Church Leaders Retreat

Church Leaders Retreat 2021

Speakers Timothy Witmer Steve West Date September 27-29, 2021 Location Muskoka Bible Centre 8 Pioneer Avenue Huntsville, ON P1H 2J3 Map and Directions Schedule Speaker Biographies

Conference Description

You are invited to Ontario’s beautiful Muskoka region for a time of encouragement and rest, September 27-29, 2021. The Shepherd Leader, featuring speakers Tim Witmer and Steve West, will focus on the centrality of the shepherding metaphor in the Scriptural picture of leadership. How are we to think about this ancient agricultural imagery in the modern world? What does it look like in the church and in the home? Come and hear about the biblical mandate to care for our flocks, our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as practical approaches to shepherding. 

Church leaders from Canada and the United States are welcome to attend, and we encourage you to bring your spouse for a getaway. We know that you have demanding jobs and full calendars, and that has certainly intensified over the last year. Understanding the importance of rest we've built time into the schedule for you to enjoy the retreat center. The Muskoka Bible Centre (MBC) is located in a spectacular setting and offers delicious meals and a variety of accommodations to suit your preferences. There are also many activities to participate in including mini-golf, disc golf, tennis, shuffleboard, and bocce, as well as waterfront activities (weather dependent) and walking trails. For more information about MBC, visit their website or call them at 705-789-0123.  

Schedule

Monday, September 27th
2:00-5:00 p.m.  Registration
5:30 p.m.  Dinner
6:30 p.m.  Shepherding: The Biblical Leadership Imperative, Tim Witmer
7:15 p.m.  Break
7:30 p.m.  Shepherding in Culture, Steve West
8:15 p.m.  Q&A 

Tuesday, September 28th 
9:00 a.m.  Shepherding & Contemporary Issues, Steve West
9:45 a.m.  Break
10:15 a.m. Shepherding in the Church, Tim Witmer 

11:00 a.m.  Break
11:15 a.m.  Q&A 
12:00 p.m.  Lunch & Free Time
5:30 p.m.  Dinner
7:00 p.m.  Shepherding in the Home, Tim Witmer

Wednesday, September 29th
8:00 a.m.  Breakfast
9:00 a.m.  How to Be Sheep, Tim Witmer
10:00 a.m.  Break
10:30 a.m.  Q&A 
12:00 p.m.  Lunch & Depart

Speaker Biographies

Timothy Witmer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He then attended Westminster Theological Seminary where he completed the Master of Divinity degree, and later went on to receive his doctorate from Reformed Theological Seminary. He served in pastoral ministry for 42 years and as Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary for 20 years. Timothy is the author of several books, including The Shepherd Leader and The Shepherd Leader at Home. He was motivated to write these books as he became aware of increasing numbers of congregations who were like sheep without a shepherd. His objective is to see all church leaders embrace their calling to shepherd the flock. Timothy is married to his high school sweetheart, Barbara, and they have three children and seven grandchildren.

Steve West is the pastor of Madoc Baptist Church in Ontario, Canada. Previously, he was the lead pastor at Crestwicke Baptist Church in Guelph, Ontario. In addition to pastoral ministry, Steve serves as an adjunct professor at both Heritage College and Seminary in Cambridge and Toronto Baptist Seminary. Steve is the author of The Righteous Will Flourish: Living Christian Ethics; Head, Heart, Hands: Life-Transforming Apologetics; and Resurrection, Scripture, and Reformed Apologetics, which is part of the McMaster Theological Studies Series. His ministry focuses on biblical preaching, theological engagement, and exploring and defending the Christian worldview.