Ignite the Church
2021 Conference
Goes Virtual
& Monthly!
3rd Thursdays 2-3:30pm ET
Beginning January 21, 2021
2021 Theme
Adapting to a New Reality:
Living into a Fresh Vision for God’s Church
2020 Conference Feedback:
"Life changing!"
"Best church conference I've ever attended!"
"Conferences like this can save the Church!"
130 Leaders from 25 states attended!
$6.000 Donated to the ELCA Funds for Leaders
Watch for 2021
Presenter Details
and Registration
October 1, 2020
January 21, 2021, 2-3:30pm ET
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Encouragement Beyond Fatigue
February 18, 2021, 2-3:30pm ET
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Justice and the Common Good
March 18, 2021, 2-3:30pm ET
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Hybrid Community: Virtual and In Person
April 15, 2021, 2-3:30pm ET
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Creative / Fresh Expressions of Church
Why Ignite The Church?
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany to invite public discourse about the need for change and renewal in the Church. Luther's efforts ignited the Protestant Reformation that changed history.
500+ years later, with 80-85% of churches in the United States plateaued or declining, the Church needs to embrace a new season of change and renewal to ignite the Church for another 500 years.
In the bold spirit of Martin Luther, the Ignite the Church Conference is an annual gathering that seeks to further Kingdom impacting conversation among leaders that will ignite the Church and help it live out its heritage of renewal in the years ahead!
2020 Conference Overview
An 8-member planning team from 7 states have recruited 13 presenters from 8 states who are so passionate about the renewal of the church that they are are donating their time to serve so that conference proceeds can be given to the ELCA Fund for Leaders. (In 2020 a gift of $6000 was shared.) Presenters include innovative and creative pastors and lay leaders as well as ELCA regional and national staff who are eager to share their ministry passions with you in a unique 48 hour journey with you.
Conference participants will gather together for four Large Group Sessions to hear a combination of presentations and panel discussions and to worship. There will be 3 two-hour intensive elective sessions. Participants will be able to attend three intensive electives during the conference selecting from 12 unique electives, 8 of which will be offered twice. Topics will focus on Reaching Younger Generations, Expanding Kingdom Impact, Church Renewal and Discipleship, Renewing Music, Vitality through Mission, Engaging Your Neighborhood, Evangelism, Social Justice, and Raising Up and Equipping Leaders. At the close of the conference, participants will gather for worship and a time to be sent out with prayer.
Tuesday night will be free for rest or to enjoy a meal out with your friends. On Wednesday evening everyone is invited to take a field trip to Orlando's Castle Church Brewing Community, one of the ELCA’s newest and most unique mission starts. Food and beverages will be available after which we are invited to share in their weekly Wednesday worship time. Following worship participants will be invited to enjoy a Beer and Hymns / Songs fellowship time.
130 leaders from 25 states were blessed to participate in the 2020 conference.
Join us in Orlando February 2-4, 2021 as we seek to Ignite the Church again
in the spirit of the Reformation!
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2020 Ignite the Church Team Presenters
2021 Ignite the Church
Conference Planning Team
Kim Heindl, Sarasota, FL
John Herman, Greenbackville, VA
Dan Keck, Kure Beach, NC
Jeff Linman, Franklin, NC
Josh Linman, Decatur, GA
Ruth Popkin, Trail Creek, IN
Rick Rouse - Mukilteo, WA
Nancy Scharf, Middletown, NJ
2020 Intensive Electives
The Ignite The Church Conference is designed to take you deeper than most conferences usually do. With four inspiring Large Group Sessions and three two-hour Intensive Elective Sessions to select from, you will be given the opportunity to attend three Intensive Electives in areas of ministry that play key roles in Igniting the Church for greater Kingdom impact.
Two-hour electives will give you time to engage each topic in greater depth. You will also be challenged to come up with a plan to apply what you've learned and to be open to selecting a partner from among the kindred spirits you meet at the conference to both encourage you and hold you accountable after you return home!
