2019 Leadership Institute at UM Church of The Resurrection

Each year, the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (COR) in Leawood, Kansas holds a three-day event that draws thousands of United Methodists from around the country to learn, share, engage and empower attendees on the issues and opportunities facing the church today. This year’s conference took a different tone, serving as a forum for discussion and strategizing about the future of the United Methodist denomination.

Sixty-two Minnesotans attended the 2019 Leadership Institute with many expressing a renewed sense of hope and commitment on the part of the church to work for LGBTQIA+ inclusion across the denomination.  For instance, Rev. Becky Sechrist, former pastor at PPUMC and now serving Minnehaha UMC, commented, “I’m encouraged that the inclusive future of The United Methodist Church that I believe in is believed in by so many other people all over the country and all over the world.”

You can read the full story on the Minnesota delegation’s experience and reflections by clicking here. Also, you can watch a video recap of the group’s key takeaways by clicking here.