Do you ever wish you could preach a sermon more than once? God lays a message on your heart. You study and pray throughout the week to determine exactly what God would have you say from the pulpit. And then you pop the sermon into a file and begin again.
But the world needs your messages—especially in today’s society when darkness runs rampant and our country slips further and further away from all godly truths, abandoning biblical principles.
I’m reminded of what a dear friend said. She grew up in Switzerland before the start of World War II.
“The church in Germany saw what was happening,
but the church in Germany was silent.”
The church in America can't afford to be silent! Please join us for sessions specifically planned to encourage and equip busy pastors to make a difference … AND … at a Reduced Price!
~ THURSDAY, August 8 ~
3:30 pm - 9:00 pm including dinner ($45)
3:30 – 4:30
Workshop – Turn Your Preaching or Teaching into Writing
David E. Fessenden
Literary Agent, WordWise Media Services
Publisher and Proprietor, Honeycomb House Publishing LLC
Freelance Editor, CLC Publications
Author – www.davefessenden.com
Dave has degrees in journalism and theology, and over 30 years of experience in writing and editing. He has served in editorial management positions for Christian book publishers and was regional editor for the largest Protestant weekly newspaper in the country.
Dave has published seven books, written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, and edited numerous books. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences. Two of his books, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract and A Christian Writer’s Guide to the Book Proposal, are based on his experience in Christian publishing. The Case of the Exploding Speakeasy, Dave’s first novel, reflects his love for history and for the Sherlock Holmes stories of Arthur Conan-Doyle.
Dave and his wife, Jacque, live in south-central Pennsylvania and have two adult sons.
Workshop T8 – Turn Your Preaching or Teaching into Writing
How to get the content of your messages into written form. This workshop helps you move beyond a mere transcript to a polished piece.
4:45 – 6:00 – TWO choices!
Workshop – Academic vs. Popular Writing: Navigating the Terrain
Dr. Charles W. Christian
Strategic Communications Coordinator
Church of the Nazarene USA/Canada
Managing Editor, Holiness Today and
Grace and Peace Magazine
Charles has served as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene for over 25 years. For over 20 years, he has also served as a professor at a wide range of universities and seminaries. His background is in theology and ethics, and he has had over 60 articles and reviews published, has contributed to several books, and his most recent book is entitled, Ethics in Christian Ministry: A Guide for Pastors and Mentors (Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2017). Currently, Dr. Christian serves as managing editor of Holiness Today (the official magazine of the Church of the Nazarene) and of Grace & Peace (the official clergy journal of the Church of the Nazarene). Charles, along with his wife Edna and their two sons, resides in Cameron, Missouri.
Workshop T10 – Academic vs. Popular Writing: Navigating the Terrain
This workshop gives characteristics of each type of writing and assists writers who may want to venture further into academic writing (i.e., writing for specialized academic publications). It also gives ideas about writing for a variety of popular magazines.
Or –
Workshop – Get Out of the Boat
Angie Bass Williams
Pastor, Author
Speaker
Angie, an ordained Mennonite minister, is a sought-after speaker and prolific writer. Joy in Adversity, partly authored while undergoing breast cancer surgery and treatments, is a powerful treatise on how to live free amidst the storms of life. Jesus Wants Your Mind! is a “must read” for those who desire to strengthen their walk with the Lord by meditating on Scripture.
Workshop T14 – Get Out of the Boat
Step out of the boat of political correctness and "walk on the water" of Spirit-led writing that expresses the truth of God's Word. Tackle sensitive subjects such as abortion and euthanasia, from a biblical perspective. Motivate without manipulating people—especially Christians—to reconsider the consequences of wrong choices.
6:15 – 7:15
Catered Dinner (Included in $45 price. Garden salad, rigatoni bolognese with gluten-free option, chicken saltimbocca, vegetable medley, garlic knots and regular knots, dessert.)
7:30 – 9:00
Worship & Keynote, “Cry Mercy”
If you can’t come to the afternoon workshops, please come in the evening FREE of charge. And invite your congregation to join you.
Michael Gantt
Pastor, Blogger, Speaker
www.mkgantt.com
Director, Kenya Development Fund
Michael served in pulpit ministry for 45 years and as Senior Minister at Agape Christian Fellowship in Brattleboro, Vermont. Most recently, he is the director of the Kenya Development Fund, a strategic development ministry among the deaf of Kenya. He travels widely, preaching in churches and conferences across America and around the world. He maintains his blog site where he writes on a variety of issues. His heartbeat is driven by the twin themes of guarding the integrity and authority of the Bible and the restoration of the home as the Center of the Kingdom.
Keynote – Cry Mercy
The sad fact for America is that our gross national sin has made God our enemy. Can judgment be turned away without confession and repentance on a national scale?
~ FRIDAY, August 9 ~
10:45 am - 3:30 pm including box lunch ($45)
10:45 – 12:00
Part 1, Continuing Session – Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth
Bill Watkins
Senior Editor
BroadStreet Publishing Group
President, Literary Solutions
Author
Bill is the president of Literary Solutions and senior editor at BroadStreet Publishing Group. He is an award-winning author with 7 published books and about 150 other kinds of writing, including essays, articles, dictionary entries, booklets, pamphlets, study guides, book reviews, and opinion pieces.
In his editing work, which has often included book acquisitions, he has worked with Thomas Nelson, Marvel, Bethany House, Baker Books, Chalice Press, Moody Press, NavPress, Broadman & Holman, Authentic, Servant, and the American Center for Law and Justice.
Bill loves to teach and mentor aspiring writers, and he has worked with hundreds of writers, helping a large number of them find publishing homes for their manuscripts. In his 35-plus years in publishing, he has worked with such authors as Mike Huckabee (the former governor of Arkansas), William Bennett (the former US Secretary of Education), Charles R. Swindoll, Josh McDowell, Norman L. Geisler, Leslie Vernick, Paula Rinehart, William Lane Craig, J. P. Moreland, Dallas Willard, Peter Kreeft, Gary Habermas, Cecil Murphey, Jo Kadlecek, and George Grant.
Bill is married and has 7 adult children and 6 grandchildren. He enjoys reading, movies, deep conversations, dating his wife, playing with his grandkids, and teaching every chance he gets.
Continuing Session – Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth
American culture is growing increasingly dark and pagan. Intolerance, bigotry, greed, sexual immorality, identity and gender politics, pro-death policies, secularization, and on the cultural problems go. And then there’s the church: fearful, confused, often politically naive and easily manipulated, more centered on self-growth and accommodation than on cultural change. And hatred toward Christians is on the rise. What is going on, and what can we do about it? “Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth” will answer this question, first by exploring the state of American culture and the church. Second, we will explain why Christians are increasingly hated and why nice won’t fix this. Finally, we will spend most of our time articulating what we, as Christian writers, leaders, and pastors, can do to effectively engage our culture for Christ.
12:15 – 1:00 Box Lunch (Included in $45 price. Your choice of the following wraps: chicken, tuna, roast beef, veggie & pesto with gluten free option. Chips, Italian pasta salad, seasonal fruit salad.)
1:00 – 2:00 Indie Publishing Panel
“For such a time as this” God has provided the technology to get our work in print quickly and affordably through self-publishing.
2:15 – 3:30
Part 2, Continuing Session – Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth
~ Saturday, August 10 ~
8:30 am – 2:15 pm including pizza feast ($45)
Come early for this important keynote at no additional charge. And, again, invite your congregation to join you!
8:30 – 10:00
Worship & Keynote, Your Voice in a Hostile Climate
Dr. Peter Lundell
Author, Pastor, Teacher
Collaborative Writer
Developmental and Substantive Editor
Life Coach, Conference Chaplain
www.peterlundell.com
Peter is a writer, pastor, and teacher who helps people connect with God and live by God’s Word and Spirit. With life experience all over the world, he brings new perspectives to what most people overlook. He holds an M.Div. and D.Miss. from Fuller Theological Seminary and has authored numerous nonfiction and fiction books on Christian spirituality. He contracts as a collaborative writer, a developmental and substantive editor, and a life coach. Visit his website for his online library and to subscribe to his inspirational monthly email, “Connections.”
Keynote – Your Voice in a Hostile Climate
In a society that is increasingly deceived and divided, our calling is to write in the opposite spirit. What does this mean, and how do we effectively and consistently do it?
9:45 – 10:45
Workshop – The Watchman’s Burden
Moved from Friday afternoon especially for pastors!
Michael Gantt
Pastor, Blogger, Speaker
www.mkgantt.com
Director, Kenya Development Fund
Michael served in pulpit ministry for 45 years and as Senior Minister at Agape Christian Fellowship in Brattleboro, Vermont. Most recently, he is the director of the Kenya Development Fund, a strategic development ministry among the deaf of Kenya. He travels widely, preaching in churches and conferences across America and around the world. He maintains his blog site where he writes on a variety of issues. His heartbeat is driven by the twin themes of guarding the integrity and authority of the Bible and the restoration of the home as the Center of the Kingdom.
Workshop – The Watchman’s Burden
There are some who see what others do not see, hear sounds others do not hear, and discern danger before danger reveals itself. Should he sleep, the loss of the city will stain his hands forever.
11:00 – 12:15
Part 3, Continuing Session – Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth
Bill Watkins
Senior Editor
BroadStreet Publishing Group
President, Literary Solutions
Author
Bill is the president of Literary Solutions and senior editor at BroadStreet Publishing Group. He is an award-winning author with 7 published books and about 150 other kinds of writing, including essays, articles, dictionary entries, booklets, pamphlets, study guides, book reviews, and opinion pieces.
In his editing work, which has often included book acquisitions, he has worked with Thomas Nelson, Marvel, Bethany House, Baker Books, Chalice Press, Moody Press, NavPress, Broadman & Holman, Authentic, Servant, and the American Center for Law and Justice.
Bill loves to teach and mentor aspiring writers, and he has worked with hundreds of writers, helping a large number of them find publishing homes for their manuscripts. In his 35-plus years in publishing, he has worked with such authors as Mike Huckabee (the former governor of Arkansas), William Bennett (the former US Secretary of Education), Charles R. Swindoll, Josh McDowell, Norman L. Geisler, Leslie Vernick, Paula Rinehart, William Lane Craig, J. P. Moreland, Dallas Willard, Peter Kreeft, Gary Habermas, Cecil Murphey, Jo Kadlecek, and George Grant.
Bill is married and has 7 adult children and 6 grandchildren. He enjoys reading, movies, deep conversations, dating his wife, playing with his grandkids, and teaching every chance he gets.
Continuing Session – Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth
American culture is growing increasingly dark and pagan. Intolerance, bigotry, greed, sexual immorality, identity and gender politics, pro-death policies, secularization, and on the cultural problems go. And then there’s the church: fearful, confused, often politically naive and easily manipulated, more centered on self-growth and accommodation than on cultural change. And hatred toward Christians is on the rise. What is going on, and what can we do about it? “Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth” will answer this question, first by exploring the state of American culture and the church. Second, we will explain why Christians are increasingly hated and why nice won’t fix this. Finally, we will spend most of our time articulating what we, as Christian writers, leaders, and pastors, can do to effectively engage our culture for Christ.
12:15 – 1:15
Pizza Feast (Included in cost. Your choice of cheese, meat, veggie or gluten free cheese. Garden salad.)
1:15 – 2:30
Part 4, Continuing Session – Write (and Speak and Live) the Truth
