Registration is open for second denominational L.E.A.D. Conference

By Nathan D. Polzin

Registration for the Church of the Brethren’s L.E.A.D. (Listen Equip Adapt Disciple) Conference is now open at www.brethren.org/dlf/lead-conference.

This year’s conference is May 1-3 at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and also open to virtual attendees. The scripture theme is Hebrews 11:8, which talks about Abraham following God through unfamiliar territory—certainly an apt description of church leadership today!

Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience, will be the keynote speaker. Michaela Alphonse, pastor of Miami (Fla.) First Church of the Brethren, will be the opening preacher. More than 20 Church of the Brethren leaders will be presenting breakout sessions in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. Translation into all three languages will be available for the entire conference.

The L.E.A.D. Conference aims to strengthen the leadership skills of local church leaders. It is for church board members, Sunday school teachers, deacons, treasurers, pastors, and anyone else who serves in leadership of a congregation. It is sponsored and planned by the Discipleship and Leadership Formation department. Continuing education units are available for credentialed ministers.

Early registration is open until March 31. Early registration to attend in person costs $99 per person or $79 per person for 5 or more from the same congregation. Early registration for virtual attendees is $49. On April 1, registration costs rise to $140 for in-person attendees and $75 for virtual attendees. Those attending virtually will be able to view the worship services, keynote messages, and the four breakout sessions that take place in the sanctuary. In-person attendees will have access to more breakout sessions.