Innovative Conference To Help Churches Grow In A Secular World

April 14, 2011 - PRLog -- ARLINGTON, Texas – An innovative, interdenominational conference will explore how communication and effective preaching can help churches grow. The conference, to be held May 2–4 in Arlington, TX, will focus on outreach, effective preaching and communicating. First United Methodist Church of Arlington will host the Evangelism Conference and Preaching Academy presented by Leadership Nexus (http://www.leadershipnexus.org/index.php).

“This is an opportunity for churches to learn how to reach people and grow in an increasingly secular world,” says Dr. Bob Pierson, executive director of Leadership Nexus. “The whole reason we’re having this conference is to address the two biggest needs in churches: preaching and outreach.”

“This conference will offer pastors access to new ideas, resources and a network of creative people,” says Rev. Estee Valendy, keynote speaker and associate pastor at FUMC of Arlington. “Communication is more important now than ever before,” continues Valendy who heads evangelism and communications. “You can’t just rely on people coming to church because that’s what they’ve always done; you have to reach out to them.”
Notable speakers include:

•   Kay Lancaster – Associate pastor at FUMC of Arlington
•   William Lawrence - Dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology
•   John Ed Mathison - Author and former pastor of Frazer Memorial UMC
•   Jim Moore - Bestselling Author and former pastor of St. Luke’s UMC, Houston
•   Rev. David N. Mosser – Author and senior pastor of FUMC of Arlington
•   Bob Pierson – Author and executive director of Leadership Nexus
•   Jennifer Rodia - Rethink Church Director, United Methodist Communications
•   Estee Valendy - Associate pastor of evangelism and communications at FUMC of Arlington

Participants may register online at www.leadershipnexus.org for $200. Scholarships available.

Interviews with speakers available upon request

Online Press Room: www.arlingtonmethodist.org/pressroom

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Established in 1878, First United Methodist Church of Arlington is a historic church and vital part of Arlington. FUMC of Arlington has a congregation of approximately 5,000 members and reaches out to our community through our programs.