REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Registration closed at 4 PM Thursday and the links were removed. If you missed it you can check for available workshop space at conference.  

On Tuesday afternoon a workshop session will be offered from 3:45-5:00 pm.

These various workshops are designed to help all of our churches become healthier so we can fulfill our mission to make disciples and to transform the world.

The following is the list of workshops with descriptions that will be offered. Registration for the workshops will be required because of size limitation. You can sign-up for a workshop on-line through our Conference website May 1st, 2007. An abbreviated chart with Course #, Course Name, time offered and room number follows this list.

1. Disciple Bible Studies-This workshop is designed to encourage involvement in all of the various studies in the Disciple Bible series. DBS has the unique perspective of being written by Methodists with the goal of improving discipleship, individually as well as corporately. Many churches in our conference are familiar with DBS, but still more are uncertain of how to proceed, what costs they will incur, or require additional information and insights about the studies.  If clergy or laity of a local church are interested in starting DBS, this is the workshop for you.

2. How To Initiate Restorative Justice In Your Church-The Roles of the Clergy and Congregation-An overview and discussion of the lead roles by clergy and congregations, review by Murray Batt on a DVD and a Restorative Handbook of training materials. Also, Pam Moye on Welcome Back, reaching victims by Vicki Schleimer, serving needs of Criminal Justice professionals by Jessie Stewart. The presentations will be brief and there will be time available for questions and answers.

3. Radical Accessibility for People With Special Needs-Come and experience what it is like to live with a disability.  Each person will be given 15 minutes to experience a disability such as hearing loss, deafness, mobility impairment, sight impairment, etc. Then the group will debrief the participants on their experiences and provide new insights towards people with disabilities. You will learn how to welcome and include people with disabilities into your local church and its ministries. 

4. Sexual Ethics Response Teams Discussion- Come and discuss the proposal for Response Teams to minister with local churches when they have a crisis because of a breach of sexual ethics. You will be able to talk directly with the Sexual Ethics Task Force that helped create the new Response Team procedures. Your questions and the answers you will receive are very important in helping everyone understand exactly why this issue is relevant and important in today’s congregations.

5. Spirituality in the Third Age of Life

 Workshop conducted by Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Executive Director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship.  Dr. Gentzler will discuss the spiritual development in older adults, along with models of Ministry for the local church. 

6. "The Art & Soul of Vital Worship"-In the workshop led by Marcia McFee, nationally-renowned worship designer, we'll look at the "why" and "how" of multi-sensory and engaging worship. We’ll discover how worship design is a lot like the art of filmmaking – telling a story using image, word, music and action, layer upon layer.  And we’ll  discover the role of “soul-full” worship leaders in vital worship.  Marcia is currently designing the twenty-two worship experiences for General Conference 2008.

7. Keys to Communications-The Texas Annual Conference Office of Communications will share the keys to communications in this informative workshop. If you want to learn how to use print and digital media to share your church’s ministry with the conference and the community, this is the workshop for you. The communications team will offer tips for strengthening your church’s media efforts and hear from you on how we can better serve your communications needs.

8. Missions 101-Find the right mission project for you or your church  through the Partners In Mission program and the Connectional System. Discussion will include hands on mission projects for individuals or teams that can be done at home, nationally or internationally. Current handouts will help you motivate your  church to be in Mission Ministry. Kathie Mann, Partners In

Mission Director.

9.Celebrate Christ Through Native American Traditions-Native Americans have contributed much to Christianity and the United Methodist Church, including strengthening of faith on the 1838 walk from the Atlantic coast to Oklahoma and Texas.  Find out how you can worship in Native United Methodist tradition right here in East Texas, and learn how Native American Ministries offerings are spent on your behalf.

10.Radical Hospitality Can Make or Break Your Church- A workshop presented by the Radical Hospitality and Evangelism Ministries Teams, where you will have a panel discussion by the churches who will receive Evangelism Awards.  What programs and ideas led to their growth?  How can such Radical Hospitality and outreach help your church?

11. “Have You Ever Thought About Giving Birth?”-Don Smith will teach this workshop for churches that are considering mothering a new church start.

12. Global Ministries-“Nothing But Nets”-An overview concerning the work of Global Ministries and to introduce the General Church partnership with “Nothing But Nets”. Class taught by Richard Laster and Elizabeth McKee (with the United Nations Foundation).     

13. Resolution Discussion-“Reclaiming Our Wesleyan Heritage”

 This workshop will provide information about, and discussion of the proposed resolution before it goes to the floor of Annual Conference for vote. Publication of proposed resolutions is helpful, but not sufficient.  Delegates sometimes have questions and/or would like to hear several points of view. This forum allows for “Holy Conversations” about proposed resolutions and has elements of both debate and true dialogue.   

14. Resolution Discussion-”Universal Comprehensive Healthcare”

This workshop will provide information about, and discussion of the proposed resolution before it goes to the floor of Annual Conference for vote. Publication of proposed resolutions is helpful, but not sufficient. Delegates  sometimes have questions and/or would like to hear several points of view. This forum allows for “Holy Conversations” about proposed resolutions and has elements of both debate and true dialogue.   

15. Resolution Discussion-“Breath of Life” Campaign 

 This workshop will provide information about, and discussion of the proposed resolution before it goes to the floor of Annual Conference for vote.  Publication of proposed resolutions is helpful, but not sufficient.  Delegates sometimes have questions and/or would like to hear several points of view.  This forum allows for “Holy  Conversations” about proposed resolutions and has elements of both debate and true dialogue.   

16.Resolution Discussion-“The Budget as a Moral Document”

 This workshop will provide information about, and discussion of the proposed resolution before it goes to the floor of Annual Conference for vote. Publication of proposed resolutions is helpful, but not sufficient. Delegates  sometimes have questions and/or would like to hear several points of view. This forum allows for “Holy Conversations” about proposed resolutions and has elements of both debate and true dialogue.