2024 District Conference Wrap-up

2024 District Conference Evaluation

District Conference 2024 is in our rearview mirror. With sessions rotating between the McPherson Church of the Brethren and McPherson College, we met July 25-28 reflecting on the theme “They will know we are Christians by our Love.” At opening worship Friday evening, Western Plains Moderator Allan van Asselt spoke on the theme of Love. Saturday night we heard from outside guest Enten Eller on Faith, and Sunday from Annual Conference Moderator Dava Hensley on Hope.

With registration at nearly 150, we had more participation this year than in any year in recent memory. Business was light and we had more than usual numbers of outside resource persons and guests, which gave us flexibility for a rich selection of insight sessions and special events. Conference evaluations reflect good community spirit and relationship-building, a goal conference planning was hoping this year’s time together would inspire.

Of special interest this year were two “World Café” sessions that bookended the conference meeting. A series of six questions were posed, with participants rotating to different table groups for each question. The questions included were these [click for list]. Data generated from groups will inform next steps in our DnA planning process, to be developed by the Leadership Forum September 20-22.

This year saw the return of a live auction on Saturday evening. Items to be auctioned were generally in the nature of gift baskets and expendables that were donated by various individuals and organizations. The auction yielded $2,200 for various Brethren causes. The revelry, joking, and friendly competition made the experience memorable even for those who didn’t purchase anything.