2026 Perkins Spring Summit inspires clergy to reimagine ministry
Ministry leaders gather at varying venues in the South-Central US region for Perkins School of Theology's Summit for Faith and Learning to step away from the demands of daily ministry and engage new theological ideas alongside fellow clergy and lay leaders.
Designed for clergy, lay leaders, alumni and lifelong learners, the Summit features engaging mini-courses and lectures led by Perkins faculty, alumni and thought leaders.
At the 2026 Spring Summit in Norman, Oklahoma, attendees spent the weekend engaging with theological learning that challenged them to think differently about their ministries back home.
Creating a space to learn
After years of missing out on earlier summits while living in the Dallas area, the Rev. Peter McNabb felt more compelled than ever to attend this year’s Summit in Norman, Oklahoma.
“It sparked in me a desire to deepen my commitment by immersing myself in the weekend and devoting my full attention by traveling and staying in the area – even seeing an old college friend and his family while there,” McNabb said.
“I was inspired by laity who have been traveling hundreds of miles to attend Perkins Faith Summits year after year,” he said. “Some are retired, and it is as if they have taken this on as their new avocation and are serious about their personal growth and the focus of their churches.”
A weekend reminder
During the Summit, McNabb attended the mini-courses "Preaching and the Human Condition" and "Wesleyan Theology of Evangelism." Through those sessions, he realized he could empower lay members to take on greater roles within their ministries.
“The weekend inspired me to make bigger asks of the laity in my church,” he said. “Ask more to attend spiritual retreats. Ask more to take on ministries. Ask more to speak from the pulpit. The worst they can say is no. The reality is that many may not have been asked before. See something in them. Affirm it.”
“I have not worked with social justice issues before – it’s just everyday life for us, and I just never really looked at it in the lens of taking action about social issues,” she said. “My eyes have been opened, and my conference will be looking at what we can do better and what actions we can take.”
Among the weekend's sessions, McNabb was particularly moved by Perkins Dean Bryan P. Stone's presentation, "Toward a Wesleyan Theology of Evangelism and Social Action."
“It also broadened my understanding of discipleship development and how we as pastors need to open more doors for spiritual growth and lay servant work in the church,” he said. “When a congregant is ready to grow, we need to facilitate that growth with solid food.”
McNabb also valued the opportunity to learn from Dean Bryan P. Stone beyond the classroom, gaining a deeper appreciation for how Stone connects evangelism with social action.
Although churches often measure success numerically, McNabb said the Summit reminded him that faithful ministry cannot always be counted.
"We need to do these things anyway. They are changing the Kingdom and the kin-dom in ways that count far more than numbers."
Join Perkins at the 2026 Fall Summit for Faith and Learning
This fall’s Summit for Faith and Learning will be held in Spring, Texas, on September 25–26, 2026, at Klein United Methodist Church. This year, attendees can learn from experienced pastors, scholars and ministry leaders through sessions offered in English, Spanish and Korean.
For more information and to register for this two-day event, click here.