Looking for ministry strategies that actually work in today’s culture? Check out these top church conferences that will leave you refreshed and excited to put what you learn into action.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!As a former church communicator, I know firsthand that sometimes the best way to learn and grow is to step away from the daily grind.
When burnout creeps in and keeping up with a changing culture feels overwhelming, a conference can offer a fresh perspective and the encouragement you need to reignite your passion for ministry.
We were never meant to do ministry alone. That’s why I’ve put together this list of 2026 church leadership conferences to help you find one that refreshes your team and equips your church for what’s next.
Dates: February 18–19, 2026
Location: Grapevine, Texas
Pricing: From $229, with group discounts
Format: In-person
C3 Conference is a two-day gathering hosted by Ed and Lisa Young, equipping you to grow your church while engaging a shifting culture.
This conference covers a lot in just two days; everything from hospitality and event planning to stewardship, soul health, and how to reach Gen Z – a topic that feels especially important right now.
And this year, C3 is trying out something new, Lunch & Learn. This add-on session gives you the chance to dig deeper into next-generation leadership and walk away with practical strategies, all over a yummy meal.
Date: March 5, 2026
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Pricing: From $102.50, with group discounts
Format: In-person
Church For the Rest of Us (CFTROU) is a one-day conference hosted by Family Church, a thriving ministry in South Florida.
The conference features breakouts, networking opportunities, main stage talks from Lead Pastor Jimmy Scroggins, plus a chance to sit in on Family Church meetings. Because it’s all packed into one day, this is a great option for churches of any size or budget.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your student ministry, children’s ministry, or church operations, this conference has something for you. And from what I hear, it’s also a lot of fun!
Date: April 21–22, June 2-3, or June 11-12, 2026
Location: Charleston, South Carolina; Edmonton, Canada, and more!
Pricing: Prices vary depending on location, starting from $203.50 in the U.S.
Format: In-person
The ARC Conference is unique because it happens in multiple locations around the world, bringing ministers together to worship God and grow in church leadership.
This high-energy event is especially meaningful for church planters who want to see their local church thrive, while learning alongside leaders from a variety of denominations and backgrounds.
This year marks 25 years of church planting for ARC, and their theme, “Don’t Do Ministry Alone,” couldn’t be more fitting.
Dates: April 27–28 or April 29-30, 2026
Location: Dallas, Texas
Pricing: From $279, with group discounts
Format: In-person
The Church Leaders Conference is an annual event that your entire church team (even volunteers) can learn from and genuinely enjoy. It’s become so popular that Watermark has added an additional weekend for churches to choose from!
The 2026 conference offers more than 50 breakout sessions designed for a wide range of roles and real, felt-need topics. Sessions like “How to Be an Ally for the Deaf” and “The Church’s Role in Community Development” make it easy to walk away with practical tools that will benefit both your church and your own heart.
I’ve attended this conference several times as a church communicator, so I might be a little biased, but I can confidently say it’s the kind of experience that encourages you and reignites your passion for ministry, no matter your role.
Dates: April 28–30, 2026
Location: Dallas, Texas
Pricing: $150 online / from $310 In-person, with group discounts and optional VIP add-ons
Format: In-person and online
The well-known Orange Conference for kids ministry is now called Church Conference, and it’s still helping churches reach the next generation.
As I’m sure you can expect from a kids’ ministry-focused conference, it’s energetic and fun, perfect for senior pastors and any leader serving in family ministry.
The 2026 workshops cover practical topics like VBS strategy, creating content teens will actually pay attention to, and equipping parents to disciple their elementary-aged kids.
Dates: April 30–May 1, 2026
Location: Roseville, California
Pricing: From $329, with group discounts and an optional Advanced Ministry Training day
Format: In-person
Hosted by Bayside Church, Thrive Conference is known for offering church leaders practical, real-world ministry tools without the fluff.
This year, you’ll hear from renowned pastors and authors like John Maxwell and can choose from more than 80 breakout sessions.
This two-day church leadership conference also includes an optional add-on day for advanced leadership training, giving you the chance to learn in a more intimate setting from trusted ministry voices like Carey Nieuwhof and John Maxwell, and walk away with insights you can actually put into practice.
Dates: June 10–14, 2026
Location: Miami, Florida
Price: From $211, with group discounts and optional VIP add-ons
Format: In-person
VOUSCon 2026: “Born to Live” is a three-day experience filled with inspiring worship, teaching, community, and so much more.
In addition to breakout sessions, VOUSCon stands out with unique experiences like Lunch & Learns on niche topics, live podcast recordings with special guests, networking activities, and other fun add-ons.
You can truly customize the conference to match your interests and goals. It’s a transformative, highly relevant event you won’t want to miss.
Date: August 6–7, 2026
Location: Nationwide simulcast (based in Chicago, IL)
Pricing: $199 online / from $259 in-person
Format: In-person and online
If you attend the 2026 Global Leadership Summit, you’ll join thousands of leaders from hundreds of countries, all coming together to learn from world-class culture shapers and gain practical leadership tools.
What makes this conference especially unique is its flexibility. You can attend in person as part of the studio audience at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, join a simulcast at one of the 400+ host sites across the USA, or even participate online on your own.
Dates: October 14–16, 2026
Location: Dallas, Texas
Pricing: Sign up for pricing
Ministry burnout is real, which is why SALT 2026 brings together church leaders in creative, tech, worship, and other artistic roles to reconnect with the heart of our work, glorifying our Creator.
The ministry conference features five main sessions, six workshops, and stunning interactive installations that any church creative will love. You can go even deeper with the masterclass add-on, a 4-hour interactive learning experience for a closer look at your area of interest.
Date: November 4–6, 2026
Location: Dallas, Texas
Pricing: TBD
Format: In-person
RightNow Media hosts an annual 3-day conference designed to equip church leaders and pastors with biblical insight and practical training, with a strong focus on small group communities.
Their mission is all about mobilizing people to live like Jesus right where they are. Last year, attendees learned from speakers like J.D. Greear, Christine Caine, and Derwin Gray, and I can’t wait to see who will take the stage this year!
If your church is facing a new challenge, chances are other churches are navigating the same issues, too.
Christian leadership conferences create space to learn from one another and encourage each other as we respond to modern-day issues like mental health struggles, technology addiction, the ethical use of AI, caring for friends who identify as LGBTQ+, and so much more.
While casual chats in the break room can help you get to know your teammates, there’s nothing like spending 12+ hours together at a Christian convention to really connect.
I remember one church conference where our staff time ended up being one of the most valuable parts. We debriefed, prayed together, and actually applied what we were learning to our church.
A tip that worked really well for us was breaking into small groups of two or three to make sure everyone had a chance to reflect and discuss after each breakout session.
That’s right. Not everything you pick up at a church conference will work for your church, and that’s actually a good thing. There’s real value in seeing what doesn’t fit.
Every church culture is different, so it’s important to sift through the ideas and decide which nuggets and tools make sense for your context.
Some lessons might be perfect for right now, others you’ll save for later, and some, well, they might just not be a fit at all.
If you’ve never attended a church conference, or you’re ready to try something new, let this be the year you say yes!
You’ll always walk away with something valuable, even if it’s simply the gift of stepping away from the office to be refreshed and reconnect with your team.
And when it comes to investing in your church beyond the conference, our team at Donorbox MinistryMomentum would love to come alongside you. Our powerful, easy-to-use church giving tools are designed to help grow tithes and build consistent, recurring giving, so you can stay focused on the mission God has placed before you.
Sign up today and start raising more support for your ministry!
With a background in professional writing, Lydia brings over 10 years of experience in nonprofit communications under her belt, with a strong focus on fundraising and donor engagement. Her passion for supporting nonprofits was sparked during college internships with global mission organizations, where she gained hands-on experience with fundraising marketing strategies.
Lydia went on to serve for more than eight years as a Church Communications Director, overseeing both internal and external communications to clearly communicate the church’s mission, build trust with members, and encourage generosity through accessible tools like online and recurring giving. In this role, she partnered closely with church leadership to support giving campaigns and highlight the real-life impact of financial support through storytelling.
These experiences have continued to fuel her dedication to empowering nonprofits through her writing.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!
