On Friday, September 20, we’ve cleared the afternoon and evening schedule so you can network with other guests, relax, and get out on the town.

The afternoon will also offer a bonus educational opportunity: intensives allowing you to dig deep into a topic that matters to you!

Optional Intensives (1:00–4:00 pm)

Mini Masterclass on Conflict and Difficult Conversations

Speaker: Dr. Andrew Johnston
Location: Oaklands

We all experience conflict at some point in our lives—and if you’re like most people, you avoid it like the plague! Would you like to learn how to handle difficult conversations instead of avoid them? Join Dr. J. in a session that will transform your perspective on conflict and equip you to conduct difficult conversations more comfortably and effectively. Together we will explore the contributions of conflict on top teams (such as in decision making, establishing trust, and building buy-in); three shifts that safeguard or strengthen relationships in the midst of conflict; and “the third thing”: a communication strategy that transforms conflict into mutual problem solving.

Recovering Our Confidence and Our Culture: The Challenge of Bureaucratic Tyranny

Speaker: Dr. Joseph Woodard
Location: Belmont

If you enjoyed Joseph’s Thursday workshop on “The Unrecognized Cause of the Culture War,” this intensive is for you! Building on the foundation of Thursday’s workshop, Joseph will share how we can reverse the despair caused by bureaucratic tyranny. Because education seeks to nurture human dignity and freedom, it succeeds only if it is voluntary and sacrificial. What happens if the state seizes education and other social services in the name of “justice”? These services then become monopolistic and coercive, and the results are antisocial political indoctrination, statistical animal husbandry, and state-sponsored identity activism—the culture wars we are seeing today. But that’s not the end of the story! Although bureaucratic tyranny in education and other charitable endeavors leads to despair, it is also the perfect field for evangelizing Christian hope. After this intensive, you may want to plan on attending Joseph’s follow-on Saturday workshop, “Rebuilding a True, Good, and Beautiful Culture.”

Home Team: When Families Win Together

Speaker: Phil Tuttle
Location: Cheekwood

Based on the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, this intensive helps families thrive, draw closer to each other, and win . . . together! We’ve all probably read the prodigal son’s tale in Luke dozens of times, but Phil brings a fresh look at the big picture: a story about a loving father. In this parable, we find the four Cs of parenting: choices, consequences, compassion, and consistency. Using impactful illustrations, Phil will bring the story to life and share valuable tools for parents in any stage. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear more from our morning devotional speaker!

Shuttle to Downtown Nashville (1:00–7:30 pm)

Food and sightseeing are just a bus ride away! Take advantage of our free shuttle service on Friday afternoon between our conference hotel and downtown Nashville. The bus will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis and will depart from the hotel approximately every 90 minutes. Downtown drop-offs and pickups will be located near the Assembly Food Hall (5055 Broadway).

The first departure will be at approximately 1:00 p.m. and the last downtown pickup from Assembly Food Hall will be at approximately 7:30 p.m. We encourage you to download the conference app to stay up-to-date on the bus schedule.