October 1, 2026
ATLANTA — As conversations around pastoral isolation and burnout continue across the Southern Baptist Convention, leaders with the Duck and the Goose say the need for intentional friendship in ministry has only grown.
That conviction is reflected in the upcoming Duck and Goose Summit, scheduled for Sept. 28–29 in Atlanta. The bi‑annual gathering brings pastors and ministry leaders together for teaching, shared meals, and conversation, with space built into the schedule for relationships to deepen over time.
Jason Dees, pastor at Christ Covenant in Atlanta, said the Summit’s focus on friendship speaks directly to the lived experience of many pastors.
“The Duck and the Goose began as a house at Southern Seminary where several of us lived and formed deep friendships during our training for ministry,” Dees said. “Those relationships have remained some of my most trusted ministry partnerships. We still encourage one another regularly and help each other think through the challenges of pastoral life. In recent years, we’ve sought to extend that kind of friendship to others, and the Summit is one way we invite pastors into that shared life.”
The Duck and the Goose began as a circle of pastors whose friendships were shaped through years of shared ministry. Over time, that network has expanded into a broader effort that includes articles, virtual conversations, and in‑person gatherings. Organizers say the Summit is intentionally structured to reflect those relational roots and to remain smaller and more personal than larger conference environments.
Jed Coppenger, pastor of First Baptist Church of Cumming, Ga., said the setting allows for meaningful interaction alongside thoughtful teaching.
“The Duck and the Goose Summit is a place where some of the most insightful thinkers and leaders address some of the most pressing challenges facing the church today,” Coppenger said. “It takes place in an informal, accessible environment that reflects the decades‑long friendships that started it all. I’ve been several times. I’ll take my team again. You’ll leave a better leader and a better friend.”
Organizers say the Summit’s design allows pastors to spend significant time with one another and with speakers — over meals, in conversations between sessions, and in moments not defined by a stage or schedule.
Kody Gibson, a member of the Duck and the Goose Council and VP for Communications at Midwestern Seminary, said one of the strengths of the gathering is the amount of time pastors and speakers are able to spend together.
“The beauty of this conference is that you’re not engaging ideas from a distance,” Gibson said. “You’re able to talk with the speakers, think together, and work through ministry challenges alongside people who understand the work.”
This year’s speaker lineup includes:
Organizers say the aim is not only theological clarity, but encouragement that comes through shared life and sustained friendships in ministry.
Georgia Baptists are eligible for a 20% registration discount for the 2026 Duck and Goose Summit. The discount is available by using the code GABAPTISTS at registration.
Seminary students who attend can earn course credit through Midwestern Seminary and Southern Seminary.
More information about the Summit is available at https://www.duckandgoose.org/event/summit-2026/
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