Polishing the Pulpit - Branson 2026: Full Schedule

9:00am CDT

From Maintenance to Mission: Shifting the Small Church Mindset from Survival to Spiritual Growth

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT

Speakers

Keden Shrum

Preaching Minister, Rison church of Christ

Keden Shrum has served as the pulpit minister for the Rison church of Christ in Rison, Arkansas, since June 2022. A graduate of the Brown Trail School of Preaching, he entered full-time ministry in 2015 after the passing of his father, whose faithful example greatly influenced his... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
Short Creek 1

Small Church

1:30pm CDT

How to Use Hospitality as an Evangelism Tool

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT

Cooper Creek 3

Hospitality is the small church’s secret weapon. Learn how meals, homes, and everyday kindness become powerful evangelistic opportunities.

Speakers

Eddy Gilpin

Eddy has been preaching full time since 1985. He is a 1985 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. Together with his family, he has served congregations in Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, and Virginia. He and his family served three years (1991-1994) in Tanzania, East Africa. He... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Cooper Creek 3

Small Church Evangelism

3:00pm CDT

Problems Facing Rural Congregations and Solutions

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Roark Creek

This lesson will look at some of the problems facing rural congregations, especially in the Great Plains, including a rapidly aging demographic, sparseness (distance between) of congregations, lack of generational evangelism, reputations in a small town, and how to use evangelism to correct course.

Speakers

Dustin Dougherty

Evangelist

I'm an evangelist laboring with the Beloit church of Christ in Beloit Kansas specifically, and more broadly laboring throughout the state of Kansas speaking at various congregations every month. I am married to my wonderful wife, Sally, since 2006, and have 2 great kids. I am... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Roark Creek

Evangelism Contemporary Issues Small Church

3:45pm CDT

How to Grow Without a Budget: Outreach Strategies Small Churches Can Actually Do

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Cooper Creek 3

Growth doesn’t require money — it requires intentionality. This session offers simple, repeatable evangelism habits any congregation can implement immediately.

Speakers

Preston Silcox

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Cooper Creek 3

Small Church

2:15pm CDT

Strengthening a Small Church’s Greatest Advantage: Genuine Community

Friday July 17, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

Roark Creek

Smaller congregations can offer a level of closeness larger churches can’t. Learn how to cultivate strong, spiritually rich relationships.

Speakers

Preston Silcox

Friday July 17, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
Roark Creek

Small Church

11:00am CDT

When Everyone Has Three Jobs: Healthy Leadership in Small Churches

Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Compton Ferry

Overlapping roles don’t have to lead to burnout. Learn how to distribute responsibilities wisely in a small-church setting.

Speakers

Wayne Rodgers

Stateside Missionary (416) / Director of Programming (SAN), 416 Ministries / Memphis School of Preaching

Wayne Rodgers, Gospel preacher and now stateside missionary. Wayne and Cindy have been married for 31 years. They have 2 sons, both married and Piper their granddaughter is their 1st grandchild and Oakland is their second. Wayne has been preaching for nearly 30 years and is a part-time... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Compton Ferry

Small Church