Church leaders from across South Carolina converged on Florence this week to discuss methods for improving their ministries that included teaching better ways to spread the gospel.

It was all part of the 7th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which held a meeting of the Christian Education Leadership Congress at Florence Civic Center.

The purpose of the congress is to help improve the skills within church leadership, said Kabrina Bass, Christian education administrator for the district.

"We have over 600 churches in the state of South Carolina, so this week our pastors are going through training on budgeting, leadership skills and understanding their role in the itinerant ministry," she said.

Reaching out to youth is an important component as well, Bass said. Children are taught biblical stories that boost character and help them learn the important differences between right and wrong.

Meanwhile, older adolescents are being educated on such subjects as the complexities of human sexuality, as well as how to better market themselves for success in the future.

"Our children don't have any place to go to ask certain questions, so what better place for them to find answers than in the church," Bass said.

This year has seen the application of a new format in which individual classes are tailored to address specific needs, such as the more efficient administration of Sunday schools and helping volunteer teachers be more effective at communicating with their students.

Every year is highlighted by a different theme. The underlying message and purpose remains the same, however, Christian education director Allen Parrott said.

"Whether we're talking about stewardship, evangelism, church growth or church administration, we're focusing everyone toward the idea that all of that is grounded in Christian education," he said.