LEARNING LABS

What are Learning Labs? Learning Labs are our new type of “breakout session” that focuses on hands-on experience and real-life takeaways that can be implemented in your ministry immediately. These labs have been chosen carefully and intentionally to provide the most relevant resources for moving your own church’s Mission Forward!

Monday, November 10
(3:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, November 11
(1:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, November 11
(3:00 p.m.)
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Monday, November 10 @ 3:30 p.m.

World-Changing Teams: A Pathway for Building and Discipling Your Next Gen Ministry

Penny Miller + James Dick, Highlands Fellowship, Abingdon, VA
Lora Gravatt, Columbia Church, Falls Church, VA

Next Gen Ministry is one of the most volunteer-intensive areas of church life. The high demand for leaders places constant pressure on ministry staff and volunteers alike. In a season when the pool of available volunteers continues to shrink, even the most passionate leaders can become discouraged, frustrated, and eventually burned out. But it doesn’t have to be this way. This interactive Learning Lab will equip children’s and student ministry leaders with a practical framework for building healthy, sustainable teams that does more than fill holes.

Seven Jesus-shaped Practices for a Thriving Church

Paul Maconochie, Uptick
We train our Uptick Core (Pastors) participants in seven key elements that can help their churches to grow and thrive. These would include principles about how to help members engage with evangelism and discipleship, how to inspire and mobilize the next generation, how to help people to be full of passion for Jesus, How to encourage people to step into their calling and purpose and how to help the church to function as a healthy body.
These are things that are easy to get distracted from in ministry life, but are very important for the long-term life and health of a local church. Discussion, examples, and interaction will be included throughout the session.

Decisions in the Dark: Navigating Uncertain Times

JR Woodward + Jessie Cruickshank, V3 Church Planting Movement
In a world marked by complexity and rapid change, how do we faithfully discern the right path forward, especially when the way isn’t clear? This active, participatory lab is designed to help leaders and teams navigate cultural uncertainty with spiritual discernment and practical wisdom. Together, we will explore ways to better understand the times we are living in and learn how to make faithful decisions even when clarity is hard to come by. Decisions in the Dark is a prayer-led framework for collaborative decision-making in uncertain contexts. Rooted in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the collective wisdom of the community, this process was forged in real-world situations where the stakes were high and the outcomes unknown. It is a tool developed from experience, not theory, that helps leaders move forward with courage and clarity. You will leave this workshop with a practical, adaptable process that you can immediately use in your church or leadership context.

Religious Liberty and the Golden Rule

Adam Tyler + panelists, BGAV Religious Liberty Committee
Baptists in the US have been champions of religious liberty for people of all faiths, and no faith, since before the beginning of our republic.  Yet this foundational principle of both Baptist faith and American freedom must constantly be relearned and applied in new eras and new situations.  Join us as we use the lens of Jesus’ teaching of the Golden Rule to consider how to be champions of religious liberty for everyone; this will include a panel discussion with pastors navigating the issues of religious liberty in our cultural context and conversation around current concerns in our society and communities that impact religious liberty.

Food to Faith: Transforming Hunger Ministry into Collaborative Community and Dinner Church

Shannon Kiser, Fresh Expressions
Dean Miller, Impact Missions
This session will help churches consider how their existing food pantries or hunger ministries can become communities of mutual friendship and potentially faith exploration. We will explore a shift from mission “to” or “for” the community to mission “with” and “among” the community and hear from several churches who have navigated this shift. Participants will dream and plan for how they might be able to serve the physical needs of their community while also building friendships and faith community around food.

ONLINE ONLY: How to Talk to Children about Death

Kim Eskridge, First Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA
This breakout session is designed to offer practical guidance on the subject of talking with children about death. This workshop will equip you with effective communication strategies to help children process loss and grief in a supportive manner. We’ll discuss age-appropriate language, common questions children may have, and ways to create a safe space for dialogue. Through interactive activities you’ll gain confidence in addressing this sensitive topic while providing spiritual guidance. By the end of the session, you’ll be better prepared to support families in navigating conversations about death, fostering hope and understanding for young hearts.

ONLINE ONLY: The Theological Foundations of the Classic Baptist Conviction for the Separation of Church and State

Shelton Miles
Virginia Baptists contributed significantly to the question of whether or not to have an “established” religion.  There were various voices advocating for the separation of church and state.  Virginia Baptists were unique in advocating this position for theological concerns.  In this session you will be reminded of these convictions.  There will also be time to reflect on the perennial significance of this tradition.
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Tuesday, November 11 @ 1:00 p.m.

Dinner Church: Building a New Form of Faith Community around a Shared Meal

Verlon Fosner, Fresh Expressions
In this session, you will discover how a simple Jesus story, shared lives around a shared meal, and some practical 21st century evangelism skills can transform lives around a dinner table. Your church can do this… we can show you how.

Hands-on Community Ministry

Craig Waddell + Kristen Curtis, Impact Missions
How can my church make a meaningful contribution to God’s mission locally and beyond? Church to community partnerships provide an authentic way to do that, and they enable us to observe how the Holy Spirit is moving God’s mission forward in different contexts. This broader perspective helps us, in turn, to discover how we can better participate in God’s mission in our own and other cultures.

AI and the Church: Leading with Wisdom in a New Era

Bryan Jones

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the landscape of ministry. That fact can be intimidating to some, but it can be an opportunity for many who choose to embrace it and learn to use it appropriately. Pastors can use it to multiply impact rather than add burden to their lives. In this session, you’ll learn practical tools for sermon preparation, administration, communications, and care, while also addressing the deeper ethical and spiritual implications of AI in church life. Discover how to lead with wisdom, protect authenticity, and leverage technology as a servant of the gospel—not a substitute for it. Join Bryan Jones, Executive Director of the NorthStar Church Network, for an interactive time of learning from each other in how to navigate and excel during this exciting time in our lives and ministries.

Next Gen, Next Door: Engaging Your Community with Purpose

Rob Covington, Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA
Michael DuVal, Journey Church, Roanoke,VA
Emily Collins, Westwood Baptist Church, Springfield, VA
Lora Gravatt, Columbia Church, Falls Church, VA

What if the greatest mission field for your Next Gen ministry is just outside your church doors? This Learning Lab invites children’s and student ministry leaders to move from programs to presence: engaging kids, teens, and families right where they already live, learn, and play. Through stories from local practitioners and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to listen to your community, partner with what God is already doing, and help your leaders and students become bridge-builders of hope. You’ll leave with a personal map and one actionable next step to bring your ministry closer to your neighbors.

Leaders Who Develop Leaders: The Why, the How, and the For How Long

Archie Bates-Mendoza + Sonya Habimana, Uptick
Succession planning is a primal part of discipleship. When we recognize that as we are called to serve, we are also called to disciple individuals to continue, update, and modify what we have been given. Often, this may only be considered in the sphere of church; but what if the principles can be applied in different spheres of life including the non-profit sector or in a business? This Learning Lab will offer general Uptick principles accompanied by Scripture (Matthew 4:19, Matthew 17:14-18, Luke 10:1, and Matthew 16:14-19), and stories from experienced leaders who discipled other leaders as they made plans for succession. Participants will learn one of Uptick’s discipleship Lifeshapes (the square), and understand the biblical importance of discipleship and succession.

ONLINE ONLY: Developing Leaders through Coaching Relationships

Ken Kessler, Empower Coaching
Developing church leaders in the 21st century calls for a different approach. Join us as we look at how businesses and ministries across the country and globe have discovered how a powerful coaching relationship can transform leaders into engaging, growing leaders. You will experience a dynamic demonstration of coaching and hear from leaders who have used coaching as a springboard to growth and opportunity.

ONLINE ONLY: Reimagining the Classics: Ministering to Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Cadance Tyler, Impact Missions

This session will explore how to transform time-honored ministry events into dynamic experiences designed to resonate with Generation Z and Generation Alpha. Generations change, but a desire to love God and others well continues to connect with younger generations. Participants in this lab will learn characteristics of Generations Z and Alpha, assess the ways in which they are currently ministering to children and youth, and take part in an interactive ministry event redesign to implement in their context.

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Tuesday, November 11 @ 3:00 p.m.

Pause & Paste: Creative Rest for Pastors and Leaders

Amy Hall, Shalom Creatives
This hands-on workshop invites pastors and leaders into a space of creative rest and reflection. Using the simple practice of collage, you’ll explore what’s fueling and draining you in this season of leadership, and discern what rest and renewal may be needed. No art experience is necessary, and all art materials and guidance will be provided.

Reimagining the Classics: Ministering to Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Cadance Tyler, Impact Missions

This session will explore how to transform time-honored ministry events into dynamic experiences designed to resonate with Generation Z and Generation Alpha. Generations change, but a desire to love God and others well continues to connect with younger generations. Participants in this lab will learn characteristics of Generations Z and Alpha, assess the ways in which they are currently ministering to children and youth, and take part in an interactive ministry event redesign to implement in their context.

Beyond the Surface: Revealing the Voice that Shapes Your Leadership and Drives Change

Michael Pumphrey
Leading change is rarely smooth—conflict, resistance, and miscommunication often arise. The 5 Voices framework helps leaders discover their unique leadership style and equips them with practical tools to communicate, collaborate, and engage others more effectively.  Leaders will gain actionable insights to foster deeper collaboration and momentum in times of transition.

A More Beautiful Partnership: Reimagining the Church & CDC Together for Gospel Impact

Jim Baucom + Lora Gravatt, Columbia Church, Falls Church, VA

Many churches already hold a vibrant mission field within their walls: weekday preschools and Child Development Centers. These ministries provide daily access to and build important relationships with children and families, but without an intentional strategy these families may never find their way into the life of your church. This session invites senior leaders to reimagine these ministries not as separate operations, but as sacred opportunities for gospel-centered transformation. Through real-world examples, collaborative exercises, and practical tools, participants will learn how to align their church and CDC for shared mission, deepen staff partnership, and create a clear next step toward reaching families in their own community.

Developing Leaders through Coaching Relationships

Ken Kessler, Empower Coaching
Developing church leaders in the 21st century calls for a different approach. Join us as we look at how businesses and ministries across the country and globe have discovered how a powerful coaching relationship can transform leaders into engaging, growing leaders. You will experience a dynamic demonstration of coaching and hear from leaders who have used coaching as a springboard to growth and opportunity.

ONLINE ONLY: Baptist Distinctives

Todd Latham, Memorial Baptist Church, Staunton, VA
What would you say if someone were to ask you, “What is the one thing that makes the Baptist denomination different from other Christian denominations?” Have you ever struggled to define what sets Baptist churches apart from others? Baptists come in a variety of “flavors.” They hold different interpretations and views on certain issues, such as the Second Coming of Christ, worship styles, and leadership structure. However, certain distinct beliefs must be included to be called Baptist.   

ONLINE ONLY: Seven Jesus-shaped Practices for a Thriving Church

Paul Maconochie, Uptick
We train our Uptick Core (Pastors) participants in seven key elements that can help their churches to grow and thrive. These would include principles about how to help members engage with evangelism and discipleship, how to inspire and mobilize the next generation, how to help people to be full of passion for Jesus, How to encourage people to step into their calling and purpose and how to help the church to function as a healthy body.
These are things that are easy to get distracted from in ministry life, but are very important for the long-term life and health of a local church. Discussion, examples, and interaction will be included throughout the session.
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