This year the Leadership Council took a deliberate step to let regions run Impact Seminars tailored to their regions. Our day was planned to touch on 4 key areas that we will address in greater depth through Growing Healthy Churches, and BIC Perspectives in 2024.

First: We need to get clear understanding about outcomes. There are two tracks to disciple- ship Transformation, which is the engine, the heart journey; and programming, which is planning for context and content where discipleship can occur. Like a car that needs work, we need to take the time to trace down problems in our work so we can address them. This is the goal of the 8:30 discussion session.

Second: We will examine our culture. We will also approach this in two sections. Bishop Bill will discuss retooling from dispensing information to initiating encounters between people and God’s love, grace, and power. Brian Ross will ably help us all in the broader issue: the cultural ground keeps shifting. What are the implications for ministry?

Third: We will hear from our own churches. The idea is to hear testimony more than a how- to. These churches are connecting with people in exciting ways. After listening we will have discussion about principles we may adopt. Pastor John Dixon will describe how Crest seems to attract people who are non-religious, and don’t like Christians or Church – but they are sur- prised to find Jesus through Crest.

Pastor Peter Song is doing a solid work in engaging the entire church in discipleship. He has established direct influence on a small group, and they are reaching the rest. Again, what he does at Gateway-Karis may not fit each church programmatically, but the principle of discipling those who can reach others in universal.

Finally, Alan is going to present resources that can help us in all of this practically. The BIC recently received a large grant from the Lilly Foundation that provides for tools to help us with all of these objectives. Our prayer is that you are prepared to embrace new things to usher in a new harvest!