SHAWNEE—On Oct. 1, Oklahoma Baptists will host the Priority of Leadership (POL) Conference from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m at the Recreation and Wellness Center at Oklahoma Baptist University. This annual event focuses on helping pastors from churches of all sizes make progress in their preaching ministries.4

This year’s Leadership Conference topic focuses on how pastors can lead through various types of conflict that occur in the church. Every church, no matter how large or small, has conflict. The POL conference seeks to guide pastors to resolve issues within their churches effectively and without severing relationships between members.

Pastors are equipped to thoroughly preach the Gospel, but not all have the adequate training for leadership and administration.

“This conference will provide an excellent opportunity for pastors of any size church to become even more effective leaders,” said Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer.

Ken Sande, founder of Peacemaker Ministries and president of Relational Wisdom 360, will be the keynote speaker for the event. Sande was raised on a ranch in Montana and initially trained to become a mechanical engineer. This led him to a position working for a medical research and development company in California where Sande found a passion in building relationships, conflict management and creative problem-solving.

Throughout his 30 years of leading Peacemaker Ministries, Sande has taught in hundreds of settings across the world mediating conflicts. These have ranged from simple personal disputes to church splits and complex lawsuits. Sande authored The Peacemaker which presents biblical guidance for conflict resolution. Guidance which Sande will present at the Priority of Leadership Conference later
this year.

“If you believe that God is watching over you with perfect love and unlimited power, you will be able to serve him faithfully as a peacemaker even in the most difficult circumstances,” Sande wrote in
The Peacemaker.

As additional speakers, the conference will also feature Tom Eliff, retired pastor and former president of the International Mission Board, and Heath Tucker, pastor of Edmond, Waterloo Road.
Last year, the Priority of Leadership Conference was launched. That conference had a general emphasis on leadership and administration, including conflict resolution.

“This is a topic we are often asked about by our pastors that include questions related to knowing how to lead people in general, lead the church through change, and respond to difficult people and circumstances at church,” said Fisher.

The Priority of Leadership Conference is not just for senior pastors. Members of ministry staff, key leaders in churches or those called to ministry who want to learn more about leadership, administration and conflict resolution within the church are invited, as well.

“Pastor, I hope you will make the effort to attend this conference,” said Fisher. “I believe the day will give strong, biblical and practical help to pastors and leaders in every size church and every location.”

To learn more information about the Priority of Leadership Conference and to register, visit oklahomabaptists.org/leadership-registration/.