The Lipscomb Faith and Leadership Forum

The Faith and Leadership Forum is the inaugural gathering of church leaders who are committed to reading the times wisely and responding faithfully. In a cultural climate marked by exhaustion, polarization, and spiritual searching, many are experiencing something unexpected: renewed openness. The secular confidence of the past generation has softened. Old certainties are fraying. A new willingness to reconsider faith is emerging. Many see this as revival, but even if not, it is certainly a rare and opportune moment. Leading the Church with Discernment and Courage in a Cultural Moment of Renewed Openness invites ministers and church leaders to reflect deeply on how to shepherd congregations in this fragile and promising season. Drawing from theological scholarship, cultural research, and pastoral experience, Lipscomb College of Bible & Ministry faculty will offer thoughtful analysis and practical frameworks for cultivating clarity, depth, and resilient faith. We will explore how to lead in a time when people are spiritually curious but institutionally cautious, when polarization tempts reaction, but the Spirit calls for discernment, and when renewed interest in the church requires renewed seriousness in discipleship. This forum is not about chasing trends or predicting the future. It is about faithful leadership in the present. Through keynote sessions, breakouts, and candid conversation, participants will be refreshed, challenged, and equipped to guide their congregations with wisdom and courage. If this moment truly holds possibility, the church must be prepared to steward it well. The cost is $50 per person and includes meals and all materials during the workshop. Register TODAY! Reading the Restlessness: Discerning the Moment Before Us Presenter: Dr. Leonard Allen, dean, Lipscomb University College of Bible & Ministry Purpose: To interpret the cultural mood with sobriety and hope. Leaders are sensing renewed openness, but they also distrust, exhaustion and confusion. This gives language for the moment and helps leaders avoid two errors: triumphalism (“revival is here!”) or despair (“everything is collapsing”) . It calls for the spiritual work of discernment, not mere trend analysis. The Formation Crisis Beneath the Opportunity Presenter: Dr. Kris Miller, assistant professor of theology and director of Lipscomb’s Institute for Christian Spirituality Purpose: To name the deeper issue beneath many ministry challenges: formation. Renewed openness is not the same as depth. If people come with curiosity but without formation, the church can easily respond with shallow approaches and lose the moment. This keynote is the “gravity talk” of the forum. It exposes algorithmic and digital formation, ideological siloing, emotional fragility, and shallow catechesis as realities that are shaping congregations. Forming a Church Ready for What God May Be Doing Presenter: Dr. Earl Lavender, professor of Bible and executive director of the Center for Vocational Discovery Purpose: To move from diagnosis to construction. If the Spirit is indeed opening hearts in a restless culture, churches need to be ready to steward that openness. This keynote offers a constructive vision of what “readiness” looks like. It focuses on discipleship pathways, embodied practices, theological clarity, and leadership habits that can sustain renewal rather than merely receive a short-lived uptick. Steady Leadership in a Restless Culture Presenter: Dr. Carlus Gupton, professor of ministry and director of the Doctor of Ministry Program Purpose: As leaders return to congregations in a time marked by pressure, uncertainty, and spiritual hunger, this closing keynote offers a vision of courageous, Spirit-formed leadership that is calm, steady, and deeply rooted in Christ. Rather than reacting out of anxiety or urgency, participants will be encouraged toward faithful presence, wise discernment, and enduring resolve for the work to which God has called them. (Two Sessions, Five Options Each) - Two one-hour breakout periods: one on each day. Option 1: Building Intergenerational Depth in a Fragmented Age Presenter: Dr. Wilson McCoy This session is about helping leaders cultivate intergenerational ministry opportunities within communities of faith. It will discuss both common struggles and creative strategies to help bring the generations together in local church contexts. Option 2: Preaching Christ in a Restless Culture Presenter: Dr. Scott Sager This session equips leaders to preach clearly without partisan signaling, to speak to moral confusion without culture-war tone, and to proclaim the gospel to seekers who are spiritually curious but institutionally cautious. Option 3: Leading Without Losing Yourself: Ministry in an Age of Exhaustion Presenter: Dr. Walter Surdacki This session addresses ministerial burnout and emotional fatigue. It helps leaders name the hidden pressures of ministry right now (decision fatigue, polarization pressure, constant expectation, digital overexposure) and offers a theological framework for sustainable leadership. Option 4: Algorithmic Discipleship: How Digital Culture Is Forming Our People Presenter: Dr. Greg Anderson Before congregants gather on Sunday, their attention, assumptions, and habits have already been shaped by digital environments, including social media, streaming platforms, and increasingly AI driven content. This session explores how these forces influence belief and equips leaders to understand their impact and respond with thoughtful, pastoral wisdom. Option 5: Leading in Times of Cultural Change: Wisdom from Scripture Presenter: Dr. Phillip Camp In Scripture, God’s people faced cultural shifts that required discernment and courage, from exile to the early church’s witness in a pluralistic world. This explores biblical patterns for interpreting such moments and equips leaders to guide their congregations with steadiness, faithfulness, and hope. Option 1: The Rising Generation: Understanding Gen Z’s Spiritual Hunger Presenter: Dr. J. P. Conway This session explains why Gen Z and Gen Alpha show both anxiety and openness, explores the shift toward spiritual seriousness, and helps leaders respond without pandering. It includes insight into emerging gender dynamics and the practical implications for ministry. Option 2: Speaking with Clarity: The Church’s Voice Without Partisan Captivity Presenter: Dr. Carlus Gupton This session provides theological and pastoral frameworks for public witness. The goal is to help leaders speak with courage and clarity without becoming ideologically captured or triggering reactionary dynamics in congregations. Option 3: Sustainable Leadership: Cultivating Emotional and Spiritual Resilience Presenter: Dr. Deron Smith This session focuses on constructive practices. It equips leaders to cultivate non-anxious presence, boundaries, restorative spiritual disciplines, and identity-rooted leadership. Option 4: Forming Faithful Disciples in a Digitally-Saturated World Presenter: Dr. Lauren White This session addresses the digital culture as a pastoral and discipleship issue, not merely a technology issue. It explores ethics, truth, discernment, youth formation in a synthetic-content world, and how churches can form resilient disciples in accelerated change. Option 5: When the Church Faced Turning Points: Lessons from Christian History Presenter: Dr. Frank Guertin Across church history, leaders have navigated seasons of upheaval and opportunity with wisdom, humility, and perseverance. This session highlights key historical moments and equips leaders with perspective and confidence to respond faithfully in today’s cultural moment. Purpose: In these sessions, faculty members share insights drawn from their ongoing research, teaching and engagement with the church. These thoughtful reflections offer participants a window into questions, themes, and discoveries that are shaping their current work. Attendees may choose the conversation that most interests them. Presenters: Structured conversations designed to help participants reflect together on cultural openness, congregational leadership, personal strain and faithful next steps. 3:00–3:20 PM | Welcome & Framing 3:20–4:10 PM | Keynote 1 4:10–4:25 PM | Break 4:25–5:25 PM | Breakout Session 1 (Five options) 5:25–6:30 PM | Dinner 6:30–7:15 PM | Keynote 2 7:15–7:30 PM | Break 7:30–8:20 PM | Guided Table Conversations 8:20–8:30 PM | Closing Reflection 8:00–8:30 AM | Continental Breakfast 8:30–8:45 AM | Morning Scripture & Prayer 8:45–9:30 AM | Keynote 3 9:30–9:45 AM | Break 9:45–10:45 AM | Breakout Session 2 (Five options) 10:45–11:00 AM | Break 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Field Notes 12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch and Lightning Rounds 1:00–2:00 PM | Keynote 4 2:00–2:30 PM | Final Charge and Dismissal For more information, contact Carlus Gupton, event coordinator and director of Lipscomb's Doctor of Ministry program, at carlus.gupton@lipscomb.edu.