+ Building Resilience for the Long Haul

// Dr Kate Middleton

Auditorium

Leadership has a habit of revealing your weaknesses, so Biblical reminders that in our weakness Gods power is released are very welcome. But in a culture which models leadership as strength and power, how do we balance this very different narrative with the need to build trust and sustain ourselves and those we lead, particularly in tricky times? Join Kate as she shares insights from psychology, theology, and also from leaders across a range of traditions and contexts to reflect on what healthy leadership looks like.

Kate is an ordained priest in the Anglican church, psychologist and a director of the Mind & Soul Foundation with over two decades of experience leading in a variety of church traditions. She has a particular interest in emotional health and healthy leadership in the face of life’s challenges, and loves to combine insight from psychology with the ancient wisdom of the Bible. She's a popular speaker and author of several books and also co-hosts the podcast 'Becoming: conversations about psychologically healthy leadership'

+ Juggling Priorities: Family Life in a digital age

// Katherine Hill

Room: G1 & 2

Smartphones, Snapchat, TikTok, gaming, AI, porn… technology forms the back drop to our lives - there are many advantages but also huge challenges. Come along and gain practical help, biblical wisdom and renewed confidence in navigating the digital age in the context of family life. Discover not only how to keep our children safe, but some good habits for our own lives - making the most of all the digital age has to offer!

Katharine Hill is a Director of Care for the Family, a national charity which aims to strengthen family life and help those who face family difficulties. She is a popular speaker and broadcaster and the author of several books, including the popular Left to their own Devices? Confident parenting in a digital world. She is married to Richard and they have four children and seven grandchildren.

+ Church Governance: Getting it right

// Andy Smith, Clive Sillito and Tom Bell

Room: F5

We invite you to join us for a vital conversation and Q&A session. Governance in the local church has never been more important. Recent events across the church demonstrate a crucial need for healthy and strong leadership in our national and local settings. Discover the essential steps every church trustee needs to know and learn how to avoid the risks of poor governance. We'll explore practical solutions, including a self-assessment toolkit, expert HR and legal support, safeguarding resources, and valuable online tools. Equip your board and leadership teams to build a stronger, more trustworthy future for your church.

Andy, along with his wife Harmony, leads the Belfast City Vineyard and is the Regional Leader for Ireland. Andy also serves as a member of the National Vineyard Leadership Team and is the lead for the Vineyard National Governance Review 2024/25. Clive is the Chair of Trustees for Vineyard Churches and Vineyard Worship. Clive is a self-employed business consultant focusing on strategic planning and organisational change. He previously served as Pharmacy Director for Boots from 2007 -2012. Tom is the Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland General Counsel. Tom advises the national movement and local churches on all things legal.

+ Cultivating Intercessory Prayer in your church

// Paul Phillips & Jo Hemming

Room: F1

We know the verses, we know the stories, and we see why prayer is important. However in most churches prayer remains the domain of a few faithful (older?) individuals. In the last 6 months we have seen a doubling of those coming to our prayer gatherings and at times had over half the church engaged in prayer. We’ll share how we’re seeking to underpin prayer with key values such as being rooted in a greater understanding of who God is and who we are, as well as preparing ourselves to pray, listening before speaking and ensuring we pray from a place of faith and expectation. We’re also delighted to have contributions from Becky Hemming (Causeway Coast Vineyard) and Sam Couper (Revive Europe and Hull Vineyard Church); young leaders who are passionate about prayer.

Paul Phillips heads up the prayer ministry for Winchester Vineyard. Over the years he has envisioned and trained hundreds of people to pray more effectively, creatively and with more fun particularly for the Muslim world. He helps people grow in their own individual prayer lives, as well as facilitating prayer events of various sizes and advising churches on setting up prayer rooms.

Jo Hemming is Senior Pastor of Winchester Vineyard and Regional Leader for South, South West and Wales. At the age of 15 she was welcomed to her first church prayer meeting by some faithful grey-haired saints. Now her hair is changing colour she’s trying to work out how to be a leader of a church who prays.

+ Leading Holy Spirit ministry times

// Paul & Steph Lowe

Room: G3

We will consider how to cultivate environments where the Holy Spirit can move in power, whilst also maintaining a sense of safety and order. We will reflect on the delicate balance between spontaneity and structure; allowing for divine encounters without losing sight of our foundational principles.

Paul & Steph live in Manchester with their two daughters. They lead Manchester Vineyard and have a heart to see their city and its people restored. They also lead The Cause to Live For and are deeply passionate about seeing people step into radical discipleship that gives everything for the Kingdom of God.