Breakout Sessions
CLC Breakouts
Breakout sessions are designed to equip and resource you across a broad range of ministry areas. From ministry overviews and culturally relevant topics to leadership development, there will be something for everyone. No matter your role—senior pastor, administrative assistant, small group leader, or all of the above—you’ll find a breakout topic that fits your context.
This year, you’ll have 50+ breakouts to choose from, with over 40% of sessions brand new (marked with an asterisk *), alongside favorite breakouts from years past. The final list of breakouts will be available two weeks before CLC, and breakout registration will open at that time. Not sure which to attend? No problem! You’ll have three opportunities to attend breakout sessions, and after the conference, recordings of all sessions will be sent to attendees.
Hear what other church leaders have said about equipping at CLC.
Church Leaders Conference 2026 Breakout Topics
Care Ministries Overview
Speaker: Wes Butler
*From Posture to Practice: Cultivating Inclusive Spaces for People with Disabilities
Speaker: Jen Hawkins
Helping the Hurting - Walking with Those in Significant Sin and Suffering
Speaker: Michael Ziegler
Leading the Church in Lament
Speaker: Wes Butler
*Repentance: The Forgotten Path to Renewal & Revival
Speaker: Nate Roberts
Re:generation Overview
Speakers: Sierra Sanchez, Michael Ziegler, and Nate Graybill
*Exposing what is Hidden: Listening and Asking Good Questions
Speakers: Ryan Nixon, and Mandy Bagdanov
*Keys to Cultivating Thriving Community Groups
Speakers: Jim Word, Jacob Alger, and Brigitte Waldier
*Meaningful Membership: Building a Process of Connection that forms Committed Church Members
Speaker: Bobby Durning
*The Path to Belonging: How We Form and Launch Small Groups
Speakers: Ryan Garrahan, Jason Davila, and Hannah Spence
*Sunday Hospitality
Speaker: Neil Monroe
Applying the Gospel to Real Life
Speaker: Grant Wilkie
*Beyond the Office: Leading Your Staff as Whole People in All of Life
Speaker: Dave Bruskas
*Cultivating a Culture of Evangelism in Your Church
Speaker: Kyle Aaron
Great Questions: Why Your Church Should Have an Apologetics Ministry
Speaker: Chris Sherrod
*Leading Church Wide Initiatives - What I've Learned Through Join The Journey in 2026
Speaker: Emma Dotter
*Practices of the Spirit-Led Leader
Speaker: Dave Bruskas
*Philosophy of Women's Ministry
Speaker: Emily Hope
*Seed Company: All Scripture, All People
Speaker: Davis Powell
Watermark Institute Overview
Speaker: Braun Brown
*Why the Pastor Needs Old Books
Speaker: Garrett Wikle
*Battling Discouragement
Speaker: Blake Holmes
Develop Yourself and Develop Your Team
Speaker: Jermaine Harrison
Leading as Part of a Team: Thoughts on Leading Up, Down, or Sideways
Speaker: Matt Farlow
*Leading with Biblical Conviction in a World of Moral Confusion and Compromise
Speaker: Blake Holmes
Listening While Leading
Speaker: Marvin Walker
*Pastor, You Need Community
Speaker: Jonathan Linder
*The People-Pleasing Trap
Speaker: Scott Kedersha
Rookie Mistakes
Speaker: Emma Dotter
Your Role and Title Are Not Your Identity: Embracing Divine Invitation
Speaker: Jeremy Jaqua
Caring for the Vulnerable in Jesus' Name
Speaker: Zac Whitley
The Church's Role in Community Development
Speaker: Carson Smith
*A Pipeline for Impactful Sending
Speaker: Bruce Kendrick
*A Sending Church Culture
Speaker: Bruce Kendrick
*Watermark Health Overview
Speaker: Christy Chermak
*The Church’s Greatest Missed Opportunity?
Speakers: Scott Kedersha, Lance Sisco, and Ryan Nixon
Helping Couples Overcome an Affair
Speakers: Michael Parisi, and Melinda Parisi
*Officiating Weddings with Clarity and Care
Speaker: Scott Kedersha
Re|engage Overview
Speakers: Michael Parisi, Melinda Parisi, and Matt Farlow
The Remedy for your Weary Marriage
Speakers: Lance Sisco, and Mandy Sisco
A Biblical Approach to Church Safety
Speaker: Wes Talley
*Building the People Who Build the Church
Speaker: John Cox
*Good Stewarding Systems: Budgeting & Accounting in the Local Church
Speakers: Sean Hill, and Sean Noland
*Staff Care as Stewardship
Speakers: Sean Hill, and Sean Noland
*Thriving at Work
Speaker: John Cox
Watermark's Way Forward: What We've Learned this Year
Speaker: John Cox
