Each year, the administrative, legal, and regulatory challenges of ministry seem to grow more time-consuming and complex. That’s why Calvary Baptist Seminary’s Summit Christian Leadership Center is offering a special mini-conference for church administrators at this year’s NLC.

It’s a Jungle Out There will inform and inspire pastors, financial personnel, church administrators, and lay leaders alike. Pastors and their teams will leave the conference with a sharper focus on leadership and a better understanding of the complex challenges facing ministries today.

Five workshops will run concurrently with the NLC sessions on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. Attendees who register for the National Leadership Conference are invited to attend the Summit Center workshops at no extra charge. Those registering exclusively for the Summit Center mini-conference may do so at the reduced rate of $75. Ministries sending three or more attendees pay only $50 per person.

See the full workshop descriptions below. Register online at the National Leadership Conference website.

Don’t miss this valuable mini-conference opportunity

Workshop Times and Descriptions

• 9:00 a.m.—Effective Team Leadership in Ministry

  Ron Clark, Director, Summit Christian Leadership Center

  Getting the work of ministry done is always a challenge. The ability to motivate and engage others in the work to be done is a critical aspect of achieving your ministry goals. And, without able and energized volunteers, any church will grind to a halt. Join Ron for a discussion of how to cultivate and nurture effective ministry work teams.

• 10:00 a.m.—Tax Alert: Retirement Plan Compliance Changes
  
  Nick Yzzi, CPA, Director of Consulting, Summit Christian Leadership Center
  
  In 2007, the IRS implemented new regulations affecting all 403 b retirement plans. These regulations became effective 1/1/09 for most plans, however, some religious organizations have an additional year to comply. The new regulations mandate that all 403 b plans now have a Master Plan Document, as well as many other hoops to jump through. Failure to comply may subject your plan to negative tax consequences and severe penalties. Nick will highlight the new regulations and will provide an opportunity to interested ministries to acquire an attorney-prepared Master Plan Document at a cost much below what a third party administrator or a private attorney could provide.
• 11:00 a.m.—Ministry and the Law: Abuse Reporting Requirements
  
  Jeff Drake, Esq.
  
  The world in which we live has become increasingly complex and filled with laws affecting our ministries that we did not need to deal with in the past. Regardless of the state in which you minister, you are subject to “abuse reporting” rules of some type. The failure to comply can affect your ministry and subject you to personal fines or even incarceration. Attorney Drake will outline the general rules for abuse reporting during this important session. Also included will be the recent changes to the PA law.
• 1:30 p.m.—Insurance and Risk Management
  
  John Garber, CSP, SPHR
  
  The management of risk has become of utmost importance in our litigious society even among churches and religious ministries. Determining the type and proper level of insurance coverage is a complicated process. Sifting through the mire of products and options is a daunting task for any ministry. John will also explain how to reduce your liability exposure in a variety of areas as you purchase insurance, develop manuals, and implement policies.
• 2:30 p.m.—Marketing Your Ministry
  
  Jerry Thacker, President, Right Ideas, Inc.
  
  The growth of any ministry is not just a by-product of hard work, following past practices, or mimicking a successful ministry. Knowing your “market” is a crucial element in planning your goals. Jerry will demonstrate how to utilize the market research arena to identify your current demographic population and understand their needs to assist you in preparing your ministry for its future challenges. Effective methods of communicating your vision with your constituency and appealing to today’s generation in a biblical way will also be discussed.