breakout sessions
Monday, November 13
3:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Discover How V3 Can Serve Your Church
JR Woodward
V3 is the church planting arm of the BGAV, but we do more than that do serve BGAV churches. V3 can help leaders and churches embody a grounded spirituality, a missional theology, and a movement ecclesiology. In this session, we invite you to discover more about what V3 has to offer you and your church!
JR Woodward is the National Director of the V3 Movement, a national church-planting movement of BGAV.
Engaging and Equipping Young Adults in Ministry
Welford Orrock
Throughout scripture and the history of the church, young adults have played a vital role in advancing the mission of God and challenging the family of God to adapt and explore new expressions of God’s redeeming work in the world. Churches today need young adults, and young adults need the church. What does it look like for us to better love, encourage, and equip young adults in their faith journey—and to release them to exercise their gifts for the Kingdom of God? This session will focus on specific ways our church communities can bless young leaders in their calling and receive the blessings they have for us.
Welford Orrock is the Coordinator of Kairos Initiative, which serves to connect young adults and college students to the heart of the local church: developing leaders, moving missionally, and building community.
From the Steeple to the Street: Becoming a Great Commission Church in Your Greater Community
Greg LeMaster, Richard Woody, and John Vincent
The last few years have brought about tremendous changes, both in congregational life and in society overall. Many of these changes have made the long-standing practices of church ministry no longer effective at engaging the communities outside our walls. We are now in an era when we cannot assume people will come to church, even with our best efforts and intentions. We need to reposition our congregations to focus more on going out into our communities as missionaries, seeking to give witness to the gospel—taking the church Jesus loves closer to the people Jesus loves. In this session, we will give practical examples and pathways that everyday churches can use to start various kinds of fresh expressions of church: from dinner churches, to special-needs communities, to house churches, and even more! As a bonus, every participant attending this workshop will receive a free copy of the ground-breaking book, Contextual Intelligence, by Leonard Sweet.
Rev. Greg LeMaster is the Virginia Catalyst for Fresh Expressions North America and Pastor of Outreach & Evangelism at Graceland Baptist Church in Powhatan, VA. Richard Woody is the Deacon Chair at Graceland Baptist Church. John Vincent is the Deacon Trainer at Graceland Baptist Church and former missionary to Mexico.
Missions & Racial Reconciliation: Share. Pray. Act.
Sara Hubble and Valerie Carter Smith
God loves all of us just the same, but we live in a world where race and ethnicity separates one from the other. Learn how to address racial and ethnic conflict through healthy conversations. S.P.A. (Share, Pray, Act) is mission action towards racial reconciliation. Become acquainted with the S.P.A. curriculum and resources to help your congregation further build the kingdom of God by tearing down the walls that separate us.
Sara Hubble is the Operations and Pastoral Director at CrossRoads Camp & Conference Center in Lowesville, VA. Valerie Carter Smith is the Executive Director/Treasurer of WMU of Virginia.
Regrouping for Ministry in a Post-COVID Era
African American Fellowship of Virginia
Sponsored by the African-American Fellowship of Virginia, this breakout will discuss issues which churches face (financial, staffing, and volunteer resources), in addition to various social issues with a focus on how to minister to those who are present.
ReShape: Emerging Church Practice in a Volatile World
(Session 1)
Mark Tidsworth
Many churches and their leaders are hearing the call to transformation inherent in life disruption events. With a growth mindset and forward leaning spiritual posture, churches turn volatile events into exceptional transformation opportunities. Yet this kind of robust transformation doesn’t happen by accident. There are too many dynamics at play to leave our spiritual growth to chance. Instead we need an intentional, proactive process to guide us toward integrating our innovation and adaptation. These three breakouts are based on Mark Tidsworth’s book, ReShape: Emerging Church Practice in a Volatile World. Participants will learn key aspects of Pinnacle’s ReShape Transforming Church Initiative.
Session 1: The Five Active Dynamics Every Church Must Address
As our world becomes more of a VUCA environment (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity), Christ-followers and churches are looking for God’s calling within the volatility. In order to move ahead in proactive mission, there are five dynamics church must address in order to pursue transformation.
This is one of three standalone sessions. Participants can take in all three breakouts as a series, each one building on the other, or can participate in a single breakout session.
Mark Tidsworth launched Pinnacle Leadership Associates in 2008, expanding Pinnacle’s ministry in terms of services and geographical reach. Serving in various vocational roles (pastor, new church developer, interim pastor, renewal pastor, therapist, nonprofit director, business owner, leadership coach, congregational consultant, leadership trainer, author) prepared Mark for leading Pinnacle into its various expressions. Mark’s direct service continues to be driven by a keen curiosity about the intersection of faith, church, and 21st century living. At this point, you will find Mark doing presentations, providing trainings, coaching, and creating content. Mark is a frequent presenter in clergy gatherings and denominational gatherings. Ordained in the Baptist Tradition, Mark now serves through the Church at large. Mark resides in Chapin, SC.
Living on Purpose
Tim Levert
A breakout offered by the Next Generation Gathering.
Tuesday, November 14
2:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Executive Board and Budget Dialogue
Do you have questions for the BGAV Executive Board, about the proposed changes to the BGAV Constitution and Bylaws, and/or about the 2024 budget? Come meet with BGAV leadership for discussion and dialogue.
David Washburn is the treasurer of the BGAV, and Brooke Blake is the current chair of the BGAV Executive Board.
A Consistent Witness for Religious Liberty: Voices from the Past
BGAV Religious Liberty Committee
Watch reenactments performed by Charles Reese (Drama Professor at Bluefield University) of excerpts of two notable speeches by Dr J. L. M. Curry (1873) and Dr. George McDaniel (1926) on the subject of religious liberty and church/state separation.
The reenactments will be preceded by a short welcome and introduction by RLC Chair Shelton Miles and will be followed by a panel consisting of Amanda Tyler (Baptist Joint Committee), Nathan Taylor (Virginia Baptist Historical Society), and Robert Cochran (Baptist History Professor at Leland Seminary), who will discuss the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the speeches presented. Join us and find out how you can continue the BGAV's consistent witness for religious liberty.
BGAV Religious Liberty Committee is committed to sharing the long-standing importance of religious liberty among BGAV churches and members, past and present.
Protecting Our Children
Impact Missions
Often, children’s understanding of God is born in their experiences at church. For that and so many other reasons, church needs to be a safe and nurturing environment. Join us for a discussion around ways to protect children from abuse within the church. We’ll talk about practical strategies for analyzing your building’s vulnerable places, simple and non-threatening ways to encourage accountability and safe practices, and ways to identify signs of abuse. Participants will also have the opportunity to schedule a BGAV sponsored Stewards of Children child sex abuse prevention training for their congregation or association.
Money Where it Matters: Five Ways to Increase Your Church's Income and Decrease Expenses
Steve Law
Do you have great ideas for enhancing your church's ministry but struggle with how to fund them? This session will provide specific ways your church can increase revenue and cut expenses, allowing you to focus giving and spending on the areas you want to prioritize. There will also be time for Q&A related to your church's finances and accounting.
Steve Law is the Finance Director at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, VA.
ReShape: Emerging Church Practice in a Volatile World
(Session 2)
Mark Tidsworth
Many churches and their leaders are hearing the call to transformation inherent in life disruption events. With a growth mindset and forward leaning spiritual posture, churches turn volatile events into exceptional transformation opportunities. Yet this kind of robust transformation doesn’t happen by accident. There are too many dynamics at play to leave our spiritual growth to chance. Instead we need an intentional, proactive process to guide us toward integrating our innovation and adaptation. These three breakouts are based on Mark Tidsworth’s book, ReShape: Emerging Church Practice in a Volatile World. Participants will learn key aspects of Pinnacle’s ReShape Transforming Church Initiative.
Session 2: Seven Key Practices for ReShaping Church
Will your congregation emerge from the volatility of recent years stressed and anxious? Or might your church pursue the transformation opportunities presented to us through volatility in our context? Mark Tidsworth presents the key practices any church can pursue, leading to transformation and missional advancement.
This is one of three standalone sessions. Participants can take in all three breakouts as a series, each one building on the other, or can participate in a single breakout session.
Mark Tidsworth launched Pinnacle Leadership Associates in 2008, expanding Pinnacle’s ministry in terms of services and geographical reach. Serving in various vocational roles (pastor, new church developer, interim pastor, renewal pastor, therapist, nonprofit director, business owner, leadership coach, congregational consultant, leadership trainer, author) prepared Mark for leading Pinnacle into its various expressions. Mark’s direct service continues to be driven by a keen curiosity about the intersection of faith, church, and 21st century living. At this point, you will find Mark doing presentations, providing trainings, coaching, and creating content. Mark is a frequent presenter in clergy gatherings and denominational gatherings. Ordained in the Baptist Tradition, Mark now serves through the Church at large. Mark resides in Chapin, SC.
The Future of Your Church is Already in Your Pews
Matt Thornhill
The demographic reality facing most churches is an aging membership. Many lament that they are not attracting young people to church, and their future looks bleak. In this session, Matt Thornhill will share specific steps you can take to “activate” the Boomers already in your pews to grow the church. He’ll explain easy-to-implement strategies and tactics to reach unchurched people of every age in your community, tapping into the resources you have in your building already: Boomers.
Matt Thornhill is a national Boomer expert and author of Boomer Consumer.
AI & Technology
Tim Levert
A breakout offered by the Next Generation Gathering.
The Volunteer Recruiting Five-Part Framework
Nick Blevins
A breakout offered by the Next Generation Gathering.
New and Innovative Kid Ministry
Shannon Kiser
A breakout offered by the Next Generation Gathering.
3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Preparing Churches to Hire Women for Ministry
Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry
Many women, at all ages and stages of life, are discerning and pursuing God’s call to ministry. It is important for the local church to be prepared spiritually, theologically, and practically to help women in this process. Through this breakout session, VBWIM will work to motivate and help equip congregations to affirm, value, and encourage women ministers. We will offer the opportunity to hear personal stories of women who are serving in churches across Virginia in many capacities as well as offer practical ways to foster healthy ministry cultures.
Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry (VBWIM) is an association of persons, both women and men, lay and professional, who perceive what they do as Christian Ministry, and who seek to provide an avenue for mutual support, encouragement and empowerment.
Let Me Help You To Help your Deacons
Tom Stocks
Deacons are struggling because they may be working off assumptions…and pastors, YOU are too! Let’s have a conversation around expectations that are conscious, spoken, attainable, and agreed upon.
Tom Stocks is a regional field strategist for BGAV.
What In The World Is Going On!?!?!
Impact Missions
Good question! Our BGAV partners, volunteers, and Impact Missions staff desire to connect with you as we share about opportunities and new horizons in our missional work together. Virginia Baptists are making a difference in the lives of people as they serve locally, nationally, and internationally and you need to hear about it. You also need to know how you and your congregation can thrive as you get involved with these life changing endeavors.
ReShape: Emerging Church Practice in a Volatile World
(Session 3)
Mark Tidsworth
Many churches and their leaders are hearing the call to transformation inherent in life disruption events. With a growth mindset and forward leaning spiritual posture, churches turn volatile events into exceptional transformation opportunities. Yet this kind of robust transformation doesn’t happen by accident. There are too many dynamics at play to leave our spiritual growth to chance. Instead we need an intentional, proactive process to guide us toward integrating our innovation and adaptation. These three breakouts are based on Mark Tidsworth’s book, ReShape: Emerging Church Practice in a Volatile World. Participants will learn key aspects of Pinnacle’s ReShape Transforming Church Initiative.
Session 3: Applying the Seven Key Practices, Stories from the Field
After a brief overview of the ReShape content, two pastors and one lay leader from Virginia churches engage in a dialogue facilitated by ReShape author Mark Tidsworth regarding the outcomes of ReShape in their churches. We will enlarge the conversational circle during this session, making space for participants to make observations, ask questions, and engage with these leaders.
This is one of three standalone sessions. Participants can take in all three breakouts as a series, each one building on the other, or can participate in a single breakout session.
Mark Tidsworth launched Pinnacle Leadership Associates in 2008, expanding Pinnacle’s ministry in terms of services and geographical reach. Serving in various vocational roles (pastor, new church developer, interim pastor, renewal pastor, therapist, nonprofit director, business owner, leadership coach, congregational consultant, leadership trainer, author) prepared Mark for leading Pinnacle into its various expressions. Mark’s direct service continues to be driven by a keen curiosity about the intersection of faith, church, and 21st century living. At this point, you will find Mark doing presentations, providing trainings, coaching, and creating content. Mark is a frequent presenter in clergy gatherings and denominational gatherings. Ordained in the Baptist Tradition, Mark now serves through the Church at large. Mark resides in Chapin, SC.
Leadership Training from a Latino Perspective
Habacuc Diaz Lopez
Habacuc Diaz Lopez will share information about the Latino Network’s new CAMP (Creatively Advancing Ministry Preparation) initiative.
Habacuc Diaz Lopez is the coordinator for Latino ministries of BGAV.
THE CHURCH FORWARD! A Study of the Proclamation in Acts
Daniel Dapaah and Ken Pruitt
THE CHURCH FORWARD invites pastors and ministry leaders into the narrative of Acts to discover how the apostles’ proclamation reflected God’s work in Christ and through the Holy Spirit for the purpose and vision of the Church. Through this study, pastors, ministry leaders, and lay volunteers will discover ways to lead the church forward in God’s design and purpose through the truth we believe, practice, and proclaim. .
Dr. Daniel Dapaah is the New Testament Professor at Leland Seminary; and Dr. Ken Pruitt is the President of Leland Seminary, and Professor in Preaching and Pastoral Care.
The Church’s Role in Mental Health: A Guide
Rhonda Pedigo and Lucianne Warren
Mental health is a real problem that churches often avoid or ignore. One in five Americans is affected. How many are in your congregation? This session explores the importance of equipping the church, church leaders, and congregation to provide effective and compassionate care to individuals and their loved ones who struggle with their mental health.
Rhonda Pedigo is a high school Counselor and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Lucianne Warren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and President of WMU of Virginia.
How to be a better Communicator
Tim Levert
A breakout offered by the Next Generation Gathering.
Building Intentional strategy to reach the Next Generation
Susan Wanderer
A breakout offered by the Next Generation Gathering.
Widening the Net and Building your Framework for Recruiting Leaders
Nick Blevins
A breakout offered by the Next Generation Gathering.