A Renewed Emphasis on Evangelism for the 21st Century
A course designed to help everyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ learn how to more effectively represent Him in everyday life. We focus on cross-generational ministry and how the various generations can learn from and mutually bless one another. This training is not designed just for the “spiritually elite” but rather everyday people who long to be used by God at their schools, workplaces, homes and surrounding community... Read More
A Time To Be Born And A Time To Die
The mission of the UMC is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” We emphasize bringing people to Christ and focus on the hope and promise of the eternal life that awaits us in God’s presence. But why do we often neglect the transition from this life to the next? This workshop will help us look at preparing people for their passing, as well as helping people cope with the loss of their loved ones... Read More
Adaptive Leadership: Building an Adaptive, Iterative Leadership Model Grounded in Faith
A follow-up to the leadership workshop Building a Sustainable Leadership Practice. While the previous workshop was designed to guide participants in identifying their particular leadership style and explore the strategies Christ used to create a restorative leadership practice... Read More
Advanced Church Marketing & Communications
Not for the novice, this course will cover strategies for audience targeting and how to write ads with strategic messaging. We will review tools for taking church communications to the next level. Some experience with using email platforms, websites and social media advertising for an organization will be extremely helpful... Read More
Building Community Partnerships
Sharing ways to more effectively address economic poverty and hunger through education and building strategic community partnerships that can lead to relationships and fruitful collaboration... Read More
Casting Your Net in the Sea of Gen-Z/Lanzando la Red en el mar de Gen-Z
In this workshop (offered in English and Spanish) you will learn about Generation-Z demographics, tools for discipling this new generation... Read More
Christopher Columbus: It’s Time to Know the Truth! Helping your church to learn the true story of Indigenous People
History is composed of self-told stories; so it can never be totally unbiased. Most of the stories we hear about Europeans “discovering” America are told from the European point of view. One key to overcoming racism involves listening to stories from alternate points of view... Read More
Church Marketing for Beginners
This course will cover topics for those that are just dipping their toes in the waters of taking their churches online through social media channels like Facebook, staying in touch with members using email, and promoting your service content on a website. We will review useful tools, best practices, and resources... Read More
Engaging the Whole Congregation
Imagine a church where disciples abound - where everyone in the pews on Sunday morning is a critical part of the life of the church. Imagine a variety of people serving in the kitchen, talking through hard decisions in committee, or faithfully serving in the background. This workshop will offer some mindset shifts... Read More
Fundraising for Special Projects
Participants will explore fundraising opportunities to support special projects... Read More
Getting Out While Staying In: Volunteers in Mission COVID Edition
This workshop will show how the work of UM Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) continues in these pandemic times, and why your participation is vital... Read More
Intercultural Competency
This training is designed to increase the intercultural competency of attendees and help them deepen their understanding of relationship dynamics, especially in diverse cultural communities. Implicit bias and self-awareness will be briefly explored. Participants will also examine the biblical and theological foundations... Read More
Justice for Our Neighbors: Supporting and Volunteering with Immigrant Legal Ministry
Learn about JFON and opportunities to help this UMC-led ministry serve low income and rural immigrants in need of affordable legal assistance. With sites across the U.S., the new JFON of the Delaware Valley serves the Eastern PA, Peninsula-Delaware and Greater New Jersey conferences... Read More
Life on Life Discipleship
Jesus doesn't call us to make church members. He calls us to make disciples. We will see how Jesus trained his disciples, and how we can use his principles to make disciples today. We will look at the importance of "life on life" discipleship and how we need to emphasize it in our churches... Read More
Ministerio de Niños en Tiempo de Pandemia/Ministry of Children in Time of Pandemic
Participants will learn how to reach out to children in creative ways, despite the current reality of the COVID-19 pandemic... Read More
More than a large print bulletin and a ramp: How to Serve with People of All Abilities
Many congregations and faith communities have taken the opportunity to think differently about worship and mission during COVIDtide. For many people with disabilities, this has given new occasions to involved in new ways... Read More
Orientation to Ministry
Might God be calling you? This workshop is for anyone wanting to explore a possible call to ordained, licensed or other forms of ministry in the UMC. Taking it fulfills a Book of Discipline requirement.
Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice: Hearing the Stories
An overview of prison ministry and restorative justice, this workshop will feature voices of individuals with telling their personal stories to help attendees see the real, diverse, far-reaching impact of our criminal justice system and what is needed to move forward. There are many ways to help, and everyone can do something... Read More
Servanthood
Participants will examine the principles of servanthood and identify ways in which they can apply and incorporate them in their Christian journey... Read More
Seven Things John Wesley Expected Us to Do For Kids
Are you wondering what you can do to better connect with the children and families in your congregation and community? Let’s chat together about this, and explore ways to build and maintain relationships... Read More
Sexual Misconduct in the Church
When the worst happens, what do we do? It does happen; we hear the news stories. Maybe it has happened to you or someone you know. Come learn what to do and how we in the EPAUMC, are prepared to respond... Read More
Tax Issues Faced by Churches, Preschools and Cemeteries
We will discuss unique tax issues faced by local churches in PA involving staff payroll, parsonages as real estate, usage of houses of worship, and preschools. We will cover advantages and disadvantages–from the perspectives of taxes and liability avoidance... Read More
The Ministry of Being a Local Church Trustee
In this workshop, we will look at the Role of the Local Church Trustee, according to the Book of Discipline and the “Good Book,” The Bible. This session will cover basic responsibilities of and tools available for local church trustees. Also, how the trustee board is organized and some best practices... Read More
The Church Responds to Addiction
Each one of our local communities today - and each one of our local churches - faces the intense challenge posed by widespread drug addiction. How does the church resource families with a positive, effective approach to recovery? How should the church be a force in the community for offering positive recovery strategies? Read More
Vital Contemporary Worship
The religion identified by many young adults, ages 22 to 30, is “no religion at all.” Reports say the church is dying, and now the pandemic is helping to close brick and mortar churches. But how do we keep worship vital? This session will explore ways to be innovative and to make or keep worship vital. Read More
Youth Group Lessons from the Pandemic: Finding the Light in the Darkness
Transforming Youth Group in 2021 and Beyond!
Youth groups seem to have suffered in many ways during the Pandemic and it’s not ending anytime soon. Trying to plan activities and even virtual, online events are not working for many. We need to find new, more adaptive and flexible ways of doing creative youth ministry... Read More