The workshops are some of the most popular and practical sessions offered at National Conference. With most of them now in place, you can begin to plan out your learning track. Please note, there is no workshop sign up this year. You are free to attend the ones that are most relevant and interesting to you, even at the last minute.
This year we are scaling back the number of workshops offered in order to give you more time after each session to connect with one another, ask questions, process the information, and, if nothing else, run back to your room and grab the notebook you forgot in the first session.
Workshops will be offered on Thursday morning, July 17, at 8:30 and 10:00 am. They will wrap up at 11:00 am, giving you plenty of time to get to the golf outing for those who plan to play.
Workshop Offerings at 8:30 am
What’s a Church Anyway?
Throughout our history we UBs have used very practical definitions for “church” and related words, often without pondering what we really mean by those words. And sometimes our ad hoc definitions have even created problems for us in pursuing God’s mission. So Bishop Fetters appointed a task force to research what we mean by “church” and to propose some fresh understandings. This workshop provides a more in-depth review of those discussions than will be possible in the business session, with particular attention to the biblical, theological, and missiological understandings that have informed the task force’s proposals.
Facilitator(s): Gary Dilley, Task Force Members
Powerful Moves of the Spirit in Thailand
God is moving in a powerful way in Thailand! Come hear about how He is turning hearts, creating movements, and accelerating Kingdom advancement among the 55 million unreached ethnic Thai Buddhists (1.1% Christian).
Facilitator(s): UB Global
Movement in Persecuted Missions Contexts
The Lord of the Harvest has invited UB Global to work among several unreached people groups whose governments restrict missionary activity. Learn about the unique challenges they face and opportunities for the Kingdom to advance in these persecuted contexts.
Facilitator(s): UB Global
Meet the (HU) President
Help us welcome Dr. Robert Pepper to Huntington University by joining us for this conversation. We think this may be a popular one so we are offering it again during the 10:00 workshops as well.
Facilitator: Kristi McConnell
Reproducing Disciples Catalyst Preview Workshop
Discover what it takes to build a culture where disciples make disciples who make disciples. This preview workshop introduces the Reproducing Disciples Catalyst (RDC), a transformative experience for churches ready to move beyond attendance and assimilation toward real multiplication. You’ll explore why many churches struggle to see deep transformation and gain practical tools to shift from passive participation to active disciple-making. Get a taste of the RDC’s proven framework for evangelism, culture-shaping, and strategic planning. Walk away with fresh vision and next steps for cultivating a disciple-making movement in your church.
Facilitators: Patrick O’Connell, Rodrigo Cano (New Thing/Exponential)
Raising the Next Generation of Pastors
Examining the results of the 2024 denominational survey, Developing the Next Generation of Pastors, and discussing next steps for UB churches as they identify, develop, and unleash the next generation of pastors.
Facilitators: Byron Spear, Jim Bolich, Tami Garlock, Casey Ferrell, Christopher Little
Women’s Ministry Panel: Real Stories, Real Strategies
Are you looking to start or strengthen a women’s ministry in your church? Join us for an engaging panel discussion where experienced leaders will share practical insights on launching, growing, and sustaining vibrant women’s ministries. We’ll explore what’s worked in a variety of church contexts, how to navigate common challenges, and ways to foster meaningful connection and spiritual growth among women.
Panelists include Kirsten Zapata, Chrissy Griffon, April Dice, Kim Fish, Michelle Harris, and Jennifer Smith—each bringing unique perspectives and stories from their ministry journeys. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to breathe new life into an existing ministry, you’ll leave encouraged, equipped, and inspired.
The c-Factor Young People Need
What’s the best way for one old man with over 50 years of personal youth ministry leadership experiences to convince sharp young shepherds that radical change is needed? This workshop will draw upon Scripture and social science research to point out where common youth ministry practices are most likely to fail before pivoting into adjustments adults can make to help adolescents find resilient joy with Jesus. Come, become convinced!
Facilitator: Dr. Dave Rahn
Strong Church Ideology (description coming soon)
Children’s Ministry Track (description coming soon)
Student Track (description coming soon)
Workshop Offerings at 10:00 am
Milton Wright: Divider, Preserver, and Very Complicated
Bishop Milton Wright, father of the Wright Brothers, led us through the division of 1889 and spearheaded the establishment of the United Brethren Church of today. He was a complex man—brilliant, tireless, principled…and a really good Dad and Grandpa. This workshop looks at Wright’s entire life—growing up in Indiana, becoming an itinerant UB minister, going to Oregon as a missionary in 1857, leading the fight which led to the division, another 16 years as bishop of the off-shoot “Old Constitution” UBs (our group), and then fading into retirement while watching his sons become rich and famous. This workshop will also thoroughly examine and explain the issues which led to the division, and provide insights into how we should view the split today.
Facilitator: Steve Dennie
Engaging Muslim’s Hearts & Minds for Christ
This workshop, led by a seasoned practitioner, will equip you with culturally sensitive and religiously aware approaches to effectively share the Gospel with Muslims. Learn practical strategies for engaging both their minds and hearts, fostering genuine relationships that lead to transformed lives in Christ.
Facilitator(s): UB Global
Movement in Persecuted Missions Contexts
The Lord of the Harvest has invited UB Global to work among several unreached people groups whose governments restrict missionary activity. Learn about the unique challenges they face and opportunities for the Kingdom to advance in these persecuted contexts.
Facilitator(s): UB Global
Meet the (HU) President
Help us welcome Dr. Robert Pepper to Huntington University by joining us for this conversation. The 10:00 workshop hour will be the second time this workshop is offered.
Reproducing Leaders Catalyst Preview Workshop
Movements stall when disciples don’t become leaders—or when leaders don’t reproduce. This preview of the Reproducing Leaders Catalyst (RLC) will help your team shift from doing ministry to multiplying leaders through a culture of apprenticeship. Built around five essential practices from the life of Jesus, the RLC equips you to develop a Hero Making culture that empowers others, activates gifts, and builds a reproducible leadership pipeline. You’ll explore practical tools and frameworks while also addressing the deeper cultural shifts needed to sustain multiplication. Walk away with a clear path and actionable steps to begin reproducing leaders in your context.
Facilitators: Patrick O’Connell, Rodrigo Cano (New Thing/Exponential)
Joining Huntington University Students on the Spiritual Journey
The mission of Huntington University is to educate and equip men and women to impact the world for Christ through scholarship and service. Christian discipleship is a defining element of the Huntington University experience. Faith integration is central to the curriculum and co-curricular programming of the University. The Center for Spiritual Formation coordinates evangelistic and discipleship opportunities in convocations, residence halls, small groups, and one-on-one conversations. This session will describe spiritual formation activities at Huntington University, explore research results pointing to positive progress in the spiritual development of students, and introduce HU’s new core curriculum that will feature four unique courses built on the Imago Dei theme.
Facilitator: Dr. Luke Fetters (Huntington University)
Using AI in Ministry: Intelligent or Artificial?
Nothing is changing the way we see and communicate reality these days more than AI (artificial intelligence). We must grapple with its tremendous implications for ministry, both good and bad. This workshop is less a “how-to” about using AI (although participants are welcome to share their experiences) and more a discussion about the philosophy and ethics of using AI. What is it good for? What should it not be asked to do? How do we tell the difference? If we can understand our “why” for any form of technology, we can more easily make decisions about the “what,” “how,” “when,” and “where.”
Facilitator: Dr. Anthony Blair (Evangelical Seminary)
Faithfulness and Neighborly Love
Sitting in the midst of life’s chaotic craziness in 2025 is the unexpired, daunting obligation to love God with abandon and love our neighbors. If you are unimpressed with the Church’s collective scorecard on this paired priority, most of the world seems to agree. Does Jesus—as a fact of his Lordship—indwell us with transformational power? If that is not obviously true to onlookers, can we flip that storyline? This workshop explores fascinating research about our connectivity before testing out the liberating practicality that faithfulness offers all who want to delight Jesus by how we love.
Facilitator: Dr. Dave Rahn
Women’s Ministry Track (description coming soon)
Worship Ministry Track (description coming soon)
Student Track (description coming soon)
Check back for more workshop descriptions that will be added as they come in.
