5 Reasons you need to attend Girls' Ministry Forum 2011

I live and breathe and dream and work around the Girls' Ministry Forum. I think it's the best training and enrichment opportunity out there for girls' ministry leaders and girls who want to become leaders. I think that because I am constantly dealing with the details—breakout leaders, topics, keynote speakers, catering, scheduling, technology, programming, etc.

But I suffer from the "curse of knowledge". I assume that everyone else knows as much about that particular subject as I do and therefore forget to talk about its fundamental elements. This blog will give you five reasons to attend the forum, and in the process, tell you about the basics of the event.

1. Quality, credentialed, and experienced keynote speakers. I am thrilled that we will be able to hear from Sissy Goff,  M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, and Melissa Trevathan, M.R.E. Both of them spend their days listening to and counseling teenagers, specifically teen girls. They've written several books, including their most recent release, Modern Parents, Vintage Values.  They understand the world in which teens live and offer their experience and perspective to leaders who want to stay in touch with and reach the next generation.

Added to that platform is someone whom you might not know but whom you'll instantly love. Her name is Selma Wilson. She's the Vice President of B&H Publishing, a division of LifeWay, but that's not why you need to hear her. She helped birth women's ministry here at LifeWay and understands what it's like to be a pioneer, cutting a trail for others to follow. She "gets" girls' ministry and understands the needs of its leaders.

2. Timely, practical, challenging breakout topics. This is one place where a girls' ministry leader can get the scoop on things that she's facing in her ministry—girls and pornography, small budgets, being a youth minister's wife, personal spiritual growth, crisis issues like cutting and suicide. And girls can get much-needed help, too, with topics such as resolving conflict, stress, dealing with the inner diva, and developing healthy friendships.

3. Passionate, informed, experienced breakout leaders. This forum gives girls' ministry leaders and girls the opportunity to learn from breakout leaders like Amy Pierson, who lives and breathes girls' ministry at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. You'll also hear from Jimmie Davis, a pioneer girls' minister, author of two books, and mentor to the next generation of leaders. Add to that line-up ladies like Amy-Jo Girardier, Nancy Hamilton, and Leslie Hollowell, and you've heard from the best of the best in girls' ministry. These ladies don't just know about girls' ministry. They live it out every day.

4. A unique, enlightening, informative panel discussion. This year, we will be hearing about girls' ministry from a different perspective—guys. During lunchtime, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and get straight answers from guys who are involved in student ministry at their church. You'll hear about why they think girls' ministry is important, how a girls' ministry leader can best work with the opposite gender, and issues you'll likely face as you work side by side in ministry. You'll have the opportunity to get the inside scoop on guys and girls' ministry.

5. Christ-centered, soul-enriching worship. I've worked with our worship leaders, The Sonflowerz, for about two years as they have led worship at our You and Your Girl events. I've laughed with them. I've seen them patiently listen to third graders tell stories. I've heard their stories of mission trips. I've watched them honor Christ in their dating relationships and recently got to see photos of their double wedding (they're sisters). I can attest that their hearts are humble (which you don't always see in worship leaders, I'm sad to say). They love the Father. And they love to draw others to the Throne to experience Him. 

If I could, I would make the list even longer, and include things like prayer time, networking, spiritual refreshment, and renewed passion. On second thought, look for another blog post about the Forum with more details....