RENOVARÉ,
a Latin word that means "to make new,"
was founded by Richard Foster in 1988. Christian
in commitment, international in scope, and ecumenical
in breadth, RENOVARÉ communicates to the
Church international a balanced vision for personal
and corporate spiritual renewal. This vision incorporates
the best from several Christian traditions and introduces
a practical strategy for spiritual maturation into
Christlikeness. Martin Marty, noted Church historian
and commentator on the life of the American church,
has said, "RENOVARÉ will renew churches
like a gentle breeze blowing across the land."
To date, our primary instruments for sharing this
balanced vision and practical strategy,
spreading this "gentle breeze," are written
resources, conferences, retreats, and seminars.
Of
our conferences, retreats, and seminars, we facilitate
Regional Conferences most often. We have partnered
with over fifty local groups of people from around
the United States to hold Regional Conferences.
Representing churches, parachurch organizations,
and Christian colleges and universities, the historical
and denominational backgrounds of sponsoring organizations
and individuals have ranged from Southern Baptist
to United Methodist, United Church of Christ to
Church of God in Christ, Assembly of God to Roman
Catholic. Furthermore, many of these traditions
are represented in the sponsorship of each Regional
Conference! Over the last few years, the work of
these local groups has led to approximately twenty
thousand people hearing the RENOVARÉ message
of individual and church-wide spiritual renewal.
The
success of these past Regional Conferences has not
happened, as you might expect, by chance. Many people
have given countless hours and expended much effort
to insure success. But, we can confidently write
that the rewards have been commensurate with the
amount and fervor of effort given. To have a realistic
possibility of achieving your objectives for a Regional
Conference, you need vision, motivation, and the
willingness to organize others around the cause
of personal and corporate spiritual renewal. The
pages that follow will give you an idea of the process
and steps you will need to commit to in deciding
to move forward and be a primary organizer for a
Regional Conference.
Organizational
and Planning Process
There
are approximately nine different phases or "steps"
you will work through or "take" to hold
a RENOVARÉ Regional Conference:
-
Step
One — Catching a Vision
-
Step
Two — Scheduling a Date
-
Step
Three — Choosing a Location
-
Step
Four — Getting Co-Sponsors
-
Step
Five — Forming a Committee
-
Step
Six — Selecting Speakers
-
Step
Seven — Conference Budget
-
Step
Eight — Planning the Event
-
Step
Nine — Reaping the Benefits
Step One — Catching
a Vision
By
simply inquiring as to the possibility of
organizing a RENOVARÉ Regional Conference
you—whether as a group of people or as
an individual—have in some sense "caught
a vision" for personal and corporate
spiritual renewal. To one extent or another,
you see what God is doing and can do in the
lives of your churches, city or town, and
region. No matter where you and/or your church
are at present, you realize God has far more
in store for his body—individually and
together—than you already see. Though
it is as if you are "peering through
a glass darkly," you have the boldness
and faith to step out and be active participants
with God in encouraging the deepening of your
own life and spirit and those of your friends
and neighbors. And though you may have but
a small idea of how God is going to do this,
it is through the encouragement of people
like you that God calls others into fuller
and more profound lives in God's kingdom.
To
this end, studies show that spiritual and
church renewal typically occurs in three
stages. The first stage happens as
individual women and men become inspired
to grow closer to God. Attending conferences,
workshops, and retreats; reading good books;
reviving or starting church or denominational
spiritual growth committees—these are
some of the actions and events God uses
to encourage this process. As a result,
inspired individuals bring new and renewed
vitality and energy to the spiritual lives
of churches and the Christian community.
The
second stage occurs as these motivated
persons form and interact in small groups.
Through yoking together, individual and
corporate spiritual journeys and histories
take root and expand. Becoming places of
nurture and growth for all involved, the
groups encourage an amount of spiritual
growth far exceeding what anyone can achieve
alone. Naturally, this has a profound impact
on the Body of Christ.
The
third stage takes place when, inevitably,
these incendiary fellowships extend their
warmth to the rest of the church community.
Others are drawn to the groups and their
numbers increase. Their effect is soon felt
in the way the Church worships, does its
business, and focuses its attention. In
time, a renewed Church emerges, a place
where people become friends with God and
one another.
In
addition to these three, we believe there
is a fourth stage of church and spiritual
renewal that is often overlooked. The fourth
stage manifests itself when churches
on a wide scale begin working together to
spread the gospel, to share the good news
of Jesus Christ throughout their town/city
and region. Evangelistic campaigns, efforts
reaching out to the poor and marginalized,
individuals and groups speaking out in favor
of love of neighbor no matter the personal
cost; these are some of the signs that stage
four is occurring. The many walls that divide—whether
political, economic, religious, racial,
or other—begin to crumble.
In
light of these stages, where are you? Where is your church?
Where is your town/city and region? Are individuals inspired?
Are small groups providing nurture and accountability for
growth? Are these groups having a positive effect on the
life of the Church? Has it spilled over into your community?
If not, do you think it will?
For
most folks, there are few clear answers about the state
of renewal, and even these tend to be mixed. Regardless,
it is obvious there are already some stirrings of spiritual
rejuvenation among you, even if it exists only in those
who have looked into the workings of God's Spirit by answering
the above questions. If so, a RENOVARÉ Regional Conference
might be a tool that will take renewal in your town/city
and region to the next level. Do you have this kind of a
vision?
Step
Two — Scheduling a Date
Once
you have a vision for encouraging personal and corporate
spiritual renewal in your town/city and region and discern
that RENOVARÉ will encourage this, you will need
to reserve a Regional Conference date. This date is tentative
until you sign a Letter of Agreement and pay a $1,500 deposit
to RENOVARÉ approximately one year before the Conference.
Depending
on the availability of meeting space on particular dates
in your area, you may need to take Steps 2 and 3 together.
Obviously, if space is not available on your preferred dates,
then a Regional Conference should be scheduled for another
weekend. However, before locking in one space, you may want
to research several sites in your area, particularly those
of churches and parachurch organizations that are Co-Sponsors
of the Conference. At a minimum, make sure at least one
site that meets specifications is available before reserving
a date with RENOVARÉ.
Richard
Foster, RENOVARÉ's founder and chair, has been the
lead speaker at Regional Conferences for the past several
years and accepts only eight Conference invitations a year.
As a result, the Regional Conference dates with Richard
as lead speaker are reserved over two years in advance.
However, if you would like to schedule a Regional Conference
sooner, there is another option. There are several RENOVARÉ
Ministry Team members who are also well qualified to
lead a conference as lead speaker, including James Bryan
Smith, author of Embracing the Love of God and A
Spiritual Formation Workbook and coeditor of Devotional
Classics. Jim, who is quite familiar with the Wesleyan
small group movement, also worked with Richard on much of
the foundational thinking behind RENOVARÉ. While
Jim's communication style is encouraging and insightful
for all ages, he is especially helpful for the Baby-Boomer
Generation and Generation-X. If Jim serving as the lead
speaker at a Regional Conference is appealing, then ask
about it.
To
inquire as to potential Regional Conference dates or to
reserve one, please call the RENOVARÉ Conference
Coordinator at 303.792.0152.
Step
Three — Choosing a Location
Ideally,
the Conference Co-Sponsors and the Steering Committee—two
groups introduced below—make the Conference location/site
decision. The RENOVARÉ Conference Coordinator can
also provide insight for making this decision.
The
Conference site should have as many of the following features
as possible:
- a
place people in your town/city and region consider neutral,
particularly denominationally, so that everyone will feel
free to attend the Conference;
- an
auditorium or sanctuary that seats 700 - 1,000 people;
- an
auditorium or sanctuary that has an elevated platform
large enough for a worship leader with grand piano, four
vocalists, and two RENOVARÉ speakers (if the site
does not have this, you can compensate by renting and/or
setting up a minimum 18" high platform, large enough for
the piano, worship leader and vocalists, and speakers);
- an
auditorium or sanctuary with enough space in the front
for three to six additional instrumentalists (these need
not be on the platform, but including them is preferred);
- meeting
areas and restrooms that are accessible to people with
disabilities or ability to make special arrangements;
- space
and tables for Conference Registration;
- space
and tables for a Conference Book Store;
- space
for one to two Prayer Rooms with seating;
- space
for a volunteer and RENOVARÉ Team Member Hospitality
Room;
- space,
tables, and seating for an on-site lunch for all Conference
participants;
- space
for an hour-long small group break-out session (this usually
takes place outside the facility or in and around the
sanctuary or auditorium);
- space
at the front or on the sides of the sanctuary or auditorium
for a number of eight-foot tables;
- quality
sound system and related audio equipment; and
- quality
visual equipment or a willingness to arrange for it.
As
long as it meets the above characteristics, the site may
be a church sanctuary or fellowship hall. Or, it may be
a public meeting place like a conference center; hotel ballroom;
or public school, college, or university fine arts auditorium.
Whichever, the space should be available all day Friday
and Saturday until approximately 5:00 p.m. Also, you should
choose a site that will be a comfortable environment and
contains minimal distractions.
Step
Four — Getting Co-Sponsors
At
the majority of Regional Conferences, one church or parachurch
organization serves as the primary organizer. Sometimes
two or three groups will organize the Conference. However
many, once the leadership role has been assumed, the organizer(s)
solicit(s) the involvement of a number of Co-Sponsoring
churches and other organizations. The number of Co-Sponsors
can range from twelve to thirty. Additionally, Co-Sponsoring
churches should vary in tradition and denomination from
Southern Baptist to Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran
to Assembly of God, African Methodist Episcopal to Vineyard
Christian Fellowship.
Do
you know of other churches or Christian organizations that
share your vision for renewal? If so, these are good prospects
for Co-Sponsorship. To solicit involvement, simply call
or write a key leader, sharing the possibility of a RENOVARÉ
Regional Conference coming to your area and its potential
benefits. Let them know that they and their membership can
play a part in making this vision of renewal become reality.
If like-minded individuals respond, great! If not, then
perhaps the type of renewal you and RENOVARÉ
hope to encourage in your region should germinate awhile
longer before you host a Regional Conference.
To
assist in the recruiting of Co-Sponsors, the RENOVARÉ
Conference Coordinator will meet with those desiring to
organize a Regional Conference and other interested folks
over breakfast and/or lunch 14 to 12 months before the reserved
Conference date. In addition to telling a bit of the
history of RENOVARÉ and Regional Conferences
and providing insight into their planning and implementation,
they will share some of the potential benefits, will be
available to answer questions, and will generate enthusiasm
for the Conference among those who attend the breakfast
or lunch. In addition to encouraging the participation of
Co-Sponsors, you can use this time to recruit Steering Committee
Members (see Step 5).
To
become Co-Sponsors, churches, parachurch organizations,
and other groups make a commitment to the following:
- to
pray for the Conference;
- to
provide a person that serves on the Steering Committee;
- to
support the Conference financially;
- to
promote the Conference to its membership and other related
people; and
- to
provide volunteers on Conference weekend.
In
return for their involvement in the Conference, Co-Sponsoring
organizations:
- are
mentioned in the Conference brochure and other promotions;
- have
the opportunity to work together with others of different
background, class, and/or race on a meaningful project;
- are
facilitating a Conference that will be helpful to their
membership; and
- receive
the intangible benefits of being involved in an effort
that will increase Christian unity in your town/city and
region.
Though
it may seem easier to keep Regional Conference sponsorship
and organization within your own group, do you sense
the helpfulness of enthusiastically asking for the involvement
of Co-Sponsors? To include many churches and other organizations
in the planning process will create an ownership of the
Conference on a wide scale. This will lead to high Conference
attendance, a denominationally and racially diverse crowd,
and the opportunity for the beginning and development of
lasting relationships between people of different Christian
traditions, denominations, races, and classes. We have much
to learn from one another, but we must put ourselves in
contact with each other before it can happen. And from a
practical standpoint, the more people involved, the the
easier it will be to plan, promote, and implement the Conference
and the more people will have heard about it and attend.
Step
Five — Forming a Committee
The
next step in planning a Regional Conference is to organize
a Steering Committee. This group will be led by a Steering
Committee Chair—often, but not necessarily, the person
who first contacted RENOVARÉ about scheduling a Regional
Conference. Folks on the Steering Committee are responsible
for doing the "steering," i.e. guiding and shaping,
of the Conference, including targeting the right audience,
doing most of the organizational work, and other tasks.
In addition, these folks will often be the ports of entry
into the Christian community for the Conference because
of their ability to encourage attendance by people from
their own constituencies and to network with other organizations.
As
an aside, forming a sound Steering Committee is the Steering
Committee Chair's most important task. If enthusiastic and
able people are recruited to help you put on the Conference,
then the rest of the work for the Steering Committee Chair
and Steering Committee amounts to delegation, oversight,
and problem solving.
It
works best to contact and include in the Steering Committee
leaders of churches and groups—both paid staff and
lay leaders—who are familiar with the renewal we are
trying to encourage through the Regional Conference. Steering
Committee Members should understand the importance of renewal
in the Church, agree that God has worked in the past through
numerous Christians from diverse backgrounds by a variety
of ways, and recognize that small groups are a useful and
dynamic means of accomplishing spiritual growth. (As their
amount of available time is limited, it is often better
not to include Senior Pastors on the Steering Committee.
However, if a particular church is represented, the Senior
Pastor, at a minimum, should actively support and promote
the Conference to his or her members and other contacts.)
If
you have done a good job of recruiting Co-Sponsors for the
Conference, you will have a natural group of people from
which to draw Steering Committee members.
We
suggest that there be at least ten but not more than fifteen
people on the Steering Committee, and that they be from
a variety of church backgrounds, races, economic classes,
denominations, and other people groupings. The Steering
Committee should represent the Co-Sponsors. An ideal Steering
Committee includes five or more lay or staff leaders from
churches in your area, two or more leaders from parachurch
organizations (i.e. youth organizations, urban ministries,
ecumenical organizations, etc.), and three or more people
from the larger community. Although these co-laborers are
best recruited personally from among people the organizer
or organizers know, if someone you don't know is enthusiastic
and wants to be part of the Steering Committee, then make
room for them!
As
the primary organizing body, members of the Steering Committee,
in partnership with RENOVARÉ, are responsible for
planning and implementing the Conference. Following the
Regional Conference planning process various members will
become the Chair of one or more sub-committees, in addition
to helping make full Steering Committee decisions. These
subcommittees include:
- Audio/Visual
Committee;
- Book
Table Committee;
- Child
Care Committee;
- Facility
Committee;
- Finance
Committee;
- Follow-Up
Committee;
- Greeting/Ushering
Committee;
- Hospitality
Committee;
- Music
Committee;
- Prayer
Committee;
- Preregistration/NameTags
Committee;
- Publicity
Committee;
- Refreshments
Committee;
- Registration
Committee; and
- Signing
Committee.
These
individual Committees are crucial to the full success of
the Regional Conference, though a few such as Child Care
and Signing are optional.
Of
note, it is helpful to recruit persons competent in related
fields to be Chairs of the individual Committees. For example,
you might recruit a person employed at an advertising agency
to head the Publicity Committee. Finally, the sheer number
of tasks to be completed makes a qualified and committed
Steering Committee all the more important.
Step
Six — Selecting Speakers
Five
RENOVARÉ Team Members and staff lead each Regional
Conference: two speakers, one worship leader, one conference
coordinator, and one audio/visual coordinator. Obviously,
the lead speaker will be either Richard Foster or one of
the other RENOVARÉ MinistryTeam. The second speaker
is selected by the Steering Committee in cooperation with
the RENOVARÉ staff. This speaker can be any of the
people listed as RENOVARÉ Team Members except Jim
(if he is the lead speaker), Richard, and George Skramstad,
who is the worship leader at Regional Conferences led by
Richard. For a list of the RENOVARÉ Team Members,
see www.renovare.org/invitation_ministry_team.htm.
The participation of any speaker is subject to his or
her availability.
When
considering which RENOVARÉ Team Member you would
like to suggest as the second speaker, think about who best
represents the background, tradition, or insight your town/city
and region most needs to hear, who will be most compelling
for your constituencies, and/or who will compliment the
lead RENOVARÉ speaker you have chosen. Also, be sure
to list three choices, ranked in order of preference, in
case one or the other Team Member is unavailable. After
we receive your preferences, consider your choices, and,
if necessary, talk it over with you, we will contact the
mutually agreed on Team Member about speaking at your Regional
Conference.
Step
Seven — Conference Budget
Far
from being a costly venture, RENOVARÉ Regional Conferences
can, if done properly, at least break-even and quite possibly
bring additional funds to sponsoring groups. This is done
by charging Conference participants an appropriate and attractive
registration price. Generally, past Steering Committees
have charged anywhere from $35 to $50 per person. This can
bring in sizable revenue. Attendance of 1,000 people at
an average registration price of $35 each equals $35,000
to cover expenses.
Additionally,
the perceived value of RENOVARÉ Regional Conferences
by attendees is high. In addition to substantive teaching
and spirited worship, at a minimum registrants receive a
copy of A Spiritual Formation Workbook (at present
a $12 retail value), registration hand-outs (worth approximately
$3), and Saturday lunch (usually valued at around $6). Attendees
are also often given break refreshments.
Other
income that can potentially offset costs include funds contributed
by Regional Conference Co-Sponsors and gifts given by individuals.
Expenses
to expect include most of the following:
- Conference
security;
- copies/printing
(of brochures and other promotional pieces);
- facility
maintenance and rental;
- graphic
design;
- meals
and food (for Conference attendees, RENOVARÉ Team
Members, and miscellaneous);
- photographer;
- postage
(for Conference brochure mass-mailing and other);
- registration
materials (approximately $9 per person);
- RENOVARÉ
Fee (at present, $4,000 - $5,500: $1,500 due when signing
contract; remainder due Conference weekend; subject to
change and negotiation);
- RENOVARÉ
Team Member Housing (six to ten total room nights at $70
to $100 per night)
- RENOVARÉ
Team Member travel (five plane tickets at an average cost
of $300 each);
- supplies;
- telephone;
and
- other
miscellaneous costs.
To
provide a rough estimate, a Conference in March 2006 in
Woodlands, Texas, attended by nearly 800 people recorded
expenses of nearly $36,000.
Though
financial gain should not be the primary motivator
for sponsoring a Regional Conference, if a surplus occurs,
the Steering Committee can use these for follow-up efforts
like retreats or additional events on spiritual renewal.
Other uses have included splitting a surplus between the
sponsoring organizations and churches or making a donation
to one or more groups that work with the poor in a given
town/city and region.
Please
Note: Approximately 12 months before the conference,
the Steering Committee Chair or person who reserved the
date will receive a signed Letter of Agreement from RENOVARÉ.
In addition to committing the Steering Committee to the
mutually agreed-upon date, this mailing will ask for a nonrefundable
$1,500.00 deposit, funds that will help cover RENOVARÉ's
up-front costs, such as long distance telephone calls, conference
handouts, postage, etc. Additionally, as part of this
contract, RENOVARÉ asks that all monies collected
above and beyond actual expenses be shared 50/50 between
the Steering Committee and RENOVARÉ.
Step
Eight — Planning the Event
Once
you have caught a vision for spiritual renewal, scheduled
a date with the RENOVARÉ office, chosen a Conference
site, gained the involvement of Co-Sponsors, recruited a
Steering Committee, selected the RENOVARÉ speakers,
and counted the costs for holding the Conference, it's time
to plan the event. At this point, the RENOVARÉ staff,
particularly the Conference Coordinator, assists by providing:
-
a
copy of a "RENOVARÉ Regional Conference
Steering Committee Planning Manual";
-
assistance
with brochure design;
-
mailing
labels of people on the RENOVARÉ data base
in your region for the Conference brochure mass-mailing;
-
coordination
of speakers' travel schedules and housing needs;
-
-
blank
"RENOVARÉ" name tags for Conference
attendees (if ordered);
-
unlimited
personal assistance for Steering Committee Chair
and individual Committee Chairs (by phone only,
unless special arrangements are made); and
-
other
creative means of partnership.
Though
geographically we are at a distance and unable to
work with you on the Conference face-to-face, much
thought and experience are behind RENOVARÉ's
efforts. Most of this is reflected in the Planning
Manual you will receive. If the Steering and individual
Committee Chairs follow the instructions provided
in this, we will have a successful Conference.
Step
Nine — Reaping the Benefits
Though
the helpfulness of events like RENOVARÉ Regional
Conferences are too numerous to mention, some ideas
of what can happen as a result of your hard work
include:
- Witnessing
personal spiritual growth of those in attendance.
- Seeing
corporate spiritual renewal of churches in your
region.
- Passing
on helpful ideas that will endure.
- Inspiring
people who have lost their zeal.
- Continuing
renewal through the use of Conference resources
and materials.
- Training
leaders who will start small groups.
- Launching
many Spiritual Formation Groups.
- Introducing
a balanced approach to Christian life and faith.
- Working
together with churches in your region on a catalyst
project.
- Gaining
visibility for the churches and Christian organizations
in your community.
- Renewing
people . . . renewing churches.
This
is, by no means, an exhaustive list. And there is
no guarantee that you will experience any of the
items mentioned. But if you are faithful, thorough,
and endure, bringing the Conference plans to their
peak in our weekend together, you, your church,
and your community will be graced with many, if
not all, of the above benefits.
What
Next?
If
you are thinking about heading up a RENOVARÉ
Regional Conference, pray over it; talk about the
possibility among your friends and associates; ask
yourself the above questions on the need for individual
and corporate spiritual renewal in your town/city
and region. If, over time, a Regional Conference
continues to be an effort you and your associates
feel God is leading you to do, call or write the
RENOVARÉ office at: 8 Inverness Drive East,
Suite 102, Englewood, CO, 80112-5624; 303-792-0152
(telephone); or 303-792-0146 (fax); ask for Joan
Skulley.
Feel
free to ask any and all questions, as we have helped
many people organize Regional Conferences and have
learned much about what works and what doesn=t.
After reading this document, we trust you will see
how a RENOVARÉ Regional Conference on Spiritual
Renewal can foster the spiritual growth of people
in your church, town/city, and region. Even more,
we pray you—individually and corporately—will
clearly discern whether or not an event like this
would be helpful to the precious people in your
area. If so, do let us know how we can help.
References
Generous
folk who have previously served as Steering Committee Chairs
or Co-Chairs for RENOVARÉ Regional Conferences have
graciously made themselves and their experiences available
to others. Their names, addresses, and telephone numbers
are below. Feel free to contact these capable folk if it
will help you process the decision to organize a Conference
in your area.
- Doyll
Andrews, 14804 West 113th Avenue, Dyre, Indiana 46311;
219-365-5288
- Margaret
Campbell, 13 Woods Edge Lane, Houston, Texas 77024; 713-781-1886
- Valerie
Hess, #10 Chautauqua, Boulder, Colorado 80302; 303-442-2895
RENOVARÉ
Regional Conference Schedule of Events
Friday
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Registration
7:00 - 8:15 p.m. General Session #1, "Amazing Grace"
8:15 - 8:35 p.m. Break
8:35 - 10:00 p.m. General Session #2, "Grace Abounding"
Saturday
8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Final Registration
8:45 - 10:15 a.m. General Session #3, "A Balanced
Vision"
10:15 - 10:35 a.m. Break
10:35 - 12:00 noon General Session #4, "A Practical
Strategy"
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch (on site)
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Small Group Experience
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Interaction
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. General Session #5, "Jesus= Grand
Invitation of Grace"
