(in alphabetical order)

An Indiscriminate Act of Kindness – Rick D’Orazio
How is possible to love those we perceive to be unlovely or unlovable? How did Jesus break the barriers of culture and prejudice to introduce a Kingdom culture of extravagant love and kindness?

Bodies at Worship – Todd Johnson
This workshop will explore the physical dynamics of worship.  It will begin with the premise that we do not have bodies, but that we are embodied creatures, and our actions express our thoughts and feelings as well as our words.  It will then explore how to incorporate full-bodied worship into your worship, in a variety ways that are appropriate to a variety of traditions.  It will also address issues of physical limitations in worship.

Burgers and Bellyflops – Beth Fellinger
An interactive way to reach young people age 11-18 with the gospel message using YOUTH ALPHA. This session will explain how to use video clips, music and comedy to attract young people to your church and to build a youth program using the Youth Alpha course as a foundation.

Breathing Life into the Living Word: Dramatic Scripture Reading – Todd Johnson
The Scriptures were written to be read aloud.  Yet how well to we read the Words of Life in our worship?  This workshop will offer ways of reading the scriptures, that will bring the Word to life.  It will offer techniques for preparing individual readers and groups for choral reading.  It will also consider the most appropriate and affective ways of dramatizing the scriptures, depending on your worship tradition.

Creating a Culture of Worship // Reaching the Next Generation  – Andrew Pitts
Are they related? Absolutely. Come find out how to reach the churched, re-churched and especially the unchurched (most of Canada!) through creating a culture of worship that connects with the next generation.

Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Spirit – Rick D’Orazio
All of us are entrepreneurial at some level. We know this because we are made in God’s image and He has the best imagination, initiative, and desire to create. What are some of the practical ways you can develop your God-given entrepreneurial spirit in order to influence and impact the church and our culture for the glory of God?

Digging for Treasures – Diane Geerlinks and Betty Panza
Let’s dig deep into the roots of the Christian faith and unearth treasures that will excite our children and inspire them to dig deep for themselves. Betty and Diane invite you to come and discover the richness of the ancient customs described in the Old Testament, celebrated and fulfilled in the New Testament. As we focus on treasures found in the Tabernacle and the Feasts of Israel, we will be reminded of God’s faithfulness in the past, in the present and for the future.

Digital Audio Mixing – The System Approach
This session will incorporate an overview of the RSS by Roland V-Mixing System – a live audio production solution built on four components:  Live Mixing Consoles, Digital Snakes, Personal Mixing System and Live Multi-channel Recording. The second half of the session will include Q&A sessions as well as hand-on tips for current V-Mixing System owners and operators. Learn how the V-Mixing System can improve your sound quality, streamline rehearsals and take your worship service to the next level.

Doing Art – Building Community: A Model for Bringing Artists Home – John Franklin
It is common for artists to experience a sense of isolation and disconnection.  Many artists in the Christian community feel they are on their own in their artistic endeavours.  We will talk about some of the ways artists can be encouraged in their work and how the doing of art can serve to foster community.  Art is the language of our culture and the time is ripe for artistic voices shaped by the biblical story to participate with the other artistic voices of our culture.   
 
Genesis as Retold by the Storytellers of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Dorothy Peters
Genesis was one of the favorite books of the Dead Sea Scrolls community and its storytellers freely retold the stories of Noah and Abraham in intriguing and sometimes even humorous ways. Yet the differing retellings of these characters also reveal that this ancient community talked about similar questions to those we think about today. First, how should a group with a clearly defined faith and practice relate to those outside of the group? Second, does God speak through written scriptures, dreams and visions, angels and other mediators, inspired teachers or through all of these?

Hearing God's Voice – Vicky Beeching
God is alive and well! He is the same 'Yesterday Today and Forever', so as always, He is a speaking, communicating Being. Come and learn how to tune your ears and heart to His whispers.

If I Had a Million Dollars – Rick D’Orazio
Whether we are intentional or not most of our decisions are based on what we value and what we value ends up being the culture we have created in our homes and communities. How can our choices, values, and priorities be redemptive enough to heal our land?
 
Jesus in the Media Today – Craig Evans
Some very strange and sometimes shocking things are said about Jesus in today’s media. Books, movies, and documentaries have appeared in recent years claiming that Jesus was a magician, a member of the Dead Sea Scrolls community, a Greek philosopher, a married man, and perhaps even a charlatan who faked his death and resurrection. This workshop will debunk these and other silly claims.

Journey to the Heart of God: Creating focus and flow in the worship gathering – Brian Doerksen
We live in a period of history where much of music has been reduced to 'hits', but a worship gathering is much more than singing a few hit praise and worship songs. It's meant to be a journey into the heart of God. Brian will share stories from his own journey illustrating how he approaches worship leading.

Learning Not to Lead – Glenn Packiam
What if you couldn't do the things you currently do in ministry? We too easily get defined by our roles and contribution to the Kingdom. But God has designed a rhythm of rest that can help free us from finding our identity in our ministry.

Living the Red Letters – Tom Davis
This session focuses on how to take the "red letters" of Christ and put them into action-for the fatherless, the poor, and the broken in our communities and around the world. Come learn how your gifts and talents can help eliminate extreme poverty in our world--in the name and in the footsteps of Christ.

Marks of a Healthy Team – Glenn Packiam
Using the diverse and unlikely team of leaders in the Book of Acts, we'll discuss how to create a culture of trust, engage in healthy conflict, and provide a clear vision for our churches and ministries.

Measuring Ministry in a Mega-Church World – Gene Tempelmeyer
How do we measure when we are doing well in ministry – or when we are falling short of God’s intention for us?  Stores measure sales and profits.  Schools measure grades and academic progress.  What do we value?  Do our patterns of affirming and rewarding ministry reflect what we actually think is important?  What will it take to help you feel successful in the work God has given you to do?
 
Navigating Worship Artfully – How is art good for worship? – John Franklin
Art has been on the margins of church life for some time but there are clear signs that this practice is being replaced by a new vision for the engagement of creative artistry in the life of the church.  This workshop will explore some of the promise that art (visual art, drama, dance, film and of course music) and imagination hold for bringing new vitality to our worship and to the faith journey. We will speak to the innovative ways in which biblical understanding provides a rich context for the arts to flourish.  There will be plenty of time for conversation together on our theme.
 
Reverse the Curse – Tom Davis
How do we explain tragedy in our world? What about famine and disease that kill millions of innocent lives every year? What does God have to do with the suffering we are confronted with every day? In this workshop, discover your roll in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth and taking back what the enemy has stolen.

Songwriting in Antiquity: The Songs and Psalms of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Dorothy Peters and Brian Doerksen
The songs in the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal passionate expressions of an intimate relationship between the worshippers of antiquity and their God. This workshop explores the innovative ways that the songwriters interpreted the biblical psalms and prophets in response to the circumstance they found themselves in. The issues that they struggled with and wrote about – abandonment, bereavement, slander, and loss of ministry – open up new ways of interpreting the Bible and helpful ways of walking through our own struggles.  

Spirit and Truth: A Biblical Theology of Worship – Andrew Pitts
Jesus defines all true worship as spirit-and-truth worship. What does that mean, exactly? And why is “spirit and truth” so critical to authenticity in worship? Come glean some practical tips that will help you call God’s people to biblical worship—stuff we can say from the Word of God to help people engage with the Spirit of God. This seminar is designed to help worship leaders lead worship.

The Dead Sea Scrolls and Jesus – Craig Evans
Do the Dead Sea Scrolls mention Jesus or his followers? Do the Scrolls shed light on the teaching and life of Jesus? We shall see that the Scrolls do indeed tell us much about Jesus’ teaching and the Jewish people and their beliefs.

The Tabernacle – A Journey to the Heart of God – Diane Geerlinks and Betty Panza
The Tabernacle is a wonderful demonstration of God’s love for us, His people. In it, we see His plan to dwell among the Israelites and to be in relationship with them. Every detail of the Tabernacle points to a perfect sacrifice. Each piece brings us closer to the Holy of Holies, God’s very presence. You are invited to come and discover the extent of God’s heart for His people.

Through the Tabernacle: A Worship Experience – Diane Geerlinks and Betty Panza
Do you desire to commune with God as Moses communed with God on Mt. Sinai? Moses actually reflected the glory of God as he descended from the mountain. And yes, we can still experience that kind of encounter today. God has designed a plan in His Word to show you how to daily enter into the Holy of Holies. The Tabernacle is deliberate in showing us how to journey to the very heart of God, into His Holy Presence.
You are invited on a worship experience as you walk through a Tabernacle replica and experience God in a unique way. You will receive an audio recording as you ‘walk-through’ the Tabernacle hearing how the Israelites brought their sacrifices, how the High Priest prepared to meet God and how you, too, can prepare to meet God face to face. He is longing for you to come into His presence to fellowship with Him.

NOTE: You will need to sign up for this event. The ‘experience’ is about 20-30 minutes in length, but you are welcome to linger or ‘rest’ in the Holy of Holies.

Training a New Generation of Leaders – Glenn Packiam
We begin with how Jesus called his disciples and discuss ways that we can recruit, train, and release a new generation of leaders.

Vocals: Arrangements – Rena Gaile
Whether you have a solid theory background or just a good ear, come and get some ideas on how to embellish the melody and enrich your worship with vocal arrangements.

Vocal Techniques: Sing with Power and Ease – Rena Gaile
Learn how to extend your range, control long notes, maximize your tone and sing with power and confidence  in this workshop vocal workshop for beginners and experienced singers.

When Pagans Purify the Church – Gene Tempelmeyer
“It’s good for the church to be in the world, but not good for the world to be in the church!”  Or is it?  Using Peter’s encounter with Cornelius as a model we’ll look at how God uses our evangelistic encounters to reveal which elements of our faith life are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus and which are merely cultural.  True evangelism will convert the church at least as much as true evangelism converts the world.

Why Do We Worship Jesus? What the Scrolls Tell Us – Craig Evans
The Jewish faith was strictly monotheistic. People should worship God and no one and nothing else. The Christian faith began in a devout Jewish setting. The followers of Jesus believed their Master was Israel’s Messiah, but why did they worship him, along with God? Why did they think the Messiah was divine? These are difficult questions. The Dead Sea Scrolls help us answer them.

Worship and Drama – Todd Johnson
This workshop will explore the place of the dramatic arts in worship.  It will offer a brief survey of models of drama in worship and then offer three distinct models of drama in worship appropriate to three different approaches to worship.  Issues of training, rehearsal and resources will be addressed for those who are interested in starting a drama ministry.

Worship and Justice – Vicky Beeching
Worship and justice should walk hand in hand. Worship means 'bringing God what He desires', so social justice needs to be part of our offering as it is one of the biggest cries of His heart.  Come and find out more!

Worship as Pastoral Care through the Life Cycle – Todd Johnson
This workshop will help you take inventory on the worship resources you have available to care for your congregation through their life transitions.  It will begin with the Biblical foundations for rites of passage as a means of pastoral care.  It will then examine traditional life cycle rites, such as weddings and funerals, and further explore rites such as healing, blessing of a home, dedicating new drivers, etc.  Resources appropriate to a variety of traditions will be presented.

Worship That Brings Revival – Mike Harland
In this study, Mike will take you through a Biblical narrative of the kind of worship that moves God's people from complacency to revival.

Worship - The Fruit of Our Lives – Mike Harland
In this class, Mike will share several of the guiding principles from his book "7 Words of Worship" to challenge individuals to evaluate the authenticity of their worship experiences against the backdrop of God's Word.