“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 4

Professional Church Worker Conference April 8-10, 2024

Location:

Ridgecrest Conference Center - Black Mountain, NC

Our Spring Conference for church workers is just around the corner! This conference will be focused on wellness for you, the church worker! During our time we will also have an SED 85th Anniversary Service and Dinner held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Asheville, NC.

Registration Fee - $150.00

(Meals during conference and Anniversary Dinner included)

Registration will increase after Mar 22 to $200.00

(Registration closes Mar 28)

Once you get to the registration page you will see different options for your ticket: emeritus, spouse, vendor, etc. The cost may change based on ticket.

Agenda

Monday, April 8

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Registration Opens
4:00 PM: Check-in to hotel
4:30 - 5:30 PM: Main Session - Welcome
5:30 - 6:30 PM: Dinner at Ridgecrest
7:00 - 8:00 PM: Breakouts
Free time

Tuesday, April 9

7:15 AM – 8:15 AM: Breakfast at Ridgecrest
8:15 AM – 9:00 AM: Free time
9:15 - 9:30 AM: Opening Devotions
9:30 - 10:30 AM: Main Session
10:45 – 11:45 AM: Breakouts
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch at Ridgecrest
1 - 2 PM: Main Session
2:00 – 5:30 PM: Free Time
2 – 2:30 PM: Open Discussion with Speakers in breakout rooms
2:30 – 3:30 PM: Optional Mini-golf Tournament (FREE)
5:00 – 6:00 PM: Optional cocktail hour at Emmanuel Lutheran
6:00 PM: Worship & Communion Service at Emmanuel
7:00 PM: Anniversary Dinner

Wednesday, April 10

7:15 AM – 8:15 AM: Breakfast at Ridgecrest
8:15 – 9:15 AM: Free time
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM: Morning Devotion
9:30 – 10 AM: Presidential Report
10 AM – 11 AM: Main Session
11 AM: Blessing and Departure

About Ridgecrest Conference Center

Ridgecrest sits in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, a 1,300-acre Christian conference center where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and still have a wonderful conference experience. All meals will be held in their dining hall, just a short walk away from our rooms. They have many active free-time options available: hiking/running trails, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and much more!

Call Ridgecrest Conference Center to book your room – 828-669-8022 – shared group code “SED Church workers” Click here for more info about Ridgecrest!

Hotel rooms are $169.00 a night (the rate will remain the same even if you want to book a night or two before or after the event!

Call Ridgcrest to Book Your Room

Make sure to give them our group code: SED Church workers

We know you can enjoy getting a little competitive, so we added in a mini-golf tournament. During scheduled free time on Tuesday afternoon, you will have the opportunity to show off your putt-putt skills and win prizes.

Registere Here!

Featured Speakers

Main Speaker

Texas District President Mike Newman

Focus-

Struggle Well: 7 Shelters for Ministry Storms

"How can you establish and maintain emotional health in ministry? The headwinds and crashing waves of church work can easily throw God’s servants off balance and into troughs of personal challenge. Is there an antidote to this struggle? Rev. Michael Newman will introduce you to seven God-given shelters that will shore up your emotional well-being as servants of Jesus. With Daniel of the Old Testament guiding the way, you will be equipped and refreshed for healthy ministry that endures and glorifies God."

Pastor Andy Jones

Breakouts:

Sabbath as a Foundation of Physical Wellness

Curiosity as a Foundation for Biblical Fluency

Pastor Matt Borrasso

Breakouts:

Cultivating Curiosity in Ourselves

Extending Intellectual Hospitality to Others

Megan Miessler

Breakouts:

Worker Mental Wellness

Mental Wellness in Relationships and Congregations

Rev. Dr. Travis Guse

Breakouts:

Wellness Coaching

Managing Stress & Burnout

Other Breakouts led by the SED Wellness Team

You Do You - An individualized perspective on eating and exercising well in His service: Join Rev. Gary Pomrenke and DCE Shawn Maassel

Nurturing the Spirit: Cultivating Mental Wellness Through Biblical Practices, led by Andrew Okai

There will also be trained coaches available for 1:1 sessions during breakouts.

SED 85th Anniversary Dinner

During our conference, we will be celebrating the Southeastern District's 85th Anniversary - A year of Jubilee! Emmanuel Lutheran, in Asheville, will be hosting us! Beginning with an optional cocktail hour starting at 5 pm, followed by worship together at 6 pm, leading into our dinner together at 7 pm. During our dinner, we will be recognizing ministry anniversaries, and enjoying great music, food, and time with one another.