These church management conferences are training and education to help build effective church leadership skills.
The commitment to continually learn helps ensure pastors, staff members, board members, and volunteers stay current on key developments and trends—an even greater priority amid ever-deepening political divisions and the stresses and strains of adapting to a post-pandemic world.
But choose wisely. Not all conferences are created equal and many demand significant investments of both time and money.
WATCH Making Sense of Retirement Planning for Church Leaders, a free, Church Law & Tax webinar.
And not only that, unscrupulous individuals target churches by purporting to provide tax and law information that is either erroneous, inaccurate, or misleading.
Let us help take some of the guesswork out of it by recommending these four conferences (organized in chronological order through the end of 2023), all involving individuals and organizations you can trust to provide accurate information and whose ministry-minded focus will serve you well.
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The Church Network National Conference
The Church Network (TCN) hosts the longest-running national conference serving church business administrators. The 2023 event again will offer multiple days with general keynote speakers, a wide range of workshops, and an exhibit hall with vendors that serve the church market.
Dates: July 18-21, 2023
Location: Irving, Texas
Registration: Early registration for TCN members is $789 if registered before May 7, 2023. Registration for nonmembers $1,066 if registered before May 7, 2023. Registration costs then gradually increase for members and nonmembers leading up to the event.
Can’t make it? TCN also has more than 80 local chapters that meet monthly. These chapters offer guest speakers who cover various topics related to church administration.
BMWL National Nonprofit Conference
CPA firm Batts Morrison Wales & Lee covers recent developments and trends on tax, financial, and regulatory topics affecting nonprofit organizations and churches through an annual event. CPA Michael Batts, managing partner of the firm, is a senior editorial advisor for Church Law & Tax, and CPA Kaylyn Varnum, a partner at the firm, is an advisor-at-large for Church Law & Tax.
Date: August 29, 2023
Location: Virtual
Registration cost: $595 (early-bird pricing ends August 2, 2023)
Request an invitation to the conference through the conference website.
Church Compliance Conference
Attorney Erika Cole, a senior editorial advisor for Church Law & Tax, and her firm, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, will host this one-day conference for pastors and church leaders, including executive pastors, trustees, church administrators, and finance officers. The event includes a special in-person session in Baltimore, followed by presentations available in person and virtually. Attorney and CPA Richard Hammar, senior editor of Church Law & Tax, will present a live video keynote address on key recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Matthew Branaugh, attorney and editor of Church Law & Tax, will join Cole for audience Q&A. Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin, chief impact officer for Christianity Today, also will attend.
Date: September 21, 2023
Location: In person and virtual
Registration cost: In-person: $995 (early-bird price). Virtual: free
Christian Legal Society National Conference
The Christian Legal Society (CLS) is the largest national organization serving attorneys and law students who are Christians. The CLS conference provides training and encouragement to legal professionals, including those who serve churches, ministries, and nonprofits. Matthew Branaugh, attorney and editor of Church Law & Tax, will present a workshop during the conference’s general counsel session. Continuing education credits are available to attorneys who attend.
Dates: October 5-8, 2023
Location: Boston Park Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts
Registration cost: Varies based on the individual’s membership status with the organization.
