Breakout Sessions

Digital Communications Overview: Thinking Strategically About The Bigger Picture
Paid social, SEO, email, text messages, print, oh my! It can be overwhelming to decide how best to use each communication channel and how they all work together. At this breakout, you’ll hear about how we deploy each of our communication channels and some of the strategies and best practices we use for promoting our ministries and messages to our members and those outside the church.

Communications Process & Strategy Overview: Organizing Chaos and Serving the Church
We get it: church communications can often feel like herding cats. At Watermark, we recently completely rethought how our communication team operates inside our church. Come get an overview of the process, organization, and roles that help us bring order to the (wonderful) chaos of church communication and support our ministries in sharing the good news of the gospel. 

Podcasts: Everything You Need to Get Started
From learning how to start, or taking your current podcast from a 7 to a 10, we have you covered. Join us as we discuss everything you need to know about podcasting.

Nurturing Creativity in Ministry
Too often, the church is where creativity goes to die. This should not be the case! Learn Watermark’s strategies for nurturing creativity in ministry as we strive to reflect our Creator through music, photography, graphic design, film, writing, social media, and live production.

Event Planning for the Unofficial Event Planner
Very rarely do churches have a designated event planner on their full-time staff, but much of ministry starts at an event. Whether it's Sunday services, Christmas Eve or Easter, retreats, or a simple potluck for fellowship, everyone has a part to play in event planning (even if it's not in your job description). Come learn best practices that can keep you from unintentionally becoming an event planner and free you up to do more ministry.

Social Media Overview: Creating Meaningful Content to Amplify Your Church’s Message
Social media can be an overwhelming space to enter. In this breakout, we’ll cover how we think about the role of social media at Watermark and the processes and tools we use to create gospel-centric content that informs, entertains, and invites engagement.

The Three Levers of Project Management
Join a panel discussion with our Project Managers for events, communications, and IT as they discuss lessons learned and best practices. Learn how to manage your projects while also: protecting your team’s time, resources, and scope; building relationships with other ministry teams you collaborate with; and building workflows that unleash your team rather than burn them out.

Re:generation for Students
Staff and volunteers will share what they have learned after launching a biblical recovery ministry for students in grades 6-12.

Addiction-Free in 24 Hours
Find out how, by the Holy Spirit's power and with the body of Christ, you can help people find freedom in a single day from addictions to porn, pills, alcohol, control/anxiety, food/body image, materialism, gossip, and more.

From Free Porn to Porn-Free
Pornography has never been more accessible or acceptable than it is today, and it will only get worse. In this breakout we will talk about where the porn industry is headed, see how it affects your church, challenge your thinking about porn, and provide practical steps for helping those trapped in it.

Caring for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
While the topic of abuse feels heavy, understanding the impacts of sexual abuse allows us to care well for the individuals that walk through our doors. Churches should be a refuge for those who have experienced abuse and God invites us to join him in offering the hope of Christ to the hurting!

7 Pastoral Principles to Learn in Caring for Souls as You Serve the Body of Christ
Helping others who are hurting is the calling of the church, but honestly, it can be daunting. "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus' ministry modeled this pastoral care principle to people burdened with physical and emotional pain. Learn pastoral care principles that will help you frame a ministry, love imperfect people, and trust a perfect God.

Protect Your Marriages: How re|engage Impacts Churches
Discover why over 100,000 couples across the country sought marriage help from churches in their local communities through re|engage. This breakout is all about understanding how you can lead your church to become both a relational fitness center and hospital for couples looking to enrich and restore their marriages.

Helping the Hurting: Pastoring Those in Significant Sin and Pain
Learn about balancing truth and grace in challenging counseling situations, essential components of biblical counsel, and time-tested methodology that helps open the heart of the hearer.

Creating Culture on Your Staff
Join the Culture Club (it’s not just a bad 80s band). Building a staff culture of fun, friendship, and focus takes work, but it’s worth it. We’ll talk about how we think about church culture, share best practices, and hopefully help you make improvements in this important but often-overlooked area.

How to Welcome, Love, and Disciple People With Additional Needs
The Church should intentionally welcome, love, and share the gospel with people with differences and disabilities. This breakout will focus on how to make your church and its programs accessible to everyone, and also highlight how we serve children, students, adults, and families with special and additional needs here at Watermark through our Additional Care Ministry.

The Art of Making Amends - Practically Moving from Confession to Restoration
The journey to amends from reconciliation to restoration can be messy, long, and unpredictable. Join us as we discuss the biblical, transferrable principles that can help you navigate conflict resolution in your life, work, and ministry.

Caring for Friends Who Struggle With Same-Sex Attraction or Identify as LGBT+
In today's culture, the Church has often failed to represent Christ to the LGBT+ community in both word and deed. Hear how we are trying to minister to those struggling with same-sex attraction or identifying as LGBT+.

Watermark Elder Model: A Panel Discussion
Join the Watermark Elders as they discuss the model they have used for over 20 years, including: the requirements for Elders, the candidate selection process, roles and expectations, and shepherding each other.

10 Ideas to Lead, Encourage, and Develop Your Staff
How do you continue to build into your staff team during a time of “quiet quitting” and “the great resignation”? In the busy seasons, managers and leaders can drift towards executing to-do lists rather than developing the people they're on mission with, but any mission is only as healthy as the members of the team leading it. Learn 10 ideas to consider as you lead, encourage, and develop your team through any season (even the difficult ones!).

How (Not) to Kill Your Church: Why Your Church Needs More Theology, Not Less
“I don’t need theology; I just need Jesus.” “Theology will ruin your love for God.” Theology will stifle your passion for worship and evangelism.” Comments like these are often thought, spoken, and heard. But are they true? In this breakout, we will explore why theology and the Christian life go together to make fully formed followers of Christ who build up the church.

The Future of Pro-Life & Foster Care Ministry Today
With the Dobbs decision and changes to federal child welfare policies, churches can reimagine prolife and family restoration ministries in partnership with non-profits and other local churches to bring the Gospel to bear on strongholds of abortion, abuse, and neglect in our communities.

Empower Lay Leaders to Shepherd
God did not design you to do anything in isolation, including shepherding. Empowering faithful men and women to come alongside you in pastoral care is for God's glory and everyone's good.

Small Group Overview - Watermark's Small Group Model
Community is one of God’s primary tools of spiritual transformation. Learn how small groups can move beyond a supper club to become a place where members have the joy and privilege of helping each other grow in Christ.

Every Member Matters
Hear how we seek to shepherd each Watermark member, even with a big “flock.” We’ll share on a variety of topics including membership classes, ongoing care, why we reset our membership to zero each year, how each member has a direct line to pastoral leadership, and our heart to build up the local church.

Disponible En Español

Empoderar a los líderes laicos para pastorear
Dios no nos diseñó para hacer nada de forma aislada, incluyendo el pastoreo. Capacitar a los hombres y las mujeres fieles para que se unan a ustedes en el cuidado pastoral, es para la gloria de Dios y el bien de todos.

For Great Guest Services, Stop Focusing on Guests
How are we supposed to host members and guests if we aren’t hosting volunteers first? Hear how our weekend serving teams have been strengthened through investment in key leaders.

Every Member Matters
Hear how we seek to shepherd each Watermark member, even with a big “flock.” We’ll share on a variety of topics including membership classes, ongoing care, why we reset our membership to zero each year, how each member has a direct line to pastoral leadership, and our heart to build up the local church.

How to Welcome, Love, and Disciple People With Additional Needs
The Church should intentionally welcome, love, and share the gospel with people with differences and disabilities. This breakout will focus on how to make your church and its programs accessible to everyone, and also highlight how we serve children, students, adults, and families with special and additional needs here at Watermark through our Additional Care Ministry.

How to Care for Other Cultures
Join our External Focus and Watermark en Espanol teams as they discuss best practices for creating space and embracing different cultures within your church.

How to Onboard Volunteers
Investing in your volunteers early on will produce your next generation of ministry and church leaders. We will discuss how we have seen onboarding volunteers shape our culture at the Porch, common obstacles you may run into, and key practices to equip and train up your people.

How (Not) to Kill Your Church: Why Your Church Needs More Theology, Not Less
“I don’t need theology; I just need Jesus.” “Theology will ruin your love for God.” Theology will stifle your passion for worship and evangelism.” Comments like these are often thought, spoken, and heard. But are they true? In this breakout, we will explore why theology and the Christian life go together to make fully formed followers of Christ who build up the church.

How to Write Curriculum
Learn Watermark’s process for developing, refining, and releasing curriculum, and the collaborative effort it takes to create excellent content.

Getting Your Members to Actually Read Their Bibles
In 2023, there are a lot of things pining for our attention, but what if the very thing that causes the most distraction is actually our biggest asset? Come and see just how big of a positive impact the internet can have on your congregation as we walk through lessons learned throughout nearly 20 years of digital discipleship through Join the Journey.

If You're Only Going to Read One Book This Year
Come and discover why Pilgrim’s Progress has withstood the test of time as a cherished Christian classic. Whether you want to deepen your personal relationship with Christ, sharpen your theology, better understand Reformation history, or grow in your skills as a pastor, this should be your next read!

Helping the Hurting: Pastoring Those in Significant Sin and Pain
Learn about balancing truth and grace in challenging counseling situations, essential components of biblical counsel, and time-tested methodology that helps open the heart of the hearer.

The Watermark Institute: Training Church Leaders Beyond the Walls of Seminary
Learn how the Watermark Institute provides biblical training, discipleship, and hands-on ministry experience for the next generation of church leaders.

Moneywise
Join with us and learn how to establish a thriving stewardship ministry. We have broken the mold for what stewardship ministry looks like. One of our keys to success is to focus on the heart first, before the math. Moneywise is biblically based, interactive, practical and fun.

Disponible En Español

Empoderar a los líderes laicos para pastorear
Dios no nos diseñó para hacer nada de forma aislada, incluyendo el pastoreo. Capacitar a los hombres y las mujeres fieles para que se unan a ustedes en el cuidado pastoral, es para la gloria de Dios y el bien de todos.

Watermark Kids: An Overview
The church has a crucial role to play in coming alongside parents to shepherd and guide the next generation. Come hear ways we strive to create spaces for every kid to be seen and welcomed, taught about Jesus, while safe and secure in all we do.

Family Formation: Helping Establish a Foundation of Faith
Beyond kids ministry, the church has a major role to play in helping parents establish a vibrant family life rooted in the truth of the Gospel. At this breakout, you’ll hear how we think about a family’s spiritual formation and ways we try to teach, partner with, and create opportunities for parents as they lead their families.

The Future of Pro-Life & Foster Care Ministry Today
With the Dobbs decision and changes to federal child welfare policies, churches can reimagine prolife and family restoration ministries in partnership with non-profits and other local churches to bring the Gospel to bear on strongholds of abortion, abuse, and neglect in our communities.

Leading Through Inherited Challenges
When you inherit an existing team, you also inherit its baggage. But common problems on inherited teams—like people in positions that don’t fit their gifting, low morale, uncertain direction, and lack of clarity—don't have to stop you from leading them with excellence.

Ministry Burnout: Hope for Weary Warriors
Fatigue in ministry is inevitable, but what happens when fatigue overwhelms you and you’re not sure you can keep going? In this breakout, you’ll hear a personal story of one pastor’s battle with burnout and learn some practical ways you might prevent it, identify early signs of it, and/or experience healing and hope if you find yourself in it today.

The Watermark Institute: Training Church Leaders Beyond the Walls of Seminary
Learn how the Watermark Institute provides biblical training, discipleship, and hands-on ministry experience for the next generation of church leaders.

The Art of Making Amends - Practically Moving from Confession to Restoration
The journey to amends from reconciliation to restoration can be messy, long, and unpredictable. Join us as we discuss the biblical, transferrable principles that can help you navigate conflict resolution in your life, work, and ministry.

A Leader and Their Health
Most of us acknowledge our bodies as temples to be stewarded for God’s glory, but it’s easier said than put into practice. Luke Friesen and Bobby Rodriguez explain some of the spiritual implications of physical health and some measurable steps you can take toward being a healthier leader.

A Leader and Their Family
Before a leader leads in the church, the family must be led well. We will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities those in ministry face in leading their homes, along with practical ideas for leading and loving their spouse and children.

Take Your Teaching From Good to Great
Come and learn best practices in persuasively, effectively, and creatively teaching God’s Word and preparing sermons.

10 Practical Ways Your Staff Can Thrive at Work
Thousands of books share "tips and tricks" for greater engagement and productivity, but building an amazing culture on your church team can actually start simply. Come learn 10 values that will help build leadership capacity, trust, alignment, resilience, and longevity on your team.

Disponible En Español

El líder y su familia
Para que un líder dirija en la iglesia, primero debe guiar bien a su familia. En este taller abordaremos los desafíos particulares y las oportunidades que enfrentan aquellos en el ministerio al liderar sus hogares, así como ideas prácticas para liderar y amar a su cónyuge e hijos.

The Church's Role in Community Development
Are you frustrated with providing handouts to under-resourced individuals? Do you see the same people in your community day after day and wish you could make a real difference in their lives? Does your city view your church as a resource that really helps the community in effective ways? Join us as we explore some key principles on how the body of Christ can be deployed in your community long term to really make a difference in the lives of those you seek to serve.

How to Care for Other Cultures
Join our External Focus and Watermark en Espanol teams as they discuss best practices for creating space and embracing different cultures within your church.

Protect Your Marriages: How re|engage Impacts Churches
Discover why over 100,000 couples across the country sought marriage help from churches in their local communities through re|engage. This breakout is all about understanding how you can lead your church to become both a relational fitness center and hospital for couples looking to enrich and restore their marriages.

Discipling Nearly and Newly Married Couples in Your Church
The church often responds reactively to marriages, intentionally investing in couples only after problems have already arisen. Learn how to get out in front of the pain and hurt and unlock one of the greatest missed opportunities for evangelism and discipleship in your church.

A Leader and Their Family
Before a leader leads in the church, the family must be led well. We will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities those in ministry face in leading their homes, along with practical ideas for leading and loving their spouse and children.

Disponible En Español

El líder y su familia
Para que un líder dirija en la iglesia, primero debe guiar bien a su familia. En este taller abordaremos los desafíos particulares y las oportunidades que enfrentan aquellos en el ministerio al liderar sus hogares, así como ideas prácticas para liderar y amar a su cónyuge e hijos.

Church Facilities: Approaches to Maintenance, Design, and Construction
Find answers to frequently asked questions about campus development and maintenance as we discuss Watermark’s facilities strategy, team structure, building design, construction, and upkeep.

A Biblical Approach to Church Security
Discuss how to approach church security from a pastoral perspective, best practices for emergency action plans, and more.

How to Lead When You're Not in Charge
Come hear from past and current Administrative and Executive Assistants on how they lead themselves and their coworkers in the workplace. This breakout will encourage and empower those who serve behind the scenes to be fully deployed in their giftings and unique leadership opportunities. 

The Three Levers of Project Management
Join a panel discussion with our Project Managers for events, communications, and IT as they discuss lessons learned and best practices. Learn how to manage your projects while also: protecting your team’s time, resources, and scope; building relationships with other ministry teams you collaborate with; and building workflows that unleash your team rather than burn them out.

How to Onboard Volunteers
Investing in your volunteers early on will produce your next generation of ministry and church leaders. We will discuss how we have seen onboarding volunteers shape our culture at the Porch, common obstacles you may run into, and key practices to equip and train up your people.

Event Planning for the Unofficial Event Planner
Very rarely do churches have a designated event planner on their full-time staff, but much of ministry starts at an event. Whether it's Sunday services, Christmas Eve or Easter, retreats, or a simple potluck for fellowship, everyone has a part to play in event planning (even if it's not in your job description). Come learn best practices that can keep you from unintentionally becoming an event planner and free you up to do more ministry.

Ministry Burnout: Hope for Weary Warriors
Fatigue in ministry is inevitable, but what happens when fatigue overwhelms you and you’re not sure you can keep going? In this breakout, you’ll hear a personal story of one pastor’s battle with burnout and learn some practical ways you might prevent it, identify early signs of it, and/or experience healing and hope if you find yourself in it today.

Watermark Elder Model: A Panel Discussion
Join the Watermark Elders as they discuss the model they have used for over 20 years, including: the requirements for Elders, the candidate selection process, roles and expectations, and shepherding each other.

Watermark's Way Forward: Our Priorities in 2023
Churches are encountering both new and old challenges while ministering to their congregations, and Watermark is no exception! Come hear the issues Watermark is addressing in 2023 and what methods we plan to implement.

Guided Prayer Time
Pray for the Church during a guided time of prayer in the Chapel.

Take Your Teaching From Good to Great
Come and learn best practices in persuasively, effectively, and creatively teaching God’s Word and preparing sermons.

Leading Through Inherited Challenges
When you inherit an existing team, you also inherit its baggage. But common problems on inherited teams—like people in positions that don’t fit their gifting, low morale, uncertain direction, and lack of clarity—don't have to stop you from leading them with excellence.

Watermark Students: Guiding Future Generations to Follow Jesus and Be the Church
The Watermark Students team will share how to create opportunities for students (grades 6-12) to be known, accepted, taught about Jesus, and challenged to grow.

Re:generation for Students
Staff and volunteers will share what they have learned after launching a biblical recovery ministry for students in grades 6-12.

Guided Prayer Time
Pray for the Church during a guided time of prayer in the Chapel.

Live Production Auditorium Open House
Check out the spaces where the Watermark Production Team operates in our auditorium. You can freely explore all our assets (including front of house audio, broadcast audio, monitors, lighting, staging, and video engineering) and pick the brains of our Production staff.

Worship and Music Practices
Discuss what our team has learned about discipleship through developing volunteers, planning great setlists, using tracks intentionally, writing and recording original music, and developing a healthy, biblical worship culture.