Nurture Conference 2025
"Every Moment Holy"
Douglas McKelvey
Discover the sacred in the ordinary at this year’s Nurture Conference, Every Moment Holy. Together, we will explore how Christ’s presence transforms the smallest moments into occasions of worship, connection, and transcendence.
Join us April 4 for a delightful Friday evening with Douglas McKelvey, author of the best-selling Every Moment Holy series that offers liturgies for the ordinary events of daily life, along with some surprise musical guests. This evening together will remind us that our lives are shot through with sacred purpose even when, perhaps especially when, we are too busy, too distracted, or too sad to notice.
Saturday morning April 5 from 9am-12pm will offer an assortment of enriching workshops.
Through inspiring talks, soulful worship, and meaningful conversations, this conference will awaken you to the beautiful reality that every moment is steeped in the holy.
To discover more about the creator and the vision behind Every Moment Holy, we invite you to learn more about the series.
Lectio Divina: Accessing the Wisdom and Wonder of the Word
with Michael J Palandro, D. Min.
There is little doubt about the authoritative and normative nature of Scripture as a source of theology and a resource for spirituality. The challenge has always been to engage scripture in a way that grounds us in its wisdom, forms us in Christ’s likeness, and nurtures a sense of wonder and awe of God, his wisdom, and his work. We have one hour to pique your curiosity about why lectio divina has been at the center of contemplative spirituality and practice for 1600 years and is experiencing a revival in the contemporary church across every Christian stream. It is a practical tool for accessing the powers of Scripture and a template that can increase the possibility of meaningful and transformative participation with God as a way of life.
 | | About Michael J Palandro, D. Min.During 40 years of pastoring, Scripture was the heartbeat of Michael’s life and ministry. He found it to be insightful, inspiring, and transformative. This passion led him to study at Gordon-Conwell Seminary to complete a Doctor of Ministry at the Oblate School of Theology. Never did he imagine that one class, “The History of Lectio Divina,” would ignite his calling for the next season of his life, inspiring his doctoral project, ”Prioritizing Scripture Reading and the Practice of Lectio Divina for Spiritual Formation.” This experience reshaped his approach to Scripture and led to the creation of Lectio4Life. Convinced of the profound impact that lectio divina can have on every Christian’s spiritual formation, Lectio4Life represents Michael’s commitment to supporting others on their spiritual journeys while encouraging the practice of lectio divina. For more information about Michael, go to https://www.lectio4life.com. |
Engaging With Our Spiritual Practices in Our Every Day Liturgy
with Trishia Warrick
How can we engage in both classic and modern spiritual practices in our everyday liturgies (rhythms)? What are the purposes for committing to these practices? This workshop will give a brief history and description of many of the classic spiritual practices as well as introduce the participant to some of the more modern practices. We will also consider how our personalities and spiritual giftings may influence which practices we are drawn to and why we might want to consider expanding those practice choices in the future.
 | | About Trishia WarrickTrishia has had several roles throughout her life including being an RN, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an educator, and a caregiver to those with special needs. After returning to college at MTSU to receive her bachelor’s degree in Applied Leadership, she worked in the non-profit sector in organizations that helped those within at-risk communities. She received her spiritual direction certification from Lipscomb in 2022, and she is currently completing her master’s degree in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. She is the current teaching assistant for year one Lipscomb Spiritual Direction cohort. For more information about Trishia, go to https://www.trishiawarrick.com. |
Discernment: Responding to Holy Moments
with Deborah Jackson
This workshop explores the practice of Christian discernment; learning to recognize the activity of the Holy in our lives with the intent to respond. We'll explore types of discernment, preparation for discernment, elements of discernment, recognizing the presence and action of God, and living a life of discernment. This workshop is designed to deepen our understanding and practice of discernment to more faithfully respond to the holy moments we encounter.
 | | About Deborah JacksonDeborah is an Ignatian spiritual director in the Nashville, TN area. A graduate of Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality spiritual director training program, she now serves as a cohort facilitator in this two-year program. An ordained priest in the Diocese of St. Anthony, of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, Deborah has been appointed Canon to the Ordinary, and is Abbess of the Online Abbey, where the Order of St. Anthony, clergy and laity, gather for daily Morning and Evening Prayer. She serves on the pastoral staff of Christ is Love Church in Hendersonville, TN, and is an instructor in the church’s Three Streams School of Theology. Deborah and her husband Paul have 3 grown children and 2 wonderful toddler grandchildren. For more information about Deborah, go to https://www.debjax.com. |
Holy Relationships: How Befriending the Poor Connects Us with Jesus
with John Grant, D. Min.
How can the church love the people Jesus loved? Sure, we know we are to love the poor, but how exactly do we do that? Why do poor people often feel unwelcome at church? If the poor aren’t in our churches, aren’t we missing out on a significant part of the Body of Christ? Join us as we explore how the church, including your church, can love the least of these so dear to Jesus’ heart.
 | | About John Grant, D. Min.John Grant, D. Min., is the founder of Compassionate Hands, a homeless ministry in that offers winter shelter and year-round services to neighbors needing housing in Wilson County, Tennessee. In 2024, he launched Good Neighbor U, a program coaching churches and nonprofits to build friendships across cultural and socio-economic divides. John has over 30 years of congregational ministry experience and also trains spiritual directors through ICS. He earned degrees from Lipscomb University and Abilene Christian University, including a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Leadership. John & his wife Amy have lived in Lebanon, Tennessee since 2005. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law and two granddaughters. |
The Artist and The Spirit
with Dan Wilt, D.Min.
The soul of every artist is unique—spun into being by the Creative Spirit that fashioned the micro and macro worlds to perfection. Whether we paint pictures with words, show and tell creation's beauty through physical or digital media, or harness sound to move the heart, we are all on a journey into union with God in Christ. How does the Spirit go about shaping the artist into the likeness of Jesus over the dance of a lifetime? How can you, as a creative, participate with God in becoming "fully alive" (Irenaeus of Lyons) as God intended you to be? Join Dan for this special spiritual formation workshop, and bring your journal along with you.
 | | About Dan Wilt, D.Min.Dan Wilt, D.Min. is an internationally respected speaker, author, and mentor of artists. He is the author of many books on the spiritual life, including Sheltering Mercy and Endless Grace, Prayers Inspired by the Psalms, co-written with filmmaker Ryan Whitaker Smith. Dan has mentored artistic leaders of faith working in many disciplines, with a focus on personal spiritual rhythms for a sustainable faith. He has taught at universities and seminaries on worship, the arts, creative leadership, and spiritual formation, drawing on ideas from the riches of Celtic, Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox spirituality. Dan makes his home in Thompson's Station, TN with his wife Anita. They have three grown children. For more information about Dan, go to https://www.danwilt.com. |
Watch the Youtube Playlists Below of the Past Nurture Conferences
About the Nurture Conference
The Nurture Conference, sponsored by Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality, brings nationally recognized leaders in Christian spirituality to a special event featuring keynote addresses and a variety of workshops. Previous speakers include Randy Harris, Gordon T. Smith, Glandion Carney, Gary Moon, Chris Webb, John Ortberg, Curt Thompson, Terry Wardle, John Mark Hicks, Evan Howard, and Adele and Doug Calhoun.
Our full-day conference each year features main sessions by keynote speakers, a variety of workshop offerings, and optional private Soul Care appointments, designed to be personally renewing and centered on prayer and discernment.
