Leaders Positioned to Make Greater Impact Following CLC
By Sharon Mager
DAVIDSONVILLE, Md. — Pastors, staff, lay leaders, and volunteers from Maryland/Delaware churches gathered at Riva Trace Baptist Church, Davidsonville, on Aug. 7-8 for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware’s (BCM/D) Christian Leader Conference (CLC) to learn and grow individually and as a church.
Churches gathered at round tables during large group gatherings and had discussions after each session — learning from and encouraging one another, and enjoying fellowship. (Photo by Katie Lembo)
The event included plenary sessions, worship, multiple workshops, and time to enjoy meals together and fellowship. The feel was laid-back and relaxed. Many churches brought groups, and they were able to sit together at round tables, covered with black tablecloths with centerpieces and candy — a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy. Attendees left inspired, encouraged, and with new ideas, insights, and resources to take back to their churches.
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle called the event a “win.” Stolle said, “More than 30 quality breakouts were provided! How great is that, for churches to send teams of people, and among them they could attend many, if not all, of the learning opportunities provided, and bring what they learned back to their churches!”
Keynote speaker James Myers, executive pastor of Biltmore Church, shared about the challenges in ministry that are undoubtedly to come. “Jesus told us that,” he said. He shared hands-on information from his years of experience in handling stressful workloads and finding healthy rhythms.
Myers emphasized that problems all churches experience at one time or another can be opportunities.
“So what do you do with these problems that we all have in common? We have to attack them,” Myers said. “When we attack the problems and start asking ourselves the questions — what
The group was engaged in worship as the Holy Spirit led. (Photo by Katie Lembo)
does this make possible? What are we going to do within the confines of this? What are we going to do to break through this? What are we going to do to reach more people? How are we going to solve this problem? Big budget, small budget, big staff, small staff, whatever it is. What are we going to do to break through this barrier? — It’s a healthy mindset shift.”
Myers also employed the “prophet, priest, king” ministry model to help leaders assess their own and their team members’ giftings, callings, and strengths, as well as how to effectively manage them.
Workshops covered an array of topics, including financial, administrative, worship, communication, welcome and hospitality, women’s ministry, church planting, children’s and youth ministries, men’s ministry, recruiting volunteers, motivating and developing leaders, outreach, and more.
The response to the conference was overwhelmingly positive. Stolle said, “I received so many comments from those in attendance indicating the event ‘hit the mark.’”
Dan Housman, pastor of North Valley Church in Myersville, was one of many who said he was impressed with the number of breakout sessions and specifically mentioned the “breadth” of topics offered.
Melissa Ruby, the administrator and outreach leader at Hampstead Baptist Church, also spoke for many when she said, “The worship was incredible.” She added, “It’s also been well-rounded, and I’ve taken a lot of notes.”
Attendees at a website workshop listen intently as Kris Buckman shares ways to improve a church website. (Photo by Sharon Mager)
“I’ve got six pages of notes,” said Brian Jarosinski, a youth and young adult worker also at Hampstead Church.
An attendee who attended BCM/D Kids & Youth Ministry Missionary Kris Buckman’s website workshop said his church group had spent most of their evening discussing ways to improve their website.
Somer Phoebus, director of events, reflected, “What made this conference so special to me wasn’t just the content — or even the unlimited candy — it was the people. To see so many leaders from dozens of BCM/D churches, each called to love and serve their local church, gathered to learn and grow together was incredibly inspiring. The unity in the room was undeniable, and the fact that these leaders chose to sacrifice two days away from their responsibilities to be challenged and equipped shows the strength of our shared mission. I believe BCM/D churches are positioned to make an even greater impact in their communities as they put into practice all they learned at the CLC.”
Stolle said he saw a lot of joy at the conference. “…not just from the breakout attendees, but also from the BCM/D staff that had the opportunity to interact with so many of our special guests. I can’t wait for next year.”
CLC attendees continued sharing workshop information at lunch. (Photo by Katie Lembo)
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D News Editor and Communications Specialist
Feature photo: CCC attendees head to workshops. Photo by Sharon Mager