Woodward District

Class Descriptions

1-1 Building Congregational Esteem

Jim Hollifield
We will investigate this foundation on which all other congregational success is build. Methods to build will be discussed and destructive practices will identified.

1-2 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.

1-3 Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee

David A. Burris
District Superintendent David Burris will be giving instruction to both new and seasoned members on how the SPRC/PPRC is to operate, a suggested agenda for quarterly meetings, handout a list of resources to help in your work and answer questions related to your work.

1-4 Making Disciples: In and out of Prison

Rev. Brantley Tillery
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 to families of incarcerated, with formerly incarcerated in the community and in prison ministry.

1-5 UMW Officer Training

Glenda Gilpin
This session will provide information and training that enables officers of the local units of the Woodward District to fulfill their call to mission service through the United Methodist Women.

1-6 Making a Difference: Starting a New Ministry

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.

2-3 What the Bible REALLY Says About Women in Ministry

Gary Holdeman
It is my conviction that we have not done a very good job in communicating our position on "Women in Ministry" from a BIBLICAL perspective. Our fellow Christians who disagree with us feel they do so on Biblical grounds; but often their disagreements are taken from a few isolated texts rather than the Bible as a whole as well as neglecting much of Christian history. This workshop will seek to provide you with solid Biblical and historical grounds in support of women in ministry from the early church to the present. It will deal with "those isolated texts" used by those in disagreement and also include resources, sample sermon material, and handouts for you to learn and share with others.

2-4 Generations and the Church: Understanding How Each Connects Differently to the Body of Christ

Becky Pierson
Becky will lead the group through an interactive study of the five primary generations within our churches and the influence of Postmodernism on these generations, ending with a discussion of how the American Church is and should be reacting to this current culture.

2-5 "Who are THOSE People"...and how do we minister to them.

Gary Gilpin
Interacting discussion on holistic and healthy approaches to addiction ministry for the whole congregation.

2-6 It Worked for Us Ideas/Models

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!