2018 Leadership Conference Focuses on Effective Communication

Nashville, TN—The 2018 Free Will Baptist Leadership Conference brought pastors and church leaders from 25 states, Canada, and Japan to Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel December 3-4, to explore effective communication from pulpit to print to digital. “Communication is changing, many times at a pace impossible to match,” said conference planner Ryan Lewis. “As a denomination, our churches, pastors, and laypeople must work together to communicate our message clearly. This year we emphasized key mediums and methods to ensure we are able to communicate our most critical message effectively—the message of the gospel.”

Robert J. Morgan, teaching pastor at The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, shared principles for preaching in perilous times (2 Timothy 3-4) and preaching in God's presence (Ezra and Haggai). Morgan has served the church for 35 years. A best-selling, Gold Medallion-winning writer, he has more than 35 books in print with more than 4 million copies in circulation. A writer for David Jeremiah and Turning Points magazine, Morgan has appeared on numerous national television and radio shows. He and his wife Katrina have three daughters, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

On Tuesday morning, during a slate of seminar-styled sessions, Eric Thomsen, editor of ONE Magazine, offered five steps to communicating effectively in print. Media Commission member Daniel Edwards explored principles behind communicating effectively through technology; and Dr. Neil Gilliland, director of member care for IM, shared five points regarding communicating across generational lines, reminding listeners, "More than anything else, we need to communicate grace."

The two-day conference gave attendees time to renew friendships during banquet-styled meals and extended breaks. Welch College provided special music for evening services, featuring the 40-voice College Choir and the Rejoice! ministry team. Free time on Tuesday allowed for sightseeing in Nashville as well as time for several national boards to meet.

"This conference gives me the best opportunity to connect with leaders all across the denomination in a single event," noted Chris Compton, director of communication for the Board of Retirement. "I always walk away with new connections and new ideas on how to better serve our denomination."

For more information regarding the 2019 Leadership Conference, visit www.nafwb.org.