Best Practices Conference 2026

Several members of the St. Peter’s staff recently traveled to Arizona to attend Best Practices for Ministry, a free conference hosted by Christ Church Lutheran. For over a decade, this gathering has reminded professional and lay church workers of a simple but powerful truth: you are loved, you are not alone, and your work matters. From registration to meals, speakers to shuttles, everything is provided as a gift to encourage those serving in Christ’s Church.

Our team returned refreshed, encouraged, and full of ideas.

One highlight was learning about a new youth ministry curriculum called Clear Christianity, currently in development. Designed to help young people build a clear Christian worldview, it connects the “bits and fragments” of what they’ve learned into a cohesive understanding of the Christian faith. The curriculum will include both long-form classroom lessons and shorter devotional studies, organized into 15 modules and 45 lessons covering the Christian God, Christian revelation, and the Christian life. The digital format will be free, and we’re excited about the possibilities it may hold for our youth ministry.

Our preschool ministry also benefited from new ideas and resources shared by presenters. The worship services at the conference were especially meaningful—voices lifted together in rich song and praise, surrounded by fellow believers. There was joy not only in learning, but in reconnecting with old friends and strengthening bonds with coworkers.

Another key takeaway centered on systems for working and communicating well with volunteers—practical tools that can immediately bless our congregation. As always, each breakout session offered ideas that spark conversation and inspire action.

Thank you for supporting opportunities like this. We are grateful to return encouraged, equipped, and eager to serve you even better.