Back in 2008 God gave me an idea. It was a crazy idea. But then, that’s how you know it’s from God, right?
It was to create an “UNconference for Children’s Pastors.” In time, I welcomed other Christian leaders, but most were children’s pastors, because honestly, it’s one of the most challenging jobs in the Church. The title “Kid’s Pastor” sounds fun – and it is – but it’s name hides the challenges it brings. Often, it is the largest ministry of the church; overseeing the largest group of volunteers, the most hours of programming, every single week of the year (no breaks like other ministries enjoy) and often with special programming and the list could go on, but I won’t play the violins because we LOVE every minute of it. The hard reality is, burn out isn’t just common, it is standard and expected, and the average length of tenure for children’s pastors is three to five years. Many go back to being volunteers, while some quit altogether.
I know, I was there. In the midst of “great success” from all ministry metrics, my soul was running on empty. I didn’t need another conference. I needed something different. If only for myself. But invited others to join me – and since – over 50 men have joined me for my UNconference in Yosemite National Park, the most beautiful of all the National Parks, and yes, I’ll argue with you over that opinion. (In good spirit.)
The description has been:
The Unconference for Childrens Pastors
No Workshops – Just Worship
No Resources – Just Relationships
No Networking – Just God Working
We ran it for twelve years, then that nasty virus arrived (that shall not be named) and canceled it in 2020. I still went in 2021-2022 with a few friends, and in 2023 when fires closed the park, a friend and I switched plans from the John Muir Trail to a backpacking trip in the Wind River Range, which was incredible. I had planned to resume it this year, but my church ministry is experiencing explosive growth and I couldn’t get away this year due to calendar conflicts, so I plan to resume Yosemite Summit next year.
This week is the week I was originally scheduled to be there, so I’ve been reflecting a lot on the memories of my favorite place and the incredible things God did there in my life and in the lives of the 50+ friends who have literally walked with God and me there.
If you’d like to enjoy some incredible pictures and highlight videos, I encourage you to jump over to YosemiteSummit.org and click on each of the REPORT pages to see the pictures and YouTube videos I created each year.
Here is my favorite from 2009, the second year. The song Stop the World, captures the spirit of the UNconference perfectly:
Let me encourage you, find YOU UNconference, find YOUR way to “stop the world,” and get away with God!
Lastly, let me encourage you to watch this sermon I did a few years ago called GET UP – GET AWAY, GET ALONE:
See more of my sermons on PastorKarl.com/sermons
