Member Portal

Trainings and Workshops

As partners in mission The United Methodist City Society strives to equip church leaders with the tools to operate ministries effectively and efficiently. Training sessions and workshops are open to member churches in the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Visit the member portal for additional information and full workshop descriptions.

Training topics Include

Reporting on Impact

These training sessions are available for first-time budget creators, to the more advanced bookkeeper. These workshops introduce participants to a variety of software programs, tools, and resources such as Excel, QuickBooks & Quicken to enhance their financial recordkeeping.

Lease Agreements

This training covers best practices, liability, terms and conditions, and modifications that give clarity to these agreements and protect church interests.

Faith-based Development

This training will focus on how to develop ministries that focus on addressing social issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic amenities like healthcare and education. Churches often have a strong presence in communities and can leverage their networks to deliver services more efficiently and effectively.

Grant Writing

The City Society assists churches with grant writing, identifying government and foundation grant opportunities and understanding Requests for Proposals. Assistance is provided to develop boilerplate proposals and the submission of letters of intent.

Affordable Housing

This training provides member churches with knowledge on how to identify opportunities for repurposing their space to benefit their community. In addition, we offer guidance on obtaining financing options and connecting with investors. This session also covers state and government compliance regulations, financial strategies, and identifying new opportunities. These workshops are designed to provide resources to member churches so they can better assist their local communities in affordable housing initiatives.

Reporting on Impact

The United Methodist City Society assists churches to effectively report on the impact of their ministries. Participants will learn who stakeholders are and how to clearly define goals, provide data-driven evidence of progress, highlight success stories, and acknowledge challenges. These mechanisms will help all involved understand the value and impact of the work being done and build trust and credibility.

Program Planning & Development

These training courses are designed to equip church leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively plan and develop programs that can have a positive impact on their communities. The City Society assists with practical strategies for engaging with the community and building long-lasting relationships that can lead to increased participation in church activities. Churches will understand the importance of monitoring the impact of services and gain practical tools for measuring the effectiveness of programs and making data-driven decisions.