Save the date for our 2nd Annual BC Leadership Conference on Saturday, September 21st!


Eight Christian Reformed Churches (CRC) in the Fraser Valley have decided to pool funds and resources together to form one large conference for any and all interested churches. Our goal is to provide a well-planned conference to bless our elders and deacons, staff and ministry leaders.


We have invited gifted leaders to teach us on important topics that include, but are not limited to, safe church, church governance, pastoral care, crucial conversations, missions, diaconal and mercy ministries, and more.


Each participant will be able to choose from a variety of different breakouts based on interest, and their role within the church.


Space is limited. If you are ready to register, click the link below. Otherwise, scroll down to learn more about our breakouts, answers to frequently asked questions, and more. Registration closes September 16.

For further information regarding registrations please contact:
Taylor Visser
tvisser@newlifecrc.ca
604-852-1585


REGISTER HERE

main session speaker

michael w. goheen, PHD.

Professor of Missional Theology
Director of Theological Education
  

  • a vision for a flourishing church for our time

    These two main sessions will flow from my journey beginning with church planting to a PhD on Newbigin’s missionary church to later participating in the renewal of an inner city CRC and wrestling with pastors from various countries on what a faithful church should be. We will reflect theologically, tell stories, consider examples, and dialogue together.


breakout one

  • Crucial conversations

    Pastor Ken Ritsema


    How to embrace conflict with Christian truth and love.

    This applies to areas of leadership, pastoral care, discipleship, etc.  In fact, the health of a congregation is often tied to whether these conversations are happening, or not.

    This session will give you a perspective and framework to discover how these difficult conversations can become opportunities for growth.  They may even be God's tool to move you to a place you didn't think was possible!



  • tracking pastoral care

    Pastor Adam Van Dop


    Have you and your fellow council members ever struggled to find best practices for tracking visitation, and measuring the goals you've put in place for visitation of your church family? Do you desire to find helpful methods to ensure that all members of your church are known, loved, and accounted for? 

    Together, we will take a look at a way to help you find your way. This is a process which involves volunteer Care Team Leaders working closely with Visitation/Pastoral/Ministering Elders, as a way to see that your church family is well cared for!


  • Deacons 101 | A look at the deacon's mandate

    Gary Veeneman


    This workshop is designed for new deacons to learn about their role, but also for experienced deacons to be refreshed and to share their insights with those who are new. Incoming deacons will be inspired to actively engage in their diaconate, appreciate previous diaconal work done by the church, and be given a chance to share their aspirations for future endeavours. At the end of the workshop all participants will emerge with more of a unified understanding of their role as deacons and be more familiar with Diaconal Ministries Canada and how it can support their diaconate.


  • leading as a woman

    Pastor Jenna Fabiano


    Being appointed as a leader of your church as a woman can come with unique or unexpected challenges, many of which don’t come to the surface until we’re already in the role. What are some of these challenges? How might Scripture be able to inform our understanding of women in leadership and help us to face some of these challenges? Join us for this workshop as we share, discuss, and learn about the unique gifts that we offer as women to the church and how those gifts can be used to the maximum potential.

    Note: This workshop is intentionally geared towards women, although men are more than welcome to join.

  • SPIRITUAL FORMATION FOR church leaders

    Pastor Brad Sumner


    How we define and do our work together as church leaders can either enhance or undo our spiritual formation as people. In this session, we will explore if it is possible or realistic to see our leadership responsibilities such as meetings and administration as spiritual formation moments.  We will learn how the means to achieve our mandates must not be at odds to our ends.







breakout two

  • Casey Langbroek has practiced effective governance, not only in his business, but also in  the other organizations for whom he has worked or volunteered.

    WHY MANY CHURCH BOARDS SUFFER

    Pastor Justin Carruthers


    Join us for "Why Church Boards Suffer," a dynamic breakout session designed for pastors, elders, and deacons. Explore the common pitfalls that hinder church boards, discover a more effective governance model, and learn practical insights to navigate challenges. This session is structured into three parts: understanding the root causes of board challenges, envisioning a transformative governance approach, and equipping you with tools to tailor solutions for your unique context. Whether you're seeking to strengthen leadership, enhance decision-making, or foster greater unity, this session offers actionable strategies to elevate your board's effectiveness and impact.

  • visiting people with dementia

    Pastor Steve Berkenpas


    Visiting those with dementia has a unique set of challenges, often leading people to be under visited and cared for. I know in my own circles visiting a person with dementia can end up being so discouraging that we can be fearful in even arranging another the visit. This breakout will open with some practical considerations of what dementia is and how a Christian perspective provides hope. It will also focus on some practical tips on how to do effective visits with both those with dementia and their caregivers.  


  • COMMISSION, CALLING, CREDIBILITY & CONDUCT

     Faye Martin


    All around us, real situations of Church Leadership Sexual Misconduct & Abuse continue to come to light.  What does that mean for how churches respond?  We will dig into a new & recent scenario that challenges us to examine the how, why & impact of our responses as church leaders while exercising the high calling of our responsibility and power to do good.



  • Benevolence Policy & guidelines

    Ron Vanden Brink | Diaconal Ministries Canada


    This workshop will help your diaconate focus its time and resources. Clearly defined guidelines will help you know when to spend a significant amount of time with a request, or when to refer an individual/family to another community agency. And in some cases the appropriate response is to use your judgment and say ‘no’. Benevolence guidelines help deacons make decisions by establishing criteria in advance and using the guidelines to make decisions when presented with requests. If you already have a policy, this workshop will provide your deacon team with the opportunity to review and reflect on how best to apply the guidelines you have.


breakout three

  • how to lead a meeting

    Andre Vanryk


    Using experience and research we hope to provide information and ideas to help you lead a productive and efficient meeting.  For beginners and veterans we expect there will be learnings for everyone.






  • fostering a disciple making culture

    Tim Sheridan | Resonate Global Mission


    Many leaders are suggesting that the North American church today is facing a "discipleship crisis." What has contributed to that? What important questions should we be asking if we are going to help foster a disciple-making culture in our local congregations? What learning and insights can we gain from the global church? These are the core questions we'll be engaging in this breakout session.




  • making a caring visit

    Pastor Mike Koot


    In this breakout we’ll focus on how to use a “visit” to discover, encourage, and gently blow on the spark of faith in the lives of those you visit, so that they are encouraged and sense that Jesus has come close to them. We’ll work to accomplish this by exploring very practical “how-to” steps for the visit, including aspects of the visit from pre-visit to post-visit.  We’ll also consider potential problems you might encounter during visits, and how to avoid getting sucked into visit “traps.”



  • what should we do?

    Becoming a discerning leadership team

    Wilma Van der Leek


    Wouldn’t it be amazing to be a leadership team with the ability, like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do? (I Chron. 12:32). In this break-out, we’ll look at the difference between deciding and discerning, with an emphasis on the role of scripture. Some of the very real barriers to but also genuine possibilities of discernment will be engaged.





  • refugee support

    Dena Nicolai | Chaplain & Refugee Support Mobilizer


    In this session, Dena Nicolai will host a conversation around being/becoming a welcoming church for people who have arrived in Canada as refugees.  Beginning with a snapshot of the global refugee situation and then the various resettlement pathways (Government Assisted Refugees, Privately Sponsored Refugees, Refugee Claimants), Dena will then lead participants in discussion about formal and informal ways of supporting refugees resettling here. Please join us if you would like to learn more, and/or if you have refugee support experience you can share with other participants.



faqs

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THIS CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE?

Saturday, September 21st (check in starts at 8:00 am, conference starts at 8:30am) at New Life CRC in Abbotsford


IS THERE A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE BREAKOUTS?

Yes, CLICK HERE


WHO IS IT FOR?

Any and all pastors and church council members. Staff members and ministry leaders are, of course, welcome to attend as well. The main focus (as you can see from the breakouts above) is for elders, deacons, and pastors.


IS THIS A DENOMINATIONALLY SANCTIONED EVENT?

No. This is simply a group effort of pastors and churches in BCSE to bless our elders, deacons, and ministry leaders.


WHAT IS THE COST PER PERSON?

$20/person. Early bird pricing of $15/person until July 19.

[The eight churches noted above have committed to help with some of the major costs to keep the cost of registration to a minimum.] 


WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE

The schedule for the day breaks down as follows.

  • 8:00-8:30 am - Check In
  • 8:30am - Morning Devotions and Worship
  • 9:00am - Large Group Session
  • 10:00am - Breakout #1 (50 mins)
  • 11:00am - Breakout #2 (50 mins)
  • 11:50am - Lunch
  • 1:00pm - Worship & Large Group Session
  • 2:15pm - Breakout #3 (50 mins)
  • 3:20pm - Breakout #4 - Final Local Council Breakout [Where each church Council gathers together for their own self-guided custom training]
  • 3:50pm - Closing Remarks & Prayer

IS FOOD PROVIDED?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, along with snacks and beverages throughout the day.


WHERE CAN I REGISTER?

CLICK HERE to register.

Registration closes September 16.

For further information regarding registrations please contact:
Taylor Visser
tvisser@newlifecrc.ca
604-852-1585



OUR ENTIRE COUNCIL IS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND. CAN I STILL PERSONALLY ATTEND?
Yes!
  • If you come as a full council, we will do our best to give you a space for the 4th and final breakout where you can gather together for your own self-guided custom training (space is limited). 
  • If you come alone (or in a smaller group), you are still most welcome!  

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS.

For questions regarding the event breakouts, email justin@gatewaycrc.org

For registration questions, email CLICK HERE