Mid Council Leaders Gathered in Louisville
The Presbyterian Center hosted a multiday conference for church leaders to collaborate and discuss leadership strategies.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Civic

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The Mid Council Leaders Gathering brought together presbytery and synod representatives at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville. The event featured plenary presentations aimed at fostering professional collaboration and shared learning.
Why it matters
The gathering serves as a critical forum for regional church leaders to align on organizational goals and engage in collective professional development. By facilitating these sessions, the assembly supports the governance and mission work of presbyteries and synods across the country.
The conference was held in conjunction with the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Attendees engaged in sessions through a hybrid format, participating either in person at the facility or via digital access.
The players
MaryAnn McKibben Dana
She is an author known for writing Better Than Normal: Virtues for an Off-Script Life.
Presbyterian Center
This facility in Louisville, Kentucky, serves as a hub for administrative and leadership gatherings of the Presbyterian Church.
The details
MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of Better Than Normal: Virtues for an Off-Script Life, led a featured plenary presentation during the conference. Her session incorporated a screening of the Pixar short film Float to spark group discussion among the attendees.
Timeline
The Mid Council Leaders Gathering occurred from October 11 to October 14, 2026.
MaryAnn McKibben Dana delivered her presentation on October 12, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This assembly aligns with the broader tradition of the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, representing ongoing efforts to unify leadership approaches within the denomination. Such gatherings reflect a strategic shift toward hybrid collaboration to bridge geographical gaps among regional church representatives.
The event utilized a hybrid structure, allowing participants to attend either in person or through online channels. This accessibility model ensures that church leaders from various regions can engage with conference material regardless of their ability to travel to Louisville.
The takeaway
The use of visual media like the Pixar film Float demonstrates how creative storytelling can be integrated into traditional professional leadership development. Attendees can implement these discussion-based techniques to facilitate more engaging and open-ended dialogue in their own local councils.
Further reading
For more information on local assembly activities, visit the Civic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PC(USA).
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