Wee Kirk Conference 2025

Tracks

Barnabas Track | The Pastor in a Secular Age (begins Sunday after dinner), Led by Rev. Dr. Andrew Root

Being a pastor is no easy task in our time.  Institutions are weaker, budgets are in decline, people are uninterested, and commitment is wavering.  But these are only symptoms of a bigger issue.  In our time together, we will seek to peer beneath the symptoms and explore why many pastors find themselves in an identity crisis.  The presentation examines what living in a secular age does to pastoral identity and how pastors can find new footing within it.  We will explore topics like: Why are They Leaving? Misdiagnosing Our Challenges in a Secular Age, Ministry Inside the Immanent Frame, The Task of Speaking of God in a Secular Age, and Families, the Good Life, the Need for a Story, Or Why Everything Else is More Important than Church.  

Creative Worship Track | Exploring Worship that's Welcoming! (begins Monday at 3 pm), Led by Rev. Burns Stanfield

Rev. Burns Stanfield will facilitate an exploration of worship as a way to engage hearts, build community, and practice faithful living. Two of our key tools for the workshop: stories and music.  Drawing on personal and biblical stories, participants will learn about breathing new life into traditional liturgy and return to their congregations with creative ideas for crafting worship that is welcoming for all. We will explore music, liturgy, and testimony. With his unique gift for creating space for “all God’s people in the choir," Burns will help us draw on the God-given talents assembled in our workshop community.

Leadership Track (begins Monday 9 am and a Sunday night arrival is suggested)  |  Making Room at the Table, Led by Rev. Dr. George B. Thompson Jr. and Rev. Dr. Beverly A. Thompson 

This year’s Wee Kirk focus, “Emmanuel Living,” encourages us to imagine what being “God’s Neighborhood” might look like. How can the natural strengths and gifts of a smaller-membership congregation be utilized to become a welcoming, caring presence in God’s neighborhood? This track will help participants learn to listen deeply, as they identify and practice ways to extend hospitality and generosity to those outside the walls of their congregations.

Spiritual Formation Track | Welcoming Scripture and Prayer Track:  75+ Ways to Approach Two Pillar Spiritual Disciplines (begins Monday 9 am and a Sunday night arrival is suggested), Led by Rev. Dr. Martha Friz Langer and Rev. Dr. Mark Friz

Most of us have heard the way to develop a deeper and mature relationship with God is to read scripture and pray.  Unfortunately, few churches teach individuals the multiple ways to approach these two spiritual disciplines.  In this track you will receive creative ideas for your own personal devotional life and tools to spark new interest in these two pillar disciplines in your church.

Retreat Track

Many people come to Montreat’s Wee Kirk Conference simply to enjoy the fellowship of other believers in the beauty of Montreat. To encourage this, we have created a special “retreat track” that includes all the worship and plenary presentations with abundant time for prayer, recreation, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.

Rates & Registration

Full or partial scholarships are available. For more information on available scholarships and to fill out an application, please visit this page.

Conference Fees

*A maximum of 6 persons, including clergy and spouse, from any one congregation may attend at the reduced rates. Additional persons will pay $380 each.

*The Spiritual Formation track and the Leadership Track are an additional $100 per couple or $50 for an individual if you choose to begin your stay at the Inn on Sunday night. This amount also includes meals for breakfast and lunch on Monday. Dinner on Sunday is not included with this option but may be added for $18. If you plan to arrive at 9 am Monday morning, there is no additional charge, but you will not be able to check into your room until 3 pm on Monday. Note: apply for a scholarship if this presents a financial difficulty for you.

Barnabas Track Additional Fees

The Barnabas Track begins on Sunday afternoon, and includes a Sunday night stay, Sunday dinner, and Monday breakfast and lunch.  It an additional fee on top of the main conference registration fee:

The additional charges (for Sunday arrivals) will be added when our registrar processes your registration. Be sure to indicate your arrival date.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations may be made at any time up until the Friday prior to the conference. A full refund will be issued for cancellations received by September 19, 2025.  After that, 50% refunds will be issued if cancellation is made before October 17, 2025.  No refunds after October 17, 2025.

Questions?

Questions about registration? Email the registrar, Justin Kyremes-Parks at justinkp@montreat.org.

Schedules

All Schedules are tentative and subject to change.

Schedule for Barnabas Track*

*William Black Lodge (Chapel and dining room except where noted)

Schedules for Leadership and Spiritual Formation Tracks

Schedules for the Creative Worship Track

Schedule for Retreat Track

Planning Team Members

• Tracy Taylor Bailey, Montreat, NC
• Martha Friz-Langer, Huntingburg, IN
• William Dunfee, Belpre, OH
• Kate Harper, Mebane, NC
• Audrey Reese, Westminster, SC