One of the most important events on my annual professional calendar is the Orange Conference.
I've written quite a bit on my blog about Orange, and you can read all of those posts by visiting my Archives page. Moreover, if you enjoy my posts on a general level, especially pertaining to writings on student ministry philosophy and parent partnerships, then you may already be part of the Orange movement without even knowing it!
Why Orange? In sum, when it comes to a student ministry curriculum, I have not found one as powerful, versatile, comprehensive, and intentional as Orange. It cares for the middle school student just as much as the elderly aunt who takes care of him. Orange seeks to equip the entire family, not just the teenage kid, for both individual and familial faith. That simple.
And as I've used it over the last couple of years, I've continually been sold by how well it prepares me to share the Gospel and build parent partnerships for faithful ministry in the home.
I commend the conference to you! Orange provides nationally-reknown speakers from the corporate church arena, such as Andy Stanley and Jon Acuff, as well as family ministry with the likes of Reggie Joiner. The breakout sessions delve into practical, relevant content that address the issues important to you and your people - whether you live with me in the Bay Area or in the fields of Omaha. And interaction with the larger Orange community of other like-minded folks, seeking to learn and do better ministry with families, is worth the price of admission.
Not too mention, the conference gives you an excuse to get the heck out of dodge and do something that we ministry professionals, volunteers, and caring adults rarely get to do... REST!
If this peaks your interest, then check out the Orange Conference brochure, and see for yourself if this conference scratches your itch.
If you are new to the Orange Conference and hearing about it for the first time, then read up on their recommendation for what sessions would most benefit you.
If you serve within a particular field of family ministry, such as pre-school, kids, or teens, then check out their recommended tracts for each age group.
The Orange Conference is worth its weight in gold concerning your time and money. In fact, this past year, the board of my church regrettably decided to cut my personal development budget, and I received the news that I could not rely on designated finances to pay for my attendance to the conference this April. But I believe in how well this conference equips me for continued progression in ministry so much that I personally budgeted for the cross country ticket and hotel costs, and I am fronting the cash myself.
Do what it takes to make this happen. If costs pose an issue, then plan for it a couple of months ahead of time, and look for ways to attend.
And if you decide to go, let me know. I'd love to stand in the food truck line with you.
QUESTION: Are you going? If not, then what's stopping you? If so, then what breakout sessions will you be attending?