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Weekend Workshop

Thursday, January 15th – Sunday, January 18th 2026

Registration for the January 2026 Workshop is now closed.

Stay tuned for information about future events.

What Is The Weekend Workshop?

The First Baptist Center for Ministry Training is hosting a Weekend Workshop on Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, January 18, 2026.

We invite you to spend the weekend with the pastors of First Baptist Church Jacksonville to get an inside look at the ministry of this historic church and learn practical principles and insights to take to your own ministry context. Our Weekend Workshop allows you to select a track that focuses on your specific ministry interest and learn in a cohort style interaction.

Event Information

Who should come to this Weekend Workshop?

Aspiring pastors currently enrolled in seminary or college are invited to the Weekend Workshop to supplement their classroom learning with immersive hands-on mentorship in a vibrant local church.

Established pastors already serving in full-time ministry are invited to the Weekend Workshop to sharpen their convictions and skills necessary for enduring ministry faithfulness.

Choose Between These Four Tracks:

Leadership & Revitalization

We are living in days of unprecedented ministry challenges. Younger pastors are inheriting older ministries with outdated ministry models, impractical facilities, and a timeless gospel message more at odds with our culture than ever before. We know our ministries must change to be effective, but what must those changes look like and how can we communicate them effectively? This workshop will focus on how to assess ministry weakness, engage in effective strategic planning, and care for, communicate to, and lead our congregations into future effectiveness.

Counseling & Discipleship

Theology is meant to be practical, and rightly understood should be the center of our church’s discipleship efforts. Biblical counseling is a part of the Great Commission of Jesus and involves teaching others to obey everything Jesus taught. The Bible is relevant for the smallest and greatest problems of humanity. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. This track will include a biblical explanation and defense of historic biblical counseling, an exploration into the methods of discipleship, and practical advice on how to deal with typical problems that arise. It is our prayer that you will walk away from this time with a total commitment to the Bible and be further equipped to help others grow in their sanctification.

Worship & Music

Today’s worship practices in the church are more varied than they seem and demonstrative of some remarkable opportunities and serious pitfalls. This Weekend Workshop will provide the opportunity to collaborate with others and inquire about better ways to navigate the YouTube-driven musical landscape in the church today. Why something is done is as important as what is done, yet many worship leaders today react to the latest email or social media post with short-sighted decisions to “do” things without asking “why?”. This very special weekend will provide the privilege of joining a small worship leader cohort to engage, interact, and consider a better way to do what matters most.

Preaching & Teaching

Gods Word is living and active, yet many preachers struggle to see it come alive in their own preparation and proclamation. Week after week, faithful pastors labor over texts, wrestling with how to bridge the gap between ancient contexts and contemporary congregations without compromising biblical truth or losing pastoral relevance. This track will equip participants with a clear understanding of what makes an effective and faith sermon. We will explore the preachers spiritual preparation, examine different preaching styles and their appropriate uses, address how to preach Christ from all of Scripture, and discuss the role of preaching in the overall ministry of the church. Our prayer is that you will develop a deeper love for Gods Word and greater confidence in its power to change lives through your faithful proclamation.

Cost

The cost for the Weekend Workshop is only $100. That includes all of the sessions, materials, lodging, food, activities, and transportation throughout the event. All you need to do is get yourself to the hotel in Jacksonville by 6:30pm on Thursday, January 15th, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Application

Registration for the January 2026 Workshop is now closed. Stay tuned for information about future events.

Workshop Schedule

Thursday, 1/15

7:00-7:30pm  Dessert Reception (All Tracks Together)

7:30-8:00pm  Welcome & Orientation to the Weekend

8:00-9:00pm  History of First Baptist Jacksonville & Overview of Ministries

Friday, 1/16

8:30-9:00am  Coffee Hangout (All Tracks Together)

9:00-10:15am  Cohort Session #1

10:15-10:30am  Break

10:30-11:45am  Cohort Session #2

11:45am-1:15pm  Lunch Onsite (All Tracks Together)

1:15-2:45pm  Cohort Session #3

2:45-3:00pm  Break

3:00-4:30pm  Optional Tour of Downtown Campus w/ Executive Pastor

6:00-9:00pm  Dinner In the Home of the Track Facilitator (Individual Tracks)

Saturday, 1/17

8:30-9:00am  Coffee Hangout (All Tracks Together)

9:00-10:15am  Cohort Session #4

10:15-10:30am  Break

10:30-11:45am  Cohort Session #5

11:45am-1:15pm  Lunch Onsite (All Tracks Together)

1:15-2:45pm  Cohort Session #6

2:45-3:00pm  Break

3:30-5:30pm  Optional Tour of Nocatee Campus w/ Nocatee Campus Pastor

6:00-8:00pm  Dinner Hangout at Top Golf with All FBCJax Pastors (All Tracks Together)

Sunday, 1/18

8:30am: Luggage Drop-Off

9:00-12:00pm  Sunday Morning Church: Sunday School & Worship Service

12:00-1:30pm  Lunch & Ask-Anything Panel from All Facilitators (All Tracks Together)

The Weekend Workshop event ends at 2:00pm on Sunday (1/18), but you are welcome to stay for our evening church activities if you would like.

6:15-7:15pm  Evening Service