Leadership Summit 2024

Welcome to the Leadership Summit! Join us at Cochrane Alliance Church for a day filled with interactive and engaging workshops designed to give you tools to grow and succeed in the area you serve and lead. Don't miss out on this chance to learn from experienced professionals and grow your leadership abilities.

WHO: Anyone ages 12+ are invited to come and participate. Childcare will be available for families with young children.

WHEN: October 26 | 9:00am-2:00pm.

Individual Ticket: $10 (includes coffee, breakout sessions and lunch)

Family Ticket: $25 (3 or more in the same household, includes coffee, lunch, breakout sessions and childcare if needed).

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 23 @ Midnight.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

The Leadership Summit consists of three blocks. Each session below will be offered during two of the three blocks. When you register, please identify your preferred sessions.

Spiritual Practice of Prayer

Phil Morrow 

We are called to be people of prayer, but what does that actually look like? In this session, we will explore several different types of prayer. After a short teaching, you will have extended time to practice listening prayer, biblical prayer, intercessory prayer, prayer of lament, and more. 

Leading Effectively as a Lay Leader

Katleyn Reid

The presence of leaders who are not on staff in the church is a necessary and fundamental component of a thriving church. We need to get rid of the mindset that only pastors and staff are responsible for the growth and spiritual health of the church. God has gifted each one of us uniquely and it is our responsibility to live out our calling in the church and in our community. In this session you will discover how to lead and prepare well as a lay person serving in the church and the blessing that comes from this.   

Walking with Others Through Grief

Tim Sawatsky 

Grief involves coping with loss, whether it be lost dreams, relationships, a job, a loved one, or what we thought our life should be,   While everyone’s experience of grief is different, there are common responses that can be useful to recognize if someone is facing a loss and how to minister to them. In this session you will learn that grief is not a destination but a journey, a journey that we need to support one another on.  

The Importance of Your Story

Jason Dimnik 

Personal testimony is a powerful witness.  Your story is an eyewitness account of how God has changed your life. Now many of us think that our story isn't compelling enough, exciting enough and could never make a difference in the life of another person.   You have a story, God is working in your life, you have a story, whether it be wild or tame, it's your story and it should be told. God uses our story to share His story.  In this session we work on capturing our own personal story, taking note of how God has been at work in our life and changed us, so that we can share who Jesus is with others.  

Impactful Hospitality

Khristie Looy

It has been said that we only get a few seconds to make a "First Impression". That's so true, isn't it? Just think about how quickly you judge an environment when you walk in for the first time. What would it look like to provide an irresistible welcome to all who walk through our doors? Hospitality requires intentional effort, planning and practice.

In our increasingly busy, disconnected and lonely society people are longing for deep relationships. Hospitality can be an open door to the beginning of meeting that need. I believe that the Holy Spirit is at work as we show our guests that they matter to us. A person's sense of belonging can pave the way for them to experience God's love as they see it lived out in our lives as we serve and provide a warm and hospitable environment.

Best Small Group Practices

Chet Kennedy 

Gathering in small groups has been a foundational rhythm of churches to help people form community and experience spiritual growth with others.  Small groups are meant to be a safe place for people to encounter Jesus, process how life and faith intersect, and experience meaningful community.  Often though leading a small group can feel chaotic, unfocused and disconnected.  In this session we will talk about effective and healthy small group rhythms that bring a group to place of growing and seeking Jesus together.  

Sacred Rhythms

Duane Harder 

Far too often when it comes to leading within the church we rely on our own wisdom, power, creativity, new models, creative structures and programs. We have become dependant on our ways leaving many leaders and the people they lead spiritually dry. This session will bring us back to the importance of our need to rely on the Holy Spirit.  We will explore sacred rhythms that we can pursue so that we lead out of an abundance of the filling of the Holy Spirit.  

Discovering Your Passions and Spiritual Gifts

Vinny Gibson-Weaver

Have you ever asked yourself one of these questions; who am I, how can I find God's purpose in my life, why do I feel stuck in life or what's next for me in life?  Come experience an introduction to the course LifeKeys, a uniquely designed course that aims to answer questions like this and help each believer find their place at the table, serve from a heart filled with passion, joy and purpose, using their unique skills, life gifts, spiritual gifts, and personality. Participants of this session will be invited to join the full 8 session course of LifeKeys in which you will have created a 2-3 sentence Mission Statement and a one page profile, that succinctly describes Who You Are, Your Passions, Your Spiritual Gifts, Your Unique Personality Type and how you use your unique gifts to serve the body, the community, in your place of work, school and/or in your home. No matter what age or stage of life you’re in, if you’re over 18, this course is for you.