Exploration 2026 Workshops

Published On: May 28, 2026
Exploration 2026 Workshops

Discover the many ways you can live out your call to ministry through the Exploration 2026 workshops. Whether you’re discerning ordination, exploring lay leadership, or seeking to serve beyond the local church, these sessions offer insight, guidance, and real-life perspectives from experienced leaders across the denomination. No matter where you are on your journey, these workshops are designed to help you discern your calling, deepen your understanding, and take your next faithful step forward.

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. Learn how ministry takes shape both inside and beyond the church — from local congregations to campus ministries, hospitals, global missions, and innovative faith communities.

Workshops include:

What does it look like to serve as a clergyperson beyond the local church? Learn about how elders and deacons serve beyond the local church, including as campus ministers, military and medical chaplains, and with other organizations. This workshop also includes information about endorsement, an additional credential useful or required for certain extension ministry settings.

Elders are ordained to Word, Order, Sacrament and Service. Learn about how elders serve within the local church and in extension ministry.

Deacons are ordained to Word, Service, Compassion and Justice. Learn how deacons serve within local churches and beyond the local church in a variety of settings, and how deacons serve differently than laity.

Join us for a panel discussion about lay and ordained ministry, and the similarities and differences between both pathways. Learn about how we equip laity into ministry across the denomination.

Ministry happens in a variety of settings – not just within a local church congregation! United Methodist elders and deacons can be ordained to serve in the chaplaincy (ex. hospice, military, hospital) as a pastoral caregiver or spiritual director, or in campus ministry. If you feel a calling to serve God, but aren’t drawn to ministry within a local church, come to this workshop to explore opportunities beyond the church walls.

Is your call to ministry rooted in social justice? People of faith are called to transform the world, to ensure all people’s needs are met and to live into God’s promise of abundant life. Learn about some of the pathways the UMC has for young adults called to mission and justice work, including the Global Mission Fellows program, and internships with Church and Society.

Hear from seminary staff about what to expect in seminary and theological school, including areas of study, spiritual development, academic expectations, field/contextual education expectations, diversity and community.

Learn about innovative approaches to building new faith communities in changing contexts.

Discover practices to sustain your spiritual health and well-being in ministry.

Join us for a panel discussion led by seminary and theological school staff entrusted with helping students pay for graduate theological studies. Learn about options available for scholarships, denominational and other funding sources.

The United Methodist Church’s candidacy process is the application and discernment process for ordination. This workshop will address questions related to the candidacy process. We will explain the process, give an overview of the steps to take, and give suggestions on how to work through the process, beginning with your local church or collegiate ministry, your district committee on ordained ministry (dCOM), and your annual conference board of ordained ministry (BOM). Learn how you can become a better person by going through the candidacy process.

Understand how the church is organized and how its structure supports ministry.

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