Education and Leadership Formation Staff

Biography

The Rev. Dr. R. Clayton Childers is Program Director for Annual Conference Relations at the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS).

Clayton began work at GBCS on Feb. 1, 2001. He came to the board after serving as a local church pastor in South Carolina Annual Conference for 12 years.

In his role at the board, Clayton works to interpret and promote GBCS’s work in United Methodist annual conferences and local churches throughout the world. He provides support and resources to conferences and local churches as they seek to develop and broaden their ministries of public witness, advocacy and action.

In this capacity, Clayton travels extensively leading workshops, Bible studies and speaking. He has visited in at least 40 U.S. annual conferences, in all five U.S. Jurisdictions, and also in Liberia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, Germany and Czech Republic.

In addition, Clayton has hosted numerous United Methodist leaders and groups at the United Methodist Building in Washington, D.C. These have included training events with Directors of Connectional Ministries, District Superintendents, Annual Conference Lay Leaders, Conference Elder/Deacon Probationers, District Pastor Trainings, seminary classes, college groups, youth groups and confirmation classes.

Clayton holds degrees from Furman University, Southeastern Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University with an emphasis in Christian education.
He is married to the Rev. Denise Matz Childers, a pastor in the Virginia Conference who currently serving at St George’s UMC in Fairfax. They have two daughters: Allison, 22, and Carly, 18.

Program Area

Leadership Development

Through Education and Leadership Formation, the General Board of Church and Society helps local churches and annual conferences interpret domestic and international social justice issues.

Read more about Leadership Development programs.

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