The Iron Sharpens Iron Conference Network is made up of Christ-centered men's ministries that serve local churches in their geographic region 52 weeks a year. ISI network ministries engage pastors and men’s leaders in ongoing relationships, providing training, coaching, equipping and resources. These vital resources help the church reach and build their men. While training and equipping local churches is the heartbeat of the regional ministries, the most visible resource is the one-day equipping conference held each year for men of all ages.
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Distinctive #1 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences are a resource for local churches offered by an on-the-ground, grassroots local ministry that is already serving local churches by equipping them to reach, disciple and mobilize men. This conference is not targeted to individual men but rather to local churches. Each local ministry believes it is the responsibility of the local church to reach and disciple men and that the local ministry hosting the conference is present all year long to serve and to help churches.
Distinctive #2 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences give regional visibility to the local ministry as we are a 'network of ministries' and not a national organization. The on the ground local ministry led by local leaders in full time vocational ministry is the key to everything. These local leaders raise their families in the area, know the local turf and are passionate for their region. The conference is a one-day resource, but the local ministry leadership is serving local churches fifty-two weeks each year. All revenue generated from the conference stays local and serves, in part, to help sustain the ministry year-round.
Distinctive #3 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences are equipping conferences with sixteen different equipping seminars designed specifically for men. The focus is on equipping and resourcing men to live for Christ in all areas of life. The seminar topics are specific to men and are rarely offered in the context of local church ministry. We do open and close the day with all the men together for a time of masculine worship and exhortative keynote messages from gifted national speakers - but the meat of the day is the equipping seminars.
Distinctive #4 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences are for men of all ages (13 and up). We intentionally offer a resource that promotes and encourages intergenerational ministry. We passionately believe that manhood begins early and that men of all ages need encouragement to finish strong for Christ. We design many of the seminars to be specific to different men in different seasons of life. Seminars are targeted for Emerging Men (age 13-19); Pioneering Men (age 20-29); Full Throttle Men (age 30-55) and Seasoned Men (age 55+).
Distinctive #5 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences are trustworthy. They occur once a year – every year - in the same location and in the same spot in the calendar. The intention of the conference is to be a resource that local churches can trust and depend on. The ISI Men's Conference is a reliable resource that can be added to the calendar of the local church. For example, 2012 will be our 6th consecutive year serving churches in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa through our Chicago, Rockford, Moline, and Cedar Rapids events.
Distinctive #6 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences are one-day conferences. We begin at 8:30 AM and end at 4:55 PM. Men can begin their day at home and have dinner at the end of the day at home. The registration cost of $39 and $29 for students without extensive travel costs and no lodging costs allows this conference model to serve the majority of men. We encourage church groups to travel together and stay together at the conference.
Distinctive #7 Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences are “live”. There are no webcasts, simulcasts, telecasts, or videotaped portions of the conference. All speakers and musicians are live and in-person.
Distinctive #8 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences are Christ-centered and are a resource to different churches across different denominations. We adhere to the statement of faith of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). The conference is intentionally a 'safe place' where denominational distinctives are not emphasized but rather there is an emphasis on the unity we have because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Distinctive #9 Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences are “national” men's conferences. The ISI conference network reaches out to churches all over the nation. Each conference features national ministries and resources that are specific to men and church-based ministry to men. The keynote speakers who speak at these events have a national platform with men and churches and the seminar presenter line-up offers leaders who are nationally known for their expertise in ministry to men.
1. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS ON REGISTRATIONS.
2. Speakers have committed to ISI. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, substitutions may need to occur.
3. During the conference, video and still photographs are taken. Your registration constitutes permission for ISI to use these videos and photographs taken onsite.
4. ISI conferences are held regardless of weather. The event will not be cancelled. Consequently, there are no refunds due to weather related issues.
5. A purchased conference registration may be transferred to another ISI conference held by that regional ministry.
