Training Tuesdays

Training Tuesdays is designed to equip, encourage, and connect leaders for faithful and effective ministry. Grounded in Wesleyan theology and rooted in our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, Training Tuesdays offers accessible and practical training to clergy, laity, and ministry teams. These sessions are designed to foster church vitality, deepen spiritual leadership, and inspire innovative responses to the evolving needs of our communities.
The calls are videotaped and can be accessed later -- along with handouts -- in a searchable resource area or as a YouTube Playlist.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
more coming soon...

PAST WEBINARS
Videos of all past Training Tuesday sessions are online. If you would like to search by the topic or theme of the session, visit this page and search using the “categories” dropdown. Those interested in learning more about serving on church committees are encouraged to explore the Trustees, Nominations, Finance, SPRC and other topics.

December 2: Statistical Reports Training
Presenters: Members of our Business Services Team
It’s that time of the year again, Statistical Report Season. Join us as we refamiliarize ourselves with the system and learn about any changes for 2025. We strongly encourage everyone who will work on the stats to attend this training. During our time together we will walk through AC Stats, show you the features and answer your questions.
November 25: Local Church Finance Update
As we prepare to close out the year, our Finance Staffs would like to provide local churches with insights into the trends and performance in our Conference budgets. Our data team will also provide an update on the trends we are observing in the local church statistical data throughout the Area. Lastly, we will cover some details about how the new COMPASS clergy pension plan will be billed to churches in the Area starting in January 2026.
November 18 Training Tuesday: Local Church Insurance: Trends and Best Practices
Your church serves as a beacon of hope and community. But a single unexpected event—a fire, a liability claim, or even a data breach—can threaten your ability to serve. Good stewardship means preparing for all possibilities.
This webinar will provide church leaders with practical, accessible information on how to use insurance and risk management to protect your congregation. We'll simplify the complex world of insurance and focus on practical strategies to: Secure your building and grounds, Protect your staff, volunteers, and attendees, Ensure financial stability after a crisis, Understand the specific coverage your church needs, Focus on your ministry, not your risks. Join us to learn how.
November 4 Training Tuesday: SPRC
During the session, attendees will explore the SPRC’s mission, responsibilities, effective evaluation process, conflict resolution, collaborative methods for fostering a thriving church community and much more.
This is an excellent opportunity to grow together and make a lasting difference in your congregation.
This program is open to anyone involved in church leadership or those eager to strengthen the bond between pastors and their congregations.
October 14th Training Tuesday: 100% at 100% – A Pathway towards Congregational Vitality
Imagine a church where every person is known, every disciple is growing, every act of love reflects Jesus, and every impact multiplies beyond what we can see. That is the vision behind 100% at 100%—a Spirit-filled movement where every congregation becomes 100% vital. This Training Tuesday invites you to catch the vision and claim your role in this bold calling. Rooted in our vitality pillars—Seeing All the People, Deepening Discipleship, Living and Loving Like Jesus, and Multiplying Impact—we’ll explore what’s possible when congregations stop settling for survival and start embracing God’s dream of abundant life. Come be informed and inspired, discover fresh hope for your congregation, and join a movement that believes every church, large or small, can flourish in mission and ministry. Together, we are 100% at 100%. PPT
October 7, 2025 Training Tuesday: Reaching and Welcoming New People
Ken Willard’s new book, titled Beacon of Hope, is a practical guide for church leaders seeking to revitalize their congregations by reaching and welcoming new people. In his book, Willard calls churches to become beacons of light in their communities through relational evangelism, radical hospitality, and intentional accessibility. Ken Willard shares personal insights and proven practices developed through decades of ministry and consulting across the church. During this webinar, Ken will touch on the topics of spiritual formation, evangelism, building bridges with the unchurched, and enhancing hospitality for guests and marginalized individuals. During this session Ken will discuss how pastors can lead congregations to embody the love of Christ in ways that are authentic, intentional, and transformative. PPT
December 17, 2024 Training Tuesday: Statistical Report Training
It’s that time of the year again, Statistical Report Season. This is our second year using the new AC Stats system, so plan to join us as we refamiliarize ourselves with the system and learn about any changes for 2024. We strongly encourage everyone who will work on the stats to attend this training. During our time together we will walk through AC Stats, show you the features and answer your questions. PPT
December 10, 2024 Training Tuesday: Leadership and Church Administration: Mastering Meeting Dynamics
Meeting planning and unexpected meeting dynamics can present challenges and limit any well-intentioned team or committee chair. This workshop will equip you to prepare for meetings proactively. We will start with the basics such as determining when a meeting is needed, developing a simple and clear agenda, and documenting your team’s decisions with clarity and simplicity. The primary focus of our time together will be on facilitation skills and leading in a way that honors all who are involved. PDF
December 3, 2024 Training Tuesday: Living Well: A Holistic Approach to a Balanced Life
Living Well is a holistic approach to living based on Christ’s command to “love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind, and with all of your strength.” (Mark 12:30-31) You'll learn how the Living Compass, a free well-being assessment, can shape your discipleship, your life, and your faith community. This Training Tuesday is for clergy and laity who are seeking to discover a new way to live out their Christian life.
November 12, 2024 Training Tuesday: Your Church Doesn't Need More Volunteers
Most churches say they need more volunteers. But answer this honestly: What is your theology of serving? How well is your church equipping people to offer their spiritual gifts in service to others? Has your church gotten further away from viewing serving as an integral part of spiritual formation? During this webinar we will discuss common mistakes churches make and how to correct them. We will also share a discernment process for the Nominations Committee. PDF
October 29, 2024 Training Tuesday: The ABCs of the SPRC
While the work of the SPRC can at times become complicated, giving attention to the essential organization, duties and annual rhythm of the SPRC can provide a vital foundation for the committee's work. In this Training Tuesday, you will receive concrete guidance and examples of best practices for how your SPRC can be prepared to do its best work.
October 22, 2024 Training Tuesday: Church Finances During Times of Renewal and Recovery
Church ministries need the support of a transparent and well-organized Finance Committee. This is especially true in this time when many churches are focused on a period of renewal and recovery. COVID shutdowns seem to be something in the past, but they have created new realities for many churches. Our session will focus on the creation of budgets, the alignment of church finances with the church’s vision, the plotting of trends, and cash management tools. PDF
October 15, 2024 Training Tuesday: Reimagining Outreach & Stewardship
What if we used all our assets for the greatest good as a part of our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? What if we used our property with purpose for Missional Action Planning? Does your congregation need support in navigating the process of discernment and action? This could include everything from initial assessments to connecting congregations with the best resources and experts to navigating major building redevelopment.
In exploring and experimenting, there is an opportunity for creating new stories of hope and inspiration in a shifting world through holy imagination and turn our buildings and land from liabilities to assets.
Join Chelsea Spyres and Lucinda Kent as they share information on how you can start to build community partnerships, how you can start to get to know your neighbors, and how you can move towards creative modes for worship and building use. PDF
October 15, 2024 Training Tuesday: Introduction to Fresh Expressions: Cultivating Healing Communities in Everyday Life
Across the United States, amid a Christian landscape that looks and feels like a desert of decline, God is up to something. Inherited congregations, with long histories, deeply rooted in their traditions, are experimenting with cultivating “fresh expressions” of church. A fresh expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church. These forms of church are: Inclusive, Accessible, Transfiguring, and Connectional. When these congregations commit to reaching new people, in new places, and in new ways, revitalization and communal transformation are taking place. Join Michael Beck for the kickoff of Season 6 of Training Tuesday. PDF
March 12, 2024 Training Tuesday: Faithfully Managing Church Finances
Do you know the composition and charge of the committee on finance? Do you know the difference a positive cash flow and a balanced budget? between Church Finance plays a vital role in the daily operations of a church. Whether it is pastor and staff compensation packages, payroll taxes, budgets, bookkeeping, audits, gift acceptance and acknowledgment or building projects, it is vital for churches to faithfully manage church finances.
The objective of this webinar is to help churches become better informed and educated on church finance, so they can give stewardship of financial resources throughout the year and focus on ministry! PDF
February 13, 2024 Training Tuesday: A.I. in Ministry: An Intro
Have you heard all the buzz about A.I. and are wondering what it is and if it should be used in the church? Have concerns about ethics and theology? Worried that it may take over like a sci-fi movie? Join Jason Moore for a conversation about the what, why, and how to (and not to) use Artificial Intelligence in ministry. This brief overview will calm fears, open eyes and help you see the possibilities for just what potentially useful tool A.I. is in the church. Best of all, you’ll discover many tools are free or very inexpensive, and very accessible for just about anyone. PDF
January 9, 2024 Training Tuesday: Statistical Report Training
It’s that time of the year again, Statistical Report Season. This is our second year using the new AC Stats system, so plan to join us as we re-familiarize ourselves with the system and learn about any changes for 2023. We strongly encourage everyone who will work on the stats to attend this training. During our time together we will walk through AC Stats, show you the features and answer your questions. PPT

Training Tuesdays: Toward Better Meetings: Crafting Meaningful Discussions, Decisions and Change
Nov 28, 2023: Tired of going to meetings where you accomplish nothing and repeat the same conversations? Time is valuable and meeting just to meet is not what anyone wants. The church council has a vital responsibility to steward the vision and mission of the local church. This Training Tuesday will provide some helpful resources to make the best use of your time and resources as a council (or any church leadership team). Recommended especially for chairs of committees as well as anyone who is a regular part of church meetings. PPT | Sample
Training Tuesdays: Budgeting as a Response to Vision
Nov. 14: Budgeting as a Response to Vision – This webinar will explore how to assemble a project budget from scratch for a new ministry within the church. It takes a good understanding of the vision as the project budget becomes a roadmap for anticipated expenditures and income. How does the project budget fit with the operational budget? How does cash flow figure into the analysis? PPT
Training Tuesdays: Aligning Money and Mission
Nov 7: During this webinar, Mark Sampson, from RootedGood, will share information about churches that are exploring new economic models, unpack the latest learning, and explore some of the opportunities and challenges that congregations face related to this work. Specific examples and resources will be shared. PDF
Training Tuesdays: New Possibilities: Creating a Leadership Pathway for your Church
OCT. 25, 2023: PPT | Workbook
Training Tuesdays: Hope and Healing in the Midst of Conflict
OCT. 10, 2023: Best practices on conflict transformation for Staff-Parish Relations Committee members. PPT
Training Tuesdays: Charting a Course Toward Vitality
SEPT. 19, 2023: Using a Missional Action Planning (MAP) framework, learn about resources for your church to grow. PPT
Training Tuesdays - Developing Missionally Vital Leaders
SEPT. 12, 2023: Explore a variety of leadership development opportunities. PPT
Training Tuesdays - The Power of a Non-Anxious Presence
FEB. 21, 2023: We live in challenging times. The pandemic, economic uncertainty, political division and pending denominational split have raised anxiety in the church and in the world. Now more than ever, we need people who can lead as a non-anxious presence. Jack Shitama, Director of the Center for Vital Leadership, will share principles from his book, Anxious Church, Anxious People: How to Lead Change in an Age of Anxiety to help you grow as a non-anxious leader. PPT
Training Tuesdays - Statistical Report Training
JAN. 10, 2023: It’s that time of the year again, Statistical Report Season. This year we will move away from the Ezra statistical reporting system, so plan to join us as we become familiar with AC Stats, our new system. We strongly encourage everyone who will work on the stats to attend this training. During our time together we will walk through AC Stats, show you the features and answer your questions. PPT
Training Tuesdays - Live and Love like Jesus
NOV. 15, 2022: Living and loving like Jesus moves us from the seats to the streets as we take the gospel beyond the walls of our buildings. Once we are outside the four walls of our buildings, we are called to proclaim good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, set the oppressed free, and comfort all who mourn. Join us as we learn what this looks like in our various contexts. PPT
Training Tuesdays: Examples of Effective Intentional Discipleship Pathways/Process
NOV. 8, 2022: This session will show you how churches are successfully implementing an Intentional Discipleship Pathway/Process. With Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center for Vital Leadership PPT
Training Tuesdays - Deepening Discipleship: The Elements of an Intentional Discipleship Pathway/Process
OCT. 25, 2022: This session will teach you the elements of an Intentional Discipleship Pathway/Process, which are rooted in the United Methodist Rule of Discipleship PPT