10 Top Church Leadership Conferences to Attend in 2026–2027
The right church leadership conferences can sharpen your vision, renew your calling, and connect you with leaders who understand the weight of ministry. Between Sunday services, staff management, and pastoral care, finding time to invest in your own growth is hard. This guide cuts through the noise to highlight the conferences genuinely worth your calendar—and your budget.
Best Church Leadership Conferences in 2026-2027 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best church leadership conferences I think are worth attending in 2026-2027:
- Hillsong Conference 2026 - Multiple locations and dates
- Global Leadership Summit 2026 - August 6-7, 2026 (Multiple locations & Virtual)
- CITN National Conference 2026 - Louisville, KY (October 4-6, 2026)
- North Coast Leadership Conference - Vista, CA (October 14-15, 2026)
- Leading and Loving It Re:Treat 2026 - Las Vegas, NV & Virtual (October 27–28, 2026)
- The Alpha Conference - Orange County, CA (February 3-5, 2027)
- Exponential 2027 Global Conference - Orlando, FL (March 16-19, 2027)
- Church Leaders Conference - Dallas, TX (Multiple dates)
- ARC Conference - Dallas–Fort Worth, TX (April 27-28, 2027)
- Church Conference 2027 - Dallas, TX (April 27–29, 2027)
Best Church Leadership Conferences of 2026
Below are my summaries of the best church leadership conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
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1. Hillsong Conference 2026 - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Varies (see table below)
- Social Media: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook
Hillsong Conference 2026: Locations, Dates, & Pricing
| Location | Dates | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney, Australia | July 7-9, 2026 | From $159 - $289 |
| London, UK | October 21-23, 2026 | From £40 - £169 |
Hillsong Conference is an annual gathering organized by Hillsong Church, hosted by Global Senior Pastors Phil and Lucinda Dooley. In 2026, it runs in Sydney (July) and London (October), themed "Now – Unto Him." Speakers include Amy Orr-Ewing, Ps Jeffrey Rachmat, and Julian Lowe.
Why attend? Hillsong Conference blends world-class worship with biblical teaching and draws believers from across the globe. Sessions cover faith, calling, and church mission, and include dedicated programs for youth (Encounter Conference) and kids (Kidsong)—making it a full-family experience unlike most church leadership events.
2. Global Leadership Summit 2026 - August 6-7, 2026 (Multiple locations & Virtual)
- Dates: August 6-7, 2026
- Location: Has 400+ participating host site venues. Find your site here.
- Pricing: From $199 - $259
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
The Global Leadership Summit is a simulcast event organized by the Global Leadership Network. It takes place live on August 6–7, 2026, at 400+ host sites across the U.S. and Canada, plus online. Speakers include Craig Groeschel, Priscilla Shirer, Jim Collins, Andy Stanley, and Arthur C. Brooks, among others.
Why attend? The Summit draws 350,000+ attendees from 100+ countries and 30+ industries, making it one of the broadest leadership events in the world. It blends faith-grounded vision with marketplace expertise, featuring talks on culture-building, negotiation, risk, and purpose—all designed to send you back to your church or organization ready to act.
3. CITN National Conference 2026 - Louisville, KY (October 4-6, 2026)
- Dates: October 4-6, 2026
- Location: Southeast Christian Church
- Pricing: $99
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The Church IT Network National Conference is the annual gathering for church IT leaders, organized by the Church IT Network. Running since at least 2020, it brings together hundreds of church technology professionals for three days of learning, workshops, and peer networking.
Why attend? At just $99, it's one of the most affordable church tech gatherings out there. The focus is squarely on IT ministry—think infrastructure, strategy, and leadership, not production or media. You'll spend three days in hands-on workshops and real conversations with peers who share your exact challenges.
4. North Coast Leadership Conference - Vista, CA (October 14-15, 2026)
- Dates: October 14-15, 2026
- Location: North Coast Church
- Pricing: From $139 - $179
- Social Media: Facebook
The North Coast Leadership Conference is a premier event for church leaders focused on practical leadership and team development. This conference has been a staple for leaders looking to enhance their skills and grow their ministries.
Why attend? North Coast Leadership Conference 2026 offers an engaging platform for you and your team to gain practical leadership insights. With a focus on team development and strategic growth, you'll participate in sessions designed to equip you with actionable strategies. The interactive environment and experienced speakers ensure a valuable learning experience.
5. Leading and Loving It Re:Treat 2026 - Las Vegas, NV & Virtual (October 27–28, 2026)
- Dates: October 27–28, 2026
- Location: Central Church and Virtual
- Pricing: Starts at $125 (in-person) - $99 (virtual)
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
Leading and Loving It is a conference for women in ministry—founded by Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson—aimed at pastors' wives and women leaders in any context. It's built around worship, teaching, and authentic community to help women rediscover joy and purpose in their calling.
Why attend? This isn't a typical leadership conference—it's designed specifically for women who lead. You'll get four main sessions, breakouts, and the option to join a speaker lunch for a more personal connection. With both in-person and virtual access, plus a full year of on-demand viewing, it meets you wherever you are.
6. The Alpha Conference - Orange County, CA (February 3-5, 2027)
- Dates: February 3-5, 2027
- Location: Friends Church
- Pricing: $179
The Alpha Conference is a Christian leadership event for worship, teaching, and conversations on evangelism and church growth. Hosted by Alpha USA, the conference features well-known speakers, worship experiences, and practical ministry insights designed to equip leaders across denominations.
Why attend? The conference is for gaining practical strategies for outreach, discipleship, and ministry leadership while connecting with church leaders from diverse communities. The event includes keynote sessions, workshops, and discussions focused on evangelism, leadership, and engaging today’s culture.
7. Exponential 2027 Global Conference - Orlando, FL (March 16-19, 2027)
- Dates: March 16-19, 2027
- Location: First Baptist Orlando
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
Exponential Conference is one of the largest gatherings for church planters, pastors, and ministry leaders in North America. Organized by Exponential, a nonprofit focused on church multiplication, this leadership event continues to attract leaders looking to grow and equip their churches for healthy expansion.
Why attend? If you're looking to become a better leader and mobilize God's people more effectively, Exponential offers four days of teaching, strategy, and worship tailored for multiplication-minded teams.
The event centers on equipping church planters and leaders through main sessions, practical workshops, and peer networks, with a theme that acts as a catalyst for change. It fosters collaboration among innovators shaping the future of the churc
8. Church Leaders Conference - Dallas, TX (Multiple dates)
- Dates:
- April 26–27, 2027
- April 28–29, 2027
- Location: Watermark Community Church
- Pricing: $229
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
CLC is Watermark Resources' annual conference for church leaders of all roles—pastors, small group leaders, tech directors, and more. Hosted at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, it offers mainstage sessions, 50+ breakouts, and live ministry showcases.
Why attend? CLC gives you rare behind-the-scenes access to a thriving local church in action. Ministry showcases let you see real systems at work—not just hear about them. With consulting appointments and tracks for every ministry role, it's one of the most practically useful church leadership events around.
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9. ARC Conference - Dallas–Fort Worth, TX (April 27-28, 2027)
- Dates: April 27-28, 2027
- Location: Milestone Church
- Pricing: $253.50
- Social Media: YouTube
ARC Conference is a gathering of pastors, ministry teams, and leaders who want to grow strong local churches and build intentional relationships across communities. It’s grown into a space where church planters and ministry teams gather for professional development and encouragement.
Why attend? This annual conference offers a unique opportunity to connect with other leaders and gain insights into church planting and growth. With its focus on community and collaboration, you’ll engage in meaningful discussions and learn practical strategies to enhance your local church's impact. The diverse locations provide a chance to experience different cultures and perspectives
10. Church Conference 2027 - Dallas, TX (April 27–29, 2027)
- Dates: April 27–29, 2027
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Pricing: From $249 (early bird pricing)
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
A Church Conference is a three-day gathering designed for pastors, ministry leaders, and church teams seeking spiritual renewal and leadership growth. Centered on the theme “Reflect His Light. Be His Church,” the event combines worship, biblical teaching, and encouraging messages aimed at helping leaders serve with greater clarity, conviction, and confidence.
Why attend? The A Church Conference allows attendees to step away from the demands of ministry and gain fresh perspective alongside other church leaders. Through worship experiences, practical teaching, and opportunities to connect with peers, attendees can strengthen their leadership, deepen their faith, and return to their churches with renewed vision and purpose.
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