I love Children’s Pastors’ Conference. I often tell people that it’s my Bethel. It gives me that shot in the arm for another year of vibrant ministry. Trying to decide how to convince your pastor to let you go? Here are 10 ideas.

1. You’ll spend four days learning everything from how to recruit volunteers to helping parents with their kids. Experts in their field who really know their stuff teach it all.

2. You’ll bring back new ideas for making children’s ministry fun. No more boredom in your church! Offer to hold a training meeting for your volunteers and teachers when you get back.

3. Explore the hottest products in the market in the Resource Center. There’s a lot to see from over 100 companies! You’ll return to the church with tons of free samples, a long list of ideas, plus contact information from a variety of people who can help your church.

4. You’ll get lots of other free stuff, like magazines (humm… I wonder which one), a tote bag, a notebook, great meals…

5. You’ll be inspired by some of the top ministers in the children’s ministry.

6. You’ll receive a beautiful conference notebook, ready to be packed full of ideas you’ll start getting the very first day. If you bring back just one awesome idea, the conference will be worth it.

7. Networking opportunities like you’ve never seen before! You will sit in circles at each general session, will eat together, and will have many opportunities to make long lasting relationships.

8. Host an “everything I learned at Children’s Pastors’ Conference” presentation when you get home. Show your pastor how you will handle some of the problems you are currently facing.

9. Does your church have an open job position? Offer to post the position on the message boards near registration and then scout out potential candidates at the conference. You could even screen possible hires on-site.

10. With over 140 workshops, 100 exhibitors, 6 general sessions, and meals, Children’s Pastors’ Conference is a bargain. It’s stuff you won’t find anywhere else.

So have you convinced him? Sign up already!