Most parents would be disappointed to find a child’s teacher had been given little more than a textbook and class roll before the start of a new school year. And yet that’s as far as many Southern Baptist churches go in equipping the teachers of a book that can changes the lives of students through its message.

At one time the Christian education machinery was “well-oiled” through new teacher enlistment, ongoing motivation and training in weekly or monthly workers’ meetings—all of that being a part of the equipping ministry that ministers are called to do, according to Rick Yount, education professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“We need an awakening across our nation and convention for teaching disciples all things as part of the Lord’s imperative of making disciples,” he said, quoting Matthew 28:19-20. Churches can recover the priority of an equipping ministry by making sure church leaders are trained for the task of discipleship.

SBTC is providing an opportunity to kick off a new church year with training in September for every church leader in a convenient 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. time frame. This year’s Church Leadership Conference will be offered in three regions of the state—putting training within an easy drive to Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and West Texas.

Breakout sessions will address pastoral ministry, general leadership, discipleship, preschool and children’s ministry, student ministry, collegiate ministry, music and creative arts, men’s and women’s ministry and more.

Beginning with the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Saturday, Sept. 8, particular focus will be given to church staff and key church leadership. The first conference will be held at Inglewood Baptist Church in Grand Prairie and feature intense leadership training.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the north campus of Second Baptist Church of Houston will host the conference in Kingwood with speaker John Trent. Trent trains participants to discover their own leadership abilities, then understand and recognize the strengths of every team member in order to value and fully integrate them into the life of a local church.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, First Baptist Church of Odessa provides the setting for West Texas participants. Allan Taylor, minister of education at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Ga., will share in-depth leadership principles in the general session, with additional adult Sunday School breakout sessions.

Individuals or churches may pre-register at a reduced price of $10 each or pay $15 at the door, with lunch provided as part of that fee. For more information contact Craig Beall toll-free at 877-953-SBTC or email cbeall@sbtexas.com.