The N.C. Baptist annual meeting, taking place Nov. 4-5 in Greensboro, will feature a plethora of breakout sessions to help churches be on mission together. Here are some key details you should know.
On Nov. 4-5, North Carolina Baptists will gather for the 2024 Annual Meeting at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
In addition to times of worship, business sessions and a special N.C. Baptist and IMB Sending Celebration, messengers and guests will have the opportunity to join breakout sessions that will better equip them to be on mission together.
Annual meeting attendees will be able to participate in two breakout sessions, including a session happening Monday, Nov. 4, at 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. Messengers and guests should note that this year’s annual meeting features an abbreviated schedule on Nov. 5 to give attendees the flexibility to vote in the U.S. general elections that Tuesday.
This year’s breakout sessions will cover a broad array of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), church communications, leadership training, women’s discipleship and more.
Read through a full list of this year’s breakout sessions below:
An Introduction to AI in Ministry
Artificial intelligence has evolved rapidly over the past two years, offering new opportunities and challenges for ministry. In this session, we will cover the basics of AI, examine theological and moral implications and discuss practical and responsible ways AI can enhance church ministry. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on how technology can support and shape the future of ministry.
Building for the Future: Evaluating and Stewarding Resources for Expansion
Join us for a session that will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to successfully manage your ministry’s expansion project from start to finish. Whether you’re in the planning stages or ready to break ground, this session will help you navigate every step with confidence.
Church Communications 101: The Basics
This session is for any church leader who is a beginner in church communications. The N.C. Baptist Marketing and Communications team will share the basics of good church communications and walk through how you can take steps to improve your church’s graphic design, social media and mass email efforts.
Disciple-Making: Applying Principles From Jesus’ Disciple-Making Ministry to Your Church
No matter what discipleship model your church may employ, all of us can learn something from the disciple-making ministry of Jesus. Come learn a few of the most important disciple-making principles seen in the Gospels and how they might apply to your context.
Engaging Diverse Congregations in Foster Care
There is a great deal of diversity among the 11,000 children in the foster care system in North Carolina. As a result, our aim is to work to help create a support system for those children in a way that more closely reflects that diversity. In this session, we will look at strategies to engage diverse congregations to stand in the gap and provide a safe and loving home to those children.
From Starting to Finishing Well: Planning Your Financial Future
Planning for your financial future is important no matter where you are on your ministry journey. This session will equip you with insights on these topics: saving enough for retirement, managing your investments, protecting yourself and your church against unexpected risks, knowing major checkpoints and next steps for your journey. Join us to learn from industry experts and leave with practical steps to enhance your financial well-being.
Gospel Hope for Forgotten Places
In this breakout session, learn how your N.C. Baptist church can identify, train and deploy ministry workers to New England and beyond.
How to Finish Well
In this breakout session, join Steve Scoggins — who has recently retired after 50 years of ministry — as he shares with his fellow pastors things they need to keep in mind now in order to finish well.
Kingdom Partnerships: How Established Churches Support Church Planting
In this breakout we will discuss how N.C. Baptist churches — regardless of size — can be supporting and sending churches that can multiply. We will talk about how supporting church planting can actually mobilize and grow leaders and your church.
Missional Involvement for Those Over 65
As North Carolina metros see a rapid influx of people over the age of 65, this session will emphasize the growing need to reach these newcomers with the gospel. Often an overlooked demographic in evangelistic ministry, we will start a conversation about effectively engaging this growing demographic. The session will review recent demographic information to better understand this cohort and suggest potential strategies to ensure that the message of Christ reaches this expanding population of older adults moving into our area.
On Mission Together Across Our State, Nation and Around the World
There are many opportunities for your church to be “on mission together” locally, across our state, throughout the nation and around the world. Led by Baptists on Mission staff, this breakout will enable you to learn how your church can be personally involved in missions near and far through ministries such as the mobile dental/health screening ministry, mission camps and rebuild centers, national and international partnerships, and more.
Small Church, Big Impact: Essential Tools and Strategies for Small Church Pastors
Join us for an insightful and practical exploration of pastoral leadership in the unique context of small and rural churches. This session will delve into the distinct challenges and opportunities that come with leading in tight-knit communities, where every relationship counts and resources are often limited.
Small Group Leader Training
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is working with N.C. Baptists to serve churches in their mission to make disciples by providing certificate training for small group leaders. Come join us to hear more about how your church can utilize these resources to help small group leaders and volunteers grow in their knowledge of the Bible, theology and biblical interpretation. All attendees will receive a free certificate course.
Start Here: Helping Your Church Get Out of a Rut
Is your church stuck in a rut? Are you seeking revitalization but just not sure where to start?
During this session, we’ll discuss assessments, the revitalization process for long-term missional health and start on some tools to help you get unstuck.
Success in Successions
In this session, hear from Pastor Justin Alexander and Emeritus Pastor Steve Scoggins as they reflect on a recent pastoral transition at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. Join as they aim to help pastors raise up the next generation of leaders to continue the longevity of healthy churches.
The Church Renewal Journey
Come learn about five optional lay led-type revival weekends to awaken, equip, commission, pray for, empower and send your church members. Visit www.churchrenewal.net to request a no-cost-or-obligation “Overview of the Journey” presented at your church to learn more.
Walking Worthy: Being an Imitator, Not an Imposter
Being made alive in Christ, we live for Christ. But what does living for Christ look like? How does it differ from how the world tells us to live? In this breakout session, we will consider what it means to be imitators of God, that by grace, He would be made known through us in word and deed.
What Do Families Need Now?
In this breakout session, we will consider the process of equipping leaders and families to have a biblical worldview in a world with lots of opinions.
Women’s Evangelism and Discipleship: On Mission Together
In this breakout session, we’ll explore how women’s discipleship responds to God’s call and design for women. We’ll consider how women may live in intimacy with Christ as they serve Him through the local church to prayerfully care for and develop evangelism, discipleship and missions in women, leaving a legacy for future generations.
