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12 Best Church Leadership Conferences In 2024

By Joshua Gordon
QUICK SUMMARY

Looking for a church leadership conference for this year? Great call - they're an opportunity to learn, get refreshed, and benefit from other seasoned leaders. If you can find a way to attend one of these twelve conferences, we highly recommend it!

church leader raising arms for church leadership conferences

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:

Best Church Leadership Conferences 2024: Shortlist

  1. Outcomes Conference - Jacksonville, FL (April 2024)
  2. Watermark Church Leaders Conference - Dallas, TX (April 2024)
  3. The Orange Conference - Atlanta, GA (April 23-25, 2024)
  4. Rethink Leadership Conference - Duluth, GA (April 2024)
  5. Drive Conference - Alpharetta, GA (May 2024)
  6. Leadercast - Online (May 2024)
  7. ARC Conference - Multiple Locations and Dates
  8. Global Leadership Summit - South Barrington, IL (August 2024)
  9. Exponential - Multiple Locations and Dates
  10. MCL Conference - Dallas, TX (October 2024)
  11. C3 Conference - Grapevine, TX (February 2025)
  12. 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)

Outcomes Conference 2023
This is an image from last year's Outcomes Conference.

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.

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2. Watermark Church Leaders Conference - Dallas, TX (April 2024)

Watermark Church Leaders Conference
Here's an image from last year's Watermark Church Leaders Conference.

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
Participants from the previous the Orange Conference
Here are some participants from the previous the Orange Conference.

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)

Rethink leadership conference
Here are some of the previous church leaders who participated in the Rethink Leadership conference.

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)

Drive Conference 2024
Above are previous speakers from the Drive Conference.

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
Leadercast Live Church Leadership Conferences Image
Here's an image from the previous LeaderCast Live Conference.

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

LocationsDates
ARC Conference 2024 Birmingham, AL | Church of the Highlands Grants Mill Birmingham, UKApril 23-24, 2024
ARC Conference 2024 Dublin, Ireland | St. Mark's Church Dublin, Ireland May 17, 2024
ARC Canada Conference | Calgary Life Church Calgary, CanadaJune 4-5, 2024
ARC Conference 2024 South Africa | Christian Family Church (CFC) Johannesburg, South Africa September 4-5, 2024
ARC church leadership conference 2024 Birmingham speakers
Here are some of the speakers for the ARC Conference 2024 in Birmingham, UK.

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)

Global Leadership Summit
Here is a glimpse of last year's Global Leadership Summit.

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

LocationsDates
Exponential West 2024 | 3Crosses Church Castro Valley, CAOctober 22-24, 2024
Exponential Central 2024 | Community Christian Church Naperville, IL November 19-21, 2024
Exponential Global 2025 | First Baptist Orlando, FLMarch 17-20, 2025
Exponential church leadership conference
Here's one of the speakers at the previous Exponential conference.

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)

Modern Church Leader Conference 2024
The Modern Church Leader Conference 2024 will be held in Dallas, Texas on October 21-23, 2024.

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)

C3 Conference 2025
Here's the C3 Conference 2025's logo.

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)

North Coast Training Church Leadership Conferences Image
Church leaders interact at a previous North Coast Training Conference.

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. (FYI, here's our list of the Best Church Technology Conferences 2024 you might want to show your tech team.)

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By Joshua Gordon

Joshua Gordon is a lay-pastor, author, and editor of TheLeadPastor.com. Over the last two decades, Josh has worked closely with pastors and other christian leaders, helping them to sharpen and elevate their messages. Today, Joshua pastors at New Life Fellowship, a thriving church he helped plant in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

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