Learn more about speaking at our conferences

This page is an overview of what it’s like to speak at our conferences.

  • If you’re curious about speaking at our conferences, this page should give you a good start. Please don’t apply to speak until you’ve read this page completely.
  • If you’ve already been invited to speak, please reach out if you have more questions. You are a priority to me! – Laurie Graham

Click on any heading in the Quick Access Links below to link directly to our FAQs.

Open Call Speaker Application for 2025 is open! Click here to apply!

Quick Access Links:

Who We Are

We are an independent support organization for small churches. Our ministry is both interdenominational and international. We stay away from talking about theological differences and, instead, focus on practical ministry skills and strategies that we can all agree upon to share the love of Christ and be better humans and more skilled leaders.

Our mission is to help small churches embrace their unique ministry. Most small churches are severely under-resourced and often misunderstood.

We also believe that numerical growth in the local church is not an accurate indicator of Biblical success and that small church ministry isn’t less, but it is different.

Small Church Ministry, LLC has been growing rapidly since we began in 2020. We serve small churches with the following:

Small Church Ministry, LLC is operated by Laurie Graham and a team of committed employees, contract workers, and volunteers.

*For our complete Statement of Faith, Ministry Philosophy, and Core Values, click here: Who We Are

How Our Conferences Work

RingCentral (formerly called Hopin)

Our conferences are live and take place in RingCentral, an online conference platform.

Our online conferences are not typical stare-at-a-screen experiences. These conferences are interactive events including virtual spaces and features like a Reception Hall, MainStage, Breakout Sessions, Expo Area, Networking, Chat Boxes, Direct Messaging, Video Chats, and more.  

The Schedule

Our 1-day conferences take place online on Saturdays from 11 am – 7 pm ET. The dates for upcoming conferences can be found here.

We typically have 24 speakers at each conference. Each speaker fills a 25-minute breakout session. We’ve found that timing to be the perfect sweet spot for attention & engagement. 

Packed with value, we have a reputation for delivering inspiration that leads to action, enveloped in a relational vibe that turns into a lifetime connection.

The day before the conference we host a Kickoff Event on Friday, with two time options to choose from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Speakers are encouraged (but not required) to join in the Kickoff Event. It’s a fun time with sessions, meet & greets, and prizes. We utilize this time for relational connection and to help people get oriented with the RingCentral Platform before the main event on Saturday.

Speaker FAQs:

Will I see the audience when I’m speaking?

No. When you present, you only see yourself on a screen, however, your audience will be active in the chat. There is also a moderator in your room to welcome and introduce you, and they moderate the chat while you’re speaking.

Should I leave time for a Q&A?

No. After experimenting with many scenarios, we recommend not leaving time for a Q&A. The 25-minute time slot is perfect for sharing valuable, actionable information. 

Will I be recorded?

Yes! We record all sessions and make them available for replay purchases. You also have access to your recording after the conference to use however you like.

Do I need any special tech or equipment?

You will need a computer or a laptop, not a mobile device – and you also need a reliable internet connection. Most of us use the built-in webcam and audio that’s on our computers. In addition to a laptop or computer, you also need to install the free Chrome browser. That’s it!

Can I share slides?

Most of our speakers choose not to share slides. Although it is possible, it may require having a second monitor in your set-up. If you choose to share slides, you are required to participate in a separate tech check so we can do our best to ensure your success.

I’ve never been in RingCentral. What’s it like?

It’s a little like Zoom when you’re presenting, but you won’t see the audience. It’s hard to explain the full platform until you’re in there, but we think you’ll love it. We do a Tech Check with new speakers the week before the conference so you can check it out beforehand.

How do you offer affiliate commission if the conferences are free?

Our conferences are 100% free to attend live. We also offer replay bundles for purchase. The revenue from optional replay sales helps us cover our costs so we can keep our live conferences free for everyone. The affiliate commission is tied to replay purchases.

Conference Facebook Community

For some of our conferences, we open a dedicated Conference Facebook community that is active for just 4 weeks – three weeks prior to the conference and one week after. It’s a great opportunity for attendees to build community, ask questions, meet speakers ahead of time, and start learning.

It’s completely optional if speakers choose to join in. 

For those who do, we often provide opportunities for live video introductions and interviews.

Who We Look For As Speakers

Although occasionally we have professional speakers, the vast majority of our presenters are simply small church people sharing their successes and wisdom in small churches. And that is what we are known for.

Our conferences have a casual, small church vibe. Our speakers stream from their living rooms, churches, or home offices, not from fancy studios.

We are committed to maintaining our mission of “small church people speaking to small church people.” The occasional exception includes people who have significant experience in small churches and/or have ministries or businesses that serve people in small churches.

For those new to speaking or new to online conferences, we offer speaker tips from tech to presentation development as well as support through the process.

*We do NOT look for people in large churches who want to teach smaller churches how to grow. This stands against our core beliefs.

What’s Required of Speakers

Many of our speakers fall in love with our mission and choose to immerse themselves in the complete conference experience and stick with us for life! However, that isn’t required.

 Here’s what is:

  • Complete the Basic Speaker Information Form
  • Share about the conference during our promotion time
  • Schedule & attend a 30-minute Tech Check the Monday prior to the conference (*repeat speakers may do their own Tech Check in our Green Room the week before the conference.)
  • Show up live & deliver a great 25-minute presentation

Details about that list:

The Basic Speaker Form

We send out an initial form for speakers to complete each with a 3-5 day turnaround time. If we do not receive a completed form, you will be removed from the speaking team.

  •  Basic Speaker Information Form: includes basic biographical information for our website, headshot, proposed session title, plus our statement of faith and speaker agreement. 

Share with your friends

We don’t require any minimum amount of sharing, but we do ask that speakers help share about our conference with family & friends. To make it easy, we provide classy graphics and swipe copy that our speakers are proud to share.

We also offer an affiliate option for speakers who hope to earn commission from any purchases. 

Attend a 30-minute tech check

Because we are committed to the success of our speakers, we require a tech check before the conference. 

We hold new speaker tech checks the Monday before the conference. Speakers choose from several timeslots, sign up ahead of time, and commit to attending. This is REQUIRED for all new speakers as well as for our repeat speakers who have not spoken on our platform within the previous 12 months.

Typically tech checks last 30 minutes or less. Many speakers choose to stay longer for a tour of all the RingCentral features.

*Repeat speakers who have spoken for us on our platform within the previous year may conduct their own Tech Check in the Green Room the day before the conference. 

Deliver a 25-minute live presentation

  • Come 15 minutes before your scheduled presentation
  • Meet your moderator in the Green Room
  • Deliver a live, value-packed, 25-minute presentation during your chosen timeslot

Speaker Benefits

While we do not pay our speakers a speaking fee, 99% of our speakers who’ve completed our speaker survey state that they’d love to speak for us again!

We have a reputation for loving our speakers through great communication, organization, and incredible support throughout the entire process. 

In case that’s not enough, here are a few other benefits to saying “YES!”:

  • You’ll be helping support an underserved group of small churches all around the world. (priceless!)
  • You are gifted the VIP Bundle. (all the conference replays plus over $2000 of bonuses)
  • You are gifted a free EXPO booth to spread the word about your business or ministry. ($200 value)
  • If you choose to be an affiliate, you can earn a 40%-50% commission from purchases made from any traffic referred with your affiliate link. (Contributing a premium product to our VIP Bundle – value over $49 – increases your commission from 40% to 50%)

Extra Benefits for Your Business

If you have a business …

We want you to succeed! 

Here are a few extra ways to make connections and gather leads.

1. Utilize your free virtual Expo booth at the conference to grow your email list

Speakers are given a free Expo booth at the conference. This is a great way to collect email leads. We’ve found the best way to do this is with a free offer, like a value-packed PDF, which meets a need. Our conference attendance is typically over 1000+ participating live.

2. Contribute to our VIP Bundle for the warmest leads

By contributing a premium product (over $49 value) to our VIP Bundle, not only does your affiliate income increase to 50%, but it is the best way to connect with the warmest leads. Many speakers offer products like digital courses, online resources, group workshops, group coaching sessions, or a resource plus a Q&A call.

Click here for a sample of past contributions  >> VIP Bundle Contribution Ideas

How To Apply

Sometimes we find speakers, and sometimes they find us.

If you received an email and have been invited to speak at a specific upcoming conference, you do NOT need to apply (but you do need to respond and receive a confirmation. Our spots fill quickly).

If you want to apply to be a speaker fill out this form here.

It requires a link to a video of you speaking. If you have any questions, fill out the form below with Speaker Inquiry in the subject line.

  • Preference is given to those involved in our communities and familiar with our resources.
  • Preference is given to those currently serving in small congregations.
  • We strive for diversity in race, denomination, age, and church size.

If you are in a larger church or are hoping to connect your business or non-profit with our audience, please check out the Ministry Partner page for additional ways to partner with us.