Encourage One Another3 min read

Am I the only one who has noticed that every year there seems to be more conferences offered than the previous year? And most of them happen within about one month of each other! So, why would someone attend the Best Practices Heartland conference on September 18–20 this year? What distinguishes this conference from others? We’ll get to that, but first let’s highlight what Best Practices Heartland has in common with other great conferences:

Fabulous speakers!

Best Practices Heartland includes four plenary sessions that feature outstanding speakers:

• David Maier, outgoing Michigan District President, will share insights for workers and congregations.
• Jeff Kloha, Chief Curator for the Museum of the Bible, will discuss what that institution has been discovering.
• Stephanie Rummel, widowed at a young age, will relate how miracles still happen.
• Mark Brandt, retired Lead Pastor at St. Lorenz, will talk about challenges to his faith and prayer life when serious illness struck a close family member.

Best Practices also includes five breakout periods with dozens of presenters in several ministry categories, such as Witnessing, Leadership, Technology, Worship. You pick the ones that most interest you. If you have something to share at a breakout session, we would love to have you sign up to lead a session. Breakout registration closes on June 30.

Inspirational worship!

• The opening service on Sunday evening will take place in the recently constructed St. Lorenz Worship and Event Center, a modern worship space designed for a more contemporary style of worship.
• The sending service on Tuesday will be in the historic St. Lorenz church building with its Gothic architecture, majestic organ, and magnificent stained-glass windows.

Opportunities for networking!

• There will be plenty of time to connect with others who are experiencing similar (or completely different) circumstances and ministries. The Sunday evening Gemütilchkeit, the meals we eat together, and extended-break times will all serve to facilitate networking.

Exhibitors!

• Participants will be able to visit a plethora of displays where you will learn about various ministries or have opportunities to purchase materials. There might also be free take-aways at some of the booths.

So, what’s unique about this conference? I’m glad you asked!

It’s free!

• There is no registration fee or charge for conference meals.
• Your only cost is transportation and lodging—and we’ve arranged for special rates at community hotels for attendees. (Sorry, but we can’t do anything about gas prices!)

It’s in Frankenmuth!

• Come early or stay after the conference to soak up the Old World ambiance of Michigan’s favorite tourist attraction. September is one of the most beautiful months in this always-beautiful town.
• Enjoy a world-famous Frankenmuth chicken dinner at the Monday evening banquet at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. (Included in your registration fee—which is $0.00!)

Have I used too many exclamation marks? Come to the conference and find out! https://stlorenz.org/ministries/best-practices/

* “Encourage One Another” is our conference theme, purpose, and goal. Your attendance will provide encouragement for you and will also provide opportunities for you to encourage others.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25).

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

_{Photos of 2021 BPH courtesy of Rev. Mark Brandt}