| MCMA ENGAGE 2026 HIGH TECH & HIGH TOUCH – Church Ministry in the Age of A.I. October 3, 2026 - Cornerstone Church - 5000 W. Broadway - Crystal, MN 8:00 - Registration and Refreshments 8:45 - Welcome & Introduction to the Day 9:00 - 1st Plenary – Liam Savage – A.I. and Glorifying the Great I AM! What is AI and how can it bring glory to God in our lives and our ministry? Get inspired, equipped and prepared to lead this conversation in your context. 9:45 - Q & A on Liam Savage’s presentation 10:00 - Resource Exhibit Break 10:30 - 2nd Plenary – Scott Volltrauer – The Irreplaceable Church As technology becomes more human-like, Christians must become more authentically human. The church's competitive advantage has never been information. It has always been incarnation. God didn't send a download. God came. God is present. That becomes our model for ministry. 11:15 - Q & A on Scott Volltrauer’s presentation. 11:30 - Lunch & Resource Exhibits 12:15 - Breakout Session 1 Children's – Mary Blosser – Effective Children’s Ministry Today A comprehensive overview of the need for children’s ministry, a clear understanding of the Gospel, the Scriptures, repentance, and spiritual responsibility. Also…the importance of relationships within the church and with one-on-one mentors. We also will look at how to recruit, train, encourage, and maintain effective volunteers. Youth – Scott Volltrauer – Coaching Teens toward Emotional Self-Regulation Practical Tools for Helping Teens Recognize, Manage, and Respond to Their Emotions Leadership – Liam Savage – Cultivating Innovation to Lead Change Innovation is an approach to ministry that puts the people you serve into the center, bring transformation through love, strategy and faithful reliance on God. Marriage & Family – Natt Miller – Scroll, Swipe & Stay Faithful: Guarding Marriages On & Offline In an age of endless feeds and hidden temptations, how do we keep our hearts and homes pure? This session equips leaders and church workers to disciple couples in setting Christ-centered digital boundaries. Natt will help address pornography, comparison, and social media division, and provide practical tools for accountability, transparency, and covenant protection — both online and in the home. 1:05 - Short Break 1:15 - Breakout Session 2 Children's – Mary Blosser – Parent Involvement in Effective Children’s Ministry An examination of the biblical pattern for discipleship of children and how to engage, train, and encourage parents in the discipleship process with children. Youth – Scott Volltrauer – Being Present While Carrying Out Your Own Pain How youth workers can care well for teens without neglecting their own emotional and spiritual health. Leadership – Liam Savage – Crash Course in A.I. for Ministry LLMs? Agentic? Generative? This is a practical introduction to the tools, concepts and vocabulary you need to understand and leverage this rapidly evolving technology. Marriage & Family – Natt Miller – Unplugged & Undivided: Restoring Presence in Marriage & Family Screens have replaced conversations, and distraction has replaced devotion. This session calls us back to the lost art of holy & human presence. Learn how to teach couples and families to build intentional, tech-free rhythms for prayer, communication, and connection. Discover how to cultivate spiritual, emotional, and relational intimacy when the world is competing for our attention. 2:05 - Short Break 2:10 - Final Plenary – Matt Stacey – The Power of Passing on Your Personal Passion 2:30 – Dismissal Liam Savage is the Director of Innovation at OneHope, dedicated to discipling the next generation. He has written and taught extensively on the subject of innovation. He holds degrees from Biola & Knox Seminary; an MBA and a Doctor of Ministry. His fresh perspective will inspire and challenge us. Scott Volltrauer, PhD, ThD is a Senior Coach and Trainer at TreeHouse. With more than 35 years of experience in youth ministry and mental health. His practical tools, relatable stories, and humor will equip us for the coming season of personal touches in ministry. Mary Blosser has decades of experience with children’s ministry. She has a passion for effective ministry with kids and their families. Her most recent assignment has been with Buffalo Covenant Church. Natt E. Miller II is an Associate Director of MCMA, a pastor in Philadelphia and leads the Marriage School that assists both pre-married and married couples to build strong relationships. Matt Stacey is an MCMA Associate Director and the pastor the First Baptist Church of Long Prairie, MN. He has extensive pastoral experience and a passion for genuine ministry.
Comments from last year’s ENGAGE… I loved the various exhibits. Very encouraging. Excellent conference! This was an excellent workshop! God bless you all!! Very good meeting. All three of the assembly messages were so challenging and touched on current needs in my church. I am refreshed and filled with joy! Thank you! This workshop exceeded my expectations – 1st time to attend an MCMA event. I appreciate ENGAGE 2025. I enjoyed meeting all 12 exhibitors and gained a lot from them. MCMA is always a blessing to us here in the U.S. and abroad! Amen! From an exhibitor: The speakers were very interesting and shared practical ideas. Thanks for encouraging us to come to MCMA today. We made some very good contacts. Thanks for all the work you did to set this all up. Thank God for this informative conference.
|