Overview
Water. Oxygen. Community.
As humans, we depend on a few core essentials. Water sustains our bodies. Oxygen invigorates our organs. And community nourishes our souls with acceptance, guidance, and encouragement. As individuals, it challenges us with accountability and inspires us to serve. As churches, it strengthens us with shared experiences and motivates us as we see lives changed.
God designed us to live life together. That’s why group life is the heartbeat of the church. This year’s Group Life Conference: Essential for the Human Heart—our 10th since first introducing it in 1998—will help you and your team keep that heartbeat strong by rediscovering the Kingdom-advancing principles of biblical community.
Essential for the Human Heart
This conference is ideal for anyone at your church who is involved in community life — from pastors to volunteer group leaders, from the traditional church with a small-group ministry to the emerging church built entirely on small groups. Those who attend will not only learn from some of the world’s most experienced group life experts, but will have networking and training opportunities with immediate ministry application.
About this Site:
Find out what's new at this year's conference. Learn about our innovative and influential speakers, dynamic worship, and uplifting music and drama in five Main Sessions on Thursday, October 16 and Saturday, October 18. Come early (before the 12:30 p.m. start on Thursday) and enjoy the Pre-Conference Experiences.
On Friday you can choose to attend our four Featured Breakouts or mix and match over 50 other General Breakout options. Ministry Point Leaders can choose extended-length, add-on Point Leader Breakouts. Learn more about breakout options and suggested tracks by visiting the Breakout Breakdown.
You can see the entire Conference at a Glance.
Get registration details and travel tips. Download the brochure or promotional tools for your church, send the link to this site to a friend, or take a look back at ten years of Group Life. You can review videos and browse through resources.
Can't make it to Chicago? It's available via satellite! Learn how to attend a broadcast near you or host the broadcast in your church.
Finally, you can learn about us.
Communal living is not optional. It is essential to life itself. But you can’t just tell people to practice community. That’s why this conference gives real answers to real challenges. It offers practical guidance on how to experience and lead communal life. You’re serious about community, and so are we.
Bill Donahue—Executive Director—Group Life,
Willow Creek Association