Representatives attend record 31 UMC annual conferences in 2025
More than a dozen Perkins staff and faculty were out and about this past summer, representing Perkins School of Theology at a record-setting 31 annual conferences of the United Methodist Church across the United States.
“It’s a high-water benchmark for us,” said Bart Patton, assistant dean of external programs and church relations at Perkins, who coordinated the effort. “We’ve never done anything close to that number before.”
Patton emphasized that Perkins’ “annual conference tour” is about much more than just recruiting new students.
“This is about presence and it’s about partnership,” he said. “We’re not there primarily for recruiting. We’re there to reinforce existing partnerships, to create new partnerships and to learn. If we’re not out there learning what’s happening at the local church level, how can we teach future church leaders?”
Patton added that annual conferences also serve as a kind of research and development (R&D) for Perkins, helping faculty and staff understand the lived experience of pastors and church staff.
“I meet with pastors and hear stories about what’s happening in their context,” he said. “Those are stories that come back to Perkins and help us think about our programming, our curriculum, even how we teach in the classroom.”
That “R&D” work has already borne fruit. Perkins’ Fresh Expressions House of Studies and partnership with Ashley Boggan of the General Commission on Archives and History are both direct outcomes of insights gained during last year’s annual conference visits. The next Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning (Spring 2026) will take place in Oklahoma City, thanks to connections forged at annual conference gatherings.
On the road
This year’s expanded effort involved 15 Perkins representatives, including 13 faculty and staff representing every office at Perkins, plus two alumni. They fanned out from coast to coast, listening, connecting, teaching and sometimes even bowling or sharing pizza with youth delegations.
Emily Nelms Chastain, assistant professor of Christian history and Methodist studies, attended the Horizon Texas, Rio Texas and New Mexico conferences. “While the travel was exhausting, the connections were genuine, and they left me inspired by what The United Methodist Church is becoming,” she said. “I think our presence communicates our commitment to the future of the UMC and our willingness to journey with United Methodists.”
Nelms Chastain added that attending Horizon Texas was especially meaningful as three legacy conferences came together for the first time to ordain new clergy and work through legislation. “I loved getting to meet alumni and current students and to hear about their experiences at Perkins,” she said.
Heather G. Moore, associate director of recruitment and admissions, represented Perkins at the Great Plains and Cal-Pac Annual Conferences. She found deep value in reconnecting with alumni and meeting prospective students.
“Perkins really does show up at these conferences,” Moore said. “We are present, we are consistent and we are genuine. Many seminaries have stopped traveling to annual conferences. To me, Perkins’ commitment means we are committed to building relationships with folks, regardless of their history with Perkins.”
New energy in the church
The tour also gave faculty a chance to gauge the mood of the wider denomination.
“I sensed a lot of positive energy and hope for the denomination,” said Patton. “These gatherings were like camp meetings—folks are committed to the future of the church.”
Wes Allen, Lois Craddock Perkins professor of homiletics, attended the Florida and Alabama-West Florida conferences. He was struck by the interest in Perkins’ online programs, including questions about the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min. )program. He also noted the significance of Perkins being present in regions beyond its traditional Southwest base.
“The more we show up for these events in regions beyond the Southwest, the more the church across the nation will come to know us as a resource for them,” said Allen, who is also director of the Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence.
Looking ahead
Patton expressed that annual conferences are more vital than ever, especially as hybrid and online degree options open new doors for students nationwide in a wider geographic area.
“It’s hard to recruit online for an online program,” he explained. “We’ve got to physically go to people to make the first connection. And while we’re there, we’re listening, we’re learning and we’re investing in relationships.”
That investment, Patton stressed, will continue.
“We don’t go to annual conferences just to check a box or fill our quotas,” he said. “We go because Perkins is committed to being fully present with the church. The future of the UMC matters to us, and we’re here to walk alongside it.”