Breakout Sessions

Session 1: Monday, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Articles & Bylaws Q&A
Allen Murray, John Butler Monday 3:30 p.m., Auditorium 4

A discussion of proposed changes to the convention articles and bylaws which will be voted on during the annual meeting.

Church Fostering: Churches Revitalizing Churches
Daniel Savage, Ben McRoy Monday 3:30 p.m., Pinehurst

Churches are struggling across the state. Many of these churches are in need of substantial resources to revitalize. Church fostering is for churches on a severe decline that no longer have essential resources for revitalization but want to retain church autonomy. Hear real stories and best practices from church leaders that are helping revitalize struggling churches in their area through church fostering.

Engaging Your Community with the Gospel: North Carolina
Barry Murry, Todd Brady, Aaron Smith Monday 3:30 p.m., Colony B and Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Colony C

Hear from pastors and a Great Commission catalyst about how your church can develop an effective strategy for engaging your N.C. community with the gospel. Learn about methods, tools and resources to meet the needs of hurting people while effectively sharing the love and message of Christ.

Foundations of Trauma Care
Denise O’Donoghue Monday 3:30 p.m., Oak A and Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Cedar C

We will explore the basics of caring for a woman in crisis. We will consider how best to minister to her needs in the early interactions as the trauma comes to light.

Go2: A Panel Discussion on the Role of the Church in Sending College Students
Alex Hugo Monday 3:30 p.m., Heritage B

Hear from N.C. Baptists who have participated in Go2 initiatives after graduation. Learn about the impact of their churches in spiritual formation and call to go, and discover strategies your church can implement to help students be on mission together after graduation.

Impacting a Global City With the Gospel: Phoenix
Sterling Edwards, Dennis Conner Monday 3:30 p.m., Oak B

With a population of 4.6 million people, Phoenix is the 11th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Here’s the challenge to the church: over 4 million people in Phoenix do not have a personal relationship with Christ. Currently, only one Southern Baptist Convention church exists for every 20,000 residents. Learn how your church can partner with church planters in Phoenix to engage this strategic city with the gospel for disciple-making.

Leading Well: Helping Pastors Find Joy and Effectiveness in Their Calling
Sandy Marks Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Cedar B

As a pastor, it’s easy to lose our joy and effectiveness in ministry. In this session we will discover the keys to maintaining or recapturing our joy and effectiveness as we live out our calling. This lifelong journey begins with becoming a spiritually and emotionally healthy disciple.

Making the EVERY CHILD Initiative Part of Your Missions Strategy
John Cashwell, Kyler Smith, Casey Norkett, Andrew Hopper Monday 3:30 p.m.., Turnberry

Join a panel discussion hosted by Mark Smith, foster and adoption church liaison with the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, as statewide church leaders share how the EVERY CHILD initiative has impacted their respective church’s missions strategies.

On Mission Together Across Our State and Around the World
Baptists on Mission Staff Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Auditorium 1

There are multiple opportunities for your church to be on mission together. This breakout is about how your church can be personally involved in missions locally, across our state, in our nation and around the world. Learn about how your church can be involved in missions through the mobile dental/health screening ministry, mission camps, the Florence rebuild centers, national and international partnerships, and more.

Safety and Security in Your Children’s and Youth Ministry
Cheryl Markland Monday 3:30 p.m., Cedar A

Parents today look for obvious signs that your church has protection plans and protocols in place. While your church is “on mission together,” protecting children from the possibility of abuse should be a priority. Learn five foundational steps your church can take to demonstrate that the protection of children is a priority of your church.

SendNC: On Mission Together
Mike Pittman, George Ross Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Colony A

Partnership is a term upon which the Southern Baptist Convention is built. The idea that we are better together isn’t just a flippant phrase, but an ideal that we wholeheartedly believe. Explore how the new agreement between N.C. Baptists and the Send Network will strengthen and support sending churches and church planting in North Carolina.

Social Media Marketing: Building With the Basics
Daniel Spivey Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Cedar C

Are you interested in building your church social media platform with minimal resources? Come gather the tools to use in your social media toolbox to establish and strengthen your pages. Attendees will receive need-to-know tips and strategies in order to gain followers and increase engagement.

Three Things Every Church Leader Needs to Know About Generosity & Stewardship
Derric Bakker, Kurt Appel Monday 3:30 p.m., Oak C

Did you know that 16 of the 38 parables Jesus told were about money and possessions? The Bible has about 500 verses that refer to prayer, another 500 about faith, but more than 2,000 verses about money and possessions. Amazingly, the Bible has more to say on this topic than almost any other. Why? Because stewardship is not about money – it is about discipleship. Unfortunately, generosity does not come naturally to most people, and we tend to avoid talking about it in church. Giving is the lifeblood of ministry, however, and to meet your ministry goals, it is vital to foster a culture of generosity in your church. In this session, we will review some things you can do to bridge this divide. By learning how to become better at preaching and teaching on stewardship and generosity you will not only grow giving to your church, you will also help people grow closer to God, experience increased spiritual vitality and unleash resources for the kingdom.

Transitional Interim Pastor Training
Allan Blume Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Heritage A

When a pastor resigns from a church, significant changes are set in motion that introduce unforeseen transition and potential transformation. A church needs an interim pastor with the skills and tools to assist them as they cope with feelings of loss and navigate uncharted waters. The first goal of this breakout is to help potential interim pastors understand the training process to become a certified transitional interim pastor. Second, we want to help church leaders understand the value of using a transitional interim pastor at this significant point in the church’s history.

Session 2: Tuesday, 11 a.m. – Noon

Biblical Womanhood
Amy Whitfield Tuesday 11 a.m., Oak A

Theology, foundations and faith that grounds us as women.

Church Renewal Journey: Awakening and Bringing God’s Family Back Together
Bob Foy Tuesday 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Cedar A

John 17:22-23 says, “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one, I in them and you in me, so that they may be brought into complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you love me.” Explore what brings the church congregation together as one family, as Christ intended, especially after years of dealing with COVID-19.

Engaging the Nations With the Gospel: Southeast Asia
IMB Personnel from Southeast Asia and Eric Mullis Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Colony C

Learn from International Mission Board missionaries and a Great Commission catalyst about how your church can impact one of the 30 unreached people groups in the Philippines with the gospel of Christ. Create partnerships to plan and implement a vision trip to the Philippines as your church partners to share Christ with 5.5 million lost people and meet needs in one of the most underserved areas of the world.

Hiring Well
Bradley Norris Tuesday 11 a.m., Turnberry

In this moment in our culture, it is imperative we enhance our screening processes for church staff positions to seek to reduce instances of sexual misconduct. We will explore current enhancements all churches can make to seek to hire well for the safety and flourishing of our churches.

Leading Well: Helping Pastors Find Joy and Effectiveness in Their Calling
Sandy Marks Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Cedar B

Navigating the Changing Culture and How to Protect Your Ministry
Harrison Smith Tuesday 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Heritage B

As a Christian ministry, how do you address the changing cultural views on issues such as sexuality, marriage and gender identity? How can your ministry love and serve everyone while not giving into the shifting morality of the day? How can you be proactive and prepare without becoming a lightning rod in the media and the courts? This seminar will explore the recent cultural and legal challenges the church currently faces, so that you can be a good steward of your ministry, understand how to navigate these challenges, and know how to keep the doors open for the gospel for future generations.

On Mission Together Across Our State and Around the World
Baptists on Mission Staff Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Auditorium 1

Redeeming Sexuality: Caring for Those With Sexuality Struggles
Tate Cockrell Tuesday 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Pinehurst

Currently we are in a period of redefinition regarding sexuality. These redefinitions have been slowly bubbling to the surface over the last 50 years since the sexual revolution. In this workshop, we will discuss three important issues: 1. How does our worldview impact our understanding of gender identity? 2. What does the Bible say about gender identity? 3. How do we minister to those with gender identity struggles?

Revitalizing Rural/Normative Size Churches
Jeff Blackburn, Jeff Taylor, Zach Brown, Jason Marlowe Tuesday 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Colony B

Nine out of 10 churches are struggling across the state. Some of these churches need to clarify their focus on outreach, while others need to make tough decisions for the future. Leading these changes is always difficult, but the rural/normative church context across North Carolina adds another layer of challenges. Hear real stories and best practices from church leaders that are helping revitalize struggling churches in their area.

SendNC: On Mission Together
Mike Pittman, George Ross Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Colony A

Social Media Marketing: Building With the Basics
Daniel Spivey Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Cedar C

Standing for Life in North Carolina: The Pro-life Landscape in the Dobbs Era
Chelsea Sobolik Tuesday 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Oak B

A brief history of when Roe was overturned, the current legislative state of play in North Carolina, and ways churches can serve vulnerable women, children and families.

Transitional Interim Pastor Training
Allan Blume Monday 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m., Heritage A

Understanding the Traumatic Effects of Abuse: Pastoral Implications
Brad Hambrick Tuesday 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Oak C

We may be prone to think that “traumatic” is the new epitome adjective that means “really bad.” Trauma is more than the trendy way to say awful, gruesome or abhorrent. In this breakout we’ll provide an overview of the impact of trauma with an eye to pastoral care implications. This session won’t make you a trauma counselor. It will help you be a better pastor or ministry leader for those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse and other traumatic experiences.

Session 3: Tuesday, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Biblical Womanhood: On Mission Together
Ashley Reffit Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Oak A

Practical applications of living out our faith as women.

Church Renewal Journey: Awakening and Bringing God’s Family Back Together
Bob Foy Tuesday 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Cedar A

The College Question: How Do I Choose a College?
Scott Pace, David Horton Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Colony A

Test scores, favorite teams, social life and location often determine a student’s plans after graduation, but is there a better way to discern if, when and where you should go to college? This session will focus on how families should think about college education, how to choose the right school for them, and how their faith can be strengthened and leveraged while they’re in college.

Corporate Prayer: The Heartwork of Being On Mission Together
Luke Lunceford Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Heritage A

This breakout will explore and discuss the principles and practices of corporate prayer that unite the hearts of the people of God around the work of God.

Engaging Your Community with the Gospel: North Carolina
Barry Murry, Todd Brady, Aaron Smith Monday 3:30 p.m., Colony B and Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Colony C

Foundations of Trauma Care
Denise O’Donoghue Monday 3:30 p.m., Oak A and Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Cedar C

We will explore the basics of caring for a woman in crisis. We will consider how best to minister to her needs in the early interactions as the trauma comes to light.

How to Create an ‘On Mission’ Church Through Involvement in Local and State Missions
Baptists on Mission Staff Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Auditorium 1

How can your church become an “on mission church” that is developing “on mission” church members? This breakout session will be led by Paul Langston and other Baptists on Mission staff and will focus on why and how to grow as a church that is on mission in your community and across our state.

How to Help Your Church Become a Church-Planting Church
Antoine Lassiter, Aaron Wallace Tuesday 3:30 p.m., Turnberry

The sending church is a vital part of preparing, strengthening and sending a new church. In this session we will share how churches that haven’t planted can develop a sending church culture.