Seminars at the 2026 Leaders’ Conference

If we are to “pour out our hearts to him” (Psalm 68:2) - and encourage others to do so - then we must both be sure of God's identity, character, and nature, plus have a knowledge and experience of his divine presence.

Three optional seminar sessions during this year’s Leaders’ Conference will explore these convictions and how they work out in the life of the church: the leaders' personal walk and devotion with Christ; leading the church in prayer; and other practical aspects of church life.

There is one seminar track available, especially for ministry couples who attend, which runs in place of the one gathering and two seminar sessions.

We’re delighted to have experienced pastors and gospel workers to lead these seminars, who can pass on their skills and expertise. They are designed to develop the main conference theme and go into more detail, with the chance to interact and engage with each other as we work through them together.

We hope there will be something relevant to your interests and context. We will be recording and publishing most of the seminars so that you can catch up with them after the conference.

If you are coming as a group from your church, it could be a good idea to split up during the seminars and share what you heard after.

Please note: seminar leaders, titles, and summaries are subject to change.

There is one seminar track available, especially for ministry couples who attend. Places on this track are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but to sign up, you need to commit to all three.

Each session will build on the previous one, and the leaders are expecting to work with the same cohort of delegates across the sessions to maximise time together. You will not only benefit from the input you receive but also the interaction and encouragement of others who sign up.

• Steve and Siân Robinson (The Cornerstone Collective) will lead a 'marriage MOT', similar to one they led at Rising Lights, to help husbands and wives deepen in their love for one another and focus their marriage on Jesus Christ himself, who loved the church and gave himself for her.

There is no extra cost for this track, but we do need to plan for each beforehand, so please sign up using the button below. Only those who have pre-booked will be able to attend.

Pour out your hearts

Psalm 62 is a worked example of intimate communion with God that flows into a prayerful relationship and instructs others.

Ste Casey (Speke Baptist Church, Liverpool) will guide us through this psalm, exploring the part that emotions have on the lived experience of the church leader.

Prayer in the digital world

People have prayed in different ways throughout history. As ever-developing technology becomes more and more a part of everyday life, what impact does it have on the way we pray today?

Andy Geers (PrayerMate) will lead us to consider how technology can help us as leaders, and as churches.

A pastoral primer on prayer

We need to be clear on what prayer is and to consider the answers to some common questions: If God is all-knowing and unchangeable, why should we pray? How do we view passages of scripture where prayer seems to change outcomes, and yet hold to a robust view of the sovereignty of God? Can our level of faith affect the outcome of our prayers?

But for leaders, it goes beyond this. How do we help our congregations wrestle with these realities? How do we give them a pastorally sensitive but theologically rich view of the privilege and power of prayer, especially in times of trouble? James Midwinter (Emmanuel Church, Leamington Spa) will lead us to think through these weighty topics.

The Lord’s Prayer

We all think we know The Lord’s Prayer, but rightly understood it is a radical kingdom model of dependence on God that flows from a living relationship with him. 

This is part one of a two-part series where John Stevens (FIEC National Director) will help us see The Lord’s Prayer as a model of corporate communion and prayerful dependence.

Prayer and leadership

Our leadership effectiveness is dependent on our walk with Jesus (1 Timothy 4). So, how do we manage the ‘business’ of leadership without neglecting corporate closeness to Christ?

Aubrey Sequeira (Evangelical Community Church of Abu Dhabi) will lead us to think how we incorporate meaningful prayer and communion with God into our leadership structures.

Growing closer

Many leaders come to the conference, tired, exhausted and disheartened. 

This reflective session, led by Matt Searles (author, songwriter), will include space to pray, listen, sing, and reflect, with the aim of being refreshed by casting ourselves afresh on the living and reigning Saviour who knows our humanity and fills us with his Spirit. 

Women’s gathering

This special gathering is a chance for women to meet and connect with other women over lunch. It will also give you the opportunity to hear from Elinor Magowan – FIEC’s Director for Women's Ministry - and others in ministry.

After lunch, we will spend some time in God's word looking at how a spirit of thankfulness affects our prayers, lives and ministry.

We will share together, reflecting on themes in the conference, and you will be able to connect with other women who might be from your locality for encouragement and support.

Careful with words

Words matter for all Christians, but many leaders can come undone by poor choice of words or speaking when they should be silent.

Carolyn Lacey (author, speaker) will help us think about leadership words and how these can helpfully shape ministry.

Prayer and the law

Data protection is a legal requirement and a way to care for others, but it can have unexpected implications. For example, can we share prayer points? How? What is good practice? If we livestream prayers, what care do we need to take?

Speakers from Edward Connor Solicitors will help us think through striking a balance between being responsible with people’s data and shutting everything down.

In the News – live recording

Join a live recording of the FIEC podcast as Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director), Phil Topham (FIEC Executive Director) and John Stevens (FIEC National Director) discuss recent news stories and lessons to learn for church leadership.

Including a live Q&A! 

Prayer and the problem of porn

Most leaders know that porn is a problem in church, but have no idea how to go about speaking and helping those who struggle.

Ian Henderson (The Naked Truth Project) will help us explore how to address the culture of porn that can invade the church, including how the topic of prayer can help all involved.

Prayer and lament

Lament is a topic throughout the Bible but is often absent in everyday church life. When is it appropriate to use lament and how might we go about it?

Paul Mallard (FIEC Director for the West Midlands) will explore what lament is and what place it has in the life of the church leader and in the life of the church. 

Prayer and spiritual battle

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Kristi Mair (Oak Hill College) will help us explore what is going on as we pray and how viewing prayer as a weapon makes a difference to the prayer attitude in church.

The power of churches praying together

Andy Mason has been gathering churches together to pray in London for two years as Co-Mission’s Mission Director.

In this seminar, he will help us understand why, how, and what difference such prayer makes. 

Prayer for new believers

Prayer – beyond just asking for things – is such a strange concept.

Carolyn Lacey (author) will lead us to consider how we help new believers, perhaps with no Christian background, learn to pray.

Preaching, teaching, and using the Lord’s Prayer

Following from his previous seminar on Tuesday, John Stevens (FIEC National Director) will explore ways that The Lord’s Prayer can be used in church life.

Beyond intercession

So often, particularly in small group settings, our prayer goes little further than just ‘asking God for stuff’. 

Graham Beynon (FIEC Associate National Director) will help us think about prayer more broadly and offer some suggestions for incorporating this breadth into church life. 

When God is silent

Sometimes even the most fervent prayer goes unanswered. How can church leaders set the right tone and approach when, for example, we see few conversions or a loved but sick leader remains unhealed?

Ste Casey has written a super book on this topic and, in this seminar, will help leaders think about how to lead when corporate prayer is unanswered.

Excepted Status drop-in

If your church has an income of under £100,000 and has not been required to register with the Charity Commission – known as “Excepted Status” – changes are coming. By March 2031, all churches with an annual income over £5,000 must be registered with the Charity Commission.

Becky Thomas (FIEC Director for Church Governance) and colleagues from Edward Connor Solicitors are holding a drop-in session for you to ask any questions you have about the changes, the process for registering, and what you need to be doing now to prepare.