Indianapolis Conference

Plenary Sessions

All Plenary Sessions will be held in the Church Sanctuary and will cover a variety of topics. Learn more below.

  • Opening Session: State of Chaplaincy

    11:00am-12:00pm Thursday, September 21


    Hosted by Jim Kirkland, MTS, BCC, CPES
    Executive Director of Christian Chaplains & Coaching


    Welcome and introductions. What to expect in this conference. An overview of Ministry, Spiritual Care, and Chaplaincy from a Christian perspective as we serve in the world. Put on your armor. We all need to be ready to serve people in crisis, and to respond well to a disaster when it comes to your community. 

  • Past, Present and Future

    7:00pm-8:00pm Thursday, September 21


    Hosted by Rev. Marcus Schrader, M.DIV., Ordained Chaplain

    Founder and President of Workforce Chaplains


    (Your) Past, (Your) Present and (God's) Future for you. We all have a past that we cannot change nor should we try to. We all currently are in the present doing God's will or contemplating what God's will is for us today. We all have a future that we may or may not understand yet, see clearly or even thing is possible. However, with God all things are possible and His will is best. I want to help you today to see God's hand in your past, see His hand right now in your present and to trust that He will guide you clearly and lovingly into the future He has prepared for you. Never forget that God's Work, Done in God's Way, will never lack God's Supply.

  • The High Cost of Caring

    8:30am-9:30am Friday, September 22


    Hosted by Dr. Dallas Speight, Ed.D., D. Min., CPE Training Supervisor, LPC 

    Executive Director of Clinical Pastoral Education International


    Ministry can be both rewarding and challenging. Unfortunately, both ends of this spectrum can be costly. Concepts to be explored are to how to maintain a positive outlook and enjoy the ministry one is called to versus being reminded of it as drudgery.

    Learning Outcomes: At the end of this training, the participants will be able to:

    • Describe the compelling rewards and challenges of ministry.
    • Define concepts of overload, contributing overload, and symptoms,
    • Clarify means for finding a balance in ministry.
  • Ministry to the Incarcerated

    2:00pm-3:00pm Friday, September 22


    Hosted by Evelyn Lemly, MBA 

    CEO of Kairos Prison Ministry International


    Overview of the Correctional Ministry world. Sharing on the importance of ministry in prisons and the impact on the family and society. The importance of sharing hope in dark places that can change the individuals future.

  • Friday night: speaking his peace - rebuking the storm

    7:00pm-9:00pm Friday, September 22


    Hosted by Jim Kirkland, MTS BCC CPES

    Executive Director of Christian Chaplains & Coaching

    and Ray Huff, MDiv BCC CPES

    Education Director of Christian Chaplains & Coaching


    Are you ready? Ready to bring His peace to someone else's storm? Crisis or disaster response is something that every Chaplain needs to prepare for. Special Guest "Jonathan Dulin" will share his experience on the front lines in Ukraine as deployed by Samaritans Purse and The Billy Graham Rapid Response team. Now is the time to enter the world with the knowledge of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy from a Christian perspective. Join us for a time of worship, followed by a call to arms, and a general discussion with Q&A by our panel of speakers led by Chaplain Ray Huff. 

  • THE HEART OF A CHAPLAIN

    12:30pm-1:30pm Saturday, September 23


    Hosted by Jim Browning CH. Col. (Retired) USAF, D.Min, BCC, Director of The Marsh Center for Chaplaincy, and author of "The Heart of The Chaplain."


    While one may easily spot another with a ‘chaplain’s heart,’ it is challenging to define and measure. This presentation will explore the tangible and intangible qualities of what makes an excellent chaplain. What are the imperatives one must have? Does it start with God’s voice embedded deep within one’s soul? Is that enough, or what more is needed? Is it something learned or innate? Is it spiritual gifts? Personality? Skills learned? Competencies? Experience? Is it simply a job? Or does it have something to do with what only a Christian can do, "Bring the Sacred Presence" into our Spiritual Care encounters?