Conference

Block 1 :

Tuesday, 9:00-10:15 am

1. Navigating Church Growth Stages (Part 1) - Dusty Thompson

Church growth is an exciting journey, but each stage, from launch to growth to sustained health, comes with its own set of challenges. This session will guide leaders through the unique obstacles encountered in different phases of growth, providing practical insights and solutions for overcoming them. Attendees will learn how to effectively manage transitions from one stage to the next, ensuring their church stays healthy and vibrant as it grows and multiplies.

2. Youth Discipleship: Building Gospel-Centered Relationships Across Generations - Dan Owen

How can we engage youth in meaningful, gospel-centered discipleship while also leveraging the wisdom of the entire church body? This session will dive into strategies for creating a discipleship culture where youth receive mentorship from trusted adults and also benefit from cross-generational relationships that deepen their faith.

3. Is Your Husband Living with Mrs. Law or Mrs. Grace? - Jani Ortlund

In this session, we'll talk honestly about the beauties and challenges of marriage with Jani Ortland. Ray and Jani have been married for decades and walked through the highs and lows together. We invite you to come learn from Jani about life and how to embody the gospel in your marriage.

4. Loving Your Town: Connecting the Church to Local Mission - Staff from The Well, Redeemer Brady, and Redeemer Round Rock

In this panel discussion, we’ll explore different models and approaches for connecting the church to local mission. Panelists will share practical strategies, ranging from community outreach programs to partnerships with local organizations, and discuss the challenges and successes they have experienced. Whether you’re looking for new ideas or refining existing efforts, this session will provide diverse perspectives on how to effectively love and serve your town.

5. Building a Volunteer Culture: From Recruitment to Retention - Chris Cummings

In this session, participants will learn how to cultivate a sustainable volunteer culture that attracts passionate individuals and keeps them engaged in the long term. We’ll explore practical strategies for recruiting volunteers who are aligned with your church's vision and mission, as well as how to retain them by creating an environment where they feel valued, empowered, and connected. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to refresh your current volunteer program, this session will provide key insights for building a strong volunteer team.

6. The Changing Tide: Reaching College Students and Young Adults in a Secular World - Reid Monahan

There is a growing openness to the gospel in unexpected places, especially as the empty promises of secularism become increasingly apparent. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives on how to engage and reach a generation that is starting to reject the consequences of secularism and is more open to faith than we often think. This session will inspire and equip church leaders to recognize and seize opportunities to share the gospel in today’s changing cultural climate.

7. Preaching A Culturally Engaging Gospel - Jason Hatch

The gospel of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection— speaks directly into the stories, struggles, and values of every culture across every generation. In this breakout session, we’ll explore how to faithfully communicate the gospel in a way that resonates with the world around us—addressing the questions people are actually asking, while staying rooted in timeless truth.

Block 2 :

Tuesday, 10:30-11:45 am

1. Navigating Church Growth Stages (Part 2) - Dusty Thompson

2. Kids Ministry Playbook: Onboarding, Recruiting, and Scheduling Volunteers - Family Ministry Staff at Redeemer Midland

After years of trial and error, our team has developed an onboarding process that truly works for Kids Ministry. In this session, we’ll walk you through the steps we've refined for welcoming and training new volunteers. Learn how to set expectations, provide clear instructions, and create an experience that sets your volunteers up for success.

3. Discerning a Call to Church Planting - Reid Mognahan

In this session, we’ll explore the process of discerning God’s call to plant a church. Through prayer, self-reflection, and seeking counsel, you’ll learn how to recognize the signs of a calling and understand the personal, spiritual, and practical aspects involved. Whether you're just beginning to consider church planting or already in the process, this session will help you gain clarity and confidence in your calling.

4. Walking with People through Tragedy and Loss - Jeremy Buck

In this deeply personal and insightful session, a seasoned pastor will share lessons learned from walking through tragedy and unexpected loss. He will discuss how to show up and serve your congregation during the darkest times—handling those midnight phone calls and untimely deaths—and how such experiences, though painful, can deeply shape and strengthen both the church and the community. The session will also explore the unique role of pastoring not just your congregation, but the entire town, especially in a small community where your impact extends beyond the church walls. Attendees will be encouraged and equipped with practical ways to lead with compassion, resilience, and hope during life’s most challenging moments.

5. Staying at the Table: Building a Conflict-Resilient Church Culture - Josh Gatewood and Brandon Bergvall

Conflict in church settings doesn’t have to lead to division—it can serve as a chance to build stronger relationships and greater trust. This session will delve into the "Conflict Field Guide," created to provide churches with a straightforward approach to resolving conflict in a healthy and unified manner. Participants will walk away with practical resources for developing a church culture that embraces conflict resolution and reconciliation, fostering peace and unity in the body of Christ.

6. Loving Jesus and Enjoying the Church More by Facing Your Leadership Failures (And How Not to Make My Mistakes) - Brandon Barker

Leadership failures and fumbles are inescapable in life and ministry. While none of us desires them, they can be the soil for significant personal and vocational growth. Through candid reflection and practical insights, we’ll discuss how embracing vulnerability, seeking growth in humility, and understanding God's grace can transform your leadership approach and foster a healthier, more fulfilling church environment. Brandon will also talk through his top leadership mistakes and how you can avoid them.

7. The Essential (and Overlooked) Stuff: Leading Teams and Managing People - Jacob Brandt

Leadership requires more than just casting vision. It's about self-awareness, managing conflict, and fostering collaboration. In this session, we’ll explore key leadership skills, including providing constructive feedback, promoting clarity in communication, and fostering a positive and high-performing team culture. Whether you’re leading a small or large team, this session will provide the tools to lead with empathy, confidence, and impact.

Block 3 :

Tuesday, 1:30-2:45 pm

1. All Change is Spiritual: Church Replanting & Revitalization - Marco De Leon and David Miller

Navigating change in the midst of replanting a church is nothing short of challenging because all change is spiritual. Renewed hope in a replant or revitalization is hard work, but by God’s grace, a rewarding experience. In this session, we will examine the differences between replanting and revitalization, the needs and opportunities they present, and how the Redeemer Network can help pastors and their teams pursue health, vitality, and multiplication.

2. Leadership Pipelines: Developing Leaders From Within for Effective Ministry - Paden Behrens

Leadership in the church is about more than just filling positions—it’s about helping people grow as disciples of Jesus. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to spot potential leaders, invest in their growth, and create a culture where leadership is all about serving others.

3. Growth Spurt: How to Scale Processes to Keep Up with Your Church's Expansion - Sarah Kiriacon

In this session, we’ll tackle the common struggles faced by churches in the middle of growth spurts—like disorganization and a lack of scalable processes. You’ll learn key strategies for quickly implementing systems that keep pace with your church’s expansion, ensuring that your growth is both sustainable and manageable.

4. How to Recruit and Equip Church Planters - Jordan Elder

Does your church believe in church planting but struggle to recruit and equip church planters? If so, you are not alone. During this breakout, you will learn practical and actionable strategies for recruiting church planters and how the Redeemer Network partners with local churches to train called, competent, and qualified church planters.

5. Mobilizing Women in the Church to Make Disciples – TBD

How can we empower and mobilize women in our churches to actively make disciples? This session will dive into the importance of developing women as disciple-makers who can multiply their faith in the lives of others. From identifying and nurturing leadership potential to providing opportunities for women to disciple one another, attendees will walk away with practical steps and biblical guidance for creating a sustainable, discipleship-focused culture that invites women to lead in making disciples.

6. The Practice of Prayer in the Life of the Christian - Robert Livingston

In this session, we’ll explore the vital role of prayer in a Christian's life. From deepening your personal relationship with God to interceding for others, we’ll discuss practical ways to incorporate prayer into your daily routine and strengthen your spiritual life. Whether you're new to prayer or looking to deepen your practice, this session will offer insights and encouragement to help you develop a consistent and meaningful prayer life.

7. The Essential (and Overlooked) Stuff: Budgets, Benefits, and Beyond - Josh Reeves & Chris Malonee

Leading a church involves much more than just preaching and outreach. In this session, we’ll dig into the functional side of planting and leading a local church—the things that can make or break your organization in the long run. From budgets to taxes, salaries to health insurance, these essential components are often overlooked but critical to your church's health and growth. We’ll cover the basics of scaling organizationally, from managing finances to setting up HR systems. Bring your questions; this breakout will split time between teaching and Q&A.

Redeemer Network Conference

Schedule of Events

Monday, September 29th

Tuesday, September 30th

Wednesday, October 1st

Breakouts

Block 1 :

Block 2 :

Block 3 :