Quadrennial Clergy Ethics Training
 

Training adapted to Asynchronous (recorded) and Synchronous (Live) Sessions

Due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person sessions of the Minister as Moral Theologian ethics training are cancelled. In light of the on-going gathering restrictions, this event has been adapted into a series of asynchronous and synchronous video sessions.

Participants will register for the live video training date that is most convenient and will complete the asynchronous video portions prior to attending that session. 

Clergy in districts where this training did not travel to, or clergy who were not able to attend a local training event, now have the opportunity to participate without the restriction of travel.
 

Registration is open for the following live training dates. Four days prior to the live event, prerecorded video segments and resources will be emailed to you. This asynchronous work is required prior to attending the live training.

Zoom Live Training events begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 (Closed, capacity reached)
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 (Closed, capacity reached)
Thursday, December 10, 2020 (Closed, capacity reached)
 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
 Thursday, March 11, 2021
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
 Wednesday, April 14, 2021
 Thursday, April 22, 2021
 
Attendance is required only once a quadrennium. Don't remember if you've registered or attended yet?
Click here for a registration listing.
The district listed is your appointed district at the time you attended training.
 
 

Dr. Sondra Wheeler, longtime professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary and an outstanding presenter, leads us this quadrennium in considering the role of "The Minister as Moral Theologian." Going beyond the mere "good behavior" of clergy, we'll look together at the deeper ethical aspects of being a ministry leader in a changing world. You won't want to miss the opportunity for meaningful reflection with a such a world-class scholar.

Participants will register for a live training event, to begin at 9:30am and conclude at 12:30pm. Prerecorded video segments and resources are distributed four days prior to the live event. This asynchronous work is required prior to attending the live event. Dr. Wheeler will be available for questions, lead breakout group case study discussions, and offer additional wisdom during the live event. The registration fee of $10 applies to production and training costs. Participants are awarded 0.5 CEU for full participation in asynchronous and synchronous portions of the training.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Board of Ordained Ministry's Ethics Committee and the Center for Clergy Excellence at ClergyExcellence@vaumc.org

Getting to know Dr. Wheeler
Dr. Sondra Wheeler is Martha Ashby Carr Professor of Christian Ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary. She earned her PhD at Yale University, and has taught at Wesley and in numerous other contexts for decades, inspiring and challenging her students. Her latest book is directly related to our topic this quadrennium, "The Minister as Moral Theologian: Ethical Dimensions of Pastoral Leadership" (Baker Academic, 2017). A companion volume, "Sustaining Ministry: Foundations and Practices for Serving Faithfully" will be published in November 2017.

Who is required to attend?
Quadrennial Clergy Ethics training is required in the VAUMC as ministerial leaders live out our shared commitment to the highest ideals of the Christian life. As a connectional church, we commit to doing this work together at least once every four years. Active clergy must participate in one session of Ethics Training between 2017 and 2021.

If you were Licensed for Pastoral Ministry, or otherwise received your first appointment in Virginia, beginning July 1, 2017 - your participation in the Basic Ethics 101 and 102 courses exempts you from this required training. You are most welcome and we encourage you to attend if you are able.