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Church leadership conferences are a great way for leaders to unwind from daily church life tasks. They are an opportunity to recharge, refresh, learn, collect resources and connect with other like-minded leaders. 

These conferences have many benefits, and that is why church leaders set aside time every year to attend them. Some leaders choose to bring along other church staff so that they can learn and grow together. 

In this article, we will share the ten best in-person and online church leadership conferences of 2021.

Best Church Leadership Conferences List

This a selection of the best church leadership conferences you can attend in 2021.

1. LeaderCast Live

Dates: May 5, 2021
Price: $79
Location: Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States

Leadercast Live Church Leadership Conferences Image
Previous LeaderCast Live Conference.

This is a one-day annual leadership event targeting leaders attending individually or in small groups. The event is meant to inspire and help pastors better their leadership roles and attracts over 100,000 visionaries every year.

LeaderCast’s mission is to create confident and infectiously inspired leaders who spread their impact on others. They cover every aspect of what it is to be an effective leader.

The conference can be attended virtually, but you can still connect with other leaders in your area to enjoy the classes by leadership experts.

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2. Church Leaders Conference

Dates: April 27-29, 2021
Price: $180 (individual), $120-$150 (groups)
Location: Dallas, TX

Church Leaders Conferences Church Leadership Conferences Image
Jubilation at a past Church Leaders Conference.

Thousands of church leaders from different places meet in Dallas, TX to be encouraged by God’s vision, refreshed among other servant-leaders, and get equipped with leadership roles to advance God’s ministry.

It is a three-day conference with a pre-conference workshop to give you personal training and an opportunity to learn from other ministry leaders.

Breakout sessions will equip and resource you in many areas. Ministry overviews, leadership developments, and culture-relevant topics are just a few areas that will be featured in the talks.

All attendees receive all breakout session audios, podcasts, and resources at no additional fee.  

3. Christian Leadership Alliance Outcomes Conference

Dates: June 15-17, 2021
Price: $899 (members), $1,099 (non-members)
Location: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel, Orlando, Florida

Christian Leadership Alliance Outcomes Conference Church Leadership Conferences Screenshot
Outcomes Conference dates for 2021.

The Christian leadership alliance has been hosting Outcomes Conferences for more than 40 years.

Other than executive leadership offered at this conference, the Outcomes Conference professional development also focuses on:

  • People Management and Care
  • Financial Management
  • Tax and Legal Studies
  • Board Governance
  • Communications and Marketing
  • Internet and Technology
  • Resource Development

This annual conference offers leaders the opportunity to build intentional relationships at both spiritual and professional levels.

You can check discounted prices for the conference for those attending in small groups on their website.

4. Catalyst

Dates: Available on request
Price: Free
Location: Online

Catalyst Church Leadership Conferences Image
Speakers at Catalyst come from diverse backgrounds.

Catalyst aims at empowering upcoming and existing leaders who love the gospel and want to be great revolutionaries in their churches. The Catalyst was purposely founded to strengthen and empower new crops of leaders across the globe. 

It aims at unifying, challenging, and equipping these leaders with various traditions and church originations. Leaders who attend benefit from world-class mentorship from business leaders and celebrated biblical teachers coming from diverse backgrounds.

Catalyst is an online program available on-demand for leaders who want to benefit from both business and church leadership mentoring. 

5. Arc Conference

Dates:  Available on-demand
Price: Free
Location: Online

Arc Conferences Church Leadership Conferences Screenshot
ARC Conference's focus theme.

The Association of Related Churches (ARC) Conference’s main aim is to help leaders, pastors, and future church planters build a relationship that can help local churches to prosper. 

The ARC strongly believes in equipping leaders with proper leadership skills through sharing life experience stories. The conference focuses on sharing each others’ stories of love, perseverance, trials, and adventures that have shaped them into who they are.

This conference is available on demand. Christian leaders seeking to benefit can get more information from the ARC website about their conferences.

6. Creative Church Culture (C3) Conference

Dates: February 18, 2021
Price: $49
Location: Dallas, TX

Creative Church Culture Church Leadership Conferences Image
The 2021 C3 Conference theme.

The C3 conference is a one-day event of intensive coaching, teaching, and learning on ways to advance the church. At the C3 conference, experienced leaders answer tough questions on how they have maneuvered the challenging leadership journey.

This is an online conference and leaders can host other church staff for a watch party. 

7. North Coast Training

Dates: October 19-20, 2021
Price: $49
Location: Vista, CA

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

North Coast Training is a two-day practical tool for pastors and other church communicators. With break-out sessions and keynote speeches, your team will acquire knowledge and inspiration for foundational leadership and team building.

There will be both pre-conference and break-out sessions. Tickets are affordable at only $49 with lunch included. Church leaders are encouraged to bring along their teams to benefit.

8. Exponential Conference

Dates: October 18-21, 2021
Price: $39 (individual), $24-$29 (groups)
Location: Orlando, Florida

Exponential Conferences Church Leadership Conferences Screenshot
Exponential includes roundtable discussions.

The Exponential Conference is among the largest church-planting annual gatherings for church leaders. It offers church leaders an opportunity to meet with other God’s people and connect with other planters.

Attendees can choose from over 200 workshops aimed at specific planters’ needs. This conference will be a 3-day event aimed at educating and inspiring planters on their leadership roles.

Exponential Conference also has a provision for those who can’t afford both time and money to attend. Regional conferences are offered close to your homes. This is a great opportunity for those who would wish to bring along their teams.

9. That Church Conference

Dates: May 4 & 5, 2021
Price: Free
Location: Aired online from Atlanta, Georgia

That Church Conferences Church Leadership Conferences Screenshot
That Church Conference offers free tickets.

That Church Conference is a two-day nonprofit online event for pastors and church leaders aimed at helping digital communicators enhance their communication and reach a wider audience through the gospel. 

Attendees benefit from lessons by real practitioners. Topics covered include marketing, social media, technology, and communications.

Those who wish to benefit can either choose to sign up and watch live for free or buy a Replay Pass to watch later.

10. The Global Leadership Summit

Dates: August 5 & 6, 2021
Price: $169 (individual), $149 (2+ attendees)
Location: Great Hill Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, US

The Global Leadership Channel Church Leadership Conferences Screenshot
The guest speakers at The Global Leadership Summit 2021.

The Global Leadership Summit brings together thousands of growth-minded leaders from around the world.

You’ll experience highly interactive sessions that will leave you re-energized and with a clear vision. Business experts and church leaders will give talks on various faculties including:

  • Maximizing profitability
  • Building trust
  • Overcoming fear
  • Improving workplace civility
  • Managing conflict
  • Influencing change

You can choose to attend either in-person or online.

Let Us Know Your Favorite

Church leadership conferences offer leaders an opportunity to learn and benefit those they lead. Congregations are encouraged to support their leaders and other church staff to attend these annual gatherings.
Let us know if you have a favorite from the list above or if there are any you’d like to recommend.

Looking for even more conferences? Here's our list of the Best Church Technology Conferences 2021 you might want to show your technical team, and a list of worship conferences.

Make sure to read our articles on the 10 Best Church Leadership Books and the 10 Top Church Technology Resources For Leaders In 2021 so you can train more people to take on leadership roles long before sending them off to conferences! Also, learn more about how to organize a church conference here.

Experienced running a church? Interested in sharing knowledge and collaborating with other leaders? You can apply to join our community of experienced Lead Pastors here.

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By Alexandria Schmidt

Lexie was born into a family of pastors and other church leaders. She was trained by her grandfather and worked as an assistant youth pastor in a megachurch in her twenties. Now she runs a peer support group and is the Technical Consultant for her current church, MCC Illiana. While she is no longer pastoring, she is staying active in other parts of the ministry.

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2 Comments

  • Thanks for the comment! I don't know if we'll get to the 2022 version of this article before March, but I'll keep it in mind.

    Reply

  • Thanks for the job you are doing well done but am asking when are the leadership and training conferences going to be held?

    Reply