2024 promises to be as busy as ever, but these church management conferences are worth considering. After all, leading a church does not mean one can’t carve out time for ongoing education and training.
A commitment to learning is the hallmark of effective leadership, and this list is geared for church pastors, board members, and volunteers.
Choose your church management conference with care
But choose wisely. Not all church management conferences are created equal. Many demand significant investments of both time and money. Others involve unscrupulous individuals who sometimes target churches with erroneous, inaccurate, or misleading information.
Let us help take some of the guesswork out of it by recommending these six conferences and seminars (organized in chronological order).
All involve individuals and organizations connected with Church Law & Tax. Church Law & Tax editors and staff have attended these events over the years, and can vouch for the accuracy and ministry-minded focus that each offer.
CapinCrouse 2024 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.
Note: Participants can earn up to 5 CPE credit hours.
Date: February 7, 2024
Location: Virtual
Registration: $40
2024 XP-Seminar
This two-day conference, founded 20 years ago by XPastor.org founder David Fletcher, is a perennial sell-out. It educates, connects, and encourages 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.
Dates: February 27-29, 2024
Location: Dallas, Texas
In-person event: $799
Online seminar: $99 (through Jan. 31)
The Church Network National Conference
The Church Network (TCN) hosts the longest-running national conference serving church business administrators. The 2024 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 9-12, 2024
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
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 this 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 27, 2024
Location: Virtual
Registration cost: TBD by July
Learn more details through the conference website.
Church Compliance Conference
Attorney Erika Cole, a senior editorial advisor for Church Law & Tax, will host this one-day conference for pastors and church leaders, including executive pastors, trustees, church administrators, and finance officers.
Date: September 19, 2024
Location: Virtual. In-person component is TBD.
Registration cost: TBD
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.
Dates: Oct. 31 – Nov. 4, 2024
Location: Washington, D.C.
Registration cost: Varies based on the individual’s membership status with the organization.