As I write this, I am a week away from attending our International Association’s Conference in San Diego California. By the time you read this I‘ll have returned. I want to share with you why it is important for your minister and all ministers to attend their churches’ conference. While conferences can be fun a congregation should not confuse conferences with vacations.
Conferences are filled with educational workshops and inspiring keynote speakers. Time allows for communing with fellow ministers learning what is working in their ministries that may benefit us in ours. Conferences provide the time for the Association’s annual general meeting where members can vote on important issues.
As a member of the conference team my duties during the conference are…
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vendor liaison welcoming vendors; trouble shooting any challenges they may face and providing support as needed in order to create a win win experience for everyone
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I am an “angel” to two MCs (Master of Ceremonies) helping ensure they have what they need.
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I also am honored to be an MC for the Thursday evening program. I’ll lead the opening prayer, make announcements, take the offering and introduce Rickie Byars Beckwith and Michael Beckwith, this year’s Light of God expressing award winners.
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The entire team meets before every large session and blesses each chair and the person who will be sitting in it that day.
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As a member of this team I attend January team meetings at the Village. Throughout the year we have many conference calls to plan the conferences. My participation allows our church to tithe my time and talents to our larger Unity movement in return for the many blessings we have received from them.
Our church tithes monthly to both our Canadian and International Associations. The costs of my attending conferences and trainings come out of our tithes. This means they are not additional expenses. The Board and I feel that my conference registration is an appropriate use of a tithe as it supports the Association’s work which feeds our church spiritually. (see the article outlining the work of both Associations) My attendance is your opportunity to tithe your minister’s time and talents to the Unity movement. Conferences and trainings inspire me and foster new ideas for our ministry. They nurture my soul and I believe, help me to grow in my ministerial skills.
The picture of Bob and I is a reminder that without Bob’s support I couldn’t do the work I do. He knows the benefits I reap from my adventures. I hope you too can see the benefits to your minister participating in conferences and trainings. Someone once said that the best investment a church can make is in its minister’s education. I hope you agree. I look forward to sharing the experience and learning’s with you!
