Pastoral Wellness Track
Pastors and key church leaders are invited to attend this special track dedicated to self care for church pastors.
Registration
Please complete BOTH steps in order to be properly registered for this year’s meeting + Pastoral Wellness track!
- Register for the BGAV Annual Meeting by going to the Registration page.
- Register for the Pastoral Wellness track by filling out the Annual Meeting reservations form.
About the Track
This year’s track features special breakout sessions on Tuesday afternoon, November 12.
Pastors are also invited to attend the Virginia Baptist Pastor’s Conference on Monday afternoon, November 11:
VIRGINIA BAPTIST PASTOR’S CONFERENCE
Monday, November 11 at 4:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church-Alexandria
SPECIAL GATHERINGS AND MEALS
LIVING ON PURPOSE – Drs. Tim and Tasha Levert
Monday, November 13 from 1:45 – 3:00 p.m.
This interactive workshop creates a warm and inviting space for participants to dive deep into their values, aspirations, and the underlying motivations behind their actions. Through engaging discussions, thought-provoking exercises, and practical tools, the workshop helps individuals align their actions with their deepest desires and ambitions. By exploring the “why” behind their actions, participants are empowered to make conscious choices and live a more purposeful life. It’s an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery that leaves a lasting impact on the participants’ lives.
NEXT GEN LEADER DINNER & ROUND TABLE
Monday, November 13 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
$10 per person
We’ve saved a seat for you at the leadership table and we want to hear how it is going in your ministry? What’s working for you? And what’s not. What do you need and what could be developed to meet that need? Come be our guest, and meet other leaders in Virginia who are as passionate as you are to disciple the next generation. Your seat will get you dinner catered by Joe’s Inn, a favorite local restaurant in Richmond, a Round Table discussion, and a conversation led by Dr. Tim Levert to remind you, you are first a child of God, in a session called, SOUL CARE OF THE LEADER.
Registration required. Deadline to register is Monday, November 6.
NEXT GEN LEADER LUNCH WITH A NEXT GEN MINISTRY PANEL FROM AROUND VIRGINIA
Tuesday, November 14 from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
$10 per person
- You’ve made it through the pandemic and kids and teenagers are finding their way back to church, but some have not! But, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Join us for lunch served by BGAV Disaster Response (DR), hear about Impact Mission Camps, get some cool Impact swag, and let’s swap stories about what’s been working to reach the next gen in our churches around the state. This will be a panel-led discussion with time for Q&A and discussion around your lunch table.
- Registration required. Deadline to register is Monday, November 6.
Breakout Sessions
“Why Stay”
Tuesday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m.
So many of us are feeling stretched thin as we try to address the complexities of our communities, the rapidly-changing cultural landscape, and the daily demands of the pastorate. This 60-minute interactive breakout session offers a glimpse at how to examine the joys and difficulties of our ministry journeys and to look forward with curiosity and discovery regarding seasons of ministry ahead.
Led by Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, David Nishizaki, and Sarah Schepens
“The People, The Process, the Pulpit: How to Hire and Keep a Pastor”
Monday, November 11 at 4:00 p.m.
Empty pulpits abound; churches without pastors struggle to discern the best path forward. Join the faculty of Leland Seminary in exploring how congregations must move in unity through the hiring process and into the caring process of calling and keeping a pastor.
Led by Ken Pruitt, John McNeil, and Andrey Shirin
“God’s Call to Healthy Marriages for Ministry Leaders”
Tuesday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m.
Serving as a minister and maintaining a healthy marriage can be a tricky dance with smashed toes and/or absolute nirvana. Navigating this critical relationship while serving in kingdom work is a high calling that takes work. When done well, it can be remarkably freeing.
Led by Dave Peppler
“Emotional Intelligence as Faithful Discipleship”
Tuesday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m.
Faithfully following Jesus is to experience the deep joy and real challenge of doing life together. In this dialogue-driven session, we will explore practices of Emotional Intelligence that foster healthy, meaningful relationships and empower us to navigate interpersonal conflict with integrity and hope.
Led by Sara Hubble and Casey Ogden
“Becoming an Emotionally Healthier Pastor”
Tuesday, November 12 at 3:45 p.m.
In this interactive session, participants will come away with a better understanding of one’s own feelings and needs in order to foster a healthier relationship with oneself, with others, and with God.
Led by Michael Cheuk
“Pastoral Wellness Includes Centering Discipleship”
Tuesday, November 12 at 3:45 p.m.
The expectation on pastoral calling often leads to burnout and comes at a cost to the pastor’s family and loved ones. In this session, we will dive into how centering discipleship in your church and ministries leads not only to flourishing for your church, but wholeness for you as the pastor. Centering discipleship makes all attendants in your church disciples who live into Jesus’ Great Commission while creating margins for pastors to lead more focused and whole lives.
Led by Eun Strawser
“Pastor as Person: The Proper Care and Feeding of a Pastor”
Tuesday, November 12 at 3:45 p.m.
As church ministries and congregations continue to face unimaginable changes, pastors continue to face prevailing challenges, unreal expectations, loneliness, and burnout. Join the Leland faculty in exploring the proper self-care of pastors, long term plans for support, and disciplines that create soul care and a true experience of sabbath.
Led by Daniel Dapaah, Abbie Tolbert, and John Lee
Guest Presenters
Nick Blevins
Nick Blevins serves on the staff leadership team at Community Christian Church and oversees the Next Gen ministries. Out of his passion for helping church leaders work on their ministry, not just in it, Nick co-founded Ministry Boost with his friends Kenny & Kevin, where they help leaders fast-forward growth in their ministry through courses, coaching, and consulting. Nick is a certified Church StratOp facilitator, helping churches walk through the proven strategic planning process of StratOp. You can find his writing, free resources, and weekly interviews with family ministry leaders at nickblevins.com.
Prior to working for the local church, I worked for a national defense contractor and a small development company as a Project Manager. I’m married to a beautiful and talented woman named Jennifer and we have three kids: Isaac, Mackenzie, and Paige.
Shannon Kiser
Shannon Kiser serves as Director of Training and Coaching for Fresh Expressions North America. She leads a team of mission strategists and trainers in the development and implementation of in person and online training for mission innovation. She is on the pastoral staff of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sterling, VA focusing on ministry with children and families as well as providing leadership around shaping the missional strategies of this outward facing congregation. Riverside Church lives out this mission as one church that worships in two languages (English and Spanish), engages in several fresh expressions of church, and extends community hospitality through Ridgetop Coffee and Tea. An ICF certified coach, Shannon coaches individual ministry leaders and pioneers, trains organizations to coach fresh expression initiatives, and coaches church teams through the process of adaptive change. Shannon lives in Springfield VA with her husband, and is the mother to two young adult daughters. Shannon enjoys the outdoors, pickleball, gardening, traveling, and her neighborhood swim club.
Tim & Tasha Levert
Tim and Tasha have been in youth ministry since 1992, though they look much younger. They’ve both earned PhD’s – Tim in adolescent spiritual formation and Tasha in marriage and family counseling – but please don’t call them “doctor;” they prefer to be called “Grandmaster T” and “Skinny Lady,” respectively. Tasha is a writer, speaker, worship leader, and counselor. Tasha does online counseling through BroomtreeCounseling.com. Tim is a writer, speaker, worship leader, youth pastor, and currently, a high school English teacher and the Pastor/Church Planter at Mustard Seed Church, Baton Rouge, LA. They have three beautiful daughters and live by alligators.
Tim has authored several books including: The Simple Truth Bible as lead writer and general editor for, 24/7: Living for God in Real Life, co-authored The Nine Best Practices for Youth Ministry with Kurt Johnston, launched Youth Group Plus Blog and Podcast along with curriculum writing and articles for Group Publishing.
Tim and Tasha are longtime friends of BGAV and associated networks.
– Instagram: @tashalevert and @timlevert
Susan Wanderer
Susan Wanderer has the daily hope of cheering others on in their gifting and watching them succeed. She has been in full-time ministry for almost 30 years, is a licensed coach, communicator, and author. She is married to Ed and has three courageous kids: Joshua, Ruth, and Dibora. These four Wanderers are the joy of her heart.
– Church Website: themount.org
– Instagram: @susanwanderer
– Facebook: Susan Wanderer