Background Information

Marsha is a woman who has chosen, a woman who is chosen. In over 25 years of ministry she's challenged thousands through Christian television, her published testimony, and a relentless desire to see men and women rise and claim all that God holds in store for them.

Looking Ahead in Christian Education

J.K. Stevens (Associate Minister of Discipleship & Community : New Hope Christian Church)

Description of Presentation

With lots of cultural change and increased pressure on church ministries, what is the place of Christian education going forward? This workshop will explore the positive answers to that question including a primary focus on developing disciples in a postmodern world.

Background Information

J.K. Stevens has led Christian education ministries for over 40 years. These ministries include churches, Christian camps, Christian schools, leadership training and other ministry related organizations. Before New Hope he served at Traders Point Christian Church for 21 years and was the founding administration of Traders Point Christian Academy.

Get your message heard online using blogs, social networking sites and digital content

John D. Fisher (Director of Sales & Marketing : Fusework Studios)

Description of Presentation

This seminar will focus on ways to convert your offline message into online content and distribute it across the web. Among other things, there will be an emphasis on leveraging blogging, content creation, online video and social networking sites to get your message out and heard online.

Background Information

John is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Fusework Studios, an internet marketing company with offices in Central Indiana that helps businesses and non-profits build, implement and manage internet marketing strategies. John is a graduate of Marian University (formerly Marian College) in Indianapolis and has been involved in sales and marketing his entire professional career.

Using "New Media" to have Maximum Ministry Impact

Benjamin J. McCann (Change Agent : Catalist Consulting)

Description of Presentation

This session will discuss the use and benefits of IT related technologies including: Social Networking, LinkedIn, Facebook, NING, YouTube, Vimeo, Video, Blogging, Wordpress, SEO, Keywords, and Websites...the ROI of Technology to reach the world.

Background Information

Benjamin McCann Owns CatalistConsulting.com, A strategic Outsourcing firm that works with Businesses and Ministries to Lower Cost, Grow Profits. He is Co-Founder of IndyChristianMedia.com which has reached 122 countries around the world on about $600/yr budget.

Branding From The Inside Out: Using New Media Tools To Add Impact To Your Message

John E. Girton, Jr. (C.E.O. : The Mass Media Group)

Description of Presentation

The days of pushing paper and generating tons of files are over. Hard drives have now replaced file cabinets and Youtube videos have replaced the simple handshake. If you haven’t noticed, going to a company’s website is a prerequisite for a phone call. Emails with graphics and even audio messages are as common today as a post-it note. So, how do you take advantage of the fast paced environment of Multimedia?  This seminar will help you navigate through the maze of media tools to explore what fits your marketing and branding needs.

Background Information

John is a communications professional who teaches and mentors community leaders and businesses in the areas of innovative media and communication strategies. John served as an Instructor of Journalism and Telecommunications at Ball State University. He serves as the Founder and Senior Servant of The Loving Church, an international virtual church. John has authored innovative programs such as the Technology Integration Program.

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.

Why Would We Want To Be Green? Status or Stewardship

Chris Whitson (Director of Building Management : Stonebriar Community Church)

Description of Presentation

"Going Green" is the catch phrase in today church facilities. This session will help you sort through the green initiative, and apply your resources to be the best possible stewards.

Background Information

Chris is the Director of Building Management at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco Texas. Chris earned his bachelor's degree in youth ministry from Howard Payne University. He has served in several Texas churches before joining Stonebriar Chris and his wife Jennifer have four children.

Reaching Lost People Online

Dana Byers (President : BlueDoor.tv)

Description of Presentation

People who are far from God don't typically walk in to churches, eager to hear God's word. But they are looking for answers online, so we must meet them where they are and invite them into local community.

Background Information

Dana Byers co-founded BlueDoor.tv with her husband in Europe in 2007. She's the author of "The Art of Online Ministry" and partners with churches in 28 countries to help them employ the Internet to lead millions of people to Christ before He returns.

Youth, Todays Leaders

Brian Walls (Founder : Tear Down the Walls Ministries)

Description of Presentation

Students are a precious resource. We need them to make positive change in our community. They need us to listen to them and allow them to serve as the leaders of today not only the leaders of tomorrow. Come and learn ways to be interdependent on our youth as we equip and empower them to step up and take charge.

Background Information

Brian Walls is the Founder and executive Director of Tear Down the Walls Ministries. Brian is a DeVos Urban Leadership alumnus, Speaker for Christian Community Development Association conference 2011, Indiana Christian Youth Convention 2010, and current Resident Missionary of Allendale Christian Youth Camp.

"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.