About the INSIDE-OUT Conference
The Inside-Out Conference began in August, 2006, held for the first time at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference was held in response to the decline in our denomination and the controversies that have kept us embroiled in internal battles over the years. It was the hope of a group of leaders to begin to change the culture of the church by being INWARDLY STRONG and OUTWARDLY FOCUSED. Instead of expending energies on the infighting, it was the desire of the PGF to work on encouraging people to become the missional church – not by changing programming or altering a few things to make the church appear to be different – but to truly change the culture of congregations by teaching them what it means to be the “sent ones” of Jesus Christ. To be inwardly strong and outwardly focused means to take our congregations from being entertained to being completely engaged in the world around them – from local neighborhoods to partnerships in far countries.
2007 brought the second INSIDE-OUT CONFERENCE to Houston, Texas. Michael Frost delivered a talk, What is Missional, that has become a YouTube hit. It touched so many people, including orders from Hong Kong, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, and more, we used it to anchor a DVD small group curriculum, What is Missional? It is available in our online store at www.pgfstore.com.
2008 brought the third INSIDE-OUT CONFERENCE to the west coast, hosted by community churches in Southern California. Held August 14-16, 2008, the conference provided energetic worship, opportunities for learning, the sharing of stories and networking with like-minded congregations. With most attendees under the age of 50, it was an exciting glimpse at the future of a missionally minded Presbyterian church.
2009 will bring regional gatherings. The goal is to provide more gatherings in locations that more people can reach without expensive air travel. The first will be INSIDE OUT AND ON THE ROAD - GEARING UP ATLANTA. Registration is open now. Featuring Reggie McNeal, this two day event will focus on the shifts congregations need to make in order to be effective witneses in today's culture.
If you are interested in hosting a PGF regional gathering, then please contact PGF Executive Director, Kelly Kannwischer, at kellykannwischer(at)gmail.com
For information about the Presbyterian Global Fellowship, click here, or visit www.presbyterianglobalfellowship.org.
