Conference ideas

There are several different types of missions conferences for your church to consider: One Church conference, month of missions, weekend conference, or Round Robin conference.

One Church conference:

Many churches prefer to have a conference of three to eight days of consecutive meetings. Often attendance will be a problem on the "off nights." It may be possible to have special activities or have the missionaries meet with the special groups.

1. An all-church supper (perhaps Friday night).
2. Regular monthly EFCA Women's Ministries meeting
3. Youth program presenting missionary opportunities for youth.
4. Three World Dinner (email reachglobal@efca.org for instructions). Only a few should know in advance what is to happen or this program loses its impact.
5. If groups in the church hold periodic social gatherings, combine them for a meeting.
6. Men and boys' breakfast.
7. Women's luncheon.
8. Simultaneous home meetings.

Month of missions:

It is becoming increasingly popular to schedule several consecutive Sundays of missionary emphasis. Midweek services may also be included if desired. Missionaries can be present at regularly scheduled youth or adult activities. Missionaries in person, videos, PowerPoint presentations, or other missions oriented activities may be included.

Weekend conferences:

Having a missionary family or a whole weekend of activities beginning on Friday or Saturday is an effective alternative. The whole family gets to know a missionary family. This is especially valuable when you invite missionaries you support.

Round Robin conferences:

Any group of churches can significantly reduce overhead expenses by planning consecutive or simultaneous conferences. It is also an efficient way of utilizing missionaries' time.

1. The cooperating churches should be geographically close together. For example, three churches close together with three missionaries is better than six churches more widely separated with six missionaries. It is also better if each missionary has two or more consecutive opportunities to speak in each church. Missionaries need not be rotated every day. More emphasis on fewer fields can be very beneficial.
2. The pastors or missions committees should plan together well in advance and name a coordinator who makes the arrangements with the national office of ReachGlobal (the international mission of the EFCA).
3. In some places, joint youth rallies on Saturday night have been successful. Keep in mind local gatherings such as sports activities to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
4. Suggestions in the above "One Church Conference" section may be utilized.

Date of conference:

The date of your conference should be planned a year in advance. Good planning can also reduce travel time and expenses.

Conference themes:

Advertising your conference can be facilitated by selecting a theme. This theme should be related to the objectives you have chosen. Enlist talent from within your congregation to help with creativity.

Answer the Call
Be My Witnesses
Christ For All the World
Christ's Last Command, Our First Concern
Come and See...Go and Tell
From Darkness Into Light
Go Ye
How Shall They Hear?
Jesus Shall Reign
Let Your Light Shine
Lift Up Your Eyes
Lord, Send Me
Love They Can Feel
March for Missions
Millions By All Means
Missions--Possible
One Gospel--One Task
Pass It On
Spring Into Missions
Storm the Gates
The Unfinished Task
Till the Whole World Knows
To Every Nation
Until They Know
Untold Millions...Still Untold
White Unto Harvest

Program suggestions:

1. Start your conference with a kick-off banquet.
2. Plan a supper-buffet for the church. Serve foods from other countries.
3. Plan an all-church missionary family night with potluck, skits, missionary speaker, video, panel discussion or multimedia presentation.
4. Offer a "Saturday Night At the Movies" with a variety of missions videos. Don't forget the popcorn!
5. Schedule a "Ladies' Tea" complete with white gloves and a variety of teas from around the world.
6. Arrange for several home meetings. Suggested topics for discussion include schooling for children on the field, differences in living conditions, ministry assignments, adjusting to a different culture, financial factors, government relations, national churches, contextualization, strategic planning, and urban evangelism.
7. Schedule an informal question/answer and prayer time with your missionary guests.
8. Arrange small group meetings (buzz sessions) where the congregation listens to a presentation and smaller groups are formed to interact. A list of discussion questions can be prepared in advance.
9. Involve the young people with a youth rally, pizza party or talent show.
10. Plan a children's meeting called "Meet the Saint" and invite your missionaries to share stories about their ministry.