Church Conference 2026
Why Church?
God’s Design for the Christian Life
with Pastor Carey Hardy
Christ doesn’t save us to be alone. He saves us into His people.
The church is God’s design for the Christian life.
Why this conference
The local church is not an optional gathering added to the Christian life. Christ Himself established His church and calls His people to belong to one another, worship together, grow together, pursue holiness together, and proclaim the gospel together.
In an increasingly individualistic culture, it’s easy to think of faith as just “me and Jesus.” Scripture presents something much larger. Over three days we’ll move from the purpose of the church to the relationships and responsibilities that flow from belonging to Christ’s body.
The speaker
Carey Hardy
Senior Pastor, Twin City Bible Church
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Carey Hardy has served as Senior Pastor of Twin City Bible Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, since 2006. Before that, he spent thirteen years on the pastoral staff of Grace Community Church in the Los Angeles area. A graduate of The Master’s Seminary, he also helps train church leaders in Italy through The Italian Theological Academy. He and his wife, Pam, have four grown children.
The sessions
Six conversations about the church
Why Church?
Purpose
Why did Christ establish the church? What is its ultimate purpose?
One Body, Many Members
Unity & relationships
What does it mean to belong to one another? Can you live a healthy Christian life on your own, apart from other believers?
Growing Together
Discipleship
How does God use the church to make us more like Christ?
Men and Women in the Church
RolesBreakout
God’s good design for men and women, and how it shapes ministry in the church and the home.
Faithful Together
Commitment & holiness
What does faithful membership look like?
A Church on Mission
Worship & evangelism
How does the church glorify God and proclaim Christ?
Schedule
Three days together
Friday
October 30
Venice · 2235 Seaboard Ave
- 5:00 PMRegistration, tea, coffee & snacks
- 6:30–7:45 PMSession I: Why Church?
- 7:45–8:15 PMBreak
- 8:15–9:15 PMSession II: One Body, Many Members
Saturday
October 31
Venice · 2235 Seaboard Ave
- 8:00–9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00–10:15 AMSession III: Growing Together
- 10:15–10:45 AMBreak
- 10:45 AM–12:00 PMBreakout: Men and Women in the Church
- 12:00–12:30 PMBreak
- 12:30–1:30 PMSession IV: Faithful Together
Sunday
November 1
Living Hope Bible Church, Sarasota
- 9:30–11:30 AMSession V: A Church on Mission, with Q&A
- 12:00 PMLunch
- AfternoonActivities & fellowship
Sunday is also Living Hope’s 5th‑anniversary celebration. Clocks fall back an hour that morning, so 9:30 is the new time.
Where
Two locations, one weekend
Save your seat
Registration is open. Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend, a neighbor or a coworker.
Registration takes a minute on Church Center.
Hosted by Living Hope Bible Church, Sarasota.
A first look at the new livinghopefl.org — coming soon.
Living Hope Bible Church · 5764 Churchill Downs Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241