Lampstand Conference 2025: A Transformative Experience

The Lampstand Conference 2025, hosted by Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, is a premier gathering focused on church health and vitality. This was my first time attending, and it was a truly transformative experience. The wealth of insight and encouragement shared during the conference has made a lasting impact, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated.

I attended the conference as an exhibitor, representing Five More Talents and our church outreach services. These include the Church Outreach Group, an online community and course series, and the Church Outreach Incubator, a structured service designed to help churches develop robust outreach and evangelism ministries.

Three Key Takeaways

Reflecting on the conference a month later, three key themes continue to resonate with me: remembering, repentance, and leadership. Each of these is essential for churches seeking to grow in obedience to the Great Commission.

1. The Importance of Remembering

One session specifically addressed the importance of remembering, though many speakers wove examples of God’s faithfulness throughout church history into their talks. Remembering God’s past works strengthens our faith, especially in times of struggle.

Even when we feel depleted—spiritually, emotionally, or physically—we must recall what God has done in our lives, in our churches, and in the broader Christian community. The practice of gratitude fuels perseverance. As Psalm 77:11 reminds us, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.”

2. The Necessity of Repentance

Repentance is another critical area the conference emphasized. It is a topic I continue to study and grow in, particularly through the book Repentance by C. John Miller. The distinction between repentance and penance is crucial—repentance is not about performing religious duties to earn forgiveness but about turning back to God in faith.

A life of repentance means continually returning to the gospel, recognizing our need for cleansing, and relying on the all-sufficient grace of Christ. This was a refreshing and convicting reminder of the daily posture believers should maintain.

3. The Role of Leadership in Church Health

Leadership was another major theme at Lampstand. Speakers highlighted how strong, biblically grounded leadership can be the difference between a thriving church and one that stagnates.

Ephesians 4:11-12 speaks to the responsibility of church leaders: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Leadership is about equipping others, not doing all the work alone.

John Currie’s new book, The Pastor as Leader, and earlier works like The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer offer valuable insights on this topic. A striking example of leadership principles can be found in the story of Moses and Jethro (Exodus 18). Jethro advised Moses to delegate responsibilities, ensuring a sustainable structure for governance and discipleship.

Effective leadership involves identifying, equipping, and releasing others to serve. Leaders must see the potential in those they shepherd, drawing out and cultivating their gifts for the work of ministry.

Conclusion

The Lampstand Conference 2025 reinforced the urgency of church revitalization and mission. Remembering God’s faithfulness, practicing continual repentance, and fostering strong leadership are foundational to Great Commission ministry. As Habakkuk 2:14 reminds us, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” May we, as leaders and members of Christ’s church, labor faithfully toward that vision.

Note: Generative AI was used in creating this post. First, I made an audio recording of what I wanted to say. Then, I transcribed the audio using TurboScribe.ai. Finally, I transformed the transcript into a blog post using ChatGPT.