Summer & Fall 2026 Ministry Planning Guide
Resources for Worship, Study, and Congregational Leadership
As you prepare for the months ahead, we've gathered resources to help your congregation engage faithful conversations, deepen discipleship, and navigate challenging topics with theological grounding and practical tools.
Whether you're planning worship, leading a small group, or beginning a new appointment, we hope these resources serve your ministry in the seasons ahead.
For Summer Worship & Preaching
No Other Gods
As congregations approach July celebrations and the broader America 250 conversation, this worship resource offers a theologically grounded way to reflect on faithful discipleship, national identity, and expands the meaning of “America” beyond the United States to honor the diverse peoples, lands, cultures, and histories of North America, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
Includes:
Litany
Great Thanksgiving
Four-week sermon series framework
Worship resources for congregational reflection
For deeper study, pair this with GCORR’s 5-session book study based on “The Flag + The Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy” by Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry.
Recommended for: July worship planning and civic holidays.
For Children's Ministry & Family Faith Formation
God Loves Diversity / Dios Ama la Diversidad
Whether you're wrapping up Vacation Bible School or planning for the fall Sunday school season, this bilingual (English and Spanish) five-session curriculum helps children discover that every person is created in the image of God and that our differences are gifts to be celebrated.
Designed for ages 4–10, the curriculum uses storytelling, prayer, art, games, and discussion to explore themes such as identity, friendship, justice, hospitality, and God's love for all people in age-appropriate ways. Each lesson follows an easy-to-use format that works well in children's church, Sunday school, midweek programming, or family faith formation.
Recommended for: VBS follow-up, fall Sunday school kickoff, children's ministry, and family faith formation.
Vital Conversations on Immigration
A Video-Based Study for Churches Seeking Faithful Dialogue
Immigration is more than a political issue—it is a deeply theological and spiritual conversation that calls the Church to reflect on justice, mercy, hospitality, and discipleship.
Vital Conversations on Immigration is a five-session video series designed for Sunday school classes, small groups, Bible studies, and congregational learning. Featuring theologians, pastors, advocates, and immigrants themselves, each session combines a short video with discussion questions and a downloadable study guide to encourage thoughtful, grace-filled conversation.
Together, participants will explore:
The biblical foundations of welcome and hospitality
Why people migrate and the realities shaping migration today
The intersections of race, culture, and immigration
The Church's call to move from charity to justice
How faith can shape our response to immigrant neighbors
Whether your congregation is just beginning these conversations or seeking to deepen its engagement, this series provides a practical and accessible starting point for faithful dialogue.
For deeper study, pair this video series with GCORR’s 5-session book study based on “What We Remember Will Be Saved” By Stephanie Saldaña - about five refugees escaping war between Qaraqosh in Iraq and Aleppo in Syria.
Recommended for: Fall small groups, adult education classes, Bible studies, and mission committees.
Beginning a New Appointment?
Preparing for Your First 100 Days in a Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointment
If you are beginning ministry in a cross-racial or cross-cultural context, these recorded conversations offer wisdom from experienced clergy serving in diverse appointments.
For deeper study, pair the webinar with Transformed Perspectives: Exploring Scripture in Context, a four-week Bible study exploring Scripture through cross-racial and cross-cultural engagement.
Recommended for: New appointments, staff retreats, and leadership teams.
Small Group Study for Hispanic Heritage Season
“Brown Church” Book Study
Based on Robert Chao Romero's Brown Church, this eight-session study explores five centuries of Latina/o theology, identity, and social justice movements.
Participants will discover the historic witness of Latina/o Christians while considering how these stories continue to shape ministry today.
Pair this study with GCORR's Hispanic Heritage resources for churches planning fall programming.
Recommended for: Hispanic Heritage Month, adult education classes, and book studies.
Navigating Difficult Conversations
“Faithful Connections” Essay Series
How should Christians think about topics that frequently arise in today's polarized public conversations?
Faithful Connections provides theological and academic frameworks for topics such as:
White Christian Nationalism
Ableism
Critical Race Theory
Disability and the Church
Race and Identity
Other contemporary topics impacting congregational life
The essays are designed to encourage thoughtful discussion rooted in Wesleyan theology while engaging today's cultural realities.
Recommended for: Church councils, leadership development, and adult discipleship groups.
Learning from Indigenous Methodist History
Methodism and Native Indigenous Peoples
Did you know that Native American United Methodist leadership dates back to the early nineteenth century?
Explore articles, including one by Bishop David Wilson, and additional resources that illuminate the history, contributions, and ongoing witness of Native Indigenous peoples within Methodism.
These materials provide valuable opportunities for learning, reflection, and faithful engagement with Indigenous communities and histories.
Recommended for: Native American Ministries Sunday, adult education, and congregational learning.
Online Learning for Your Leadership Team
Learn Together, Grow Together
Looking for flexible ways to equip your church leaders, staff, or congregation? GCORR's self-paced online courses provide practical and theological learning experiences that can be completed individually or as a group.
Featured courses include:
Microaggressions 101 – GCORR's newest course, equipping church leaders to recognize, understand, and faithfully respond to microaggressions with wisdom and compassion.
All God's Children – Explore cultural differences in ministry settings and why colorblindness is not a faithful framework for Christian community.
Anti-Racism 101: Required Skills for White People Who Want to Be Allies – A foundational introduction to anti-racism that helps participants recognize and interrupt racism in everyday life and ministry.
Implicit Bias: What We Don't Think We Think – Discover how unconscious bias shapes our perceptions and relationships, with practical tools for reflection, preaching, and group discussion.
Training Your Whole Church? Churches and organizations purchasing 10 or more registrations receive a 20% group discount, making it easy to train leadership teams, church councils, staff, Sunday school teachers, or small groups together. Fill out our group registration request form if interested.
Looking for Something Else?
Can't find a resource for the topic you're planning to address this season?
Whether you're looking for a Bible study, worship resource, sermon series, book recommendation, online course, or training for your church leaders, we'd love to help.
Simply reply to this email and let us know what you're looking for. Our team is happy to point you toward existing resources—or help you find the right place to start.
We're here to support your ministry.