African American Leadership Workshop to address church in the 21st century

WACO, Texas—The African American Ministry of Texas Baptists will host the African American Leadership Workshop (AALW) at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University on March 6-7. The event will begin at 3 p.m. on March 6 and conclude at 1 p.m. on March 7. 

This year, AALW will focus on the theme “Disrupting communities with the Gospel,” with a special emphasis on overcoming problems unique to the 21st century, such as social media and post-modernism. 

“The theme challenges leaders to innovatively think outside the box, changing the usual into something greater for Christ,” Roy Cotton, director of African American Ministry, explained. “If we keep doing maintenance methodologies, we lessen the greater impact our ministries could have in our communities and the world. Business, as usual, will not do in the twenty-first century. The world is changing. Our methods must change too, without compromising the message!”

The conference’s keynote speaker is Dr. Cleophus LaRue, Francis Landey Patton Professor of Homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary. Worship will be led by Niya Cotton, worship leader at Trinity Hill Church in Cedar Hill, and Roy J. Cotton II, worship leader at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas. 

In addition to general sessions, attendees can look forward to deeper discussions during smaller workshops. These workshops will be led by pastors and specialists on a variety of topics related to evangelizing and worshipping in the 21st century. 

AALW will be held at Truett Theological Seminary, 1100 S 3rd St, Waco, TX 76706. Early registration is available through March 2 for $25/person. Onsite registration is available on March 6 for $50/person.