We're Unleashing a New Leadership Training Experience at Our 2026 Annual Gathering
Building a better tomorrow starts with the work we do today.
That’s why at our upcoming Annual Gathering & Convention, the LCMC Board of Trustees is introducing a new feature to help make the event more accessible, practical, and engaging for both current and future church leaders: breakout session tracks tailored to specific ministry interests.
This year there are five different breakout tracks to choose from, each one offering a curated series of breakout sessions led by experienced ministry leaders from the LCMC community and geared towards different areas of service within the church.
The Church Council track offers practical skills for leaders serving in church governance positions. Sessions will focus on building skills that will help councils work together more effectively, develop a culture of generosity within the congregation, and support pastors in their work of serving the local community.
The Youth Ministry track will focus on engaging younger generations in faith formation and offer practical tools for navigating challenges like volunteer management, the use of digital media, and helping teens in crisis.
The Vocational Discernment track is designed for people who are interested in learning more about the vocation of ministry. Participants will explore various options for gaining the education and experience needed to become a pastor and gain valuable insight on how churches can work together to help form healthy, effective, and spiritually mature leaders for the future.
The Theology track dives further in to the “Unleashed” theme of this year’s gathering, offering an in-depth look a the concept of “Freedom in Christ” and how it relates to our Lutheran theology.
Finally, the Worship track will explore the importance of the liturgy and offer conversations and resources related to music in the local church. Sessions will offer practical tools for worship leaders to evaluate their goals and encourage musicians of all ages to participate in music ministry and congregational singing.
The change reflects a growing desire to help train and equip leaders in all areas of church life, encourage at the next generation of church leaders, and offer more opportunities for collaboration and relationship building in the association.
“We want the Annual Gathering to be a source of learning and inspiration for people engaged in all kinds of work in the church,” said LCMC Service Coordinator Julie Smith. “We hope that a set of tracks for the breakout sessions will allow people to dive deeper into areas of ministry that are of particular interest to them.”
If you’re planning on attending this year’s Annual Gathering & Convention, and you know someone in your congregation who might benefit from leadership development training in one of these areas, consider bringing them along for the ride.
“If you don’t see a track that matches your interests this year, let us know,” said Smith. “We’re already working on plans for 2027!”
And if the leadership development tracks being offered this year aren’t your thing, there are other options available as well. Sessions are also available on technology, women in ministry, small churches, navigating LCMC for newbies, and more.
The event takes place October 4-7, 2026 at Hope Lutheran Church in West Des Moines, IA and also includes speakers, worship, exhibitors, a service project, and many opportunities to connect with other people in LCMC. Discounted admission is available through July 31, so click here to sign up today!
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Kristy Thomas has an affinity for 90s music, collecting antiques, spending time outdoors, and creating her own Halloween decorations. When she needs to unwind (which is pretty much all of the time), she likes arts & crafts, hiking and camping with her dogs, and playing the ukulele. As Communications & Public Relations Specialist, she is responsible for keeping the people of LCMC informed of what’s going on within the association and for tackling all of the creative-type projects.
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