Friday
October 30
Venice · 2235 Seaboard Ave
- 5:00 PMRegistration, tea, coffee & snacks
- 6:30–7:45 PMSession I: The Origin & Importance of the Church
- 7:45–8:15 PMBreak
- 8:15–9:15 PMSession II: The Purposes of the Church
Church Conference 2026
Why Church?
God’s Design for the Christian Life
October 30 – November 1, 2026Venice & Sarasota, FL
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 origin and 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 sermons about the church
01
The Origin & Importance of the Church
Foundation
Where did the church come from, and why does it matter so much?
02
The Purposes of the Church
Purpose
Worship, holiness, building one another up, discipleship, body life and evangelism: what is the church for?
03
The Mission of the Church
The Great Commission
What our mission is, and what it is not.
04
The Complementary Roles in the Church
RolesBreakout
Separate sessions for men and women.
05
The Need for Unity in the Church
Unity
What promotes or hinders unity, and how God uses each of us to make one another more like Christ.
06
The Need for Commitment to the Church
Commitment
As the world grows worse, what matters is not only our own spiritual growth, but real commitment to the life of the church.
Schedule
Three days together
Saturday
October 31
Venice · 2235 Seaboard Ave
- 8:00–9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00–10:15 AMSession III: The Mission of the Church
- 10:15–10:45 AMBreak
- 10:45 AM–12:00 PMBreakout: The Complementary Roles in the Church
- 12:00–12:30 PMBreak
- 12:30–1:30 PMSession IV: The Need for Unity in the Church
Sunday
November 1
Living Hope Bible Church, Sarasota
- 9:30–11:30 AMSession V: The Need for Commitment to the Church
- 12:00 PMLunch
- AfternoonActivities & fellowship
Sunday is also Living Hope’s 5th‑anniversary celebration. Reminder: clocks fall back one hour Saturday night.
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.