Reggie Joiner's Blog, page 10

Orange Conference Discovery Sessions

Over the few years, being a ministry leader has become more complicated than potentially ever before. Our culture has become more polarized. And our communities have experienced immense pain and trauma. The issues we are navigating feel more complicated than ever. At the same time, not only is the next generation asking more questions and struggling with anxiety and depression, ministry leaders are too. 

 

So, how do we keep showing up to help the next generation experience hope?  

 

We think it...

Sights, Sounds, and Eats Around Orange Conference 2023

Whether you are from Atlanta or are visiting from out of town for the Orange Conference, be sure to take time and explore our city! There are a plethora of places and restaurants to enjoy in the Metro-Atlanta area. Delicious restaurants, fun shopping, and new experiences are waiting for you in the Atlanta area.

 

For some Orange Conference travel tips, check out this page, as well as a few of our favorite Atlanta eats and shopping around the city here:

 

Near the Gas South Arena9292 Korean Ba...

Autism Acceptance Month and the Church

As I think back on my time as a ministry leader, some of the most moving stories that come to mind are from families impacted by Special Needs. Some parents walk through the doors of the church hoping this experience will be different than other places they were not made to feel welcome, wondering how long they’ll be able to attend before a difficult conversation happens, or ready to advocate for what their family needs to successfully participate in a worship service. Regardless of where a fami...

A Decade of Orange Conference

In just a few short weeks, I (Michelle Suarez) will be attending Orange Conference 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. This will be the 10th year in a row that I’ve had the privilege of attending.

 

Over the years, I’ve attended with various staff members, by myself, virtually due to a worldwide pandemic, and even as a volunteer a few times. The last week in April is permanently marked off on my calendar as OC week.

 

Why do I make Orange Conference week a priority and continue to come back year after y...

Three OC Workshops Innovative Leaders Can’t Afford to Miss

If you’re an innovative leader, you’re likely allergic to complacency–especially when it comes to your ministry. You want new ideas. Ones that lead to impact. You know that doing what has always been done isn’t always the best way forward.  Through the Orange Conference this year, you will be challenged and inspired to keep championing the faith of the next generation by making the promise to them to “See You Tomorrow.”  And, you will be given ideas and practical tools to help you innovate your ...

See You Tomorrow

Every year we spend a lot of time brainstorming with our staff and partners about what we do at Orange Conference. As you can imagine it’s always a pretty big debate. We think it’s important to understand the pulse of the church and what leaders are experiencing on the front lines – as a non-profit organization we want to make sure we are serving churches in a way that is helpful and practical. 

 

Our goal is always to hand off ideas that churches can take back home and leverage in their own min...

Six Game Ideas for Outdoor Youth Ministry

It’s hard to believe that some of us have already started feeling the warmth of the summer sun on the horizon (depending on where you live). And that just means one thing…Summer! Believe it or not, in just a couple short months, summer will be here along with all the fun youth ministry events that go with it. How else would you end a summer-long series called Start the Party than with an actual party?! 

 

We’ve crafted a FREE party planning pack just for summertime to help you plan an amazing su...

How to Start a Parent Ministry

If you have children and students in your ministry, guess what?! You already have a parent ministry! The real question is: Are you leading intentionally or leading passively? If we truly believe that parents are the most important influence in a child’s life, then let’s shape our NextGen ministries to reflect that. If we want to impact the next generation, then we must impact their parents!

 

Faith is an inside job.

 

We live in a society where we outsource almost everything. We . . .

hope our...

Why is the Gospel Good News?

As ministry leaders, we do what we do because we want to give kids and teenagers hope.

 

But, what does it mean to give hope?

 

Maybe hope feels different to different people because people are different.

 

You know, as ministry leaders, the key to the hope we have is the Gospel.

 

We understand that the Gospel translated means “good news.”

 

But, as we prepare to share with kids and teenagers this Easter season, we need to wrestle with these questions, “How does the Good News connect to their s...

Four Ways Digital Signage Can Support Church Community

The church is a community of individual believers. In a very real, spiritual sense, “… in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Rom. 12:5). 

 

Even though this is the case, at times, our local churches can feel fragmented. With a variety of ministries, groups, and programs, it can be easy for individual members to feel or become disconnected. 

 

In striving to ensure their local churches stay connected, one newer method many churches are leveraging is...