SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Sept. 30
Pre-Conference Workshops (In-Person Only)
9 - 10:15 AM
Pre-Institute Workshop 1
10:15 - 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM - 12 PM
Pre-Institute Workshop 2
12 - 1:30 PM
Lunch, Building Tours, Prayer Walk, Prayer
1:30 - 2:45 PM
Pre-Institute Workshop 3
2:45 - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 - 4:30 PM
Pre-Institute Workshop 4
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Dinner (Offsite, On Your Own)
Leadership Institute Begins
6:30 - 8:30 PM
General Session 1 | Adam Hamilton
Thursday, Oct. 1
9 - 10:30 AM
General Session 2 | Matt Miofsky / Winnie Varghese
10:35 - 11:15 AM
Break
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Featured Sessions:
Lovett Weems – A Wesleyan Way for Churches to Grow
A look to Wesley’s example in England and Asbury’s in this country that rediscovers a way to growth. It begins with the renewal of our minds to see our communities as God does. It continues with a change of will that redirects our actions. And all this requires a new heart for the people God has given us in our communities. Together we will examine Wesleyan principles to guide growth.
Winnie Varghese – Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity
“The hour calls for Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity,” Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote to John F. Kennedy in 1963 in reference to the Civil Rights Movement. Focused on the church’s collective moral responsibility to work toward justice for the whole community — city, nation, world — not just personal ethics, this challenge to bold, prophetic action rooted in faith — not just as individual conviction, but as communal calling. Come consider how the church can help shape the moral vision of your community and beyond.
Rachel Billups & Matt Rawle – A Call to Dream, Dare, and Disrupt
A hands-on invitation for leaders to reclaim curiosity as a vital practice for adaptive leadership. Rooted in the Dream, Dare, Disrupt framework and the work of the Hub4Innovation, we’ll explore how disruption, risk-taking, and innovation open space for meaningful impact. Through simple experiments and shared stories you’ll notice what’s emerging and respond with courage.
12:30 - 1:45 PM
Lunch & Book Signings, Prayer Walk, Other Experiences
1:45 - 2:45 PM
General Session 3 | Nicole Caldwell-Gross
2:45 - 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 - 4:45 PM
Featured Sessions:
Stephanie Spellers – Will the Real Christians Please Stand Up?
Based on interviews with nonreligious 18-to-44-year olds from across the U.S. — Millennial and Gen Z “Nones” and “Dones” — about why they abandoned faith, where they’re finding spirit and community, and what they’d tell churches if we would only listen. Come hear their prophecies to the church and learn how we can all move beyond anxiety about decline, counter White Christo-Nationalism, and commit to God’s hopeful future.
Jason Moore – AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous
Artificial intelligence is reshaping everyday life — and the Church is not exempt. This clear, practical, and theologically grounded introduction to AI in ministry cuts through the hype to explain what AI really is, explore faithful and ethical ways to use it, and demonstrate real-world tools for worship, communication, outreach, and administration. Whether you’re excited, skeptical, or just curious, this will help you discern a thoughtful, courageous path forward with AI in the life of your church.
Ashley Boggan – The “Method” of Methodism
Discover John Wesley’s ‘method’ of Methodism and new ways for engaging this method in today’s church. You’ll learn how this method is currently being used by United Methodist and non-United Methodist congregations across the U.S. and will leave not only with an understanding of how and why Wesley developed this method but also how to employ it for today’s church.
4:45 PM
Dinner & Evening On Your Own!
7 PM
Evening of Worship (optional)
Friday, Oct. 2
9 - 10:15 AM
General Session 4 | Magrey DeVega
10:15 - 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM - 12 PM
General Session 5 | Adam Hamilton
Helpful Links
This conference is brought to you by ShareChurch,
a ministry of Resurrection, a United Methodist Church,
Leawood, Kansas, U.S.A.