Event Details

The Large Church and the Future of the UMC

Join leaders from large United Methodist churches from across the U.S. who either know they will remain in the UMC after General Conference 2022 OR are undecided but open to remaining United Methodist.
 
The purpose of this gathering includes:

1. Hearing about possible General Conference 2022 outcomes and discussing with other large church pastors and staff how we’ll lead our congregations through the ensuing conversations and decisions.
2. Discussing compelling reasons for remaining United Methodist and together shaping a case for the United Methodist Church.
3. Dreaming together about the future of the United Methodist Church, seeking to offer an inspiring vision for the denomination. We want you to help shape that vision – looking at what you think needs to change and what you want to ensure remains the same in the United Methodist Church.
4. Inspiring hope for the future.

We believe large United Methodist churches have both the potential and responsibility to be a resource for other churches within our Annual Conferences and to have a significant positive impact on the future of our denomination. We’d like you to be here to help shape that future.

Each pastor of a large church is invited to bring two key staff members and two laity of influence – a total of five people from each congregation.

Young Clergy Gathering Pre-Conference

Prior to the Large Church event, there will be a gathering of UMC Young Clergy. Young clergy (under 40) from around the country who are passionate about helping shape the future of the United Methodist church will work together on both values and practicalities of Methodism in the future.

We hope for a gathering of folks committed to staying in the United Methodist Church and cultivating an organized community of leaders who are creative, empowered, and committed to holding as many diverse voices as possible in the UMC. We invite you join the conversation about what a vital, living, Spirit-filled continuing United Methodist Church looks like now and in the future. 

The conversation will begin via Zoom starting on Thursday, September 9th at 3PM. There will be two more Zoom gatherings prior to the in-person event. On October 25-26 we’ll gather as young clergy from Sunday night through Monday afternoon at Church of the Resurrection. We hope this will only be the beginning of our work and that this network will stay connected to help each other organize in our own conferences and for the General Church. The registration to attend the Young Clergy gathering only is $25.

All young clergy who attend the pre-conference are invited and encouraged to participate in the large church gathering bringing the work from our session to the large church conversations. The cost of the combined event (Young Clergy Gathering and the Large Church Gathering) is $100 plus travel. Scholarships are available. Contact Rev. Emily Chapman at pastor@smumc.org for scholarship information.

Registration

Registration is now open.

Large Church Gathering

Cost: $75

Hosted By

ShareChurch Ministry at Church of the Resurrection
Contact: ShareChurchconferences@cor.org or 913-544-0247

Young Clergy Gathering

Young Clergy Gathering: $25
Young Clergy + Large Church Gathering: $100

Hosted By

Young Clergy from the South Central Jurisdiction
Contact: Lindsay Kirkpatrick, pastorlindsay@asbury.cc

Location

Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66224