58th Graduate Students’ Theological Seminar (GSTS) | Feb 10-11, 2023 | Fishers, IN
in partnership with
GSTS is a cooperative event for the Wesleyan Church and the Free Methodist Church USA to gather graduate students in ministry and theology for a time of paper presentations with feedback, networking among doctoral students and theology faculty from Free Methodist and Wesleyan educational institutions, mutual encouragement and fellowship.
GSTS began as a way to support Wesleyan Church and Free Methodist students studying at non-Wesleyan institutions and to help them remain connected with their respective denominations. Today, it has broadened to include WC and FMC doctoral students at various institutions, those who may be considering doctoral study, and Wesleyan and Free Methodist faculty.
The 2023 Keynote speaker is Kevin Watson, pastor, seminary professor, and author of Perfect Love.
The vent will begin Friday, February 10 at 12noon (ET) and conclude on Saturday, February 11 at 12noon (ET). See the travel reimbursement guidelines and venue information for FMCUSA students and faculty.
Please forward this event information to ministry and theology doctoral students (Ph.D., D.Phil., Th.D., and D.Min.), theology faculty, and anyone who may be considering doctoral studies in ministry or theology.
2023 GSTS Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kevin M. Watson
Kevin M. Watson yearns to see contemporary Wesleyan and Methodist faith communities recover the inheritance the Lord has given us. His work particularly focuses on the audacious optimism of grace that comes from the Wesleyan understanding of entire sanctification and the way the Wesleyan tradition speaks to our longing for community and connection through small groups like the class and band meetings. Watson pastors, teaches, and writes in hopes of being used by God to help those following in Wesley’s footsteps reclaim the best of our heritage. He has written six books, including Perfect Love and The Class Meeting, as well as numerous academic and popular articles.
FMX Gathering | March 6, 2023 | Orlando, FL
General Conference 2023 | July 25-28, 2023 | Orlando, FL
John Wesley Tour | Oct 21–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.