FMX Gathering | March 6, 2023 | Orlando, FL
Ecclesiademy | May 9, 2023 | Greenville, IL
Ecclesiademy began a few years ago under the vision and direction of Bishop Emeritus David Kendall as a way of bringing together Free Methodist women and men serving in pastoral ministry (the ecclesia) while holding higher degrees with a heart for theological education (the academy)–in other words, the FM pastor-theologians. This is a scholarly community event for fellowship, deep theological conversation, and encouragement hosted by the Center for Pastoral Formation.
For pastor-theologians pursuing or having achieved a doctorate.
General Conference 2023 | July 25-28, 2023 | Orlando, FL
John Wesley Tour | Oct 25–Nov 1, 2023 | England
The tentative schedule includes visits to the following:
Epworth
- The Old Rectory—Wesley’s childhood home built after the famous fire
- St. Andrew’s Church where his father, Samuel, served as rector for 39 years
- Samuel’s tombstone atop which Wesley preached
- The Market Cross—another site of Wesley’s multiple sermons
Oxford
- Christ Church College—part of Oxford University where John and Charles attended
- Christ Church Cathedral—where John and Charles were ordained
- Lincoln College—part of Oxford University where John taught Classics
- University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin—where John preached on a few occasions, including his famous sermon The Almost Christian
- Oxford Castle—a thousand-year-old medieval Saxon, then Norman castle converted into a prison in the 14th Century, John and the Holy Club later visited prisoners there
Bristol
- New Room—oldest Methodist building in the world where Wesley stayed and preached often
- Charles Wesley Home
Bath
- Kingswood School—established by Wesley
- Roman Baths and Bath Abbey—just for fun
London
- Wesley Chapel
- Wesley’s home and deathbed
- Bunhill Fields Cemetery—burial site of Suzanna and other famous non-conformist Christian leaders
- Aldersgate monument—site where John Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed”
This tour is open to anyone—lay or clergy—interested in learning more about our Wesleyan heritage. Arrangements may be made for ministerial candidates needing to meet the Wesleyan Theology requirement with additional assigned reading and assignments; local churches may want to consider supporting their ministerial candidates on this tour.
Cost details are in the works. More information will be made available on the Center for Pastoral Formation events page here. Please help us spread the word by sharing this information with your pastors, church leaders, and people who may be interested. Note that space will be limited. For more information or to express interest, please feel free to contact us.