Church Forward

This past Monday, at the Church Forward sponsored Leaders Dinner during the For the Church National Conference, Dr. Jason K. Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, presented David Manner with the Distinguished Denominational Service Award — honoring his distinguished tenure and faithful service to the churches of Kansas and Nebraska. Twenty-six years of ministry. A legacy of faithfulness to the gospel. We are so grateful for David and the mark he has left on our two states. Congratulations, David.

Pre-registration for the 2026 Annual Meeting closes tomorrow, October 1. If your church plans to send messengers or visitors this year, now is the time to lock in your spot. We'd love to see churches from across our two states in Salina on October 12 and 13. Register today at kncsb.org/am2026.

Every church claims the Great Commission — but it's easy for it to stay so generic that other passions quietly take its place, and community fades into scenery behind our programs and platforms. At this year's Annual Meeting, Timm Collins will lead 'Aiming Your Church At Its Mission Field,' helping leaders recapture a shared focus and unlock your church's collective potential for greater missional impact in your community. Join us Oct 12–13 in Salina. Register at www.churchforwardannualmeeting.org

Most churches move through seasons of plateau or decline — often long before it shows up in the numbers. At this year's Annual Meeting, John Shields and Eric Franklin will lead "Assessing Your Missional Vitality," a breakout built to help you look past the numbers to the core factors shaping your church's health, and identify the priority steps toward real missional impact. Join us Oct 12–13 in Salina.

Register at www.churchforwardannualmeeting.org

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Discipleship doesn't happen by accident. Danny Payne and Kelly Randolph will lead "Sharpening Your Discipleship Core" at this year's Annual Meeting — practical help for building disciple-makers in your church. Oct 12–13, Webster Conference Center, Salina. Register at www.churchforwardannualmeeting.org

NextGen leaders in Kansas and Nebraska — if you're heading to ETCH, come find Miranda Collins at our KS-NE meetup. Whether we've crossed paths before or this is our first time connecting, we'd love to meet you, swap stories, and build some new relationships with ministry leaders from across our two states. etchconference.com

What a weekend. Grateful for every woman who gathered, every church represented, and the God who moves when His people seek Him together. The mission continues. Stay connected with Church Forward at https://www.kncsb.org/upcoming

Exciting news, Kansas-Nebraska Ministry Leaders!

Beginning November 1, Dr. John Shields will step into the role of Executive Director-Treasurer of Church Forward!

John has faithfully served our churches for years, most recently as Director of Leadership Health, and before that as lead pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington, Nebraska for 25 years. He's passionate about helping every church across Nebraska and Kansas move forward in their sacred mission, and we can't wait to see what God does through him in this next season.

“I can’t imagine a better choice to serve as the next Executive Director Treasurer of Church Forward than my friend and ministry partner, Dr. John Shields. John is already a trusted leader among churches across Kansas and Nebraska. He has championed leadership and church health with integrity, humility, and a genuine pastoral heart. I’m excited to see how God will use John in this new season of ministry as he collaborates with convention staff and ministry partners to help every Kansas and Nebraska church to discover their next step forward. I’m grateful for John’s leadership and can’t wait to see what God does through him and Church Forward in the days ahead.”
— Dr. David Manner, Retiring Executive Director-Treasurer of Church Forward

“Throughout the search process, the Executive Committee discovered John Shields to be a man of impeccable character, faithful service, and genuine spiritual depth. His love for Christ, his family, and our Convention was evident throughout our conversations with him and those who know him best. We believe God, in His providence, brought John before us for such a time as this, and we are excited to see how the Lord will use him to lead our convention and strengthen churches across Kansas and Nebraska.”
— Dr. David Crowther, Convention President of Church Forward

Read the full announcement and get to know John here: https://www.kncsb.org/stories/welcomejohnshields

Join us in celebrating and praying for Dr. Shields as he begins this new chapter!

Hospitality is about much more than hosting a beautiful gathering or preparing a perfect meal. It’s about creating space for people to feel welcome, valued, and loved.

Join other Southern Baptist women for this important, and free, evangelism webinar, hosted by Catherine Renfro, that focuses on how to "Leverage Hospitality for the Gospel