Smaller churches can experience big energy through ESCN
Standard Publishing leaders share what they’ve learned from smaller church leaders nationwide through the Energizing Smaller Churches Network conferences. With more events coming this fall, leaders are invited to connect, learn, and register soon.
- Smaller churches often defy common assumptions about location, leadership, and resources.
- ESCN conferences provide connection, learning, and encouragement for smaller church workers.
- Registration is available online or by phone for the remaining fall conferences.
By Mark A. Taylor
Small can be large when it experiences energy.
That’s what we’re learning here at Standard Publishing from leaders of smaller churches across the country. Last spring we met hundreds of them at five Energizing Smaller Churches Network conferences. That experience has prepared us for six more conferences this fall, starting in just a few weeks. And we can hardly wait to meet the workers in smaller churches who will attend each one.
Smaller churches don’t fit common assumptions
One thing is for sure. Smaller churches don’t fit the preconceptions some may hold of them. Not all smaller churches are in rural settings. (Smaller urban churches are sending leaders to these conferences too.) Not all smaller churches have transient leadership. (We honored several ministers at this year’s conferences who had served their congregations for decades.) The smaller church leaders we met were educated, enthusiastic, and creative. And several of them were workshop leaders for these conferences.
“Just do it again, and invite us to come,” one attendee wrote after attending the ESCN conference. “This was an awesome opportunity to connect and share and meet people,” said one church leader.
Register for the remaining ESCN conferences
Interest is running high for this year’s remaining conferences, and it’s not too late for you to participate. Look at the dates and places listed on this page, and decide which ESCN conference best fits your schedule.
All the registration information you need is available at the ESCN Web site listed there. Or you can call 1-800-543-1353 to register or to receive a brochure with all the conference details.
The “network” in ESCN is not just a word. It’s part of our mission. After attending a conference this spring, one person wrote, “Learning about the people and churches in this area was great.” That kind of learning brings the energy smaller churches need for large ministry.
We expect hundreds more to get in on that experience this year.
Author: Mark A. Taylor
Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).
