We would like everyone to register individually. Establish a check-in procedure that will begin at least an hour before the first session. Have name tags ready. Have laptop(s) ready for walk-ins to register (or plan to register them yourself if it’s easier). Have payment options available if you are charging and people have not paid. Note that ECO is not charging for this event, but your church may want to charge a registration fee depending on what you are offering (food, etc.).

Establish a tech person/team that can help run the videos.

We encourage you to take advantage of opportunities after the gathering to dig deeper into a particular topic. All of our speakers have ministries or processes that allow you to go deeper into each of the areas that we will discuss. Some of these opportunities will be hosted and facilitated by ECO. For others you can connect with our speakers’ ministries directly.

Links and viewing information will be sent to all registratrants the day before. One option is to encourage your people to watch what they want individually from home and then begin your in-person gathering after the pre-conferences with Session 1 of the main gathering. If you’re meeting as a congregation for pre-conferences, you could choose up to 7 spaces in your church where you could project video, or if you want to choose specific pre-conferences to show, then only then choose that many rooms. Or, simply watch the one most applicable to your context as a group all together.

If your MAG churches are not meeting together “live” for the NG, consider connecting over Zoom during some free time in the schedule. 

What is your church’s Flourishing Next Step? How do you want to spend this dedicated time just for you? What would help people engage and buy into your specific Flourishing Next Step and 2021 vision for your church?  Plan this time to include:  A word from the pastoral staff, small group interaction, practical concrete steps for the future. If you would like individuals at home to participate, provide a Zoom link for them to watch online and if they ask questions, provide someone to monitor the chat.

We will have some sponsors participating in the virtual NG this year. We will have a “sponsor scavenger hunt” in which people can participate on their own and be eligible for some pretty awesome prizes! Encourage your congregation to check it out! It will be fun and easy. 

Gather a sub-team to plan food/meals.  Will meals be catered or prepared? What snacks/drinks and paper goods are necessary?

Will you use the pre-recorded sermon for Sunday worship?  Dana Allin, Synod Executive will be speaking on Ezekiel 37 (Valley of the Dry Bones) and it will be approximately 25 minutes long. Note that it will be a “stand alone” sermon and applicable for all in your congregation (even those who have not attended the rest of the NG). If you will not use it, begin to plan your own sermon applicable to your context and perhaps your Flourishing Next Step in 2021. Click here to view the sermon.