EXPLORATION 2026

Name: EXPLORATION 2026
Start: 2026-11-06T00:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-11-08T23:59:59-06:00
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

November 6 - November 8

$500

November 6 - November 8

What if God is calling you to make a bigger impact than you ever imagined?

At EXPLORATION 2026, November 6-8 in Orlando, Florida, you’ll join a community of adults, 18 and older, who are exploring their purpose, calling, and future. Experience passionate worship, engaging workshops, honest conversations, and space to reflect on where God is leading you. Whether you’re curious about ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church or simply seeking direction for your next chapter, EXPLORATION can help you take the next faithful step.

Registration & Scholarships

The $500 registration fee includes:

A shared hotel room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando for Friday and Saturday nights*
All meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast
Participants who register by Friday, September 18, will save $50 off the $500 registration fee and groups of 10 or more save $100.
Generous scholarship assistance is also available — participants can apply when they register.**

A private room is available for an additional $100, bringing the total registration cost to $600.

*Travel expenses are not included.
**Must attend to be reimbursed.

Through worship, workshops, community, and guided reflection, gain clarity, confidence, and connection as you explore pathways in ministry and service.

Friday, November 6

1-2 p.m. – Safety Plan Orientation (Leadership & Volunteers)

3-6 p.m. – Registration

3 p.m. – Sacred Space Opens

3-4 p.m. – Small Group Leader Orientation

5-6 p.m. – Dinner (seated by Annual Conference)

6-8 p.m. – Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, Worship: EARTH-Grounded in Who You Are & Whose You Are

8-9 p.m. – Small Groups: Why You’re Here

Midnight – Sacred Space Closes

Saturday, November 7

6:30-7 a.m. – Sunrise Yoga

8 a.m. – Sacred Space Opens

9-10 a.m. – Devotion: WATER-Faithful Responses // Teaching: The ABC’s of Discernment

10-11:15 a.m. – Workshop Sessions I

11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. – Workshop Sessions II

1-2 p.m. – Lunch

2-3:15 p.m. – Workshop Sessions III

3:30-4:45 p.m. – Workshop Sessions IV

5-6 p.m. – Dinner

6-7 p.m. – Leadership Panel: The Church-Now, Next, and What Lies Between

7-8 p.m. – Ice Cream and Connections

8-9 p.m. – Devotion: SUN-Created & Sustained

9:15-10:15 p.m. – Small Groups: Processing the Day

10:30-11:30 p.m. – Affinity Groups and Topical Conversations

Midnight – Sacred Space Closes

Sunday, November 8

8 a.m. – Sacred Space Opens

9 a.m. – Sacred Space Closes

9-10 a.m. – Small Groups: Naming a Next Step

10-11 a.m. – Checkout of Rooms

11 a.m.-Noon – Commissioning: GROWTH-Becoming What You’re Designed to Be

Noon – Depart

Through a mix of panels and focused sessions, you’ll hear directly from elders, deacons, lay leaders, chaplains, missionaries, and seminary staff as they share their journeys and practical advice.

Serving in Extension Ministry

What does it look like to serve as a clergyperson beyond the local church? Learn how elders and deacons serve outside the local church walls as campus ministers, military and medical chaplains, with other UM organizations, and more. Hear about these diverse settings and ask questions that help you imagine if extension settings resonate with where you feel called to serve.

Ministry as an Elder or Local Licensed Pastor (LLP)

Elders are ordained to the ministries of Word, Order, Sacrament, and Service. Hear how elders lead and serve the church in a variety of ways and ask questions to discern whether the ministry of an elder might be a faithful expression of your call.

Ministry as a Deacon

Deacons are ordained to the ministries of Word, Service, Compassion and Justice. Hear how deacons lead and serve inside and outside of the local church and ask questions to discern whether the ministry of a deacon might be a faithful expression of your call.

Ministry as a Lay Person

Laity (non-clergy) serve the church in powerful ways. Hear how the diverse expressions of lay ministry shape the church, community, and world and ask questions that will help you discern if lay ministry might be where you are being called to serve.

Serving in Endorsement

Ministry occurs in a variety of settings – not just a local church. Elders, deacons, and licensed local pastors can be endorsed to serve in the chaplaincy as pastoral caregivers and spiritual directors. Discover the role of endorsed clergy and ask questions to discern if these opportunities beyond the church walls might resonate with where you feel called to serve.

Serving in Mission

Do you feel called to a ministry of service rooted in social justice and love of neighbor? People of faith are called to transform the world, ensure needs are met, and live into God’s promise of abundant life. Learn about opportunities to serve through mission and justice work, including the Global Mission Fellows program, UMVIM placements, and internships with Church and Society.

What to Expect in Seminary

Hear from seminary admissions staff about what the seminary and theological school experience is like, including various areas of study, spiritual development, academic expectations, field/contextual education expectations, diversity, and community life.

Fresh Expressions & Creative Faith Communities

Discover new ways of being church through a panel of creative faith communities, new church starts, and fresh expressions. Hear stories of innovation and experimentation as they share about creating community, engaging new people, and creating spaces where people can encounter God. Bring your questions as you discern what new and creative places God may be calling you to serve.

Self-Care and Spiritual Disciplines in Ministry (New!)

Vocational ministry is rewarding and demanding. Ministers – lay and clergy – need practices that sustain a healthy and faithful ministry. Hear wisdom and real-life experiences around rest, boundaries, prayer, Sabbath, spiritual disciplines, relationships, and caring for the whole self then ask questions to discern how you can remain grounded while serving others with greater health, joy, and resilience.

How to Afford Seminary

How can you afford a theological education? Theological school staff and funding providers will discuss how to navigate the cost of a seminary education. Learn about scholarships, denominational funding, grants, financial aid, and other resources that can help seminary be more affordable. Bring your questions and discover practical strategies for funding your theological education while discerning your call.

Navigating the Ordination Process

The United Methodist candidacy and credentialing process is designed to be an affirmation and discernment process. We’ll explore the basics of that process, provide an overview of the path, share contextual nuances to requirements, and offer suggestions that can help your experience of the process be uplifting and enlightening. Bring your questions and leave with an appreciation of the process and an understanding of your next step.

Structure and Organization of the Church

How does the United Methodist Church work—and where do you fit in? Hear how the structure, organization, and ministry of the UMC, has evolved to provide pathways for those discerning a call to credentialed ministry. Hear how local churches, annual conferences, bishops, boards, agencies, and other denominational bodies are designed to equip and support ministry together. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer understanding of how the UMC has shaped, is shaping, and will continue to shape your vocational discernment and ministry.

Invest in Future Leaders. Strengthen the Church.

When adults say yes to exploring God’s call, lives and communities are transformed. Your sponsorship of EXPLORATION 2026 helps make that journey possible by removing financial barriers and creating space for discernment, growth, and connection. Together, we can empower the next generation of United Methodist leaders to discover their purpose and faithfully answer God’s call.

Become a Sponsor Today

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