CRUCIBLE is a 2-year academy program in which provisional elders and deacons meet to learn, grow, and challenge one another and their churches to become communities of faith for the 21st Century.
Your participation in Crucible should be understood as a mandatory requirement (per The United Methodist Book of Discipline and the Board of Ministry) and your local church / place of ministry will be expected to support you in every way possible, including honoring the dates of retreats, 1-day seminars and cohort meetings as a top priority.
You will be a part of a cohort group for the next two years. The groups are arranged geographically to minimize travel time for the cohort meetings, should you decide to gather in person. Electronic means for meetings are acceptable.
Participation in the Crucible Program will meet the annual CEU requirement in full.
Crucible provides you with a Cohort of colleagues whom you will get to know as you learn together, share experiences, and depend on one another for strengthening as you develop and prepare for Ordained Ministry. Each cohort is assigned at least one cohort leader who will help shepherd your conversations, listen to your questions and assist you in preparing for your next steps.
Your cohort will meet monthly September – May of each year.
Some of those months will include a required training. The schedule for your two-year Crucible journey is attached. When you have a required training scheduled, time is built in for your Cohort to meet so you will not need to schedule a separate gathering for that month unless the cohort desires to do so.
Please save these dates on your calendar and do not schedule anything else for these dates.
Everyone is expected to stay at the hotel. Those who live within thirty minutes of the hotel can elect to commute. Please keep in mind that we will not be able to make schedule adjustments to accommodate long evenings and early mornings. Also, there is no price break for electing this option.
Crucible Class 14- Schedule
September 27-29, 2023
Process Communication
November 16-17, 2023
Process Communication
March 18-19, 2024
Leading Out of Drama
September 25-27, 2024
Wesleyan Practical Theology
Staying Well in Ministry
November 14-15, 2024
IDI and Cultural Competency
March 13-14, 2025
Discipleship & Financial Wellness
EOC Episocopal Conversation
TBD by the Conference
WOC Newly Commissioned and Ordinand Retreat
TBD by the Conference
Event Preparation
Approximately two weeks prior to each event, please look for an email from Susan Thomas. It will contain the content for the upcoming training and the Registration link to connect. You will be expected to read through the link in its entirety prior to the start of the event. Usually, this can be done within an hour. We are planning for a hybrid method of gathering for the next two years. We are planning to gather in person for your Events. You will need to register each time to secure your hotel room and update us on any dietary restrictions if any and any special accommodations that you may need. Your cohort may meet in person or meet virtually. For in person gatherings, please identify a location that can accommodate the physical distancing needs to keep everyone safe while we work through the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Event Cost
The cost for Crucible is $600.00 for two years. The first payment of $300.00 is due by 12/1/2022. The second payment of $300.00 is due by 12/1/2023. You can use your Educational Allowance from your church to assist with this payment.
You will receive information regarding your cohort and leader under separate cover.
A scripture to encourage you through this season that we find helpful is,
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Creator will give you.” - John 15:16