SCD 2025: From Event to Movement — Equipping World-Changing Disciples

The School of Congregational Development (SCD) has grown beyond a single event. It has become a movement that equips and inspires world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ. What began as an annual training gathering has evolved into a connectional journey of transformation—a movement that helps leaders See, Create, and Disciple as part of a holistic pathway of missional renewal across the global United Methodist Church.

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In 2025, this movement came alive across three continents—Asia, North America, and Africa—through interconnected SCD experiences in the Philippines, Wisconsin, and Mozambique. While each event reflected its regional context, together they formed one unified SCD experience of learning, worship, and mission. Across these gatherings, about 500 clergy and laity were equipped with skills and insights and inspired to embody a renewed call: to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

The SCD Pathway: See, Create, Disciple

• See – We are learning to see God’s mission afresh: to discern where the Spirit is moving and to reach all people Christ calls us to reach.
• Create – We are creating spaces for new expressions of church and renewing existing congregations to love and serve the present age.
• Disciple – We are equipping and inspiring faithful disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

This pathway now shapes not only the content of each SCD event but also its larger purpose—forming a rhythm of continual discipleship development and leadership multiplication.

SCD Philippines: Rekindling the Fire of Discipleship and Mission

The movement began at A Place Called Peniel in Capas, Tarlac, where over two hundred leaders from across the Philippines Central Conference gathered under the theme “Rekindling the Fire: Discipleship and Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit.”

Workshops on Intentional Discipleship Systems and Contextual Evangelism equipped participants to lead renewal efforts in their districts and local churches. As Bishop Rodel Acdal shared, “The Spirit moved powerfully, rekindling our fire for mission and reminding us that discipleship begins with personal holiness expressed in social witness.”

SCD Laity Bootcamp, Wisconsin: All Called, All Sent

In October, more than two hundred laity and clergy converged at First UMC Kenosha for the SCD Laity Bootcamp themed “All Called, All Sent: Making Disciples, Transforming the World.”

This experience re-centered the vital role of laity in congregational and community transformation. Through workshops on leadership pathways, digital engagement, justice ministries, and discipleship in public life, participants discovered that every disciple is both a leader and a missionary.

“I’m leaving here with practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose,” one participant reflected. “This bootcamp reminded me that every disciple is a missionary.”

SCD Mozambique: Rekindling Faith, Practicing Identity, Fulfilling Mission

The journey continued in Beira, Mozambique, where fifty-five clergy, youth, and lay leaders gathered to strengthen holistic discipleship, missional resilience, and community transformation. The SCD movement in Africa focused on leadership mentoring, sustainable ministry, and rebuilding communities affected by natural disasters. As one participant testified, “Even in the face of challenges, our mission continues. The church in Africa is alive, growing, and sending.”

Shared Learnings: One Spirit, One Mission

Across all three gatherings, several unifying threads emerged:

• Connectional Unity – Wesley’s conviction that “the world is our parish” continues to guide the SCD movement.
• Lay Empowerment – Laity are embracing their call as disciple-makers, innovators, and community builders.
• Contextual Ministry – Each region expressed the SCD vision in ways relevant to its culture and context.
• Collaborative Leadership – Bishops, conferences, and general agencies joined in deep partnership for shared mission impact.

Looking Ahead: SCD 2026 – Columbus, Ohio

The momentum continues toward SCD 2026 in Columbus, Ohio (August 2–5) with the theme “RISE UP: Love, Serve, and Lead.” This next chapter will feature new workshops, inspiring worship, and expanded opportunities for global connection. Complementing the in-person gathering, SCD Connect, a new digital platform, will extend the movement year-round—sharing stories of transformation, resources, and ongoing learning opportunities.

Moving Forward

The 2025 SCD journey revealed that the School of Congregational Development is no longer just a conference—it is a movement of the Holy Spirit uniting Methodists worldwide to See, Create, and Disciple. From the Philippines to Wisconsin to Mozambique, SCD 2025 embodied a living witness to Christ’s Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19

Together, we are not just attending SCD—we will Rise Up: Love, Lead, and Serve. Join the movement by participating in the 2026 SCD, August 2-5, in Columbus, OH.

For additional information, contact Bener Agtarap at [email protected].

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