Many of us long for a deep sense of belonging, yet we often find that community is far easier to talk about in theory than to build in practice. We try to grow connections around shared interests or intellectual pursuits, only to find our relationships remaining surface-level or, worse, becoming sources of conflict and exhaustion. If you have ever wondered why some groups feel like a breath of fresh air while others feel completely draining, you are not alone. How do we move beyond mere attendance to cultivate a truly relational environment where people are genuinely seen, valued, and transformed?
Originally hosted as a live online gathering in April of 2026, Healthy Community has now been fully converted into a high-quality streaming conference experience. You can now access the sessions, expert teachings, and practical panel discussion on demand, giving you the flexibility to experience the entire conference on your schedule.
Brain-Based Relational Skills Meet Spiritual Insights
This streaming conference is designed to expose you to the essential relational skills and spiritual insights necessary to move past superficial interactions and into authentic connection. Grounded in both neuroscience and Scripture, this content explores how God intentionally designed the human brain for healthy, resilient relationships.
Throughout the conference, you will receive practical tools and actionable steps to cultivate a thriving, heart-focused culture within your church, small group, ministry, or personal life. By understanding the intersection of human neurology and spiritual formation, you will gain a clear roadmap for creating environments that foster psychological safety, mutual joy, and deep spiritual maturity.
The Complete Streaming Conference Schedule
By accessing this on-demand streaming product, you gain instant access to all four dynamic conference sessions plus an exclusive bonus teaching from Dr. Marcus Warner.
Pre-Conference Bonus: Core Values of Kingdom Community, with Marcus Warner
Recorded while ministering in Europe, Dr. Marcus Warner provides a foundational pre-conference teaching on the nature of community from the perspective of the Kingdom of God. The call of the Kingdom is fundamentally a call into God’s family, creating a profound sense of belonging and identity. Drawing directly from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Marcus helps us identify four core Kingdom values that Jesus desires for his church and presents four essential practices for bringing those values to life. This session gives you steps for integratating Kingdom culture into your church or ministry context.
Session 1: The Importance of Community in Forming Character, with Michel Hendricks
Michel Hendricks, co-author of The Other Half of Church, explores the critical role that securely bonded communities play in driving character formation and spiritual maturity. Michel dives into the neuroscience of how God designed the human brain, specifically focusing on the brain regions responsible for forming community bonds. You will examine what helps and hurts our relational formation, learning how to build communities that empower individuals to live out their true identities in Christ. This includes addressing and healing deep-seated wounds that corrupt identity, shifting the community’s primary motivation away from fear and toward joy and love.
Session 2: Practical Relational Skills for Community Health, with Chris Coursey
Chris Coursey, president of THRIVEtoday, offers insight into the brain-based relational skills required to create safe environments where communities can thrive. When people gather, their nervous systems interact just as much as their ideas, determining whether a space feels safe or threatening. Chris provides practical tools for remaining relational under distress and demonstrates how to recognize and repair “enemy mode”—that self-protective state where we view others as threats rather than image-bearers of God. You will learn actionable habits that restore peace, honor personal limits, and create space for spiritual rest.
Session 3: The Do’s and Don’ts of Heart-Focused Community, with Nik Harrang
Drawing from years of personal and pastoral experience, Nik Harrang delivers a practical guide to navigating the real-world dynamics of small groups. Community may sound wonderful in concept, but without clear boundaries and intentional habits, group life can quickly become miserable. Nik outlines guidelines for creating welcoming relational environments where every member is valued, ensuring no one feels overlooked or run over. You will learn to identify common pitfalls that derail connection and receive practical encouragement for taking your next steps in building healthy small groups.
Session 4: Real-Life Application & Speaker Panel, with Chris & Jen Coursey, Michel & Claudia Hendricks, Nik & Kristy Harrang
The conference concludes with a panel discussion featuring the event speakers alongside their wives. Together, the couples recap key highlights from the conference teachings, share personal stories from their own relational journeys, and answer the most frequently asked questions about building healthy community. This open conversation bridges the gap between theory and real-life practice, equipping you with honest perspectives on how to implement these relational skills within your own marriage, family, and local community.
Transform Your Community Today
Whether you are a pastor, small group leader, counselor, or someone simply seeking deeper connection in your personal life, this streaming conference provides the blueprint you need. Experience the conference today and discover how to build a relational culture where transformation truly happens.
