LEAWOOD, KS – The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection announced today that registration is now open for Leadership Institute 2019, held September 25-27 at the Leawood, Kansas campus.
The Church of the Resurrection, along with leading bishops, pastors and laity across the US, believes that the decision at the 2019 General Conference does not represent the vast majority of United Methodists in the US, and that it brought greater harm to our LGBTQ members and their families.
Resurrection is a church that welcomes and loves members of the LGBTQ community. Our leadership is actively involved in conversations about where we go from here and Leadership Institute 2019 is another step of this process. The format and focus for this year’s conference are aimed at preparing United Methodist leaders to navigate and lead their congregations and annual conferences for the future, in response to events taking place in the denomination at this time.
Church of the Resurrection hopes to have leaders from 1,500 churches participating at Leadership Institute 2019. For this reason, registration is limited to two participants from each congregation (one clergy/one laity, two clergy or two laity). For those pastors serving multiple congregations, the pastor and one laity person from each congregation are allowed. Also invited are denominational leaders serving at the conference, episcopacy, district level as well as agency leaders, campus ministry leaders and leaders from extension ministries.
For those not part of the United Methodist Church, plan to attend Leadership Institute 2020, which will return to the ecumenical format and focus on leadership development and offering practical ministry tools and ideas. Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the leader of the Episcopal Church and the man who touched millions when he preached at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding, has been named as a keynote speaker for 2020.
Those participating at Leadership Institute 2019 will:
- Catch a leadership vision for a future that reflects a vibrant, missional United Methodist Church, one that is passionately Wesleyan and authentically Christian, drawing all people into relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Learn about the latest opportunities and the potential impact on your local church from leaders who are currently charting various courses forward, including: staying and reforming within our current structure, disaffiliating from the UMC to start something new, and dissolving the UMC to multiply into two or three new Methodist expressions.
- Be equipped to lead difficult conversations, navigate change, and build consensus in your ministry context, as you seek to affirm the full participation in the church of people of all ages, nations, races, classes, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
- Leave prepared to lead a movement within your Annual Conference to win hearts and minds to the center eliminating discriminatory language, restrictions and penalties in the UM Book of Discipline regarding LGBTQ persons.
The conference also offers Pre-Institute Sessions on Wednesday, September 25, led by guest presenters digging deep into topics such as: church growth, stewardship, preaching, transitions, call to ministry, difficult conversations and self-care, all through the lens of the current divisions within the church.
Details and registration can be found at li.cor.org. Super Early Bird prices are offered through August 2. Register today for the best rates and availability. Questions? Contact sharechurchconferences@cor.org or 913-232-4139.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is located at 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. It also has locations in Olathe, Blue Springs, downtown Kansas City and Overland Park. Resurrection is the largest Methodist church in the country with over 20,000 members. For additional information about the church, please visit the web site: www.cor.org.
