In November 2025, Wespath hosted The Tapestry Gathering, a first-of-its-kind event that brought together a group of 50 part-time, bi-vocational, and lay roles of pastoral and congregational leaders serving The United Methodist Church, along with several leaders from the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
The gathering created a dedicated space for fellowship and programming tailored to the unique needs of these church leaders—fostering community, encouraging dialogue with denominational leaders, and equipping participants with actionable strategies to strengthen their congregations.
The Tapestry Gathering emerged from an understanding of the changing landscape of ministry, where diverse forms of pastoral leadership are increasingly vital to the Church’s mission and long-term vitality. The event was designed to reflect the rich diversity of ministry roles, with attendees representing a broad spectrum of geographical locations and church sizes, racial and ethnic backgrounds, ages, and ministry appointments.
Dale Jones, Managing Director of Church Relations at Wespath said, “The Tapestry Gathering affirmed that there is no such thing as part-time ministry—only part-time pay. These pastoral leaders embody full-time commitment and creativity in service to their congregations and the Church. This event was a powerful reminder that when we come together to listen, share and innovate, we strengthen the Church’s mission and create new possibilities for ministry.”
Attendees engaged in candid discussions about challenges such as financial sustainability, community engagement, and the need for equitable support and benefits. The event surfaced a strong desire for ongoing opportunities to connect with peers, share resources, and receive support tailored for part-time and bi-vocational ministry.
Key presentations addressed trends in ministry, leadership development and holistic well-being. Guest speakers included Rev. Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr. (Lewis Center for Church Leadership); Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand (Western North Carolina Conference); Bishop Lanette L. Plambeck (Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area); and Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary), who shared insights on adaptive leadership, resilience and the unique dynamics of bi-vocational ministry. Wespath also presented findings from the 2025 Clergy Well-Being Survey, highlighting the interconnected dimensions of physical, financial, emotional, spiritual and social health.
Post-event evaluations reflected overwhelming satisfaction, with participants expressing renewed purpose and hope for ongoing collaboration. One attendee noted, “Amidst the overall statistics and awareness of church decline, I've come to believe that dual-career or part-time pastors aren't just a phenomenon of this declining trend but instead represent opportunities for change toward a bright future.” Another shared, “This was an amazingly helpful conversation. Instead of reading reports for what part-time licensed local pastors (LLPs) are experiencing, you created space for us to hear [in person] from part-time LLPs about their personal experiences. I’m so very grateful for being included in this conversation.”
Wespath aims to strengthen the Church’s mission and ensure that all pastoral leaders—regardless of appointment type—are equipped to thrive in service to their congregations and communities. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to exploring the evolving needs of ministry leaders and advancing opportunities for growth, well-being, and connection throughout the Church.
Media Contact:
Christina Tincher
Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-5293
[email protected]
This content was originally published by Wespath; republished with permission by ResourceUMC on January 15, 2026.