"Epic Fail"–a concept popularized by blogs capturing images of, well, some pretty stupid mistakes–is not a phrase anyone would like attached to their ministry. Generally, when we gather to discuss ministry and leadership, we like to celebrate success rather than own up to our failures. In fact, leadership conferences can feel like an extended pep rally at times–we go and hear story after story of success, and we attempt to bottle some of that momentum and take it home to pour out over our own churches, hoping some of it will stick. And certainly we are to praise God for the work he is doing in our churches! But what of the pastors and leaders who have tried to do great things and failed? If we learn more from our failures than our successes, then how much are we missing out on by focusing only on successes?

That is the idea behind the Epic Fail Pastors Conference, which will be held April 14-16, 2011 at the Third & Walnut Bar in Lansdale, PA. You read that right–Third & Walnut is, fittingly, ...