Why Do Pastors Go to Conferences?

Thoughts after the FIEC conference

Last Sunday, I told my church I’d be away for the week at the FIEC Leaders’ Conference.

Many people asked what actually happens at a Pastors’ conference. They weren’t being critical, they were simply curious.

I thought you might curious too. So let me tell you what I get from going to conferences.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

1. Professional Development

As a teacher, I undertook “Professional Development”. In these sessions, I learnt behaviour techniques, new subjects and leadership skills. It helped me grow in my profession.

Conferences serve a similar function for pastors. In this conference, there were practical and theological seminars to help you develop.

An example of each at this conference that I went to:

• Theological: A seminar discussing different Christian perspectives on engaging with needs in the congregation and community.

• Practical: A session on supporting neuro-diverse (autistic) adults and children into church.

2. Listening to Preaching

When my friend asked what we did, my initial response to my friend was, “You don’t realise, but I don’t get to listen to preaching much.”

They instantly understood. Most Christians would struggle wihtout the spiritual nourishment of preaching. As a pastor, that's generally denied me.

Now don’t get me wrong, preparation and preaching bring their own blessing. But it is a real joy to be able to sit and receive God’s Word.

This year we looked at a few parts of Isaiah. One thing that struck home from Isaiah 53 was that after suffering on the cross, Jesus has no regrets. He is “satisfied” (v.11).

How amazing that for my sin he bore the wrath of God, but has no regrets. Hallelujah!

3. Friendship

My friends are scattered. Friends from churches in North East England and South Wales. Friends from theology college scattered to churches throughout the country. Therefore, I rarely see my closest friends.

Conferences are a chance to be together. We laugh together. We catch up on each others' lives and share challenges.

Pastors generally are good listeners. They make great friends. Sometimes I’ve needed support. Other times (I hope) I've given it. But there is a strengthening role to friendship everyone needs.

4. Pastoral Support

Pastoral ministry can be bruising spiritually, emotionally, even physically. Sometimes a talk with a friend can do the job. Sometimes you need a more mature pastor and ongoing support.

Thankfully, this has never been my situation. But I guarantee at that conference there would be pastors on the age of giving up the ministry or giving in to sin. Pray that conversations this year will have helped.

5. Partnership

There are also opportunities for churches to form partnerships at all levels that benefit their churches.

For example, some I’ve seen:

• An evangelist who works with Muslims told me his contacts often leave. So at conferences, he meets other churches to pass them on to.

• I was able to recommend an evangelistic speaker from one church I knew to another

• Last year, we started the Rural Project to get pastors in villages and market towns together.

6. Prayer

This year I told a local pastor about another pastor friend going into radiotherapy soon. He listened then prayed for my friend, his family, me and the church family. It was exactly what I needed.

Prayer is regularly a highlight I see few people talk about. I always want to grow in prayer and being with a thousand prayer-warriors is a huge support.

So there you go I hope that gives you a flavour of conferences. The FIEC conference isn’t just for paid pastors, there are all levels of church leader there.

If you’re a pastor in a local church, I’d love you to share what you learnt too. Do leave a comment on the website below.