PRE-CONFERENCE

AI Worries and Wonders

Clif Guy, Resurrection Information Technology Lead Director
Mike Hannah, Resurrection IT Infrastructure Team Director

An honest, demo-driven look at AI for church leaders who are still figuring out where they stand. Your questions gathered in advance shape the conversation, while live demonstrations of ministry-specific AI applications offer a genuine sense of what’s possible. Participants leave having seen the possibilities firsthand and better equipped to make faithful, informed decisions for their context.

An Aura of Hope: United Methodism’s Next Chapter

Lovett Weems, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC

United Methodism in the United States faces a crossroads. Things may seem the same as before, but old forms no longer carry the same weight. This thoughtful exploration helps church leaders see the current moment clearly — not as a crisis to survive, but as a season of genuine possibility for faithful renewal and forward movement.

Becoming the Church of Tomorrow: Wisdom from the Nones and Dones

Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, San Francisco, CA

Drawing on her book about what the ‘Nones’ and ‘Dones’ reveal about the future of faith, this exploration offers practical steps for reckoning with systemic decline, listening to neighbors, and moving beyond the building — helping leaders build Jesus-centered, authentic communities of love capable of reaching and holding generations to come.

Building Blocks of Employee Engagement

Janelle Gregory, Resurrection Human Resources Lead Director
Mary Murray, Resurrection Human Resources Specialist

Drawing on Gallup research showing managers account for 70% of team engagement variance, this covers key tools including clear expectation-setting, effective one-on-one meetings, and meaningful performance reviews — giving church leaders practical, actionable approaches to build more engaged, better aligned, and genuinely effective ministry teams.

Facilities Tour: A Guided Look at How It All Works

Matt Kelly, Resurrection Facilities & Construction Lead Director

A walking tour of Resurrection’s Leawood location that goes beyond what most visitors ever see. Participants get a firsthand look at the critical systems that make ministry possible week in and week out, with a possible close-up view of the stained-glass window. Come prepared for a workout — there are LOTS of steps and stairs along the way.

Faithful Innovation: Practical Clarity for Leading Change in Your Church

Brad Aycock, Executive Director, Ohio United Methodist Office of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings

Simple, practical frameworks for leaders navigating rapid change. We’ll work through how to discern what to renew, what to release, and what to start — drawing on Scripture, the Wesleyan tradition, and real ministry examples. Applicable to any church size or context, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of direction and one concrete next step to take within 90 days.

From Vision to Action: Strategic Planning for Churches

Dan Entwistle, Resurrection Senior Executive Director & COO

A demystification of the church strategic planning process — from broad God-given vision to practical day-to-day implementation. You’ll learn how to engage your congregation, align ministry resources, and cast a vision that transforms ‘what if’ into measurable momentum, building a roadmap that captures where God is actively leading the church.

Introduction to Legacy and Planned Giving

Debi Nixon, Resurrection Executive Director of Donor Development
Deliece Hofen, Resurrection Donor Development Connector
Phil Watson, Resurrection Donor Development Connector

An exploration of planned giving as a meaningful invitation for people to reflect on the lasting impact of their faith and generosity. You’ll gain practical language, conversation starters, and real-world examples from an established legacy giving program — equipping any church to introduce these important conversations with genuine care and clarity.

Practical Strategies for Stewardship & Donor Engagement

Debi Nixon, Resurrection Executive Director of Donor Development
Gwyn Thomas, Resurrection Donor Relations Specialist

Practical stewardship strategies adaptable for any church size — from annual campaigns and meaningful donor communication to special offerings, including the practice of giving away 100% of the Christmas Eve offering each year. Leave with actionable ideas for cultivating a culture of generosity that moves people into joyful, meaningful participation.

Preparing Pastors for Financial Discussions

Rachel Svaty, Resurrection Executive Director of Business Operations & CFO

Tailored to what pastors actually need to understand about church financials, this focused exploration covers budget health, designated versus undesignated funds, staffing decisions, and how to engage financial conversations with confidence — directly addressing the questions most pastors wish they had been taught before stepping into their pastoral role.

The Art of Hospitality

Debi Nixon, Resurrection Executive Director of Donor Development
Robert Johnson, Resurrection Location Pastor – Lee’s Summit
Ally Drummond, Resurrection Connection & Care Pastor/Director of Operations & Community Life – Lee’s Summit

Grounded in real stories from launching a new church location, this exploration of hospitality culture shows how welcoming guests is a shared responsibility — not just one ministry team’s job. You’ll leave with practical tools for moving people from first visit to genuine belonging, applicable to churches of any size.

The Pastor-Admin Partnership

Stephanie Hubers, Resurrection Executive Assistant to Senior Pastor

Designed for both administrative professionals and the pastors who closely support them, this collaborative exploration covers communication, expectation-setting, and systems that reduce stress and increase overall effectiveness. Pastors gain insight into empowering their admin partners, while administrative professionals leave with practical strategies for building strong, trust-filled working relationships.