The 2026 Pastor Theologians Conference

October 19–21, 2026 | Calvary Memorial Church – Oak Park, IL

The Western world is in crisis. 

Wars and rumors of wars have combined with new technologies and polarized political movements to unsettle the foundations of our society. 

As unprecedented as these challenges may feel, the church has seen times like this before. From the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, to the black plague of the middle ages, to the American Civil War, to the World Wars of the 20th century––God’s people have navigated many eras where it felt like the world they knew was dying. In each case, it was unclear what would come next. 

What is the role and identity of the church as we face our own set of cultural crises and the uncertain future before us? These are some of the most pressing questions facing pastors and church leaders today. From Augustine’s City of God to Bonhoeffer’s reflections on the Kirchenkampf, the church’s theologians have time and again risen to the challenge of answering these essential questions.  

This is why we have selected ecclesiology as the theme for the 2026 Pastor Theologians Conference. 

For the church and her pastors to navigate these uncharted waters, we must have a clear sense of what it means to be the church in this moment. How can we seek to faithfully follow Christ when outside forces and powers threaten to distract, capture, and deceive us with false identities and false visions for God’s people? How can the church be salt and light in a world undergoing such rapid change? 

The 2026 Pastor Theologians Conference will gather hundreds of pastors, theologians, and ministry leaders in a unique, ecclesially-focused environment of worship, reflection, and learning. We invite you to join us as we seek the Lord together––as well as the courage, insight, and wisdom needed for this moment.