12 Best Church Leadership Conferences In 2024
It's difficult to overstate the impact a truly great leadership conference can have in the life of a lead pastor. The role of a lead pastor requires you to continually enhance your leadership skills, deepen your vision, and find community with others. This is why church leadership conferences are so important!
- You connect with peers who understand the unique pressures of church leadership.
- You learn to better inspire your volunteers.
- You learn how to guide your leadership team.
- You learn how to grow and deepen your congregation.
- You rub shoulders with and learn from your peers.
With that in mind, here is a selection of some of the top conferences in 2024 that you shouldn't miss.
More: If you're a church leader, these pastor conferences are a must-attend.
Best Church Leadership Conferences 2024: Shortlist
- Outcomes Conference - Jacksonville, FL (April 2024)
- Watermark Church Leaders Conference - Dallas, TX (April 2024)
- The Orange Conference - Atlanta, GA (April 23-25, 2024)
- Rethink Leadership Conference - Duluth, GA (April 2024)
- Drive Conference - Alpharetta, GA (May 2024)
- Leadercast - Online (May 2024)
- ARC Conference - Multiple Locations and Dates
- Global Leadership Summit - South Barrington, IL (August 2024)
- Exponential - Multiple Locations and Dates
- MCL Conference - Dallas, TX (October 2024)
- C3 Conference - Grapevine, TX (February 2025)
- North Coast Training Leadership Conference - San Diego, CA (Date TBD)
Best Church Leadership Conferences List
This is a selection of the best church leadership conferences you can attend in 2024.
1. Outcomes Conference - Jacksonville, FL (April 2024)
- Dates: April 9-11, 2024
- Location: Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
- Pricing:
- Members: $999
- Non-Members: $1199
- Website: Outcomes Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Outcomes Conference focuses on leadership development, organizational growth, and strategic planning for Christian nonprofits and churches. It covers a wide array of topics, including fundraising, governance, and digital outreach (I've selected a handful of excellent recommendations for church worship training or church media conferences for you as well.) Speakers are leaders in their fields, offering both inspiration and practical advice.
Why You Should Attend:
This conference is ideal for church leaders and Christian nonprofit professionals looking to enhance their leadership skills and organizational effectiveness. It's a valuable resource for anyone seeking to make a greater impact in their ministry or organization.
2. Watermark Church Leaders Conference - Dallas, TX (April 2024)
- Dates: April 23-24, 2024
- Location: Watermark Community Church
- Pricing:
- Individual: $259
- Groups with 6+ persons: $239/person
- Website: Watermark Church Leaders Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn
Overview:
This conference is hosted by Watermark Community Church, focusing on practical training, inspiring stories of hope, and sharing effective tools to build healthy churches. It covers a variety of topics, including discipleship, leadership, ministry development, and community engagement. Expect to learn from church leaders who are making significant impacts in their communities through innovative practices and faithful service.
Why You Should Attend:
If you're looking for practical tools and inspiring stories to help you build a healthier church, this is the conference for you. It's particularly beneficial for church leaders seeking to enhance their impact on their congregations and communities through effective, tested strategies.
3. The Orange Conference - Atlanta, GA (April 23-25, 2024)
- Dates: April 23-25, 2024
- Location: Gas South Arena
- Pricing:
- In-person: $339
- Virtual only: $199
- Rethink Leadership: $339
- Website: The Orange Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Overview:
The Orange Conference brings together family ministry teams, including senior, next-gen, student, children's, and preschool leaders, to discuss strategies for impacting the lives of children and families. The conference emphasizes a unique approach that combines the light of the church (yellow) with the heart of the family (red) to form Orange. This event is filled with sessions aimed at innovative approaches to ministry, leadership development, and effective family engagement.
Why You Should Attend:
This conference is a must-attend if you're involved in family ministry or interested in learning how to better connect the church and family for a more significant impact on the next generation. It offers fresh insights and collaborative strategies that can transform your ministry approach.
4. Rethink Leadership Conference - Duluth, GA (April 2024)
- Dates: April 23-25, 2024
- Location: John C. Maxwell Leadership Center
- Pricing: $339
- Website: Rethink Leadership Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Overview:
An exclusive event for senior church leaders, the Rethink Leadership Conference focuses on high-level leadership, innovation, and strategies for church growth and health. The format allows for intimate and engaging conversations with peers and thought leaders, providing actionable insights. Topics include organizational leadership, culture shaping, and adapting to changing ministry landscapes.
Why You Should Attend:
Senior church leaders looking for a space to engage in deep, thought-provoking discussions with peers and experts will find this conference particularly valuable. It's an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives and strategies tailored to the unique challenges of senior leadership.
5. Drive Conference - Alpharetta, GA (May 1-2, 2024)
- Dates: May 1-2, 2024
- Location: North Point Community Church
- Pricing: $375
- Website: Drive Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Overview:
Drive Conference is designed for church leaders and teams who are passionate about engaging their communities and creating impactful church experiences. Hosted by North Point Ministries, it offers a mix of main sessions, breakouts, and behind-the-scenes access to ministry strategies. Topics include leadership, communication, engagement, and service programming, with a strong emphasis on practical application and innovative ministry design.
Why You Should Attend:
If you're looking for inspiration and practical tools to drive your ministry forward, this conference offers both. It's especially beneficial for leaders and teams eager to learn about creating engaging church experiences that resonate with today’s communities.
6. Leadercast - Online (May 2024)
- Dates: May 8, 2024
- Pricing: Starts at $25/month (billed annually) for 3 Leadercast events per year
- Website: Leadercast
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok
Overview:
Leadercast is an online leadership event designed to help attendees become leaders worth following. It covers a wide range of leadership topics, including personal development, organizational leadership, and strategies for building effective teams. The event features a lineup of renowned speakers from various sectors, offering insights and inspiration for leaders at all levels.
Why You Should Attend:
This event is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills from the comfort of their own home or office. With its focus on universal leadership principles, it's suitable for leaders in any context, including church leadership, offering actionable insights that can be applied across various domains.
7. ARC Conference - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (See table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (See table below)
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: ARC Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube
ARC Conference: Conference Locations and Dates
| Locations | Dates |
| ARC Conference 2024 Birmingham, AL | Church of the Highlands Grants Mill Birmingham, UK | April 23-24, 2024 |
| ARC Conference 2024 Dublin, Ireland | St. Mark's Church Dublin, Ireland | May 17, 2024 |
| ARC Canada Conference | Calgary Life Church Calgary, Canada | June 4-5, 2024 |
| ARC Conference 2024 South Africa | Christian Family Church (CFC) Johannesburg, South Africa | September 4-5, 2024 |
Overview:
The ARC Conference focuses on helping church leaders and planters to connect, learn, and grow. ARC stands for Association of Related Churches, and their conferences feature practical workshops, inspiring sessions, and opportunities to network with other church leaders. Topics include church planting, leadership development, creative ministry ideas, and more.
Why You Should Attend:
If you're involved in or interested in church planting and growth, the ARC Conference is an invaluable resource. Its focus on connection and practical learning makes it an excellent opportunity for leaders looking to expand their network and gain new insights into church development.
8. Global Leadership Summit - South Barrington, IL (August 2024)
- Dates: August 8-9, 2024
- Location: Willow Creek Community Church and online
- Pricing: Starts at $179
- Website: Global Leadership Summit
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | YouTube
Overview:
Hosted by the Global Leadership Network, the Global Leadership Summit is a two-day event designed to equip and inspire leaders with world-class expertise, actionable strategies, and insights for transforming their communities and organizations. The Summit features speakers from various sectors, including business, non-profit, and the church, offering a broad perspective on leadership.
Why You Should Attend:
This Summit is for anyone seeking to sharpen their leadership skills and impact their world positively. With its diverse lineup of speakers and a global perspective on leadership, it provides unique insights that can apply to church leadership and beyond.
9. Exponential - Multiple Dates and Locations
- Dates: Multiple dates (See table below)
- Location: Multiple locations
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: Exponential
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Exponential: Conference Locations and Dates
| Locations | Dates |
| Exponential West 2024 | 3Crosses Church Castro Valley, CA | October 22-24, 2024 |
| Exponential Central 2024 | Community Christian Church Naperville, IL | November 19-21, 2024 |
| Exponential Global 2025 | First Baptist Orlando, FL | March 17-20, 2025 |
Overview:
Exponential extends the impact of the Exponential conference by bringing church planting and multiplication training to more accessible locations. These regional events focus on specific themes relevant to church planting, growth, and multiplication, featuring a mix of main sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities with experienced planters and leaders.
Why You Should Attend:
Ideal for church leaders and planters who couldn't attend the main Exponential event or those looking for more localized insights and networking. These regional conferences offer valuable learning and connection opportunities tailored to the unique needs and contexts of different regions.
10. MCL Conference - Dallas, TX (October 2024)
- Dates: October 21-23, 2024
- Location: Irving Convention Center
- Pricing: Starts at $199
- Website: MCL Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Overview:
The MCL (Ministry, Community, Leadership) Conference is dedicated to empowering church leaders, ministry professionals, and volunteers with strategies for impactful ministry, community engagement, and leadership excellence. It covers a broad spectrum of topics, including innovative ministry methods, community service strategies, and leadership development. The conference features a lineup of experienced speakers from diverse ministry backgrounds.
Why You Should Attend:
This conference is a must for those looking to enhance their ministry's impact, foster community engagement, and develop their leadership skills. It's particularly beneficial for church leaders seeking fresh insights and practical strategies to apply in their ministries and communities.
11. C3 Conference - Grapevine, TX (February 2025)
- Dates: February 19-20, 2025
- Location: Fellowship Church - Grapevine Campus
- Pricing: Starts at $79
- Website: C3 Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube
Overview:
The C3 Conference is designed for church leaders and teams who are passionate about building the Church and reaching their communities for Christ. It focuses on creative leadership and church growth strategies, offering sessions on innovative worship, effective communication, and leadership development. The event brings together dynamic speakers and leaders from various ministry contexts to share insights and experiences.
Why You Should Attend:
If your goal is to ignite passion in your team and explore creative and effective strategies for church growth and leadership, the C3 Conference offers both the inspiration and the practical tools you need. It's an ideal setting for leaders and teams committed to making a difference in their congregations and communities.
12. North Coast Training Leadership Conference - San Diego, CA (Date TBD)
- Dates: Date to be determined
- Location: North Coast Church
- Pricing: $49
- Website: North Coast Training Leadership Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The North Coast Training Leadership Conference focuses on equipping church leaders with effective strategies for discipleship, leadership development, and community engagement. It emphasizes practical training and workshops designed to address the specific needs and challenges of contemporary church leadership. The conference draws on the expertise of seasoned leaders and practitioners who share insights from their own experiences of leading successful ministries.
Why You Should Attend:
This conference is particularly valuable for church leaders looking for practical, actionable strategies to enhance their leadership and discipleship efforts. If you're seeking to deepen your impact on your church and community through effective leadership, this conference provides the tools and insights to help you achieve that goal.
Let Us Know Your Favorite
Church leadership conferences afford you an opportunity to learn and benefit from other seasoned leaders. If you can find a way to attend one of these conferences, we highly recommend it.
Interested in sharing knowledge and collaborating with other experienced church leaders?You should definitely consider joining one of these church leadership communities for support and growth. But also: Sign up for our newsletter and find new inspiration and refreshment for your soul.
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