Tulsa District

Class Descriptions

1-1 VBS Preview

EvaMarie Campbell
This class is directed to persons preparing / leading VBS in their local church. Come preview the wonderful activities for VBS that will lead your children to a closer walk with God, experience new songs and form bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime.

1-2 Workable Evangelism for All Size Churches

Bob Pierson
This class will provide strategies that work for reaching new people for Christ. They have been proven in all size churches using primarily church programs and ministries as a way to positively reach new people for Christ. The class is based on Bob Pierson's book Needs-Based Evangelism. This class is directed to all church leaders.

1-3 Transformational Evangelism

Elaine Robinson
A Wesleyan approach to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in today's society.

1-4 Should Faith Mix with Politics?

Stan Basler
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 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.

1-5 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?

1-6 Accessibility Issues In the Local Church

Hank Jenkins, Heather Scherer, Paula Steinbacher, Bob Barrett
Accessibility Audits are done by each local church, each year, at Charge Conference and many local churches realize (or don't) that their facilities (parking lot, entrances, bathrooms, fellowship halls, and even sanctuaries) are preventing certain people from being able to access these places. This workshop will provide stories, ideas, and resources for remedying some of the most common and easy-to-miss ways that church buildings can become more accessible. The course will include both practical and theological ideas about the issue of accessibility.

1-7 Sidewalk Sunday School -a 21st Century Answer to a 1st Century Command

Greg Lynn
Jesus didn't tell the world to go to church but he did tell the church to go to the world. How do we do that? Here's one approach. Target evangelism to children to reach the rest of the family, Sidewalk Sunday School gets you and your church outside of its walls.

1-8 Making a Difference: Starting a New Ministry

Donna Heldermon
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.

1-9 The Communications Connection

Ashley Green-Young
Though our mission-to go and make disciples-remains the same today as it was for the first disciples, 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.

1-10 Effective Financial Leadership

Brenda Reed
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.

1-11 "Who are THOSE People"...and how do we minister to them.

Annette Harper
Interacting discussion on holistic and healthy approaches to addiction ministry for the whole congregation.

1-12 Re-Ignite the Go-Go's, Slow-Go-s and No-Go's

Charles Herndon
Discussions on how local congregations can minister to people based on mobility rather than age in the areas of spiritual development, health, fellowship, education, life transitions, service, intergenerational interaction, daily assistance, and National Grandparent's Day. This is directed towards anyone interested in ministry by, for, to, and with the growing numbers of older adults in our communities.

1-13 May the Poor Be With You!

Jeff Jaynes
We know the church is called to ministry with the poor (Jesus says "you will always have the poor with you") but we may wonder sometimes how to do this crucial ministry in effective ways. This class will explore the biblical importance of ministry with the poor: how the church is called to help the poor, and how ministry with the poor helps the church. Outreach/mission committees, pastors, lay leaders and others will hear 1) a biblical perspective on ministry with the poor, 2) the impact of ministry with the poor on church health, and 3) innovative and effective strategies for starting/improving the church's ministry with the poor. We'll also talk about what Restore Hope Ministries does to help.

1-14 Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee

Dan Peil
This class for new or continuing members of the P/SPRC will focus on encouraging healthy relationships between staff and congregation as well as a discussion of the many important responsibilities of the P/SPRC.

1-15 On To Perfection: Effective Manuscript and Non-Manuscript Preaching

Adam Shahan
Much of our continuing education as clergy and lay speakers is not in the area of pulpit ministry. It is imperative to continue honing this practice, which is both an art and a spiritual gift. This course is designed to equip clergy and lay speakers with the tools to work together in groups to become better preachers. Pre-registration is encouraged. Submit a typed manuscript or a video of a homily (no longer than seven minutes) to ashahan@okumc.org  12 days before the workshop begins. One manuscript and one video will be used as object lessons. If your material is selected, you will be informed five days before the workshop.

1-16 Keep Your Youth Ministry From Being A One Hit Wonder Empowering youth to design and lead their youth group

BJ Danner and district youth
This class will be led by an energetic team of student leaders committed to leadership development, program design and spiritual growth. All three areas work together to create a youth ministry well connected to the life of the total church.

2-1 It Worked for Us: Successful Children's Programming

Brittany Sky Stanley
Open forum - 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.

2-2 UMW: What's It About

Annette Loos
This class is for anyone interested in learning more about United Methodist Women. We will discuss who is a member and what does it mean in today's world. We will cover coming events and how they relate to the purpose.

2-3 Making Disciples: In and out of Prison

Stan Basler
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 three main points are that ministry is possible to families of incarcerated, with formerly incarcerated in the community and in prison ministry.

2-4 Helping People Tell Their Stories

Bill Moorer
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 class. Information and materials about traditional programs and guidelines for preserving 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.

2-5 Social Media: Getting the Message Out in a TGIF (Twitter, Google, iPhone, Facebook) World

Jeremy Smith
Learn about technology, communication and boundaries when using social media for your church. Share ideas for what has worked in your ministry as we brainstorm how to reach a generation more focused on its phones than church bulletin boards.

2-6 They're Here, Now What?

Hank Jenkins
Using helpful hints and best practices, will help churches who rely on part-time staff and volunteers to be in ministry with the youth of their church and community. Presenters will talk about how to structure your youth gathering, answer questions and give suggestions on how to create a sustainable youth ministry.

2-7 College and Young Adult Ministries

Andy Henson
College ministry to young adults (18-40) takes place on college campuses, but also in local churches and communities. Andy serves a church and has also been a Wesley Foundation minister on a college campus. Bringing both of these experiences to the fore, attendees will gain a greater appreciation of ministry to young adults, and will learn how to become more involved in ministry to this age-group.

2-8 It Worked for Us Ideas/Models

Donna Heldermon
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. 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 discussion, brain storming and question.

2-9 Advancing Hope Around the World: UM Missionaries & Their Ministries

Karen Distefano
"Missionary" is one of the oldest and most honored offices of the church, with origins found in Paul's writings in the New Testament. UM 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.

2-10 Trustees, More than just Buildings

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

2-11 Is This Your Call?  Ministry Options to Explore

Shelley Daigle
This class will help pastors, PPR members, youth directors and other interested laity have conversations with people who are hearing God's call for a future in Lay or Ordained ministry. "Did you know we have at least 17 possibilities for specific ministries in the UMC?"

2-12 Congregations working with Veterans

Joseph L. Lynch
With so many of our fellow Oklahomans being deployed with the military how can congregations faithfully serve those in the armed forces, their families, and the religious professionals who care for them, especially those deployed overseas? This will cover congregational and pastoral care for veterans and their families.

2-13 May the Poor Be With You!

Jeff Jaynes
We know the church is called to ministry with the poor (Jesus says "you will always have the poor with you") but we may wonder sometimes how to do this crucial ministry in effective ways. This class will explore the biblical importance of ministry WITH the poor: how the church is called to help the poor, and how ministry with the poor helps the church. Outreach/mission committees, pastors, lay leaders and others will hear 1) a biblical perspective on ministry with the poor, 2) the impact of ministry with the poor on church health, and 3) innovative and effective strategies for starting/improving the church's ministry with the poor. We'll also talk about what Restore Hope Ministries does to help both the poor and the church.

2-14 Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee

Dan Peil
This class for new or continuing members of the P/SPRC will focus on encouraging healthy relationships between staff and congregation as well as a discussion of the many important responsibilities of the P/SPRC.