The Nehemiah Summit: Equipping Ministry Leaders
January 14, 2025
Orpheus Heyward hosts The Nehemiah Next Level Up Summit in Atlanta
In November, Leonard Allen, dean of the College of Bible and Ministry, spoke at the Nehemiah Next Level Up Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, an annual gathering of hundreds of African American Church of Christ leaders from across the nation. It was a dynamic and inspiring three-day experience. It was overseen and hosted by Orpheus Heyward, senior minister of Renaissance Church of Christ and affiliate faculty member in the College of Bible and Ministry. Lipscomb president Candice McQueen also spoke at the summit on the topic of Christian higher education.
President McQueen
Allen’s topic was “The Cruciform Church: Adopting the Cross as a Means of Shaping the Church.” He said, “The cross can never be merely assumed but must always be re-centered. There is a centrifugal force at work in human nature; we want to spin out and away from the cross and its offense. Paul said to the Corinthians, ‘I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified’ (1 Cor. 2:2). He did not say this because he considered the resurrection to be of lesser importance. Paul insisted on the centrality of the cross because the Corinthian Christians wanted to pass over it, to put it behind them. This tendency remains strong in the American church today.”
The Nehemiah Next Level Up Summit was an enriching experience designed to equip church leaders and ministry teams with tools to enhance their local church ministry. Through interactive workshops and focused training sessions, participants explored topics such as ministry, strategic leadership and foundational theology grounded in the core tenets of the Christian faith. This year's theme, "Shift: The Flexibility of an Adaptable Ministry," emphasized the importance of flexibility and innovation in ministry methodologies to navigate an ever-changing world. The Summit also fostered collaboration, bringing together presenters from the Independent Christian Church and Churches of Christ to discuss their shared commitment to kingdom-building and church mission.
The Nehemiah Summit featured diverse speakers who brought impactful insights addressing the theme. Alvin Daniels, senior minister of Hope Church of Christ, Hollywood, Florida, delivered a powerful keynote address centered on the need for the church to shift from stagnant methodologies to embrace innovative processes that align with contemporary challenges. Additionally, Cleavon Matthews, senior minister of Bold Believers Church of Christ in Dayton, Ohio, spoke eloquently about the hazards of ministry, addressing the realities of burnout among church leaders. He provided practical tools and encouragement to help ministry teams safeguard their mental, emotional, and spiritual health while navigating the demands of their calling.
The Summit was a powerful event, equipping church leaders with tools to adapt, grow, and prioritize kingdom-building. Looking ahead, the Summit plans to partner with Lipscomb University to offer college credits for select workshops and introduce Certificates of Completion for participants who fulfill a set number of hours in a specific area of concentration. These initiatives aim to deepen the summit's impact, fostering excellence and ongoing development among ministry leaders.
Attendees pray together at the Nehemiah Summit
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