Education and training are essential for effective church leadership.
Education and training are essential for effective church leadership. 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. 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 six conferences (organized in chronological order), all involving individuals and organizations you can trust to provide accurate information and whose ministry-minded focus will serve you well.
CapinCrouse 2023 National Nonprofit Virtual Seminar
CapinCrouse, the well-known nonprofit CPA firm, will again host its virtual event for nonprofit leaders. The program will include sessions specific to churches. Ted Batson, an advisor-at-large for Church Law & Tax, is a CPA and tax attorney who serves as a partner and Professional Practice Leader-Tax for CapinCrouse.
Date: February 8, 2023
Location: Virtual
Registration: $40
2023 XP-Seminar
This two-day conference, founded 19 years ago by XPastor.org founder David Fletcher, will educate and encourage about 200 select executive pastors, senior pastors, and other church leaders. The workshops and general sessions will cover key leadership and management issues facing medium, large, and multisite churches.
Keynote speakers include Pastor Todd Wagner, Dr. David Anderson, and Dr. Nathan Baxter. Attorney Matthew Branaugh from Church Law & Tax will host roundtable discussions with select executive pastors.
Dates: February 21-23, 2023
Location: Dallas, Texas
Registration cost: $699 (in-person)
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.
