Mount Vernon Nazarene University was one of three sites chosen to host Pastors and Leaders Conference (PALCON) 2016. The three-day conference welcomed 421 participants and took place May 31 through June 2 and included educational workshops and seminars.

PALCON is a gathering designed for clergy, both assigned and unassigned, students, and retired clergy. Its goal is to create time and space for connecting with colleagues in ministry who understand the opportunities and realities of ministry. This year’s theme was re-PALCON, the idea of refocusing, refreshing, renewing, reequipping, and re-visioning the Church of the Nazarene.

The five plenary speakers highlighted each of these points in their seminars. David Graves presented Renew: Hearing again God’s call to ministry; Jeanne Serrão held a panel to discuss Revision: A future energized with hope and faith; Dan Boone spoke on Refresh: Recalling our partnership with God; Danielle Strickland discussed Refocus: Seeing people again in the way God sees them; and Scott Daniels presented on Retool: Reaching our changing culture.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops that focused on transforming the church from the inside. Some of the workshops included, Rewire Your Church for Growth, Millennial on Millennials: The Future of Ministry, and Creating a Church Known by What it is For Not Against. Additionally, recreational activities were scheduled to introduce and reconnect participants.

For more information on upcoming PALCON seminars visit palcon.org.