Pastors should always be seeking growth and if that’s being done, conferences and seminars will be a part of what they take the time to pursue. If one is not, however, it’s never too late to start! Here are some key reasons why pastors should attend leadership conferences and seminars.
Strengthen Leadership Skills
Leadership conferences and seminars are a great way to sharpen your skills and gain new ones. These are the places where you will hear thoughts and ideas from leaders in your wheelhouse who know exactly what you face on the daily; giving you an opportunity to learn something new and be reminded of important principles that may have fallen from your forethought. You’ll gain practical and relevant advice that you can implement in your own leadership,allowing you to grow as a leader and as an individual.
Fresh Perspective
Everyone benefits from fresh perspective. Fresh perspective keeps things from becoming stagnant and stale. It allows for change, so that one doesn’t fall into the trap of doing the same thing over and over. A pastor knows that their congregation needs to be inspired and it’s fresh perspective that can provide that inspiration. Attending such things as conferences and seminars allows for opportunities to hear new perspectives on challenges leaders may be currently facing. It’s a place to gain insight on how to approach certain situations and issues; hearing from other leaders that can inspire breakthrough.
Connection and Inspiration
One of the perks with attending conferences and seminars is the networking piece. Connecting with those you may already know but don’t always have the time to see, as well as meeting new faces. Gathering with like minded leaders can be a breath of fresh air; knowing that there are others who understand your day in and day out. Some of the most valuable relationships come from these meetings; impacting who you are as a leader. Relationships offer support, accountability, encouragement and can lead to new opportunities.
On top of all this, connections are where we learn and grow. It’s through connections that we become inspired by others. There will always be new ideas, new information and new trends setting and it’s up to the individual as to whether they keep up on them. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a growing leader will impact those they lead to grow as well. People are not static. They want to be inspired. They appreciate fresh perspective, so pastors and leaders of all capacities can be more effective in their roles when they are pursuing growth and new inspiration.
Filling Your Well
It’s no question that a pastors role carries a large amount of responsibility. There’s a lot to carry in this line of work. Even with a strong team underneath you, the weight of leadership can be heavy. Taking the time to fill your well and be nourished yourself is essential. When it comes to conferences, one may think that this is just another to do on the list but the potential conferences and seminars have to pour into who you are as a leader is available. It’s simply a matter of one putting their check list aside and allowing themselves to be fed.
Though a conference isn’t the same as a vacation, it is a time where one can potentially recharge, catch a break or simply benefit from the change of pace. It’s a time where you can be re-energized to face the challenges ministry often carries. Spiritual burnout is a real thing and if one is not careful, the stresses one may face can land them here. Taking time for oneself isn’t just doing yourself a favor, its doing a favor for all those you lead.
The whys to pastors attending leadership conferences and seminars can be a long list. There are a lot of benefits to pastors attending such functions. The main objective is to spend time pursuing what will make you a better leader.
