All Christians are called to ministry by their baptism. Some are called to a lifetime of thoughtfully committed lay service, and others are called to set-apart, ordained ministry. This workshop is for all who are curious and would like to learn about the various ways God may be calling one to serve God and God’s People.

Facilitators: Aleze Fulbright, Derrick Scott III

A step by step walk-through of the United Methodist Church’s candidacy process, from initial discernment through ordination.

Facilitators: Karen Jeffcoat, Trip Lowery

Hear from seminary staff about what to expect in seminary and theological school, including areas of study, spiritual development, academic expectations, field/contextual education expectations, diversity and community.

Facilitators: David Martinez, Andy Keck

Leadership in ministry is tied to your identity. Ministry can also ask a lot of you. Join us for a panel discussion as we explore how to maintain boundaries and practice self-care as a ministry leader.

Facilitators: Amie Stewart

Elders are ordained to Word, Order, Table, and Service, and they serve as pastoral leaders and in extension ministry. Join us for a panel discussion exploring some of the creative ways in which elders serve in the UMC.

Facilitators: Nathan Adams, Lindsey Baynham Freeman, Fernie Rivera

Deacons serve as the bridge between the church and the world, and deacons have specialized ministries within and beyond the local church. Join us for a panel discussion with deacons in a variety of ministry settings.

Facilitators: Melissa Cooper, April Casperson, Jason Stanley

Learn about creative ministries in the UMC for lay and clergy. We will explore new church starts, non-profit leadership, community organizing, creative ways of being church, church in the wild, and other innovative forms of ministry.

Facilitators: Alyssa Densham, Ryan Dunn, Michael Gienger, Nathan Webb

Learn about how elders and deacons serve in specialized roles beyond the local church, including as campus ministers, military and medical chaplains, and with other organizations. This workshop also includes information about endorsement, an additional credential useful or required for certain extension ministry settings.

Facilitators: Jennifer Bowden, Herbert Griffin, Nikki Kleinberg, Corey Perry

Is your call to ministry rooted in social justice? Join us for a conversation on how you can engage with local communities with dignity and integrity while connecting the church in mission. Learn about some of the pathways the UMC has for young adults called to mission and justice work, including Global Mission Fellows International and US-2, missionary opportunities, UMCOR, Earthkeepers, and more!

Facilitators: Hannah Hanson, Amanda Kirkscey

Join us for a panel discussion led by seminary and theological school staff entrusted with helping students pay for graduate theological studies. Learn about options available for scholarships, denominational and other funding sources.

Facilitators: Stephanie Krusemark, Allyson Potts

What makes Worship? Is it the words we say? The music we sing? The place or time we gather? Or is Worship a way of being? This hands-on workshop gives you the opportunity to consider your own answers to these questions as we engage with the four-fold worship model (Gather, Proclaim, Thanksgiving, and Send). Join us in experimenting with creative ways we can embody Worship both on Sunday mornings, and beyond.

Facilitators: Andrew LaBar-Dietz

“Developmentally Appropriate Conversations About Vocation with Young People”. Leaning into current understandings of brain science and a variety of youth-focused research, this workshop will help attendees develop frameworks for vocational conversations with people as young as 12 years of age through their early 20s. The simple idea behind this workshop is that it really is never too early to introduce vocational conversations and questions with young people, but the words chosen and the concepts introduced can affect how easy those conversations from a mentor or church leader are for the young person to hear and understand.

Facilitators: Chris Wilterdink