Ethics in Ministry

WNCC Misconduct Policy

Antiracism Ethics Training is the Clergy Ethics Training for the quadrennium through June 2024, and thus it is mandatory for all clergy in the Western North Carolina Conference. The training will be facilitated by RISE! (Race: an In-depth Spiritual Examination) trainers. Each clergy person is to have a lay leader participate in the training. This inclusion of laity will foster more effective change in congregational culture.

The remaining RISE! Workshops for 2023 and 2024 are listed below.

The 2-day in-person RISE! Workshops will take place from 10am-6pm both days.

The Virtual RISE! Workshop will include self-paced lessons, online small group discussions, and scheduled Zoom meetings spanning approximately 12 days with the following format:

Day 1: Orientation Session via Zoom (evening)
Days 2-5: Four Self-Paced Lessons via eLearning Platform
Day 6: Two 3-hour Zoom Sessions (morning and afternoon)
Days 7-11: Two Self-Paced Lessons via eLearning Platform
Day 12: Two 3-hour Zoom Sessions (morning and afternoon)

Spring 2024 Workshops

Please note that this is the full workshop schedule and does not reflect changes due to cancellations or closed workshops. The current availability is indicated on the registration page.

In-person workshop options:

Monday & Tuesday, January 8-9 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Northern Piedmont (Covenant UMC, High Point)
Friday & Saturday, January 19-20 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Appalachian (First UMC, Lenoir)
Thursday & Friday, January 25-26 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Metro (St Stephen UMC, Charlotte)
Thursday & Friday, February 8-9 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Yadkin Valley (Mt. Tabor UMC, Winston-Salem)
Friday & Saturday, February 16-17 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Uwharrie 1 (Macedonia UMC, Lexington)
Friday & Saturday, February 23-24 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Blue Ridge (Covenant Community UMC, Asheville)
Thursday & Friday, April 11-12 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Catawba Valley (St. Luke's UMC, Hickory)
Monday & Tuesday, May 6-7 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Uwharrie 2 (First UMC, Asheboro)
Friday & Saturday, June 7-8 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM, both days) - Smoky Mountain (Central UMC, Canton)

Virtual workshop option, April 21-May 3:

Orientation: Sunday, April 21, 6:00 PM-8:30 PM
Self-Paced eLearning: Monday, April 22-Thursday, April 25
Zoom Day 1 Sessions: Friday, April 26. 9:00 AM-12:00 noon and 2:00 PM-5:00 PM
Self-Paced eLearning: Saturday, April 27-Tuesday, May 2
Zoom Day 2 Sessions: Friday, May 3, 9:00 AM-12:00 noon and 2:00 PM-5:00 PM

If you previously registered for one of the cancelled in-person trainings, you will need to complete a new registration in order to participate in a virtual training or a future in-person training. Please contact Emma Sherrill if you need your payment code.

The mandatory ethics training for this quadrennium is Antiracism Ethics Training. All who under appointment or assignment in WNC are expected to participate in one of the training events over the next four years by June 2024. This workshop is designed for clergy and laity together. It is essential for each pastor to identify a key lay person to attend it together with him/her as a partner in advancing the work of antiracism. Basically, the two-day event will be scheduled in each district twice a year, unless we shift to virtual workshops for a season due to COVID situations and are offered different sets of dates.

Appointed Clergy who live outside the conference will also need to meet the antiracism ethics requirement. If you cannot attend one of the WNC trainings, you will need to send documentation of participation in antiracism training to the Office of Ministerial Services. The WNC training is two days. Those living outside of the bounds of the conference will need to provide evidence of significant time spent in learning and understanding antiracism.

Training will be led by RISE!. RISE! is designed to equip and support spiritual leaders to recognize, confront, and challenge racism and cultivate an equitable future. Through activities and reflection, the multi-racial facilitation team will provide attendees with useful tools to unearth racism as it is embedded within communities of faith. Participants will examine race theologically through Biblical exegesis and the history of Christianity within the United States.

Find more details about the training in the video and information below.

Check out these testimonies for the impact of the Anti-Racism Ethics Trainings in the WNCC.

Cost

The cost for participants is $100 per person. Please read the Q&A below for more information on the cost and refunds.

Antiracism Ethics Training Q & A

Who is required to participate in the training?

ALL clergy under appointment in WNC and all certified lay ministers/lay supply pastors under assignment in the WNCC are required to attend a workshop by June 2024. WNC clergy under appointment in other annual conferences (whether to a church or extension ministry/appointment beyond the local church) are encouraged to try to come to WNC for a training event. You will be required to do quadrennial ethics training. If you cannot get to WNC for this training, you will need to find a similar training event and send it to Rev. Kim Ingram for approval PRIOR to registering or participating.

Why should a lay person and clergy attend the training together?

This workshop is designed for clergy and laity together. It is essential for each pastor to identify a key lay person to attend it together with him/her as a partner in advancing the work of antiracism. Find a lay person who is supportive of antiracism efforts and who has influence in the congregation/organization.

Can clergy and laity participate in separate training sessions because of scheduling conflicts for the laity, etc.?

Yes, even though it is ideal that they attend the same session together.

Who will conduct the training?

The training will be facilitated by RISE! (Race: an In-Depth Spiritual Examination) trainers. Learn more about RISE! here.

Why do I have to pay for the training?

Payment by credit card is required at the time of registration. To adequately address the topic of antiracism, this training is more extensive than the trainings of previous quadrennia. If the church where the clergy serves has continuing education funds budgeted, this could be a good use for those funds. We understand that cost can be a barrier for some to participate. Thanks to the generous grant from The Duke Endowment and the support from the Board of Ordained Ministry, Justice and Reconciliation Team, and WNCC Districts, the fee has been reduced considerably.

I registered but I haven't received any follow-up information. What do I do?

You will receive an email from rise@littletreenc.org approximately one week before your workshop begins. If you have not received any email by the Wednesday before your workshop, please check your SPAM folder. If you have not received an email, please contact rise@littletreenc.org immediately.

If an emergency arises and I’m unable to attend, are the fees refundable?

Contact Emma Sherrill if you are unable to attend. Since lunch and snacks are provided for the in-person workshops, cancellation of an in-person workshop registration within 5 business days of the start of workshop will result in a $15 fee.

Will there be a certificate of completion?

A certificate will be given to each participant at the end of the training and your participation will be recorded with the conference and district.

Will there be any follow-up training or resources?

A Virtual Reflection and Prayer Meeting (VRPM) and a Priority Planning Session (PPS) will be offered after each District's training workshop to help the congregations/organizations that the clergy and laity serve to engage in further antiracism work. Look for specific information for your District's offerings in the attached document "WNCC Antiracism Ethics Training Process" in the registration confirmation email. Also, RISE! Team will offer opportunities to register and engage in Online Discussion Groups."

Keeping Our Sacred Trust: Sexual & Professional Misconduct Policy for Ministerial Leadership