Clinton District

Class Descriptions

1-1Clergy Family Session w/ Bishop Hayes

Bishop Robert E Hayes Jr.
Hear what's on the Bishop's mind, ask questions, share opinions in a lively session just for clergy and their families.

1-2 Making Disciples: In and out of Prison

Rick Forthman
The workshop will present opportunities for person to live out their faith in ministry with incarcerated persons, formerly incarcerated and their families. The class is directed to lay and clergy looking for ways to be in ministry. The 3 main points are that ministry is possible: 1) to families of incarcerated, 2) with formerly incarcerated in the community, and 3) in prison ministry.

1-3 It Worked for Us: Successful Children's Programming

Charlie Ludden
We will have an open forum where we will discuss the most successful programming we have had in our children's ministry programs. I will bring my favorite ideas, and I hope you will bring yours to share as well! This class is for anyone who works with or supervises those who work with children, and are interested in bringing back new ideas for their congregations children and families.

1-4 Effective Financial Leadership

Brian Bakeman
Are finances running your church or is your church running the finances? This class is designed for the chairs of Finance Committees, new and old, to discuss the leadership role of the chair.

1-5 Advancing Hope Around the World: UM Missionaries & Their Ministries

Karen Distefano
"Missionary" is one of the oldest and most honored offices of the Christian church, with origins found in Paul's writings in the New Testament. United Methodist missionaries witness and serve in dramatically different locales and cultures and engage in a range of professions and activities. In this workshop, find out how your church can be actively involved in the work our missionaries do on our behalf. The class is great for anyone who wants to know more about how the United Methodist Church makes a difference around the world!

1-6 Making a Difference: Starting a New Ministry

Judy Benson & Chuck Stewart
Is God calling your church to expand your ministries? All laity who see a need or feel the heart tug for making a difference and desire methods for success in beginning new ministries are welcomed.

1-7 Hospitality

Wanda & Steve Littrell
This class addresses the need for local churches to be ready for visitors. Simple how to's and ideas such as: first ten minutes, welcoming certification, getting the whole church involved, will be shared.

1-8 Small Membership Congregations

Diana Northcutt
We will look at the great things small membership churches can do. What are the key indicators for healthy small membership churches. Network with one another. What is some of the new research saying about the viability of the small membership church.

1-9 Who me, Evangelism?

Frank Denney
Methodists do lots of things really well. Evangelism isn't one of them. We will explore reasons why this is true and discuss ways to answer the call to be involved with personal evangelism.

2-1 Staff/Pastor Parish Relations

Charles L. Nordean
We will review the work of the S/PPRC , its opportunities for encouraging healthy relationships between the staff and our congregations and our role in interpreting the mission of the church. We'll look at how appointments are made and how to support our clergy families. AND - A question and Answer forum with the District Superintendent. (The online training prior to the course will be helpful)

2-2 Should Faith Mix with Politics?

Rick Forthman
This workshop will address issues of systemic sin and explore biblically and theologically the role the church should play in forming public policy as a matter of authentic discipleship. The class is for anyone. The main points include discussion of systemic sin (corporate sin), enculturation of the church, and prophetic ministry, i.e. "Thus sayeth the Lord" to powers and principalities.

2-3 I Love to Tell the Story

Kristin VanNort
Though our mission-to go and make disciples-remains the same today as it was for the first disciples, we live in a more broadly connected world. It is ever more challenging to make connections to effectively share our good news. This workshop will offer an interactive setting to introduce you to multiple media tools to enhance your church's ability to engage diverse communities. This class will use discussion, handouts, and video to highlight key components of effective Christian communication in our time.

2-4 Trustees, More than just Buildings

Brian Bakeman
The job of the Trustees includes managing the buildings, risk management, other legal issues, and bequests.

2-5 Precious Memories: Oral Interviews and Local Church History

John Beckman
Local church historians and other laity interested in their church's history and church staff involved in maintaining official records and historical documents will benefit from this session. Information and materials about traditional programs and guidelines for preserving local church history will be provided. New this year will be a video presentation and discussion of oral interviews as a simple and yet compelling way to capture the history and heritage of your church and the "stories" of individuals who lived and helped shape its history.

2-6 Youth 101

Conference Youth Team
Basic understanding of youth ministry. UMYF, curriculum, answer and questions.

2-7 The use of demographic information for your local church

Diana Northcutt
Looking at census data and other information to help local churches make healthy decisions for the future of their church. Preregistration will enable local churches to look at their particular data and is recommended for this class.

2-8 Our United Methodist Social Principles and Advocating for Justice

Claudia Lovelace
Learning more about the Social Principles of the UMC and how you can be a voice for United Methodists through the UM-CAN network and their work to be an active voice for our State policy makers and beyond.

2-9 It Worked for Us Ideas/Models

Judy Benson & Chuck Stewart
One of the beautiful things about the United Methodist Church is that we are connectional. Because we are connectional we are open to allowing the Holy Spirit to help us learn from each other. This class will provide an opportunity for the sharing of what ministries and or events worked for your church and then in turn you will receive information on what worked for other churches around our Conference. To attend this class, we ask that you bring with you at least one ministry that has worked for your church to share with others. This will be a time of constant discussion, brain storming and question and answering. We are the Church, together!