The Apostle Paul writes, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” This is an important exhortation as we live at a time when, as one ARC leader puts it, “a war is being waged for our hearts and our minds.” Being a “people under the word” is a key to victory in this war. In this opening session, ARC National Leadership Team member, Graeme Sellers, will cast the vision of what it means to be a people under the word who are letting the word of Christ dwell in them richly; and call us to be a people who are making a home for the Word, knowing that whatever fills us, controls us. This message is an important one if we are to be known as a network where God’s people are making a home for the Word and living under the Word.

A new religious pluralism defines the modern religious world; and in this world truth is viewed as being relative, with each individual holding the authority to determine what is or is not, truth. In this context we do not want to be arrogant or ignorant or ethnocentric or neurotic or even be seen as such, and yet we believe that somehow, the Bible is our final authority. What do we mean by biblical authority? Why is it important for life and ministry? What do we need to know about the postmodern world in relation to maintaining biblical authority that will enable us to bring God’s healing combination of grace and truth to bear on peoples’ lives? In this session, Dr. David Glesne will show us there is a confident way and place to stand in our day that we all might experience the reality of Jesus’ words, “You will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

We are living in a time in which we often read more books about God’s Word than we read God’s Word itself. The result can be a growth in knowledge about God, but not necessarily growing to be more like Him. In short, we can be spiritually dehydrated and thus hindered in growing in our relationship with the Lord, and in partnering more effectively in His mission in the world. In this session Mike Bradley, Director of the ARC, will share his passion that the Lord make the ARC a soul winning and discipleship making network, and how this is connected to being a “people under the word.” He will exhort and encourage us individually and corporately to be saturated in the Word of God for transformation and mission. Mike will call us to be followers of Jesus Christ who are being so saturated in the Word of God that we are being transformed to think, speak, and act more like the living Word; and be empowered for every member ministry in the world, wherever God sends us.

It is always exciting to hear what God says and see what He does when we commit ourselves to gather in the same place at the same time in the presence of the Lord. In this session, Joel Bidderman and Friends will lead us in a refreshing time of soaking together in the presence of the Lord, ministering to Him and worshipping Him even as Paul, Barnabas and others did in Acts 13. What a privilege it is to minister to the Lord. How refreshing it is to soak in His presence. How encouraging it is when we hear Him speak a fresh word of direction or hope. How reviving it is when we experience a fresh touch of His freedom and love. Come join us as we soak in worship and the word.

The Holy Habit of Daily Devotions

Nathan Hoff, ARC Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church-San Pedro, CA

Lectio Divina

Bill Gaultiere, Director, Soul Shepherding, Irvine, CA

The word of God is living and active. It restores broken souls, it renews tired spirits, it guides us in God’s good path -- if we listen with soft hearts and live it out. Sadly, we often read the Bible too quickly, trying to get through it or get our sermon finished. In this workshop Bill will mentor us in Lectio Divina, an ancient art and discipline for praying a Bible passage to hear God’s voice. Come to learn the Biblical foundation for Lectio Divina and to get a vision for how you can use this practice in sermon preparation or leading groups in your church. Come to be refreshed by an experience of the Word of God breathing life into your soul.

Rules of the Game

Jeremy King, ARC Pastor, Radiant Church-Garden Grove, CA

Reading the Bible is essential for following Jesus. Most Christians would agree on that. However, unless we consider how we read the Bible, we may find ourselves ill-equipped for engaging with real people in the real world. How we read and talk about the Holy Scriptures will deeply affect how we represent Jesus to our friends, neighbors, and family. In this workshop we will discover, and practice together, practical tools for reading, interpreting, and applying the Bible in a responsible manner. We will also work on a foundational understanding of the origins of the Scriptures, how to evaluate and select bible translations, and how to appropriately read and apply from each of the literary genres found in the Bible. 

The Power of a Word of Testimony

Heidi McClure, ARC Administrator and MI School of Ministry Assistant

Our testimonies are one of the most powerful things about us. Although people can try to argue about the authenticity of Christianity’s claims, no one can argue with what Christ has done on a personal level in someone’s life. An anonymous person once said, “A man with a testimony is never at the mercy of a man with an argument.” Testimonies are a great way to reach the lost, the broken, and the hurting. In this workshop we will learn more about why it is on God’s heart for us to be sharing our testimonies, how to effectively write and share a testimony, and how to incorporate testimonies into your ministry.

Teaching the Bible

Dave Housholder, ARC Pastor, Robinwood Church, Huntington Beach, CA

People don't bring their Bibles! They don't read them daily! Biblical illiteracy is on the rise! This seminar will give you clear steps on how to solve these and other problems. In this workshop, Dave will help us focus on creating a Bible culture in our churches through modeling and promotion. We will also focus on which kinds of Bible teaching lead to a more participatory Bible culture. Be sure to bring your Bible to the session

Reaching Non-Christians with the Word of God

Dave Housholder, ARC Pastor, Robinwood Church, Huntington Beach, CA

We want the ARC to be known as a network God is using as a soul-winning, discipleship-making network. So, its important for us to ask questions such as: What intentional efforts are we making at reaching non-Christians? How many teen and adult baptisms did we have last year? Many of you may have tried the Alpha Course, but it can be hard to maintain a critical mass in a smaller church. Pastor Dave Housholder and the team at Robinwood Church have developed The Blackberry Bush as one strategy for reaching out to non-Christians. They have five tables full of participants every semester and have been able to assimilate dozens of new people into the congregation: socially, spiritually, and catechetically. Come hear what it is all about in this breakout session and see if it might not be of help to you in your cultural context, or, spur some fresh ideas which you can take home and work with you team to develop strategies which uniquely fit your context and geographic region.

Prayer Ministry: The Word Coming Alive Through You

Denise Siemens, Lutheran Renewal Administrator and Director of Arise! Women’s Ministry

When we pray for others, we allow ourselves to be a channel through which the life, love, and healing of the Lord can flow. Jesus, the Living Word, wants to use us as letters of the Spirit to write upon the hearts of those around us—not just those in our church meetings, but everyone we meet. No one is safe from a blessing! Imagine if every ARC member were equipped to pray with those God brings across our paths? In this workshop, Denise will bring solid teaching and practical insights, and we will take time to practice listening to Jesus and praying for each other.