Best Church Conferences to Attend in 2026

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Church conferences are organized gatherings designed to equip pastors, leaders, and ministry teams through teaching, worship, leadership training, and collaboration. They provide spiritual renewal, practical tools, and meaningful connections that help churches grow healthier and more effective.

What are church conferences?

There is something about the creative expression that is released when a specific group of people come together. That’s what makes church conferences something special. Yes, the guest speakers and specialized presenters are a blessing. But it’s more than what happens on the stage. It’s equally about the people in the room.

What is the purpose of a church conference?

Church conferences come in a variety of expressions and formats. They are designed to help you grow in your faith journey, and most of them have an emphasis on leadership and ministry.

They are also a strategic place to network, meet like-minded people, and be inspired to dream big.

List of top 15 Best Church Conferences to Attend in 2026

Date: April 28–30, 2026
Location: Dallas, TX (Preston Trail Community Church)
Focus: Next Gen ministry (kids, students, families)

The Orange Conference is now "Church Conference" and continues to be a major hub for church leaders focused on aligning church and home to influence the next generation. Expect high-energy keynotes, breakout sessions, and innovative ministry tools.

Date: August 6-7, 2026
Location: Nationwide simulcast (based in Chicago, IL)
Focus: Leadership development

The Global Leadership Summit brings together speakers from both church and secular sectors to inspire bold leadership across the globe.

Educators, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, disruptors, builders. At the Summit, you’ll join a community that cares as much as you do — all in one room, all pushing for better.

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Date: January 1-3 2026
Location: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Focus: Young adults (18–25)‍

Passion 2026 is one of the largest gatherings of young Christians. It's an unforgettable worship and teaching experience led by Louie Giglio and featuring artists like Passion Music, Kari Jobe, and more.

Watch the Passion 2026 recap video.

Date: October 14-16, 2026
Location: Dallas, TX
Focus: Church creatives, techs, and worship leaders‍

SALT Conference equips creative and tech teams to build better worship experiences. Workshops include media production, visual storytelling, and church communications.

Date: April 27-28 or April 29-30, 2026
Location: Dallas, TX
Focus: Practical church leadership

Hosted by Watermark Church, CLC emphasizes transparency, discipleship, and building healthy churches. Great for pastors and ministry staff of all sizes.

Church Leaders Conference is Watermark Resources’ annual event designed to refresh, equip, and inspire church leaders.

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Date: May 5-6, 2026
Location: Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL + Online
Focus: Church production, tech, and behind-the-scenes teams

The FILO Conference is built specifically for the people who make Sunday happen—audio engineers, video techs, lighting operators, stage managers, and more. It’s a practical, inspiring environment for anyone involved in church production, equipping them to serve skillfully and sustainably.

Being first in and last out isn’t for everyone, but for those of us who live and breathe it, the FILO Conference is the perfect place to feel connected to people who get you and want to see you succeed in this noble calling of FILO.

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Date: March 17-19, 2026
Location: First Baptist Orlando, Orlando, FL
Focus: Church planting and multiplication

Exponential 2026 is all about igniting church growth and planting movements. Sessions explore leadership, discipleship, and outreach strategies.

Date: February 17-20, 2026
Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN
Focus: Christian media, broadcasting, and tech

The NRB Convention is perfect for churches in media ministry. It's a huge networking opportunity and tech showcase for content creators and broadcasters.

Date: April 21-22, 2026, Charleston, SC; June 2-3, 2026, Edmonton, Canada; June 11-12, 2026, Liverpool, England
Location: US and beyond
Focus: Church planting, leadership‍

ARC (Association of Related Churches) hosts high-energy events focused on launching and sustaining life-giving churches.

The ARC Conference is a gathering for pastors, leaders, and future church planters to build relationships with one another and receive resources that will help the local church thrive.

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Date: February 16-18, 2026
Location: Merritt Island, FL and online
Focus: Bible teaching, pastoral leadership

Hosted by Calvary Chapel Merritt Island, this Pastors' Conference focuses on biblical depth and community in leadership. The Calvary Chapel Association hosts a number of conferences that focus on specific ministry areas including a Youth Workers Conference, Young Adults Conference, Pastor's Wives Conference, Missions, and more.

Date: April 28–30, 2026 (alongside Church Conference)
Location: Dallas, TX (Preston Trail Community Church)
Focus: Senior leadership‍

RETHINK Leadership is a curated experience for senior pastors, featuring smaller cohort-based interactions and access to top-tier leadership voices.

Date: October 28-31, 2026
Location: Wyndam Grand Hotel, Athens, Greece
Focus: Church planting in a global context

The Acts 29 Network holds regional and global gatherings focused on gospel-centered church planting and missional leadership.

Date: TBD
Location: Dallas, TX
Focus: Discipleship, church media‍

RightNow Media powers this dynamic event that blends spiritual growth and creative teaching tools for church leaders and small group facilitators.

Date: February 27, 2026
Location: Dallas, TX + Online
Focus: Christian women leaders‍

IF:Gathering 2026 invites women to deepen their faith and leadership through powerful teaching, honest conversations, and a strong sense of community.

Date: October 2025 (Dates TBD)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Focus: Next-gen leadership

Though less frequent in recent years, Catalyst still hosts occasional leadership events with a strong emphasis on innovation and emerging leaders in ministry.

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For Church Leaders: How do you create a church conference?

If you are a leader, and you are interested in starting a conference, here are some things to consider.

Creating a church conference involves several steps:

1. Theme and Purpose

Identify the purpose of the conference and decide on a theme that aligns with this purpose. This could be anything from leadership development, youth engagement, mission work, spiritual growth, or community outreach.

2. Planning Committee

‍Assemble a team of people who can help plan and organize the event. This could include pastors, church staff, and volunteers.

3. Budget

‍Establish a budget for the event. Consider costs such as venue rental, speakers' fees, catering, marketing, and any materials needed.

4. Date and Venue

‍Choose a suitable date and venue for the conference. Make sure it doesn't clash with other major events and is accessible for attendees.

5. Speakers and Agenda

‍Identify and invite speakers who can contribute to the theme of the conference. Plan the agenda, which could include keynote addresses, workshops, prayer sessions, and networking opportunities.

6. Promotion

‍Promote the conference to your target audience. This could involve marketing through your church's website, newsletters, social media, and word-of-mouth.

7. Registration Process

‍Set up a process for attendees to register for the conference. This can be done through an online platform.

8. Logistics

‍Plan the logistics for the day of the conference. This could include seating arrangements, audio-visual equipment, catering, and volunteer duties.

9. Follow-up

‍After the conference, gather feedback from attendees to make improvements for future events. Also, thank all the volunteers, speakers, and attendees for their participation.

Remember, the key to a successful conference lies in careful planning, effective promotion, and seamless execution.

For Members: Tips in Attending Church Conferences

• Set Clear Goals: Before attending the conference, define what you want to achieve from the experience. It might be learning about a specific topic, networking with other leaders, or gaining new ideas for your own ministry. 
• Plan Your Schedule: Conferences can be packed with a variety of activities, workshops, and keynote speeches. Review the agenda in advance and prioritize the sessions most relevant to your goals.
• Participate Actively: Engage in discussions, ask questions, and participate in workshops. The more you participate, the more you'll gain from the conference.
• Network: Conferences bring together leaders from different backgrounds. Use this opportunity to meet new people, share ideas, and form lasting connections. Don't forget to bring business cards and a willingness to engage in conversation.
• Take Notes and Reflect: Take plenty of notes during sessions. After the conference, review your notes, reflect on what you learned, and plan how to implement these insights into your ministry.

The key to maximizing your conference experience is active participation, so come prepared to learn, engage, and contribute.

Conclusions: Why Church Conferences Still Matter in 2026

If you love church conferences, we hope you have enjoyed this piece!

From sparking creativity to building a tight-knit team, these top church conferences in 2026 offer priceless growth and networking opportunities for Christian leaders. Whether you're planning to host a conference or attend one, this guide equips you with valuable insights. These gatherings are not just about listening; they are about active engagement, fostering unity, and shaping the future of Christian leadership. 

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