The hotel discounts are typically good for a day or two before and after the event, but space is more limited.
PTP is an amazing event, but it is not a casual event. It is a conservative church event. PTP is unapologetically different from many other church-related events and activities.
Men and women are required to dress modestly throughout PTP (1 Timothy 2:9), including all worship services, classes, and activities. There is no compromise on this, and those not adhering to the modesty standard will be asked to change–including at teen events. (The policy applies to children who are school age and up.)
The PTP modesty standard includes no shorts (of any length); no low cut tops/dresses front or back; no strapless/spaghetti strap tops; no tank tops; no tight/form fitting clothes such as stretch/yoga pants/tight jeans/tight dress pants; no skirts/dresses above the knee (even when sitting); no midriffs; no low-cut backs on dresses or shirts; no other revealing/distracting clothing.
The dress code does not apply to children 5-years-old and under. School-age and up are asked to honor it.
Please respect the dress code. It is important to those in leadership and those who attend PTP.
PTP is a summer camp for adults. Parents/churches send children/teens to a week of Christian camp and each pays a registration fee for his/her part of the expenses for that week. This is what we are doing with PTP.
Many churches cooperate in good works of various kinds, each bearing a part of the cost. Area-wide Vacation Bible Schools, planting churches abroad, and preaching schools often require multiple congregations cooperation and financial support.
The Midway congregation oversees the work, and other churches help to bear the expense by covering the cost of sending their preachers, elders, and other members. Certainly, if it is right to send a young man to a school for two years to begin his education, then it is right to send him a year later to PTP for a week to continue his education. It is appropriate for individuals/families enjoying the benefit of all that goes into PTP to help “bear the burden” of the event. Splitting the cost and cooperating enables the brotherhood to have an event that otherwise would not be possible. The tuition fee pays to rent the facility, print the brochure, pay speakers, and allows for children and teens to attend for free.
With that said, we do not want anyone who needs recharging to miss out because we are charging for it. So we offer financial assistance to those who could not otherwise come. Many who attend PTP (and churches that believe in PTP) pay for scholarships for others to be able to come. The scholarship request link is found under the “cost” section of FAQ.
Anyone is welcome to attend PTP. There are classes for church members, elders, deacons, youth workers, women, teens, and children, and of course, preachers!
When you register it is helping us to set up and plan for the event. This is what is behind the incentive to register early for early-bird. When people then cancel and ask for a refund, it makes it difficult to plan PTP.
If we have to cancel the event, we will issue a refund. If you have a health-related issue, we will issue a refund minus a $25 penalty for early cancellation. If you are not able to come for some other reason, we can issue you a credit to be applied to next year’s PTP.
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Yes. While there are women’s classes throughout the day, women may attend any session they wish, regardless of track (elders, preachers, deacons, etc.).
No (1 Timothy 2:12–13).
No, but there are tables in the hall where you may put flyers or other free material.
There are tables in the hall where you may put flyers or other free material.
Do not place this sort of material in the official PTP registration areas; it will be discarded.
No (but “amens” are encouraged!)
No, most “cross the tracks” and attend the classes that interest them the most.
Yes—a day pass is available on-site for ($125). Day passes are not available on the weekend at
Sevierville. If coming for just the weekend, a Spiritual Renewal Weekend registration is required.
It is free to attend Sunday morning worship services and Wednesday evening Bible study at both locations.
At Branson, Wednesday, July 15 from 6:30 p.m. and Sunday morning services are free. At
Sevierville, Sunday morning services, August 16, Wednesday, August 19, after 4:30, and Thursday,
August 20, are free. Registration information is required even if you attend a free session/day or
come on scholarship.
Yes, from your seat. You may not put anything on the stage. Also, no cords may be in the aisle. You may not livestream or repost sessions.
Remember, you’ll receive a file after the event with all of the lessons, so don’t worry too much!
Space is limited. You may fill out this form online or email Austin Fowler (austin@polishingthepulpit.com).
Parenting is a struggle. We’ve all been there. PTP offers free childcare/classes for 2-year-olds and up during most class time. We remind parents to take a crying child out immediately. There’s a play area for younger children and a nursing station set up.
At the same time, remind yourself that you are a selfless Christian and that you know they want to hear the lesson, too, and that it can be tiring and frustrating to be left out of sessions you really wanted to attend. Be thankful they are rearing their children in the Lord. They are the future church.
The good news is that there will be a download available of all the lessons, so everyone gets to hear the lesson later.
This program is designed to be a multi-year in-depth study. It is intended to be challenging. When completed, the student will gain a deeper Bible knowledge, be better equipped to serve in the local congregation, and more motivated to serve faithfully.
Branson – The uncovered lot next to the convention center will be free during PTP.
Sevierville – Yes. And there are a few tricks to cut down on frustration if you already had the class on patience last year.
First, the side parking lot (beside EHB) has a back exit that gets you right out onto the road. The closer you park to that, the better off you will be. Also, eat on-site or carpool with people when you can—especially for lunch. If everybody did that, there would be half as many cars leaving.
The best-kept secret is that you can park in the garage by the Wilderness Hotel for free, which has a back exit to the road below. There is never any waiting there. And, there is an elevator into the hotel lobby. If it rains, you are in the dry.
Yes, there is a nursing station available both in Branson and Sevierville.
Branson – PTP sessions are held throughout the Branson Convention Center and in select locations throughout the hotel. Exhibits are in the halls and lobby area.
Sevierville – PTP sessions are held in three places: the Events Center Conference area, Hotel
Meeting rooms, and local congregations.
The Event Center and Hotel are within walking distance of each other. The locations for each
track are listed in the schedule.
(Note that the Events Center has both Ballrooms and Meeting Rooms.)
It is hard to maintain a constant temperature in a big facility. The result is that it either gets too cold or too hot. Too cold is preferable, given our dress code. If you are cold-natured, you might want to bring a sweater or jacket.
Adding a second PTP in Branson has helped with some of the overcrowding issues at Sevierville. We try to put the most popular subjects and speakers in larger venues, but just about everybody on the program is an outstanding presenter, so we run out of large rooms.
If there is someone you really want to hear in a smaller classroom, we suggest you get there ten minutes early. Do not expect to come into the class one minute prior to starting and find a seat.
Remember, anything that you miss, Lord willing, will be on the download drive so you can hear
it later. Plus, there are other awesome sessions going on in larger rooms at the same time. Roll
with it and hear somebody new who may become a new favorite.
Branson- The family restroom is located on the 2nd floor, right behind the Registration area as you start to head down the concourse to the Exhibit Hall. On the map of the second floor, it would be the room on the other side of Roark Creek.
Sevierville- Unfortunately, there is no family bathroom.
Bible Bowl takes place at PTP Sevierville. Questions will be available for download here by July 29, 2026.
PTP is a family event. We have a full slate of classes and activities for children, ages 2–18. Bring your family. You’ll be glad you did!
The dress code is the same as in the first question on the FAQ at the top of this page.
The elders request conservative modesty rules be observed: no shorts, no skirts above the knee, no tight clothing, no tops that show cleavage.
These rules apply to both male and female, and teens arriving at any teen event not dressed appropriately will be asked to change.
This applies to school-age children and above. Dress for children 5-years-old and under is left to parent’s discretion.
Children 18 and under attend free when coming with a paid parent or legal guardian.
If attending with grandparents, a youth group, or another adult, the cost is $150 per child/teen.
Anyone 19 or older is considered an adult and must register as an adult.
Yes, for ages 2 and up (must be potty-trained). There is no charge.
We also have a dedicated play area for children ages 1-3. It has toys, a padded floor, disinfectant wipes, and baby gates.
Yes, but we ask parents to take a child out immediately if he/she cries or makes noise. You will be able to listen to the lesson on the download after PTP.
Branson will not be able to offer Special Needs classes, but we hope to do that in the future.
Sevierville – Since parents are generally in great need of the benefits of PTP, we want to do what we can to help them renew, refresh, and recharge. We have a room dedicated as a changing area near Exhibit Hall B. We have a daily special needs class in Exhibit Hall B.
Only children that will be a teenager in the calendar year that PTP is held may attend teen events. Teens prefer to only have teens at Teen Late Night. It is unsafe for smaller children to be involved in the athletic games with teenagers who are often much stronger and may weigh significantly more. (Remind children that they will be teens soon enough and then they will be glad to have teen-only events then!)
Yes, in Sevierville, the Wilderness at the Smokies Hotel is attached to the convention center and River Lodge is within walking distance (and has a shuttle to the convention center). We have negotiated reduced rates with them. They can be reached at 877.325.9453.
Yes, in Branson, the meeting space is connected to the Hilton Branson Convention Center. You can book a room here.
No. You can stay wherever you choose. We have negotiated special rates with many local hotels. You can find a list of these discounted rooms here.
All the directors and overseeing elders oppose mixed swimming because of the Bible’s teaching on modesty (1 Timothy 2:9), our responsibility to avoid being a stumbling block to others (Romans 14:13), and our need to avoid putting ourselves into the path of temptation (Matthew 5:28; 6:13).
The attached hotel waterpark at the Stone Hill Lodge is closed during PTP at our request. The water park at the River Lodge remains open because we do not yet fill that hotel completely.
For Sevierville, the nearest commercial airport is McGhee-Tyson, Knoxville, TN (approximately 30 miles from Sevierville). It services Allegiant, American, Comair, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and U.S. Airways with 120 daily flights.
There is no direct shuttle from the airport to Sevierville, but there are car rental and taxi services at the airport 865-970-2773.
If flying, also check rates flying into Atlanta (4 hours away), Nashville (3.5 hours), and Chattanooga (2 hours). Some will find it most economical to fly into Atlanta and rent a car.
For Branson, the nearest commercial airport is in Springfield, MO (43 miles).