The idea of gathering young pastors together at a conference specially designed for them has been a goal of CEO Jim Saalfeld’s since he joined CEF in 2016. Of the idea for the conference, Saalfeld said “It’s important to support our young pastors during the early years of their ministry. Being a pastor requires a lot of hard work, prayer, and emotional intelligence. This conference was a way for CEF to show these Next Generation leaders that we care for them and that we offer numerous resources to help their ministries Build the Kingdom.”

When Rev. David Davis was elected President of the Michigan District in 2022, he also had connecting with the next generation of pastors as a priority of his time as District
president. With both CEF and the Michigan District on board, the Next Generation Pastors Retreat was born. Why do young pastors need a conference just for them? The answer is multi-faceted. The Michigan District puts on pastors conferences twice a year, in May and October. While edifying in their own way, often young pastors feel somewhat like outsiders, due to lack of experience, being in a unique ministry context, the topic of the speaker not being applicative to them, or simply because they are juggling having a young family and a church family and finding the right balance between the two.

The Next Generation Retreats ought to allay some of these issues. Noted author and Christian thinker David Zahl was brought in to discuss ministry and our current society. Zahl tackled hard questions and topics that apply particularly to a younger generation of pastors and their ministry. Roundtable discussions were held throughout the day and pastors discussed and debated various topics with their peers. 

Pastor Matt Schuler said “This was probably my favorite 24-hours of a conference that I have ever been to. Everything came together perfectly from the speaker and the accommodations tot he little surprises throughout the conference. It was awesome! We were able to be the ones casting the vision of what our church body will look like in 20 years.”

CEF is proud to support all church workers in our district through various conferences and events as well as through our grant programs and numerous services. We want to have long lasting and meaningful partnerships with everyone that calls a Michigan District church their home.