The Church Leaders Conference is designed to refresh, equip, and inspire church leaders. No matter your role on the team, CLC offers two days of practical teaching, biblical encouragement, and a behind-the-scenes look at ministry in action.
Church Leaders Conference
Practical training. Renewed perspective.
April 26-27, 2027
April 28-29, 2027
What is CLC?
The Church Leaders Conference is one way we get to live out our desire to love, serve, and encourage leaders across God’s broader Church. Over the years, God has given us opportunities to learn through ministry at Watermark Community Church, and we want to steward those lessons by sharing what we’ve learned with others.
What began as a practical way for church leaders to equip and learn from one another has also become a place where we’ve seen God refresh and encourage leaders in the work he has called them to. Our hope is that leaders leave strengthened, supported, and better equipped to serve their own churches.

Why You Should Attend CLC
Church leaders return home encouraged, sharpened, and ready to lead their churches with renewed clarity and conviction. Through mainstage sessions, over 50 breakout options, and live ministry showcases, attendees gain tools and insights to strengthen their leadership and better serve their local churches.

What happens at CLC
The Church Leaders Conference is built around four primary experiences designed to help leaders learn, grow, and bring helpful ideas back to their churches
Mainstage Sessions
Main stage sessions bring church leaders together for biblical teaching and encouragement that can renew your perspective and strengthen you for the work of ministry.
Worship
Worship creates space for church leaders to come together, refocus on your relationship with Jesus, and be refreshed in his presence.
Breakouts
Breakout sessions give you focused, practical training across a wide range of ministry areas so you can return to your church with ideas, tools, and next steps you can actually use.
Showcases
Showcases let you experience Watermark’s midweek ministries live, giving you a firsthand look at how they work and what could translate to your own church.
1/3
1/3
Refreshed
CLC provides the opportunity for those in ministry to step out of their normal leadership roles and truly be with the Lord: worship, learn, and recharge.
2/3
Equipped
CLC provides helpful ministry tools that you can curate to fit within your own day to day activities and needs.
3/3
Inspired
Strengthening and sharpening doesn’t happen naturally. CLC is a safe place to be challenged and inspired to live out your full potential as a leader and Christ follower.
Sample schedule
Monday
Check-in Opens
Mainstage Session 1
Mainstage Session 2
Lunch
Breakouts 1
Mainstage Session 3
Dinner
Ministry Showcases
Tuesday
Ministry Showcase
Staff Consulting Appointments 1
Staff Consulting Appointments 2
Mainstage Session 4
Breakouts 2
Lunch
Breakouts 3
Mainstage Session 5
Ministry Showcases
Wednesday
Check-in Opens
Mainstage Session 1
Mainstage Session 2
Lunch
Breakouts 1
Mainstage Session 3
Dinner
Ministry Showcases
Thursday
Ministry Showcase
Staff Consulting Appointments 1
Staff Consulting Appointments 2
Mainstage Session 4
Breakouts 2
Lunch
Breakouts 3
Mainstage Session 5
Ministry Showcases
Pricing
Individual
per person
Register by 11:59 PM CST on 11/6 to lock in early pricing! After this date, rates increase to $279.
What You'll Experience
- Five conference sessions
- Lunch + dinner (day one), lunch (day two)
- Endless snacks and drinks
- Conference giveaways
- Free evenings to enjoy Dallas
- Recordings of all breakouts and main stage sessions
- And a few more surprises!
Groups of 6+
per person
Register by 11:59 PM CST on 11/6 to lock in early pricing! After this date, rates increase to $259 per person for groups of 6 or more.
What You'll Experience
- Five conference sessions
- Lunch + dinner (day one), and lunch (day two)
- Endless snacks and drinks
- Conference giveaways
- Free evenings to hangout with your team
- Recordings of all breakouts and main stage sessions
- And a few more surprises!
Travel Details
Welcome to Texas - No spurs required.
Headed to Dallas, TX for the Church Leaders Conference? We’ve pulled together the details you’ll need to make travel a little easier.
Watermark Community Church
7540 Lyndon B Johnson FwyDallas, TX 75251
Dallas has two airports that allow travelers to fly into our great city. You can choose between:
Recommended Hotels For Conference Dates April 26-27:
Walking Distance
The Westin - Dallas Park Central
12720 Merit Drive, Dallas, TX 75251
972-385-3000
*Discount rate available through April 5, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Walking Distance:
Residence Inn by Marriott - Dallas Park Central
7642 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75251
972-503-1333
*Discount rate available through 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Driving Distance:
Hyatt Place - Dallas Park Central
12411 N Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75243
972-458-1224
*Discount rate available through April 7, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Driving Distance:
Hyatt Place - Dallas North By The Galleria
5229 Spring Valley Road, Dallas, TX 75254
972-716-2001
*Discount rate available through April 12, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Driving Distance:
Renaissance - Dallas North
1590 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234
972-869-4300
*Discount rate available through April 5, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Recommended Hotels For Conference Dates April 28-29:
Walking Distance:
The Westin - Dallas Park Central
12720 Merit Drive, Dallas, TX 75251
972-385-3000
*Discount rate available through April 7, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Walking Distance:
Residence Inn by Marriott - Dallas Park Central
7642 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75251
972-503-1333
*Discount rate available through 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Driving Distance:
Hyatt Place - Dallas Park Central
12411 N Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75243
972-458-1224
*Discount rate available through April 9, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Driving Distance:
Hyatt Place - Dallas North By The Galleria
5229 Spring Valley Road, Dallas, TX 75254
972-716-2001
*Discount rate available through April 14, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Driving Distance:
Renaissance - Dallas North
1590 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234
972-869-4300
*Discount rate available through April 5, 2027, subject to hotel availability.*
Register Today
Make 2027 the year your entire team gets away to recharge and make some great memories together.
Testimonials
Churches from around the world attend CLC to be refreshed, equipped and encouraged.
“I would rather have our church attend CLC than have our own private church retreat! CLC is a blessing and will encourage burnt-out leadership.”
“I'm fairly new to ministry and CLC helped me grow tremendously. My team has been doing ministry for a while now and I know they greatly benefitted from it as well. I will 100%, hands down, with no doubt be going again next year if I'm able to.”
“I have already told several church leaders from different faith communities about this amazing conference. I assured them it would be worth the financial and time commitment. Their leaders will leave feeling like they have been in front of a fire hydrant of information yet will grow exponentially.”
FAQs
If you’re asking that question, it’s probably for you. We believe leadership matters like nothing else – especially leadership within The Church. This conference is for anyone who feels a weight of responsibility at a local church or ministry, including: pastors, church planters, elders, volunteer leaders, etc. Whether you teach every Sunday, lead in student ministry, or help with small groups, you will have the opportunity to learn from others who lead in a similar role.
Everyone Watermark staff member – regardless of position – is given ownership and viewed as a leader. A key goal of CLC is that the principles we discuss are relevant to every position within a church staff, including those outside traditional “ministry” roles (IT, operations, HR, media, communications, administration, etc.). Our staff will also be available during showcases and breakouts to connect with you and answer questions.
Wondering if your church is too small or too big to get something out of CLC? We believe there are no such things as “big” or “little” works of God. So whether your church attendance is 50 or 50,000, our prayer is that you will become a better leader because of our time together.
Church Leaders Conference is hosted by Watermark Community Church—and entirely led by their staff and volunteers. Watermark is a nondenominational evangelical church based in Dallas, Texas, committed to helping people become fully devoted followers of Christ. Since its founding in 1999, Watermark has grown into a vibrant church body focused on biblical teaching, authentic relationships, and practical discipleship.
To learn more about Watermark’s core beliefs, visit the website.
The conferences feature the same schedule, mainstage, and breakout sessions designed to equip and encourage you and your team. The primary differences are the dates you choose and the live ministry showcases, which vary based on weekly rhythms at Watermark Community Church.
For the April 26-27 conference dates, the ministry showcases are Re:generation, The Porch, Worship, Sending Church Gathering, and The Prodigal.
For the April 28-29 conference dates, the ministry showcases are Re|engage, Merge, Worship, and Sending Church Gathering.
Each year offers a fresh opportunity for you to be encouraged and equipped. We believe time away can help fill your cup as you worship, spend time in God’s presence, and return to ministry refreshed.
With a new theme, new main-stage content, and a wide range of updated breakouts, there is always something new to experience. About half of the breakout sessions change each year, giving returning individuals or teams plenty of fresh options to explore.
We work hard to make the Church Leaders Conference a valuable experience for you and your team. Your registration includes:
- A two-day pass to all main-stage sessions and breakouts
- All conference materials, including post-conference video and audio recordings
- Unlimited coffee, drinks, and snacks
- Lunch and dinner on Day 1 and lunch on Day 2
We also take conference food seriously. Meals are catered by some of our favorite Dallas restaurants, and we want them to be a highlight of your experience.
Still have questions?
Have a question we didn’t answer in the FAQs?
Reach out and we’d be glad to help.