Robert Carnes and I shared some of the top Christian leadership conferences to attend for both 2021 and 2020. Both years were marred by a global pandemic, but the popularity of those two posts showed how much ministry leaders are still hungry for learning and community.
Our hope is that 2022 sees a decrease in COVID impact and an increase in our opportunity for in-person conferences. There will likely still be a significant number of virtual or hybrid options, which is actually a benefit for leaders with a limited budget or limited travel time.
Also, if you don’t know about Robert, you should. His complete bio is after the list of conferences. Make sure you check out his services.
Here are 20 Top Church Leadership Conferences to Attend in 2022, listed chronologically. If you are an organizer of any of these events and interested in having me Live Blog your conference, we can start a conversation at briand@injoystewardship.com.
1. Unleash Conference
- January 26-27, 2022
- In-person at Orlando, Florida
- Cost: $215
- Hosted by Converge
According to the event’s website, Unleash is “a conference focused on growing every ministry and leader in your church.” Therefore, they offer workshops for any ministry track, including senior leaders, kids and student ministry, worship, hospitality, missions, communications, and more. The event is organized by Converge—a 165-year-old movement of churches that encourages churches to work together.
2. Disciple Making Summit
- January 28-29, 2022
- In-person at Sharpsburg, Georgia
- Cost: $30
- Hosted by Impact Disciples
As its name suggests, this annual event is focused on multiplying churches and Jesus followers. This is perfect for local church leaders looking to grow their own faith and impact the spiritual journey of others. The 2021 Disciple Making Conference will take place at the Sharpsburg campus of Crossroads Church, about half an hour south of Atlanta.
3. Next Level Church
- January 31-February 1, 2022
- In-person in Savannah, Georgia
- Cost: $125
- Hosted by Compassion Christian Church
Organized by the Compassion Christian Church in Savannah Georgia, the Next Level Church conference hopes to equip stronger churches in an ever-changing world. This two-day event features a number of main stage sessions, focused breakouts, and opportunities to network with your fellow church leaders.
4. Engage Conference
- February 8-10, 2022
- Online
- Cost: Free
One of the free online experiences on this list, the Engage Conference specifically focuses on tech strategies for church growth. In more than 20 digital sessions, learn how to leverage social media, church websites, digital leadership, design creativity, and much more. Streaming live is no charge, but there’s also the opportunity to purchase a replay pass for $297.
5. Defy The Odds Conference
- February 11-12, 2022
- In-person at Rock Springs Church in Milner, GA just south of Atlanta
- Cost: $49.99 per person and $39.99 group rate
Join Pastor Benny Tate for Defy the Odds church growth conference in 2022! Their hope for hosting this conference is to encourage church leaders in their current season by providing practical tools and resources for next-level growth. The heart of Pastor Benny is to encourage and equip the local church so that we can reach more people together as the global church.
6. C3 Conference
- February 16-17, 2022
- In-person at Dallas, Texas
- Cost: $199
Thousands of church leaders and influencers will descend on Fellowship Church outside of Dallas, Texas for this two-day leadership conference. The three Cs in the name stands for the Creative Church Conference.
7. Exponential Conference
- March 7-10, 2022
- In-person in Orlando, Florida
- Cost: $169
- Theme: Moving With The Spirit
Each year, the Exponential Conference is focused around church planters looking to grow the influence and reach of their ministries. In 2022, the focus is around Moving With The Spirit to become a multiplying church. Besides their main event in Orlando, Exponential creates a number of resources for church planters throughout the year.
8. Renegade Pastors Virtual Conference
- March 15-17, 2022
- Online
- Cost: $129 plus it is FREE for a pastor’s spouse
- Theme: Finishing Well
I cannot recommend this conference put on by Nelson Searcy and his team enough! As a Senior Pastor you face many challenges to finishing strong in ministry — and this past year has been no exception. Find renewal and inspiration through proven strategies and new applications for ministry from those who are in the trenches with you — and are committed to helping you fulfill your calling! They will cover multiple areas critical to finishing well, including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Also, this is the best conference for developing the systems of a healthy ministry I know of.
9. Courage To Lead Live
- March 25, 2022
- Online
- Free
Another great example of a free online conference, Courage to Lead offers prerecorded messages from some top leadership speakers. The target audience for the event is CEOs, business executives, entrepreneurs, pastors, and all church or nonprofit leaders. Their goal is to equip leaders to live out their faith in their ministry or business.
10. Church Leaders Conference
- April 26-28, 2022
- In-person at Dallas, Texas
- Cost: $189 per person
- Hosted by Watermark Church
This annual leadership conference has both ministry breakouts during the event, as well as some more in-depth workshops before the main conference starts. It’s hosted by Watermark Church in Dallas, Texas, but thankfully the conference website points out that wearing spurs is not required.
11. The Outcomes Conference
- April 26-28, 2022
- In-person at Louisville, Kentucky
- Cost: $799 for members; $999 for non-members
- Hosted by the Christian Leadership Alliance
With a mix of mainstage talks, leadership intensives, workshops, roundtable discussions, and interactive forums, The Outcomes Conference has something for everyone. Happening at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, the event is described as: “the community where a leader like you, belongs.”
12. Orange Conference
- April 27-29, 2022
- In-person at Atlanta, Georgia
- Cost: $319 per person
- Theme: Be Human
- Hosted by Orange
Orange may be known for their kids and study ministry curriculum, but their annual conference in Atlanta is for any church leader. The theme focuses on being a human in a world that’s forgetting what humanity means. There’s the typical mix of live talks and focused breakouts, but the 2022 Orange Conference also features a concert with Jonathan McReynolds and Crowder.
13. Rethink Leadership
- April 27-29, 2022
- In-person at Atlanta, Georgia
- Cost: $299
- Hosted by Orange
Happening at the same time at the Orange Conference (and conveniently close by), Rethink Leadership is focused on content specifically for senior pastors. That means this event is a smaller, and more exclusive happening focused on those leaders at the top of their church. The conference mixes mainstage speakers, table conversations, and small group cohort sessions.
14. ARC Conference
- April 26-27, 2022
- In-person at Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Hosted by Seacoast Church
- Cost: $195
This annual gathering is organized by ARC (or the Association of Related Churches), but it’s open to any church planter, pastor, or leader. The theme of the 2022 event emphasizes inclusivity and connectedness. The messaging on their website encourages leaders like you not to do ministry alone and reminds you that their story is your story, too.
15. Leadercast Live
- May 4, 2022
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Hybrid attendance: watch in-person or at a local host site
- Theme: The One Thing
Leadercast is for more than just church leaders—their target audience includes any business or industry leader. And the speaker lineup reflects that, featuring the likes of author Angela Duckworth and TV actor Levar Burton. The live event will take place in Cincinnati, Ohio, but there are also a number of host sites where attendees can watch the broadcast in large groups together.
16. That Church Conference
- May 4-5, 2022
- In-person at Atlanta, Georgia
- Cost: $149
That Church Conference focuses specifically on communications, marketing, and technology within the church—however, these are areas that any church leader could benefit from. That includes conversations about everything from guest relations to social media and everything in between. Now in its eight year, the event will be held at the John Maxwell Leadership Center outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
17. Drive Conference
- May 4-5, 2022
- In-person in Atlanta, Georgia
- Hosted by Northpoint Community Church
- Cost: $249
Another conference based out of Atlanta, the Drive Conference is hosted annually by Northpoint Community Church. The goal is to guide and equip church teams for the ministry road ahead. This even includes a number of keynote talks, breakouts, and panel discussions with some of the top church leadership speakers.
18. First Impressions Conference
- May 11-13, 2022
- Online
- Cost: Free
- Theme: We Are Family
One of two conferences Greg Atkinson and his team are putting on this year, learn to welcome the newcomer, show unconditional love and acceptance, and create welcoming environments. Join dozens of top speakers and practitioners for this virtual experience and free conference which will help you reach, keep, and engage with your guests.
19. Vous Conference
- June 16-19, 2022
- In-person in Miami, Florida
- Cost: $189
- Theme: Upon This Rock
Vous Church in Miami, Florida hosts this annual gathering of pastors and church leaders. This four-day event will include a number of leadership sessions as well as a worship session on Sunday. This year’s theme for the conference comes from Jesus’ conversation with Peter in Matthew 16:18: “And upon this rock, he will build his church.”
20. The Global Leadership Summit
- August 4-5, 2022
- Hybrid attendance: watch online or at a host site
- Cost: $179
Similar to the Leadercast Live event, this wider reaching leadership conference is simulcast live to a number of host locations around the nation. The target audience for the event is business leaders, CEOs, pastors, teachers, entrepreneurs, and more—essentially anyone looking to grow their leadership in their current role.
***BONUS*** The Renegade Pastors Kingdom Impact Conference
- October 12-14, 2022
- In-person in Orlando, FL
- Suggested investment of $249 plus other options
Another great event from Nelson Searcy!!! I cannot recommend this conference enough! Traditional church growth history has said that the greatest thing you can do for the Kingdom is to grow a health church. This has been Nelson’s primary focus in coaching pastors through my healthy systems approach. But what happens after that? What comes next? Let Nelson and his incredible team of leaders show you. Also, this is the best conference for developing the systems for healthy ministry I know of.
Which conferences are you looking forward to?
About Robert Carnes
Robert Carnes is a former church communications and nonprofit marketing professional. He now leads marketing strategy for GreenMellen, a digital marketing agency in Atlanta. He’s also the author of two books, including The Original Storyteller, a devotional to help leaders become better storytellers. For help with digital marketing or storytelling, reach out to him on social media @jamrobcar.
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