01: Alpha: A Practical Application to Christianity

Led by: Adam Knight
This workshop will introduce the participant to how Alpha is used at University Church with an emphasis on it’s place in the “Meeting Jesus” phase of the Pathway to Discipleship. We will look at how University populates the class, leads the class, and gives the people the “what’s next” at the end of the Alpha experience. We will also hear from Jim Charleton from Alpha USA on how Alpha is being used at other large churches throughout the United States; what is working for them, and what kind of results they are seeing.

02: Developing Lasting Leaders in Children's Ministry

Led by: Shari Stephens
A top priority is helping leaders grow closer to our Lord as they find their God-given potential in leadership and then encouraging them to step out in faith and LEAD. Becoming a children’s leader is often a stepping stone, recognized as future all-church leaders and leaders in the community.

03: Creating and Implementing a Discipleship Core Curriculum

Led by: Will Rice
Creating and Implementing a Discipleship Core Curriculum is an overview of Univeristy’s Pathway to Discipleship a comprehensive approach to making disciples. The workshop will lay out the components and structure of University’s system where members move from “No Disciple” to “New Disciple,” “New Disciple” to “True Disciple,” and “True Disciple” to “Trained Discipler.” In addition to a look at University’s established pathway, there will be time to discuss the essential components of creating an effective system that work in the context of any local church. 

04: Establishing and Expanding Special Needs Ministry

Led by: Susan Galindo
Have you ever wondered what it is like to have a learning challenge? Come to our workshop and experience what it is like to have a disability – you will never be the same! We will also cover important topics such as: special needs program start and development, liability issues, volunteer challenges, facility and attitudinal barriers, educational ministry opportunities and much more.

05: Management Lessons Learned in a Large Church Day School

Led by: Amy Rodriguez
Managing a large preschool presents unique challenges that often leave directors asking “Where’s the manual for this?” Join UUMC Day School Director Amy Rodriguez on an active exploration through the ins and outs of managing children, parents, and staff in a large church preschool.

06: The "Ministry Profile" Process of Staff Visioning and Evaluation

Led by: Charles Anderson
When it comes to communicating, monitoring, and evaluating both a ministry position and a ministry staff member, old-fashioned job descriptions are not always the most effective, “people-friendly,” or systems-supportive approach. This workshop shares the “Ministry Profile” and “Review-Preview” protocols designed by University Church’s Directing Pastor. Both models allow the priorities of disciple-making and decision-making to be systematized throughout a paid and/or volunteer staff while creating accountability and communication tools beneficial to both the worker and the supervisor. Document templates of both models will be shared.

07: Models for Youth Faith Formation

Led by: Rusty Freeman
How can we help youth grow in faith if we ourselves are stagnate? How can we hear God’s voice and discern God’s will for our lives in the midst of the noise and chaos of youth ministry? Be intentional about developing habits that strengthen our faith! Participants of this class will experience and encounter age-old practices that will serve as models for youth faith formation. This is a practical, hands-on course, that will leave you refreshed, in-touch, longing for more of Christ and ready to serve the youth that you love.

08: New Church Development

Led by: Kim Cape
Creating New Places for New People or Reclaiming our Missionary Heart. Where we need them, When we plant them, Who we send to serve them, and How you can help.

09: Sports & Recreation as Evangelism (featuring u|sk8)

Led by: Kit Tomlinson
This workshop will introduce you to the process that we took to start Skatechurch here at University United Methodist Church. After that we will discuss how this can be done both in large ways and small ones and still be as effective. We will be talking about nuts and bolts in this workshop and only a little bit on Theory. Lots of Q/A will be welcomed.

10: Stewardship Issues for Ethnic Churches

Led by: Melvin Amerson
This workshop is designed primarily for pastors and church leaders of small and large ethnic congregations who want to cultivate a culture of generosity in their local church. Year-round stewardship ideas and strategies will be offered, along with ways to rekindle the offertory time during worship. Ideas and practices shared in this workshop will invigorate and enthuse any congregation.

11: *NEW* Developing and Discipling High Capacity Donors

Led by: Michael Reeves
This session will offer a presentation of the theological foundation and a dialogue about practical step-by-step approaches to identifying, cultivating and discipling those in your church who have been materially blessed. This will address the process leading to a major gift commitment and the follow-up communication in outright gifts, multi-year gifts, and lifetime deferred gifts. Major gifts are considered to start at $50,000 and up depending on the demographics of the church.

01: Capital Fundraising in a Large Church

Led by: Jim Sheppard

02: Social Media as a Church Communications & Community-Building Tool

Led by: Shauna Forkenbrock, Matt Redman
Don't know the difference between a tweet, a yammer and a post? Social Media is here to stay, and far more nuanced than you might initially think. It is less about marketing, and more about creating conversations and empowering the people within the space around you. And that's just good ministry. Join University UMC staff members Shauna Forkenbrock and Matt Redman as they walk you through the basics of Social Media and examples [of success and failure] they've experienced.

03: Creating a Safety Net: Comprehensive Shepherding Systems

Led by: Leslie Tomlinson
“How do you care for 6000 people?” This question is frequently posed to us in the Shepherding Ministry at University United Methodist Church. Our breakout session will explore how we are using a systematic approach to being responsive to life crisis and proactive in life skills. Using Stephen Ministry, Celebrate Recovery, professional counseling, along with many support groups and lay volunteer teams, we aim to share the caring heart of Christ with all in our church. Our goal is that all followers of Jesus would be restored and equipped to follow the Pathway to Discipleship for the redemption of the world.

04: Effective Communication Techniques for the Local Church

Led by: Thomas Monahan
Come find out what every local church, no matter the size, can do to let people know they are there. From Branding, to Advertising and Public Relations we will talk about easy things churches can do to promote themselves.

05: Jesus for Seekers and Skeptics: A New Retreat Evangelism Model

Led by: Will Rice, Adam Knight
“Jesus for Seekers and Skeptics” is an exciting new retreat-style evangelism model at the beginning of University Church’s Pathway to Discipleship. In this workshop you will hear from Rev. Will Rice and Rev. Adam Knight who created “JSS” as a way to connect with the un-churched for the purposes of answering questions and hearing fears and doubts about Christianity. We will discuss the topics we highlight, as well as the methods we use to connect with folks.

06: Large Church Funding Obstacles

Led by: Richard Caperton
This is an opportunity to identify those obstacles that prevent a church from reaching it’s potential and how to overcome them. We will, in this workshop, evaluate the potential sources of funding and discuss methods necessary in cultivating them. The goal is for workshop participants to leave with a plan that will be able to put into place.

07: Shelby Data Systems Overview

Led by: Shelby Data Systems

08: Leading Contemporary Worship

Led by: Ryan Barnett, Mark Swayze
With over 1200 people in weekly contemporary worship and over 300 regular volunteers, the presenters of Leading Contemporary Worship will offer ideas for starting new services (including major mistakes we have made!), tips on putting together a music team, and how we put together our preaching calendar. The workshop will also explore how to set up creative, strategic, and implementation processes for worship – including how to get the most out of your volunteer leaders.

09: Trends In Junior High Culture and Ministry

Led by: Gavin Rogers
There are many popular theories about the work of Junior High Youth Ministry. (Just go to any youth publishing site and read all the books!) Some of the theories seem to apply to your youth program…some seem like complete myth! Due to the common stereotype placed on junior high students the local church often fails to connect with their students and truly impact their lives. What can we as a church do about these stereotypes? How as a church are we going to break the typical myths of Junior High Ministry and begin to build up Disciples of Christ within an age group that is truly eager to grow in their faith? We will also offer a chance to hear from you and take questions about your Jr. High program and specific youth trends in your local church.

10: J-Quest: A Rotational Sunday School Ministry for Large Congregations

Led by: Shari Stephens
For years, we’ve watched the “world” change in the way children learn – in school, community groups, and in play. Using the workshop model in a large church setting has been exciting, challenging, and FUN. Our biggest desire is for the children to bring their parents on Sunday mornings…excited to learn more about Jesus in new and creative venues!

11: Create win/win For Your Single Adult Ministry

Led by: Jeanie Tillman
Jeanie, director of singles ministry at Highland Park UMC in Dallas and co-President of United Methodist Single Adult Leaders, will teach ways to start or re-start a successful singles ministry for your unique church setting. We will look at ways to overcome the obstacles and taking advantage of the blessings your church has to be the best it can be in ministry for singles in your community

12: Divorce Ministry for Families

Led by: Bob Pierson
This workshop is offered by Dr. Bob Pierson, former pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Tulsa where the church specialized in ministry to families of persons going through divorce. The workshop will deal with how to do ministry to children, adolescence, and family members in terms of dealing with the problem of divorce as it happens. He will also relate how “divorce ministry” becomes an effective part of the total church program.

01: Achievers School: Special Needs Ministry of Educational Intervention

Led by: Janet Roper
The Achievers' Center for Education (ACE) is a unique school which fills an important niche for secondary students with a variey to cognitive, emotional, and developmental challenges. ACE was founded as a non-profit organization in 2003 by a group of women from University United Methodist Church who responded to God's call during a women's retreat. In 2007, ACE earned accreditation through the International Christian Accrediting Agency. Enrollment has grown from 3 students to 29 and 8 students have graduated from ACE over the past several years. This session will focus on the place this unique ministry has within the church community as well as the broader San Antonio community. Specific information will be shared regarding 

02: “Art-ing” the Facility

Led by: Lynda Ryan
Art-ing the Facility: This workshop is a step by step, “how to” session of making the walls come alive to create an environment of excitement, education, and enrichment. Learn how to get volunteers who “can’t draw a straight line” help transform your world of praising God.

03: Building a Volunteer-Supported Youth Ministry

Led by: Becky Devore
Volunteers can be the backbone of a healthy thriving ministry, but we often call upon the same few volunteers and they become weary. Explore ways of bringing in and nurturing new volunteers, keeping ministry exciting and fun for your existing volunteer base and proclaiming the love of God to all serving in your ministry so that all those serving and being served will grow into their full potential in and for Jesus Christ.

04: Creating Cultures of Generosity

Led by: Darrell Loyless
Through presentation and discussion session participants will address the values that underlie generous giving and how the expression of those values through ones stewardship life results in transformed giving in congregations. Participants will engage in a personal reflection on their generosity and how that is reflected in their provision for others. By receiving God’s abundant grace, we are prepared to give out of gratitude and a sense of abundance. These are the foundation stones of a culture of generosity.

05: Urban Connection

Led by: DeeDee Sedgwick
God’s word has no shortage of Scripture guiding us in our responsibility to care for the poor, provide for the hungry and serve the “least of these”. For most suburban churches, a drive across town would yield opportunities to connect with people most at risk – the elderly, the poor, the sick, the single-parent households and the outcasts. As we explore the urban connection, we can learn how to get our suburban churches serving, supporting and growing with urban ministries. This workshop will examine the possibilities of connecting with or starting a ministry that allows our church members to grow in their discipleship with Christ while establishing relationships and sharing God’s heart for “the least of these”.

06: This Breakout Has Moved to B10.

Led by:

07: Resources for Systematic Discipleship

Led by: Will Rice, Adam Knight
Resources for Systematic Discipleship takes a closer look at Univeristy’s Pathway to Discipleship and focuses on some of the componants of the core curriculum. The workshop will cover some commercially available resources (including Alpha and Disciple Bible Study) as well as some written specifically for University (including Jesus 101 and Disciple Bible Study). The focus will be on the unique way these resources are used as integral componants in the pathway and the unique challenges that are faced in connecting them to the other pieces of the system. 

08: Safeguard for Financial Integrity

Led by: David Seiheimer
It has been said that "no one joins a church because it is well managed, but many leave one which is not." How we manage the church shows our values. One of those values is good stewardship. Treating all assets dedicated to God's work with such high integrity and care that no one ever has any question about their management. Doing so can actually improve giving, improve the effectiveness of the money given, and lower the risk of fraud that can be disastrous to the church. This segment will deal with the best practices in this area of church life.

09: Trends in Senior High Culture and Ministry

Led by: Josh Arrington
At first glance, the breakout name says it all. But what about the deeper, longer-lasting impact of these trends on individual students and the overall church? In addition to exploring some of the ministry and cultural trends of today‚s students, we will also look at the epidemic of students leaving their faith after graduation. This time will include practical steps for helping students stay connected to the church throughout the college years and beyond.

10: Creating A Successful Divorce Workshop

Led by: Jeanie Tillman
We will discuss the essential ingredients for starting and maintaining a quality program for those experiencing separation and divorce. We will look at the basics on how to get started, tips on creating a successful workshop, what is important and what is not, how to get and train volunteers and leaders, and how to keep participants safe yet make a difference in their lives. We will talk about the difference between a support group and an intentional divorce workshop. Our focus will be on how to create a program that is easy to maintain yet one that makes difference for those experiencing separation and divorce.

11: Ministry With Widows and Widowers

Led by: Bob Pierson
This significant part of a singles program is often neglected by local churches. As persons lose a spouse they look for ways to build relationships and often times a church is a good place to do this. Ministry that offers grief counseling, workshops on dealing with the death of a spouse, support groups, and fellowship activities can be a significant part of a local church’s ministry. Dr. Bob Pierson, who has been pastor of a church in Tulsa that did this in an extensive way where over 200 persons were involved in widow/widowers support groups, will lead this workshop.

01: Magdalena House: Creating a Women’s Shelter Ministry

Led by: Denise Barker
Magdalena House is a transitional home for mother s and their children fleeing dangerous situations. We are home to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, Child Protective Services, and homeless mothers committed to changing their lives. The workshop will help you understand the pathway, program and pitfalls involved in starting up a non-profit shelter.

02: Missions as Youth Ministry

Led by: Gavin Rogers, Josh Arrington
Youth ministry is not an event but a process‰ and missional living means more than doing mission trips. Our time together will focus not simply on how to lead great mission events, but more importantly, how to lead students to life as a mission.

03: The Pageantry & Planning of a Children’s Christmas Eve Service

Led by: Lynda Ryan
How to make the “cutesy” children’s program become spiritually meaningful for children from 2-92, so there is conversations throughout the holiday. This will be a workshop from how to make 10’ magi, angel kites, to sharing insights and successes on what make the Children’s Christmas Eve service come alive in a powerful and inspirational way.

04: The Pastor’s Cabinet and Pastor’s Academy Models for Mentoring Leaders

Led by: Charles Anderson
This workshop will explore personal/congregational spiritual formation, worshipful meetings that draw and deepen our presence to God and one another in shared ministry, and radical examples effective in leading leaders toward becoming a people of prayer. Come and hear, taste, and see some ways of developing principled Christian leaders for the Church and the world.

05: Raising Missions Investment Through Global Impact Celebration

Led by: Adam Knight
This workshop will introduce the participant to the Global Impact Celebration model of bringing awareness to and fundraising for church missions.  Stan Self from The Mission Society will present the basics of the GIC and Rev. Adam Knight will talk about how it is being used at University and what they have learned in adapting this ministry for the large church.  Come hear how University Church received in excess of $300K in promised over and above missions giving after their first GIC.      

06: Spiritual Preparation for Christian Leadership

Led by: Linda Keen
This workshop will explore personal/congregational spiritual formation, worshipful meetings that draw and deepen our presence to God and one another in shared ministry, and radical examples effective in leading leaders toward becoming a people of prayer. Come and hear, taste, and see some ways of developing principled Christian leaders for the Church and the world.

07: u|connect: One Church’s Model of Assimilation

Led by: Michael Andres
University is committed to ensuring that everyone has a meeting with Jesus, hears His message, and receives His mission for their life. We call this process The Pathway to Discipleship, and U|CONNECT is where it all begins! As a part of completing their membership process, all entering members into The U participate in U|CONNECT. This workshop is designed to share with you strategies regarding pre-event hospitality and coordination, volunteer deployment, and shepherding of new members.

08: Writing and Leading Praise Music for Your Congregation

Led by: Mark Swayze
What do you look for in a worship leader? What unique qualities do they need to have? What does the Bible say about these things? Mark Swayze, contemporary worship leader at University, walks us through his own experiences and takes an honest look at this style of worship. Whether you are a newbie and wanting to start a praise service, or a congregant of a large and successful service, you don’t want to miss this honest and humorous look at the rise of praise music in the Church today.

09: *NEW*Staffing Large Churches for Financial Discipleship

Led by: Michael Reeves
The traditional 1950's "annual lamentation of desperation" approach with a sermon and endless end of year appeals to raise money is a good illustration of the definition of insanity: doing the same thing and expecting different results. The Methodist Church is lagging behind most others in both percentage of income given to the church as well as per capita giving. It doesn't have to be this way! The difference is in financial leadership - whether part time or full time staff or dedicated volunteer, a new direction will be considered based on research from Leadership Network, the Christian Stewardship Network, and the National Christian Foundation.

10: Singles Ministry in the Church Today

Led by: Sheri Kelley
Every church is unique as is every singles ministry. Sheri Kelley from Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston has developed a thriving ministry that is welcoming to the community-at-large. Come hear how interests groups, enrichment classes, Fabulous Fridays, Christian Singles Inquiring (C.S.I.), tennis and golf lessons, weekly Bible study, divorce recovery, Candlelight Dinners, and more has been blended into a ministry that is reaching the singles population of west Houston.

11: Understanding Younger Singles in Today's Culture

Led by:
Becky will lead the group through an interactive overview of the five primary generations within our churches, their response to singles, the influence of Postmodernism on these generations and how this all impacts our singles ministries. We will deal with understanding the younger generations who are entering our ministries and start to unpack ways to engage this population. Becky organizes “Navigate” conferences on reaching younger singles and has extensive experience in youth and young adult ministry