I often get asked the question, “What ministry conference do you recommend?” I’ve been to quite a few! As a church planter, I’ve done that round of conferences. As a children’s ministry director, I was able to attend quite a few focused on that area as well as those focused on youth ministry. As a person who is part of a ministerial team and a blogger, I’ve had the chance to explore those conferences too. So when someone asks me, “What one do you recommend?” my answer comes with years of conference-attending experience.

And my answer is always the same: D6 Conference.

Here is why!

1. Because it’s not about specialized ministry areas, it’s about ministry. In other words, it doesn’t matter what role you fill in the church, whether it be senior pastor or custodian—if you are serving in ministry in any role, you will find the tools you need to serve your faith community in the very best way and lead them closer to Jesus. The general sessions include information all of us need to hear and incorporate. The breakout sessions address the specific needs and concerns you might find in your context. It really is the only conference that I’ve attended that is designed to reach your entire ministry team.
2. Because it’s not a report on the research, it’s hearing from those who DID the research. This is one of the reasons I most appreciate attending D6 Conference. Often the speakers who are presenting in the general sessions and in breakouts are not just assimilating research that has been done by others and reporting on it, rather they are the people who did the research and are sharing it with you. The quality of the information, the timeliness of the presentations, and the depth of the surveys cannot be rivaled. Not only that, D6 presenters are some of the most accessible speakers I’ve experienced at conferences so one-on-one conversations are easily managed. And, if you are a member of the D6 Leader Network, there’s a room set up specifically for members to meet with the mainstage speakers and breakout presenters.
3. Because it’s not about a curriculum, it’s about connecting Church and Home. Yes, D6 does have a curriculum and yes, they will tell you about it when you are at the conference, but it is not the focal point of the conference. The focus is always, first of all, Christ and secondly, helping churches and homes connect around the bond of generational discipleship. Every speaker, breakout, and conversation is consistently targeted to the idea of bringing Christ-centered discipleship into faith communities in ways that address the needs of both the church and the home, the young and the old, the church and the unchurched.
4. Because it’s not just a one-time experience, it is a way of life. The D6 Conference isn’t just a place to have a great time, make new friends, and have some cool experiences. It is that, but it’s not just that. It’s about changing the culture of homes and churches to embrace a new way of looking at life that incorporates generational discipleship into the very fabric of who we are. It sticks with you once you leave; you can’t shake it and you want to explore ways to bring what you’ve learned back with you and make it come alive in your ministry context.
5. And finally, because it’s not about the show, it’s about discipleship. Truly, D6 Conference is a quality conference with quality speakers, quality music, quality locations—all the makings of a great show. But within minutes of being there you realize that the quality exists merely as a backdrop to the message: “Discipleship is not an event, it’s a way of life” –Dr. Ron Hunter. Every conversation, every presentation, all of it leads to this conclusion. And it’s worth every minute of being there.

I’m excited to see what God is going to continue to do through the ministry of D6 and the 2018 D6 Conference. And I hope to see you and your whole ministry team there!