Florida clergy go back to school

   Photo by David L Adams

Clergy members from the Florida Conference take time out to share a few laughs together at this year's School of Ministry. The annual event serves as a worshipping community for pastors, who say they enjoyed the respite from the daily pressure of ministry.    

LEESBURG — One week each year, Florida Conference clergy are invited to attend an event that offers continuing education, renewal and nurturing. It's called the School of Ministry, but for many who participate, it's more like a school reunion.

Held Oct. 5-8 at the Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg, the theme for this year's school was "Spiritual Renewal for Spiritual Leaders." The week's goal was to help clergy "really connect with who we are and provide an opportunity for spiritual renewal," said the Rev. Dan Johnson, dean of the School and pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville

In addition to a full schedule of planned events, including guest speakers, a musical concert and worship service, clergy had free time to participate in "golf, recreation and a really great opportunity to just connect with each other," Johnson said.

The Rev. Sharon Dey, pastor of Hillsborough United Methodist Church in Tampa, said she especially looked forward to the clergy reunions: "I enjoy seeing everybody — the friends I only get to see a couple of times a year."

Approximately 400 full-time, associate and local pastors and deacons attended the school. The featured speaker was Sister Kathleen Flood, a faculty member at Wesley Theological Seminary, who combined her own personal experiences with classical theology and mysticism in her presentations on "Experiencing Spiritual Renewal."

Kathryn Parker, a registered and licensed dietitian, educated the group on how to develop healthy eating habits. Other speakers shared advice on managing people and problems and how to maintain a vital ministry and preaching style week after week.

Break-out meetings for groups with special interests were also held. Local, female and African-American pastors were among those that met to share the triumphs and trials unique to their ministries.

"We're dealing with some real issues on theology, on health, on staying fresh," said the Rev. Eddie Murphy Jr., pastor of Harris Chapel United Methodist Church in Ft. Lauderdale. "I always learn something; I'm always motivated when I come."

Even those new to the conference appreciated the connections that are made at the event. The Rev. Rick Thompson, associate pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Palm Beach Gardens, said he was not planning to attend because he couldn't afford the time to get away. "I came on the advice of my senior minister. He told me it would be good to be here and get to know others in the conference," he said. "It was a good School of Ministry, taking care of our spiritual center and who we are as spiritual leaders."

The best part of the event, said Dey, was the chance "to do a little receiving instead of being on the giving end."

Top of this page

© 1998 Florida United Methodist Review Online