Gospel-Centered Everything
Recent years have seen a spate of “gospel” books–defining the gospel, discussing the gospel, applying the gospel–which is all to the good. However, it’s possible to discuss and celebrate the gospel without allowing it genuinely to shape our lives, our homes, and our ministries. How can we keep the gospel from being merely a slogan? […]
Priorities in Planning Your Meeting
The weekly gathering is the most important event of a church’s life together. And yet often our planning for that meeting is rooted more in tradition, preference, and pragmatism than Scriptural priorities. What are the most important things to remember and do when the church gathers on Sunday morning? Bob & Jeff, who serve together […]
Planning for Participation: Rehearsing the Right Things for the Right Reasons
Leaders and musicians spend multiple hours, even days preparing for a Sunday morning or an event that is meant to lead people in worshiping God in song. But when the time comes, it often ends up being more a crowd watching a performance than a congregation participating in worship. How do we prepare for a […]
Corporate Worship as Pastoral Care
Musicians in our culture often focus on the performing well, creating emotional experiences, and gaining favor from their fans. As leaders in the church, our focus couldn’t be more different. This seminar will explain how the songs we choose and the words we say on Sunday are one way we can care for those God […]
Choosing Songs Wisely (Part 2)
Choosing Songs Wisely (Part 1)
Building Bridges: Pastors and Worship Leaders
Whether your relationship with your pastor or worship leader is a trial or a joy, this seminar will build your faith and provide practical steps for making it better. If you plan on attending the conference with your pastor or worship leader, this seminar would be great to attend together and talk about afterwards.
Worship in the Valley
Whatever role you play in the public worship ministry of your church, there are times when you don’t “feel” like standing up in front of a congregation and leading them in worship. Matt Mason knows what that’s like, as he was a worship pastor in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. He’ll share from his […]
The Trinity in History (How Not to Be a Heretic)
Our songs, prayers, teachings, and conversations sometimes unwittingly contain theological errors that misrepresent the Trinity. We may not see that as too serious, but when we realize that it is God’s identity with which we are dealing, and thus with all that God does for his world and for us in creation and salvation, it […]
The Great God and His Beloved Church
Sunday morning can become pretty mundane. Same people, same place, same songs, different text, same gospel. Why again do we do this? In Psalm 48, God reminds his people of the delight he takes in his people and what he promises to do among us when we gather in his name.
Speaking Grace: Cultivating the Gift of Encouragement
Is our speech a fountain of life to others? Or do we find condescension, or doubt, more readily on our tongues than hope and help? For most of us, consistent encouragement does not come naturally, and yet we are called to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ, representing his grace and truth. This seminar will […]
Secure in Christ: Battling Legalism, Condemnation, and Fear of Man
Even the most confident leader can struggle at times with whether or not they’re living up to the expectations of God, themselves, and others. Success can easily lead to pride, while failure can result in discouragement that hinders our fruitfulness. Our hope is found not in looking more to ourselves but to the finished work […]
Scripture Meditation: Getting More Out of Your Bible
Many of us associate the word “meditate” with Eastern mysticism. Because of those negative connotations, we avoid doing anything even remotely related to meditation. But Scriptural meditation is a practice with immeasurable benefits. Don Whitney defines it as, “Deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, […]
Revival: When God Visits His People
For many Christians the term “revival” has come to mean either an annual series of planned meetings or the pursuit of unusual experiences at the expense of truth. But the Bible makes clear we worship a God who delights to renew and revive his people with his presence. At times, he visits us in a […]
Praying with the Psalmist
While God speaks to us through the Psalms, they are also models for how we speak to him. They are meant to inspire our own Word-centered prayers, filled with honesty, faith, thanksgiving, and confident trust in God’s steadfast love. This seminar will give you both the motivation and the tools to engage with God through […]
Praying through Scripture [WG14W]
Back again by popular request. Too many Christians suffer from an inadequate, boring, or non-existent prayer life. In this potentially life-changing seminar, Don Whitney will share how to turn the words of the Scriptures into the wings of your prayers.
Praying through Scripture [WG15E]
Back again by popular request. Too many Christians suffer from an inadequate, boring, or non-existent prayer life. In this potentially life-changing seminar, Don Whitney will share how to turn the words of the Scriptures into the wings of your prayers.
Overcoming the Fear of Man
Have you ever been paralyzed by the thought of leading out in front of others? Ever find yourself repeatedly playing your mistakes or successes over in your mind? Are you sometimes more concerned about what people think than about what God thinks? If so, you’re not alone. The Bible defines those symptoms of the “fear […]
Know, and Worship
What does the worship of God have to do with struggles against everyday issues like fear, lust, self-centeredness, or anger? When God comes to His people in the midst of their blind idolatry, what does He say to them to reorient their hearts back to Him? Through an expositional study of Isaiah 43, we’ll consider together […]
Getting a Grip on a God’s Glory
We often refer to “the glory of God,” yet we’re not always clear on just what that is. We also would benefit from a deeper understanding on why God alone deserves ultimate and maximal glory. From God’s word, we’ll reflect on what the glory of God is, why God will not and cannot share his […]
Encountering God’s Presence: What Should We Expect?
God’s presence is a popular but often misunderstood topic. Should we expect to experience God’s presence when we gather as the church? If so, what does that look like? If not, what do we make of Jesus’ promise to be with us and the man in 1 Corinthians 14 declaring, “God is surely among you!” […]