This May, the Foursquare family—rich in history and engaged in the present—is going to be focused on the future when we gather in Dallas for Foursquare Connection 2014. There, the Texas hub may well come to be associated with historic events in the history of our movement, as Foursquare leaders and church members from across the nation and around the world gather not just to celebrate and fellowship, but to be part of Foursquare’s crucial repositioning for the future.
Connection 2014, being held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel from May 26–29, will provide the table on which will be laid out some of the key results of the countless hours of prayer, discussion and research that have gone into the Reimagine Foursquare efforts of the past few years. Attendees will hear about ways the movement is proposing to realign itself for better missional and organizational effectiveness, ensuring future ministry and growth.
Following a series of nationwide Town Hall meetings convened last fall to present the key issues facing the church as it approaches its centenary, six task groups are currently meeting to discern the best way ahead in areas such as governance, resources and mission.
“We look forward to sharing some significant traction being gained as we engage in more discussion in Dallas,” says President Glenn Burris Jr.
In light of the Reimagine focus, this year’s convention theme of “Multiply” is a perfect match, looking at how a reorganized and realigned church can maximize its future potential. Regarding the theme, Glenn states: “It stirs us to actively carry forward our ultimate call—mobilizing the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”
Keynote speakers will address multiplying disciples, multiplying church ministry, multiplying community connections, and multiplying spiritual impact. Presenting in both inspirational main sessions and practically focused breakout workshops will be a powerful speaking team:
- Francis Chan: pastor and bestselling author of Crazy Love and Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples
- Dave Ferguson: lead pastor of Community Christian Church in Chicago and author of The Big Idea: Aligning the Ministries of Your Church Through Creative Collaboration
- Samuel Rodriguez: popular speaker and president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
- Jack Hayford: Foursquare elder statesman and former president, now chancellor of The King’s University
Each workshop will be repeated, giving attendees more opportunity to take part in sessions of interest to them. These workshops need to be selected at registration, so confirming your attendance soon ensures you will get to attend the workshops in which you most want to participate.
Early bird registration runs through March 13. Individuals are $189 each; guest or spouse $169; children and youth $50 each; ForeRunners $99 each; and international guests $169 each. After March 13, rates for ministers, guests and spouses go up $30 each, so it pays to register now.
In addition to a dynamic agenda of business and teaching, Connection 2014 will provide plenty of time for personal refreshment and renewal.
Returning to share leading worship, after widespread appreciation for their ministry at last year’s event, will be Jim Ranger IV, worship pastor of New Life Center (Bakersfield Southwest Foursquare Church) in Bakersfield, Calif., and Marc Wymore, worship pastor of LightHouse Church (Newbury Park Foursquare Church) in Newbury Park, Calif.
Also back by popular request will be the Quick Talks introduced in 2013, which give a wide range of Foursquare leaders and other figures an opportunity to present a short thought or challenge in just a few minutes.
With new features for the convention also planned, anticipation for the event is running high, according to Foursquare events manager Tammy Sevcov, who is leading the organizing team.
“We really believe that our 2014 event is going to be something special,” Tammy affirms. “It’s a historic opportunity for our whole family to be involved and engaged in what the future of our movement will look like, to be part of this important journey.”
Find out more about Connection 2014 and register online today.
By: Andy Butcher, a freelance writer in the Orlando, Fla., area
