As Coordinator of Women's Ministries, I have a unique perspective on LTC; but my first exposure was as an attendee fifteen years ago. Originally called the PresWIC Presidents' Meeting, it was a much smaller gathering with only 20-30 people in attendance. In the PCA's formative years, the focus for women's ministry was primarily organizational, developing leaders and building a solid biblical curriculum.

Today from my vantage point, I see many changes in the current Leadership Training Conference. Size is an obvious one as we now routinely average 250-300 women. Age, geographic, and racial diversity also shows us that the PCA is a growing denomination across many areas. One thing does remain constant - the purpose statement crafted so many years ago still calls women to kingdom discipleship.

LTC continues to teach biblical content in the context of relationships. Women's ministry still holds to the non-negotiables of being Word-centered, lovers and servants of God's covenant family, and seeing the privilege of being leaders in Word and deed.

The conference is an annual event that renews and equips leadership women in a number of ways. Benefits are stated by attendees:
"I am energized by the truths God is laying out before me and the foundations that the PCA has established based on God's Word to guide us in having God-centered women's ministries."

"Thank you for the emphasis on the larger community of believers, a clearer understanding of the role of the church, and helping me grasp the big picture."

"(Each year) I arrive ministry-weary and leave feeling ministered to, encouraged, and with a tank of resources/ideas that I draw from each year."

We always want to operate within the church's structure and purpose. Therefore, each year we invite a PCA teaching elder to be our "pastor" and proclaim God's infallible Word among us. For the 2009 LTC, Dr. Stephen Estock will fill that role. He is currently serving as Associate Pastor of Kirk of the Hills PCA in St. Louis, Missouri, The focus of Leadership 2009 will be "Family Matters: Loving, Equipping, and Serving God's Church."

Details will be posted on www.pcacep.org/wic/leadership09.htm as plans are solidified. You'll find information on the schedule, speakers, registration, and housing. If you have any questions, e-mail Cindy Bennett at cbermett@pcanet.org.

This year's theme is a needed one, The Church: A Community of Hope Restoring the Family, Serving the Community. Dr. Bob Burns, Randy Nabors, Julian Russell, Stephanie Hubach, Chalmers Institute, Harvest USA, and George and Karen Grant are just some of the presenters who will round out a full slate of workshops. Authors and speakers Tara Barthel and Nancy Guthrie will take part in both of the conferences.

If your schedule allows, join us for a whole week of training, equipping, and encouraging God's people for ministry. In God' economy, both conferences blend equipping purposes that remind us of the privilege and responsibility to be equipped to love and serve God's family.

I hope to see you on the mountain!

- Jane Patete, Women's Ministry Coordinator

After the overwhelming response of attendees and testimonials that followed the first Gospel Man Conference in 2008, founder and director Harvey Kirkpatrick and his church, Faith Presbyterian of Watkinsville, Georgia, have been led of the Lord to plan two conferences for 2fiJ9.

Space will be limited at both conferences with 500 seats in Atlanta and 450 seats in Orlando. Further details on the conferences can be found on the web at www.thegospelman.com.

Kirkpatrick has stated that "the Gospel Man Initiative and Conference is sponsored by PCA men for PCA men. Of course, any man from anywhere is absolutely invited, but this effort is focused on helping and invigorating men's ministry in Presbyterian Church of America churches."

Some of the comments about the first conference give evidence of the Lord invigorating men to experience His grace in their lives in new and fresh way. Here are a few examples:
"I hope and pray that this is the beginning of an amazing movement of God transforming men with grace."

"I'd be wining to sleep in a sleeping bag In the cold for this',"

"I enjoyed the opportunity to get away from my daily life and be refreshed in Goers grace and reflect with other men."

CEP highly recommends these GOSPEL MAN CONFERENCES and encourages men to attend one  of the upcoming events. Pray and see what God has in mind for the future of the Gospel Man initiative.

Believing that He "is able to do more than all that we ask or think." Ephesians 3.20

A Training Conference for Children and Youth Ministry Workers and Staff

In 2009, CEP will hold six regional conferences focused on children's and youth ministry in the local church. "Great Expectations" is the theme; and the plenary sessions, workshops, and closing worship times will all be designed to equip and encourage the church to expect great things from the next generation of kingdom disciples.

The cost of the one daily conference will be 530, which includes morning snacks and lunch. Look for the one closest to you and plan on attending with your church staff, volunteers, teachers, and parents.

February 21 - Nashville, TN
Covenant Presbyterian Church
lallib@covenantpres.com

March 13 - Orlando, FL
Orangewood Presbyterian Church
basnider@orangewood.org

September 12 - Pittsburg, PA
Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church
kathywoolner@fiserv.com

September 25 - Birmingham, AL
Faith Presbyterian Church
shood@faith-pres.org

October 3 - Baltimore, MD
Severna Park evangelical Presbyterian Church
mprince@spspchurch.org

October 17 - Asheville, NC
Trinity Presbyterian Church
elaine@trinityasheville.com

To register now, go to www.pcacep.org/greatexpectations. For more information about your locations' schedule, directions to the church, and possible hotel accommodations, contact the e-mail address at that site.