WG24 Seminars

Pre-Conference Intensives (Wednesday, 1:00-4:30pm)

NOTE: All Pre-Conference Intensives need to be registered for separately and cost $40.

Drums and Bass | David Zimmer and Ryan Foglesong

While focusing on specific techniques, methods, and practices for drummers and bass players, David and Ryan will address how what we play should always serve the enthusiastic singing of their local churches.

Piano Master Class | Bob Kauflin

This class, designed for medium to advanced piano players, will give numerous attendees the opportunity to receive immediate feedback from Bob on how they can take the next steps to improve their playing for the church, whether they are in a band or play by themselves.

Guitar Master Class | Patrick Anderson

While focusing primarily on the acoustic guitar, Patrick will give practical tools for growing in your knowledge of technique, chords, and supporting your congregation as a guitarist. A basic knowledge of guitar playing is required. 

Vocals Master Class | Lacy Condy and McKenzie Fuller

Want to serve your team and church more effectively as a vocalist? This class will focus not only how to develop as a singer, but also cover working together with other musicians to serve your church more effectively. 

Habits of Grace | David Mathis

Whether you’re wondering how your devotional times with the Lord can be strengthened or are already enjoying fruitful spiritual disciplines, David Mathis will be showing you how God has given us numerous ways of growing in our relationship with him that are gifts designed to make us more like his Son. 

Seminar #1 (Thursday, 1:15-2:45pm)

Leaders | Cultivating a Heart for Your Church | Jared Mellinger

Leaders glorify God when they see their own responsibilities as a means of actively caring for, serving, and building up others. This session will give you theological foundations and practical applications for becoming that kind of leader.

Musicians | The Ideal Team Member | Bob Kauflin

Participating on the music, tech, projection, video, or planning team is more than an opportunity to showcase our gifts. It’s an opportunity to join others in serving those for whom Christ came to redeem. This breakout will equip you to do that in a way that contributes to a Christ-exalting culture and God-glorifying gatherings.

General | Keeping Sane in and Insane World | Josh Blount

The culture we live in is very much like the one the prophet Isaiah lived in when he made this observation: “For truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.” (Isaiah 59:14–15, ESV) How do we make a positive and prophetic impact in an upside-down, post-Christian world where biblical truth is often vilified or ignored? What can we as Christians do to shine a light into a dark world in a way that is courageous, compassionate, and above all, Christ-exalting? This seminar will equip you theologically and practically to spread the fragrance of Christ to your friends, family, and neighbors.

Songwriters | How We Write Sovereign Grace Songs | David Zimmer, Nathan Stiff, Jon Althoff, Marc Willerton, Lacy Condy, Devon Kauflin

In this breakout, you’ll hear from a number of the songwriters who contribute to Sovereign Grace Music as they talk about the philosophy and process behind what we do. They’ll cover topics that include rooting your lyrics in Scripture, the benefits and limits of creativity, co-writing, watching your heart, and more.

Seminar #2 (Friday, 1:15-2:45pm)

Leaders | Cultivating a Heart for the Lord: What Kind of Leader is God After? | Bob Kauflin

Most leaders know what’s expected of them and what makes for a good leader. But often a serious distance exists between what we know and what we’re actually doing. That disconnect can lead to significant problems not only for the leader but others. In this breakout, Bob Kauflin, speaking from 40 years of experience as a leader, will address some of our most common blindspots and what to do about them.

General | The Functional Centrality of the Gospel | Mike Bullmore

What is the greatest, most trying need of the church today? A functioning biblical theological application of the Bible, especially the Gospel. In this breakout, you’ll learn how Jesus living, dying, and rising from the dead for our salvation is meant to affect every area of our lives.

Musicians | Arranging for Your Church | Ben Shive, Devon Kauflin, David Zimmer, Ryan Foglesong

How do we think about what and how we play in congregational worship? What are the benefits and drawbacks to simply playing what’s on the recording? How creative should we be? In whatever role you serve musically in your church, this interactive breakout will help you take the next steps in serving your church more intentionally.

Limited Space | Congregational Worship in a Multilingual World

Many churches today are having to confront the challenge of multilingual congregations and communities. What steps can we take to minimize the gaps we experience and reflect the unity we now have in Christ? In this breakout, Sovereign Grace Music and Jonathan and Sarah Jerez will share how they have worked in their own contexts and together to maximize the opportunities our diverse world provides for strengthening the church.