INSIGHT SESSIONS
Tuesday, November 11 @ 4:30 p.m.
A Rhythm of Work and Rest: Why Sabbaticals are Vital to Healthy Ministers and Ministries
Eli Withers, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Harrisonburg, VA
According to Clergy Renewal: The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning, “the essence of Sabbatical is rooted in the Hebrew word sabbat and the biblical traditions surrounding it.” In this breakout session, we will rely heavily on Ruth Haley Barton’s book Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest and look at how the sabbath practices to which we have already been called will lead to a stronger, extended time of sabbatical and why this gift of time and space is not only healthy and beneficial for the minister but also for the church/ministry setting where he or she serves.
Sacred Care: Bridging Sectors, Building Trust – Partnerships That Transform Communities
Rachel Pierce, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
This session explores how churches, healthcare providers, and community partners can come together to build meaningful relationships and susstainable partnerships. By working collaboratively, we can strengthen support systems, promote well being, and serve our neighbors.
Executive Board and Budget Dialogue
David Washburn + Executive Board, BGAV
Do you have questions about any of the business being conducted this year or about the 2026 budget? Messengers and guests alike are welcome to attend this session to ask questions and discuss business-related items with BGAV leadership.
Monday, November 11 (4:00 p.m.)
“Building Bridges to Help Transition Next Gen through Important Life and Faith Stages in the Church”
This session will focus on how to build bridges that help transition Next Gen through important life and faith stages in the church.
Led by Miriam Swanson (Fusion US), Doyna Illmer (Columbia, Falls Church), and Brandon Shook (Fusion US)
“The People, The Process, the Pulpit: How to Hire and Keep a Pastor”
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
“Disaster Response and Hands-On Ministry in Your Community”
Participants will explore the principles of Disaster Response with a focus on how Impact Missions engages with local communities and how a church can develop a partnership with the key responders in their community and apply Disaster Response principles to local church ministry.
Led by Glenn Maddox and Kristen Curtis
“High-Speed Broadband Ubiquity”
Learn how the Church can play a leading role in delivering high speed internet access to the local community. Particularly in rural areas, a church can provide the physical location, assets, and local relationships to deliver this connectivity to everyone.
Led by Tom York
“Free in Christ: An Introduction to Biblical Justice”
God’s love frees us to do justice and extend mercy. At times, the authentic, tangible promotion of realistic freedom for others in accordance with God’s love can put believers at odds with what is favorable in the eyes of the world. Leland Seminary invites you to learn the tangible love that motivates the Institute for Justice Formation and beckons us to promote God’s justice in this world.
Led by Sam Feemster
“Religious Liberty: Our Virginia Baptist Heritage and Future”
The liberty for everyone to practice their faith – or no faith at all – free from governmental interference is a core freedom for both Baptists and Americans more generally. Where did that freedom come from, and what impact does it have on us today?
Led by Shelton Miles, BGAV Religious Liberty Committee
Tuesday, November 12 (2:30 p.m.)
“Executive Board and Budget Dialogue”
Do you have questions about any of the business being conducted this year or about the 2025 budget? Messengers and guests alike are welcome to attend this session to ask questions and discuss business-related items with BGAV leadership.
Led by David Washburn and BGAV Executive Board
“What’s at Stake for Young Leaders in Religious Liberty?”
Religious liberty is one of the core Baptist principles, and it has consistently proven relevant to the concerns of our constantly changing world. How can we, as rising generations of leaders in Baptist life, understand and engage with issues of religious liberty – and why is it so important?
Led by Adam Tyler, BGAV Religious Liberty Committee
“Developing a Culture of Leadership Who Provide Permission and Support to Next Gen”
This session will help ministries develop a culture of leadership who provide permission and support to Next Gen.
Led by Miriam Swanson (Fusion US), James Wilson (Freedom Life, Norfolk), and Lora Gravatt (Columbia, Falls Church)
“Why Stay”
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
“God’s Call to Healthy Marriages for Ministry Leaders”
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”
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
“Pastoral Wellness Includes Centering Discipleship”
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
“Faith-Based Partnership – Federal and State Resources for Your Church”
Participants will learn about how churches can be a good neighbor before a disaster, so they are able to respond when a disaster occurs. They will also learn about the nonprofit security grant – a federal grant available to churches and other nonprofit organizations to help them identify security threats in their facility and address those threats.
Led by Lisa Anderson
“2024 Hurricane Season Update and How Your Church Can Serve“
Participants will receive an update on how BGAV has been responding to the 2024 Hurricane season and how they can prepare to serve as we move from relief into long-term recovery.
Led by Glenn Maddox and Kristen Curtis
Tuesday, November 12 (3:45 p.m.)
“A Time with the Task Force on Women in Ministry: The Report and Next Steps”
This session will provide updates on the task force’s work.
Led by BGAV Women in Ministry Task Force
“Adapting and Applying Practices to Know and Serve Next Gen in Your Unique Ministry Context”
This session will explore concrete next steps to adapt and apply practices to know and serve Next Gen in your unique ministry context.
Led by Miriam Swanson (Fusion US) and Welford Orrock (Kairos Initiative, BGAV)
“Becoming an Emotionally Healthier Pastor”
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
“Faith Community Partnerships in Your Community and Across Virginia“
In disaster response, the rule of thumb is that “every disaster is local,” so any response must begin with local partnerships. Participants will learn about the faith-based partnerships that have developed in Fairfax County and how churches can connect directly to responding agencies so they can be part of the solution. Participants will learn about the networks they have access to as BGAV churches and the Virginia Emergency Management Association’s Faith-Based Caucus.
Led by Courtney Arroyo, Michael Whiteaker, and Kimberly Ligon
“2024 Hurricane Season Update and How Your Church Can Serve“
Participants will receive an update on how BGAV has been responding to the 2024 Hurricane season and how they can prepare to serve as we move from relief into long-term recovery.
Led by Glenn Maddox and Kristen Curtis
“Pastor as Person: The Proper Care and Feeding of a Pastor”
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