Ask Allen Murray what excites him about this year’s N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference, and he’ll have a tough time picking just one element.

“I love that this year’s theme is going to be focused on pastoral ministry,” said Murray, who will be president of this year’s conference. “We’ll have a conference for pastors and of pastors. All six of our preachers are men who have served in pastoral ministry, many of them for most of their lives, and are actively involved in discipling the next generation of pastors.”

The 2022 N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference takes place Nov. 6-7 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C. The event proceeds the N.C. Baptist annual meeting, which will be held at the convention center Nov. 7-8.

Murray, who pastors Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly, N.C., says the conference will focus on what it means to be a pastor. The theme, titled “The Pastor,” was scheduled to be the theme in 2020, before that year’s event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s conference will focus on providing encouragement, resources, and practical help for the life and ministry of the local church pastor. 

“I always go to the pastors’ conference,” Murray said. “I’m always most encouraged by guys that are in the trenches, who are doing pastoral ministry. They can come alongside of us and encourage us. And I just thought this would be a good time to have an emphasis coming back to the ministry of the local church pastor.”

This year’s pastors’ conference speakers include:

• Steve Corts, pastor of Center Grove Church in Clemmons, N.C.
• Juan Sanchez, pastor of preaching at High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.
• Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
• Phil Newton, pastor of South Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn.
• Jim Hamilton, senior pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.
• Steven Wade, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville, N.C.

“It’s easy to say that all six of these men have already had a tremendous impact on a lot of other pastors in North Carolina, and across the convention and even across the world,” Murray said. “The ministry of some of these men really has a worldwide impact, so I think we’re going to be blessed as North Carolina pastors to have these guys come in and pour into us.”

For the first time, the pastors’ conference will include panel discussions so attendees can ask questions of those preaching at the event. Murray also notes that there will be a number of giveaways at the conference. Each of the state’s three camps and conference centers have provided a getaway that will be awarded to a pastor and his wife during the event.  

“I’m really excited that we have some great worship leaders this year,” Murray said. “The emphasis this year will not be on performance-driven, but it’s going to be congregationally led singing. So I’m really excited about an emphasis on congregational singing, showing folks that what we’re doing at the pastors’ conference, you can go back and do the same thing at home at your church.”

This year’s conference has come in the midst of some important changes for the organization. For the first time, the pastors’ conference has an official 501-3(c) designation. Previously, the conference could only accept donations during the annual event. As a registered nonprofit, the conference can now receive gifts throughout the year and can receive those gifts digitally.

Conference organizers will collect an offering at this year’s event, which will include options for electronic giving.

Murray also notes that the 501-3(c) status provides for better accountability and more financial stability for the organization.

Murray calls the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina a great partner for the conference. The convention provides the venue, sound engineering and promotional support for the conference. He believes the pastors’ conference and the state’s annual meeting will benefit one another.

“The conference is going to encourage attendance at the annual meeting – and vice versa,” Murray said. “For a lot of folks, they’re not just coming to one or the other. They’re coming to both events. And I hope that everybody comes to both the events. I think they’re both worthwhile. Both events are something that I prioritize every year. 

“The relationship there has been great. I cannot say enough about how helpful the staff at the Baptist state convention has been in helping us organize the conference.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Tobin Perry is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of writing experience with Southern Baptist organizations. He can be reached at TobinPerry.com.)