This session is designed to help you prepare your child for adult life and healthy relationships. We’ll explore practical strategies that cultivate emotional maturity, spiritual resilience, and relational wisdom—qualities that prepare young adults to build strong homes and to live faithfully and connected in any season of life.

You’ll leave with clear insights and renewed confidence as you guide your child toward adulthood and a life grounded in faith.

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Through a careful study of key biblical texts (Psalm 104; Matthew 6:25–34; and other texts), this class will examine how creation functions as theological evidence—declaring God’s character as Provider, Sustainer, and Faithful Keeper. Participants will consider the consistency of divine provision (“without pause”) and how it confronts human anxiety, strengthens trust, and calls believers to deeper dependence on God.

The session will also address practical implications: how observing God’s care in nature reshapes our perspective on lack, worry, and faith in uncertain times. Attendees will gain both a richer theological framework and a renewed personal confidence that the same God who sustains the world is actively and reliably providing for them.

Through a careful study of key biblical texts (Psalm 104; Matthew 6:25–34; and other texts), this class will examine how creation functions as theological evidence—declaring God’s character as Provider, Sustainer, and Faithful Keeper. Participants will consider the consistency of divine provision (“without pause”) and how it confronts human anxiety, strengthens trust, and calls believers to deeper dependence on God.

The session will also address practical implications: how observing God’s care in nature reshapes our perspective on lack, worry, and faith in uncertain times. Attendees will gain both a richer theological framework and a renewed personal confidence that the same God who sustains the world is actively and reliably providing for them.

Key Emphasis:

If God’s provision for creation is constant and intentional, then our assurance in His provision for us can be confident and unwavering.

This session explores how you can adapt your existing ministries, sermons, small groups, and relationships into action-oriented discipleship opportunities that help people turn their faith into action. We’ll discuss strategies you can use at every level of your church’s discipleship process: congregational, small group, and one-on-one.

Through a careful study of key biblical texts (Psalm 104; Matthew 6:25–34; and other texts), this class will examine how creation functions as theological evidence—declaring God’s character as Provider, Sustainer, and Faithful Keeper. Participants will consider the consistency of divine provision (“without pause”) and how it confronts human anxiety, strengthens trust, and calls believers to deeper dependence on God.

The session will also address practical implications: how observing God’s care in nature reshapes our perspective on lack, worry, and faith in uncertain times. Attendees will gain both a richer theological framework and a renewed personal confidence that the same God who sustains the world is actively and reliably providing for them.

Key Emphasis:

If God’s provision for creation is constant and intentional, then our assurance in His provision for us can be confident and unwavering.

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This sermon emphasizes the importance of Matthew 25, particularly the parable of the sheep and the goats, highlighting the call to compassion and service to others. Tim suggests true service comes from one's identity as a follower of Christ rather than fear of judgment. Service to the needy should be motivated by the understanding of being served by Christ during our times of need. Christians serve the poor and marginalized as a natural extension of their faith, rooted in their identity as followers of Christ. Believers should live out a Kingdom Christianity that integrates both personal faith and social responsibility, engaging actively in good works as a reflection of their faith.

Common Grounds Unity hosted a conversation between five diverse members of the Restoration Movement while demonstrating the principles of Receptive Ecumenism. Rudy Hagood, Jennifer Konzen, Kevin Withem, Robert Carillo, and Caleb Koltenbach shared their thoughts on a variety of topics from baptism to gender identity and politics. The conversation was facilitated by Drew Baker and Steve Staten. 

Teacher: Michelle Tepper

Host: Jonathan Storment

A musical and spoken word worship experience built upon Isaiah 40 - 43, music by the NW Worship Band, and a desire to breathe spiritual energy into all who participate.

Spiritual leaders need encouragement to keep pressing forward in challenging Kingdom work. Approaches and tactics to wrestle with burnout, stress and anxiety will be accompanied by words of blessings, courage and prayers over each person in attendance. Both nights will offer practical insights as well as the feeding of each leader's soul. End the Harbor day with a time of encouragement to stay courageous in serving God and His people.

Panelists: David Berry, Charles Kiser, Ryan Smith, Chale Wesson

In this Reimagining Church workshop, the panelists will look at how to move beyond the tired and futile hamster wheel of worship improvements, revolving preachers, rebrandings, facility improvements, and the like. Instead of just rethinking how to improve the weekly hour of worship, what if we as churches rethought how to do life together? What if Christian communities both new and old could imagine and live into a new future of being the church in the world? This session will look at concrete ideas for how to break out of existing frameworks.

This class explores theological perspectives on love, justice, and hope. If “God Loves Forever,” what are the implications of human love for God, the neighbor, and the self in the 21st century? The class will think with theologies of love, justice, and hope while constructing an ethic for the church’s engagement in our contemporary world.

Words have meaning in context. What should the Christian mean when he or she speaks of justice? What are its foundations, aims, and purpose. Related to this question is the doctrine of sin. Is sin personal, corporate (systemic), or some combination of the two? This seminar will outline a Christian definition of justice rooted in the vision for the Kingdom of God that emerges across the canon.

The message of Scripture is that same-sex activity is outside God's will, but our culture tells us that "authentic personhood" and "one's true identity" must not be denied. The role of the Holy Spirit is to empower virtue and to enable Christians -- whether heterosexual or homosexual by orientation -- to live in chastity and fidelity as we are transformed into Christ's likeness.

Life and ministry is much richer when we’re not the only ones doing the talking. We’ll pull on the thread of the Lord’s voice that runs throughout Scripture and talk practically about the challenges of discerning and following His voice in our lives today. We’ll also enjoy a few testimonies, and laugh (or cringe) over a few misguided experiences along the way.

John will share experiences and lessons learned in his work with Kibo Group International, and his thirty years of involvement in cross-cultural church work and community development.

Many of us worry from time to time, but those who suffer from anxiety often experience fear that limits daily life and activities and makes it hard to find joy. Anxiety also impacts our ability to relate to one another in healthy ways. Over the last decade, mental health issues have been on the rise, with anxiety and depression taking the lead.

The National Institute for Mental Health reports that 31 percent of adults in America experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. These numbers are not different for people in the church. In fact, research shows that approximately one in five people sitting in congregation each week are struggling with a diagnosable anxiety disorder, and pastors are not immune to this statistic. Join Sharon Hargrave and Dee Dee Mayer as they share new resources created through the RelateStrong Leadership Series to support people seeking to constructively address anxiety personally or in those they lead and serve. Whether a lay leader or a minister, this session is for you.

In 2022, Hope Network Ministries facilitated a nationwide Compelling Preaching survey on behalf of Pepperdine University's Office of Church Relations. The purpose of this class is to review some of the key takeaways from the data, process where we are aligned and where we are disconnected, and offer suggestions to church leaders on how to equip their congregations for more compelling preaching.

The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 grapples with a universal human experience: sometimes the loving God responds to our cries for justice with silence. How do we understand such moments, and what do we do? To explore this story, we will learn it by heart and tell it to one another. It's possible—and fun!—to learn the story quickly, and the process deepens our appreciation for this deceptively simple parable.

The Hebrew Scriptures are filled with superlative language describing the faithfulness of God. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases," or "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever." These are words of protest as well as praise; words offered in the midst of suffering, not simply once it has passed. What might these extreme expressions of inexhaustible loyalty mean for God's groaning creation? What are the ultimate implications for a God of such character? Psalm 139 shifts our expectations of God's promises by expanding our experience of his presence.

"God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). God's love is at the center of the story of Jesus. It is why the Word was made flesh, why Jesus died rather than conquered, and why we experience grace through Christ. Focusing on God's love in the New Testament, this class will explore what it means to be loved by God and how being loved by God changes us.

There is a gap between believing women are fully welcomed to lead in the Church, and seeing that liberty realized in our local churches – how do women and men live healthy, vibrant lives of faith and leadership in this in-between season? Rooted in the fundamental belief of the Imago Dei residing within every person, this class will help us unlock creative solutions for reclaiming hope, empowered soul care, and active engagement while in a season of waiting.

You're invited to attend this class that focuses on how to make Sundays meaningful, fulfilling, and enjoyable. We will discuss topics such as the importance of gathering with your church, participating in spiritual practices, and alleviating anxiety and disappointments while cultivating celebration and joy. This class is open for ministry leaders and anyone who wants to make Sunday a great day and create a deeper connection with God. Join us and discover how Sundays can be your best day of the week.

As congregations process pastoral leadership and the inclusion of women, one of the most frequent barriers is three Greek words traditionally translated “husband of one wife.” These two classes explore the interpretation and practice of this “qualification” in the history of the church (with emphasis on the Restoration Movement) and offer an understanding of this Greek idiom that does not exclude women in the context of 1 Timothy 3.

Many people leave churches and faith because they have experienced spiritual abuse and trauma due to toxic religious narratives. In this session we explore the concepts of spiritual abuse and religious trauma, and present pastoral leadership practices and postures that foster congregations that are healing for the spiritually traumatized.

Learn how to share your faith with gentleness and respect. In a world that is dark and divided, we will discover new ways to bridge the gap and bring the one true answer to hope and peace-Jesus Christ.

What do you do when you can’t shake the feeling of being tired? Maybe it’s a simple all too common physical depletion of energy, or are you dealing with a weariness much deeper than that? Society is feeling the effects of fatigue on many different levels, Jesus makes an invitation to a life of rest and refreshment.

In a world of ever-increasing and -invasive technology, which way should youth ministers turn? How can we reach teens who live in a digital world yet desperately seek authentic relationships? Sharing truth in imaginative ways has never been more important. Come hear some recent research and fresh ideas on how to leverage technology to give you more time to lean into relational ministry from experts and creative voices in the field of student ministry.

We are living in a time where churches are struggling with their attendance and morale is low; things just aren’t “what they used to be.” But what if churches actually embraced a strategy that measured success in different ways than before? Join me as we explore specific strategies that have “grown” our church into becoming a smaller more faithful and focused community of disciples.

The Gospel of Mark is likely the earliest surviving written story of Jesus. It’s fast paced and action packed, revealing some rough language yet real literary artistry, with an abrupt start and a surprising twist at the end. In this workshop we will explore the good news Mark conveys to his listeners and how to relate that good news ourselves, if we dare.

This class will explore the participation of the local church in the mission of God among college contexts. The operatives of transforming and planting will shape this discussion.

Dialogical preaching and the opportunities and advantages it provides for churches in the new missional era.

Romantic relationships are in the forefront of every person’s mind at some point in their life. So much of our lives including our identity, our past, and our future are impacted by the partners that we choose to become involved with romantically, but how do we navigate these relationships in a broken world? How do we prepare our individual emotional and spiritual health to be ready to be in a relationship? How do we date in a way that brings glory to God? How do we navigate the dynamics of marriage to reflect God’s vision for a holy partnership? How do we discern the unhealthy dynamics of relationships? Whether you’re single and preparing yourself to date, actively dating, or are married, this session will help you consider different aspects of relationships that are so often overlooked or misconstrued in today’s world.

A straightforward look at these three vital aspects of God and how our understanding of them impacts every level of our spiritual health. Especially relevant for our younger adults, teens, and children!

At times it can be challenging to love and show compassion for self in the many ways that we so readily do for others. We may have bought into the myth that self care is selfish. Yes, I named it a myth and if this is something you have bought into, extend yourself grace--while leaning into an opportunity to believe differently. An opportunity to experience love starting with Jesus and YOU. In the scriptures, Jesus models for us the practice of self-care and compassion. The truth is, Jesus loves you and gives us permission to love ourselves as well (Leviticus 19:17-18). This love can be expressed through self-care practices and through the practice of self-compassion. The question now is, how does it look to love and show compassion for ourselves? This class will prepare participants to create a self-care plan and to experience a variety of sensations that flow from self compassion. Through education, embodied practices, guided reflections, prayer, meditation and dialogue, participants in this class can expect to have a wholehearted experience!

The table is significant. It’s where Christians have broken bread, found fellowship, and extended compassion for centuries. It’s the place we still gather weekly to be reminded of our shared life in Christ. It’s also been the source of much controversy and contention, springing from the question, "Who gets a seat at the table?" That question almost split the church at the very beginning, and in a culture as fractured and divided as ours, threatens to split the church again. It’s time to look again at the example of Jesus, who shared a table with all kinds of people, and it got him into all kinds of trouble. Let’s consider how God might be challenging us to stretch and grow beyond our comfort zone as he asks us once again that famous question: Guess who’s coming to dinner?

Unlimited knowledge, unlimited power, unlimited love. Billions of followers, billions of lives impacted. People talk about Him, but do they walk with Him? If you are interested in knowing the importance of planning with the Spirit and the change that you can experience in your life and even in your church, I invite you to join us in this class.

I have always loved the song sung by Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me,” because it so poignantly reminds me of the people in my life who have influenced who I have become today. In this class, I will reflect on the women, both in Scripture and in my personal history, whose lives of faith have “shaped” me.

This class will look at the underlying spirit that defined the early church and how intentional congregational care can transform the local church from the inside out.

60:40. Why are there so often more women than men on college campuses and in your young adult ministry? How does this "man deficit" impact both men and women? What does faithful living look like amidst the current economics of dating? Demographics, statistics, game theory, and ambiguous loss will be used to make sense of--and provide a guide to navigate--the dating climate at school and life after college! *Date-Onomics coined by Jon Birger

Even prior to the pandemic, the church was changing in dramatic ways. This class discusses, humorously, the expiration of several popular leadership principles, and offers a look at the prevailing church of the rest of the 21st century.