BOM Academy 2020-2021

September 23, 2020 @ 4:00 pm - May 29 @ 4:00 pm America/Chicago

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) invites you to join BOM Academy 2020-2021. We have remodeled our quadrennial training of Board of Ordained Ministry members into a unique multipart virtual training with special appearances by nationally renowned experts in theology and faithful leadership.

As our Church confronts global crises and plans for the unknowns of the future, our theme for this year’s BOM Academy is “Forward in Faith.” We may not know what the path ahead holds, but through faith we can prepare our next steps forward.

REGISTER HERE

Highlights of BOM Academy 2020-2021

• Training on implicit bias and best practices for racial justice in hiring
• Tools and tips for interviewing candidates during a pandemic
• Workshops and opportunities to share best practices and network with BOM colleagues from across the connection

Who Should Attend

We encourage all those who are involved in the recruitment, development, formation and conference relations processes for candidates and clergy to participate. The academy will focus on training for new and continuing BOM officers, but opportunities will also be available for superintendents who serve as the liaison between the BOM and cabinet.

Training in the Virtual World

BOM Academy 2020-2021 is a series of online webinars, workshops and self-led learning sessions spaced throughout the fall and spring. Participants will have access to asynchronous learning material, selected recordings and discussion boards for up to one year.

The full schedule and registration fee information is available on the event website.

We hope to see you there!

TRAVEL EXPERT RICK STEVES "TRAVEL AS A SPIRITUAL ACT"

March 23 @ 8:00 pm America/Chicago

In an exclusive conversation open to clergy and the public, renowned travel expert and author Rick Steves will join the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) on Tuesday, March 23 at 8 p.m. CT for a live discussion on “Travel as a Spiritual Act.”

Led by GBHEM Executive Director, Rev. Tamara K. Gieselman, Steves will share how his more than four decades of exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations throughout Europe and beyond have led to a greater understanding at home and unique spiritual formation. Find out how and why he believes experiencing people from different places and cultures has a unique way of shaping faith while promoting curiosity, empathy and – ultimately – growth.

“There’s really no better time to explore the impact of what traveling and the people we encounter can have on our spiritual life, both as we all look forward to once again creating our own travel plans and as we search for ways to foster greater understanding with others,” Gieselman said. “With books and TV shows and thousands of trips under his belt, Steves is the perfect source for exploring the effects that becoming a so-called ‘temporary local’ can have on life. Traveling, for many of us, goes beyond taking photos and visiting restaurants; it’s a spiritual experience that can offer a closer connection to God, which is what we’d like our audience to ultimately glean from this conversation.”

Registration for the event is free and open to clergy, students, UMC members and the general public at www.gbhem.org. Anyone who loves travel or is searching for a way to foster deeper spiritual connection in their lives is encouraged to attend.

“The crux of what we do here at GBHEM is to demonstrate to people how they can continue to grow and stretch their spiritual knowledge, their faith, and respond to the calling that God has placed on their lives,” Gieselman said. “This conversation will demonstrate how you can do that using travel, an experience we can share with our families, our friends or simply ourselves.”

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