THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW CUMBERLAND DISTRICT Macon, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson and parts of Clay, Smith, Robertson, Davidson, and Cheatham Counties

Volume 7, Issue 6 June 2014

Cumberland District Staff Pastoral Leadership  Rev. Scott Aleridge, District Changes Congregations Are Facing Today Superintendent A Tenth Anniversary Series  Ms. Carolyn Bullock, District Secretary What has changed and how churches are  Scott Hilgadiack, Editor responding Cumberland District In addition to the changes in paid lay staffing for Review churches examined last month, there also have Inside this issue: been significant changes regarding the nature of A Message from the new District 3 clergy leadership in congregations.. Superintendent Reaching the Millennial Generation 4 While virtually all congregations in the U.S. have Effective pastors know they are Best Practices for Reaching Young 5 guides on a journey toward God’s pastors, from time to time the background, Adults next faithful step for the congre- characteristics, and roles of these clergy change. E. TN Conference Adult/Older Adult 6 gation, a journey that began be- Brooks Holifield has noted many of these changes Ministries Events fore their time of leadership and in his comprehensive and richly documented will continue beyond it. Teen Dating Violence: What Parents 7 history of clergy in the United States, God’s Need to Know Ambassadors: A History of the Christian Clergy in America (Eerdmans, Apportionment Collections Increase 8 2007, Amazon , Cokesbury). He illustrates how clerical authority has assumed in 2014 multiple forms over the years and has undergone continual evolution, greatly Hillary Clinton: “Time to roll up our 8-9 sleeves, make it happen” shaped by distinctive social and cultural factors.

Aldersgate Renewal Ministries 10-11 Upcoming and Sponsored Events Role. For a number of reasons, both theological and practical, clergy are far more likely today to see their role more closely connected to the biblical The Upper Room Chapel and 12 Christian Art Museum concept of “equipper of the saints” than as the one who does ministry for a congregation. The roles of worship leadership, preaching, and pastoral care still Easter at Liberty UMC 12 occupy much of a pastor’s time, but the roles of visionary, teacher, and Local Church Events 13 developer have grown more important. Rather than serving on behalf of the Prayer Request 14 congregation, pastors are more likely to see all members as ministers, help them discover those ministries, and thus strengthen them to be motivated and equipped to serve. When this model works well, the impact of the congregation’s total ministry grows exponentially.

Full-time or part-time. Far more churches are served today by part-time pastors than ten years ago, and many of these are bi-vocational. Protestant congregations in the U.S. tend to be relatively small since the more historic denominations grew rapidly when the country was overwhelmingly rural. PAGE 2 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 Thus, as the population has shifted from its rural nature during the early twentieth century to a predominantly non-rural population today, the size of many of these churches has declined. The median worship attendance (half more, half fewer) continues to decrease across mainline denominations. Therefore, the number of churches that can afford a full-time pastor is decreasing. For example, there were 2,000 fewer United Methodist churches averaging 100 or more in worship in 2012 than in 2002. With many judicatories of mainline denominations having minimum salary requirements for churches with full-time clergy, increasingly fewer churches can afford such clergy.

Age. Churches are far more likely to have a pastor aged 55 or older today than ten years ago. The percentage of pastors in mainline denominations of this age increased from 30 percent to 50 percent. Churches are much less likely to have a pastor between the ages of 35 and 54. This group of pastors fell from 55 percent to 44 percent of pastors during the decade. And churches are about as likely today to have a pastor under 35 as ten years ago since there was only a modest increase in the percentage of younger clergy (from five to six percent).

Gender. It is somewhat more likely that a church’s pastor is a woman now than ten years ago as women continue to represent a larger percentage of all clergy.

What has not changed? Leader and guide. When pastors arrive at a congregation, they are seen as a spiritual leader for the congregation. No matter how young the pastor or how small the congregation, this continues to be true. However, the best pastors continue to wear the mantle of leadership lightly. Unfortunately, there appears to be an increase in those advocating a “my way or the highway” approach to pastoral leadership. But the truly effective pastors know that they are also guides on a journey toward God’s next faithful step for the congregation, a journey that began before their time of leadership and will continue beyond it.

Insider and outsider. Pastors have a place in the congregation from the beginning of their service there and continue to enjoy access to the most joyful and sad moments in the lives of parishioners. Pastors are the ultimate insiders in that they are present and central in all the big events of the congregation. However, in another sense, a pastor is never a true insider. There is always some distance between pastor and congregants and, in the end, it is this critical distance that permits the pastor to be helpful as a spiritual leader, whereas total identification would not.

Professional and servant. Clergy were among the original professionals in the United States, and in many ways pastors share characteristics with other professionals. The presence of specialized training, standards, codes of conduct, peer review, and other such marks of professionalism serve clergy and congregations well. But, as Holifield points out, clergy historically and today continue to live in a tension between being a professional and being a servant of God’s vision. The two are not mutually exclusive, of course, but the tension remains for most clergy today. Clergy know that “professional” only partially describes who they are since they see their ministry primarily as a sacred calling from God.

Lovett H. Weems, Jr. (Printed with permission from: http://www.churchleadership.com/) PAGE 3 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 A Message from the new District Superintendent

June marks a time of transition and I am looking forward to serving as your District Superintendent. I want to thank Tom Halliburton for the fine job he has done as DS since 2009. I am quickly becoming aware of why Tom would say, “Cumberland District pastors and laity are the finest in Methodism.”

It is my hope that in my role as your District Superintendent that we can live together as a team where we can help each other go spiritually deep while being immensely practical. Likewise, it is my goal that within our churches, we can develop concrete strategies and next steps for making our churches more effective in facilitating spiritual growth.

As a brief bit about my background, I have served as the Senior Pastor of Columbia First since 2009. I graduated from Emory University’s Candler Divinity School, where I began my ministry as Associate Pastor of Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA. Following that role, I served churches in the Pulaski (Antioch/Dunn charge), Nashville (Inglewood UMC). In addition, I have chaired the Columbia District Committee on Ministry for five years, served on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Committee on Health Plan, Committee on Stewardship, Committee on Worship, and the Columbia District Committee on Superintendency. I am married to Beth (17 years), who leads Technology Communications for Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu. We have two children James Scott (9) and Lindsey (8). We are all excited about moving to Hendersonville and beginning this journey together.

Most of all, I am interested in learning about you. I want to spend time with each of you, getting to know about your families, careers and how you became a part of the Cumberland District. I believe God has a plan for this district, but more specifically your church. Together we will live out God’s mission and vision. Together we will, “Transform the world, one person at a time.” As we make this transition together, I ask that you pray for the churches in our District. Also, I ask that you continually pray for God’s guidance and blessing on our ministry together. Already, I have experienced the wonderful grace of God in these churches. Still, we must continue to open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit. We must not rest on our accomplishments, but continually share the love of Christ, found in your church and to all of the Cumberland District.

After our Annual Conference in June, I am looking forward to meeting regularly in clusters, as well as individually with every pastor in the district, along with lay leaders within the churches of the Cumberland District. Together we can be “Alive to God in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 6: 10). Together we can and will make a difference. Rev. Scott Aleridge PAGE 4 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 Reaching the Millennial Generation by Asa J. Lee

Churches must become more innovative and diverse on a variety of fronts, but less doctrinaire and institutionally rigid, if they want to reach millennials. This is one conclusion of recently released research from the Pew Research Center that surveyed the millennial generation in adulthood. Pew’s new report, “Millennials in Adulthood: Detached from Institutions, Networked with Friends,” reveals some significant changes in generational assumptions about culture, politics, and religion among adults born after 1980. The study is one of the first to identify how this generational cohort will impact our society and our economy as they enter adulthood.

Millennials are, according to the research, “unattached to organized politics and religion, linked by social media, burdened by debt, distrustful of people, in no rush to marry, and optimistic about the future.” They are the most diverse and optimistic generation of any currently alive in the United States, but also the most distrustful of institutional structures in our society.

Politically and Religiously Disaffiliated Millennials have the highest levels of political and religious disaffiliation of any generation Pew has studied. Half describe themselves as political independents, although they tend to have liberal views, and about three-in-ten say they are not affiliated with any religion. Not only are they less likely to be religiously affiliated; they are also less likely to say they believe in God. A solid majority still do — 86 percent. But only 58 percent say they are “absolutely certain” that God exists, a lower share than among older adults.

Diverse Millennials are the most racially diverse generation in American history. Unlike previous generations, they are not congregating in racially or politically segregated groups. They have moved away from the traditional ways of categorizing people, ideas, and beliefs — categories such as race, ethnicity, political parties, and religious affiliation.

Skeptical about Institutions This research suggests that traditional systems of power that are often part of the institutional life of many churches are major turnoffs for this age group. Millennials are overwhelmingly resistant to institutional maintenance and seek active, relevant ministry in the world for Jesus Christ. They are looking for churches that offer dynamic ministries that are transparent in their sense of purpose.

Digitally Connected Millennials are “digital natives” at the leading edge of the digital revolution. The internet, mobile technology, and social media define their social affinity groups and shape their self-identities. Arguably these digital connects have supplanted the institutional connections that defined earlier generations. This generation expects the church not only to have a robust digital presence, but also to embrace the relational potential of electronic communication.

Millennials are now at the forefront of the changes driving our society. To be relevant to this age group, churches must envision a new way of operating and engaging — drastically reordering some priorities and focusing intentionally on issues of diversity, institutionalism, and innovation. Congregational leaders and practitioners should be ready to adapt to “serve this present age.”

Asa J. Lee is assistant director for programs for the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. - See more at: http://www.churchleadership.com/leadingideas/ leaddocs/2014/140507_article.html#sthash.Yyv2Wx4a.dpuf (Printed with permission from: http://www.churchleadership.com/) VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW PAGE 5 Best Practices for Reaching Young Adults by Perry Chang

The emerging consensus of research regarding young adults shows a growing percentage of this age group is not connected with any religion, although many younger Americans express an interest in spirituality. This reality raises concerns about young adult participation in religious communities.

How are faith communities with a significant proportion of young adults distinctive? The Faith Communities Today research project has been studying congregations of all faiths across America that are doing an exceptional job of engaging young adults. A congregation is considered to have significant young adult participation if 21 percent or more of its participants are 18 to 34 years of age. Across all faiths, a total of only 16 percent of all congregations have such young adult involvement.

The findings identify some best practices for congregations that wish to attract and engage young adults. These can be summarized in a dozen “do's” and four “don’ts.”

What congregations should do: 1. Offer a high-quality worship experience that is contemporary in style or refashion traditional worship in new ways. 2. Start a new congregation or young-adult-only worship group within an existing congregation, or move an existing congregation to a new location. 3. Prioritize metropolitan areas and communities near university campuses. 4. Allow people to bring coffee to worship. 5. Provide food. 6. Be intentional about reaching out to young adults. 7. Form friendships with young adults. 8. Involve young adults in leadership. 9. Sponsor activities that mix socializing with theological reflection. 10. Apply theological principles to everyday-life issues that young adults face. 11. Figure out how to connect with the different types of young adults — whether they are still in school or starting careers, single or married, with or without children. These groups cannot just be lumped together without some facilitating rationale. 12. Figure out how to connect with young adults who are aging out of the category in their mid- to late-30s.

Congregations should NOT do the following: 1. Be theologically doctrinaire. 2. Insist that people wear dresses or suits and ties to worship. 3. Expect growth in the number of members or total giving. 4. Expect young adults to sign up for long-term committee work. 5. This latest paper and the entire set of papers on this research project are available online at www.faithcommunitiestoday.org, the website for the Faith Communities Today (FACT) research enterprise. A PDF of this specific report can be found at Summary-of-Best-Young-Adult-Practices-for-Churches.pdf. See more at: http://www.churchleadership.com/leadingideas/ leaddocs/2014/140507_article2.html#sthash.BWnJN7MT.dpuf

(Printed with permission from: http://www.churchleadership.com/) PAGE 6 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 TENNESSEE CONFERENCE ADULTS/OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES 2014 EVENTS

JULY 28 – JULY 31 Southeastern Jurisdiction Wisdom & Grace Conference, Lake Junaluska, NC. Inspirational preaching, speaking, Bible Study, beautiful music, informative workshops, delicious food and a wonderful opportunity to meet others from the Southeastern Jurisdiction. For more information and to make reservations you should visit the Lake Junaluska website: LakeJunaluska.com/wisdom-and-grace

OCTOBER 21 – Adult/Older Adults in Action and Service Fall Conference - St. Marks United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro. The Keynote speaker will be: Rev. Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas, UMC minister, author & professor. Details will be sent in late summer to all pastors and Adult/Older Adult Coordinators and leaders.

CHRISTMAS AT BEERSHEBA Tuesday, December 2 Thursday, December 4 Friday, December 5 Tuesday, December 9 Thursday, December 11 Each day there will be an inspirational program including a Carol Sing and a delicious lunch in the beautifully decorated hotel at the Beersheba Springs Assembly Grounds. Choose your day to come! Details will be sent in late summer to all pastors and Adult/Older Adult Coordinators and leaders.

NOTE TO PASTORS: Please share this page with your Adult/Older Adult Coordinators and leaders. Ask them to add these events to their calendars.

If you would like your name to be added to the CCOCM Database for Adult/Older Adult emails or other ways of contacting you, call CCOCM 329.1177 or send an email to Tracey Karl: [email protected]

If you have ideas you would like to share or questions to ask, contact me at [email protected]

Shirley Vaughn, Cumberland District Adult/Older Adult Representative PAGE 7 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6

To Register go to: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CACAF2BA5FE3 -dating PAGE 8 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6

Apportionment collections increase in 2014

Tuesday, May 06, 2014 TNUMC Treasurer Jim Allen reported this past week that 2014 apportionment collections are up 2% compared to giving levels in 2013. As of April 30, 2014 over $3,330,000 had been collected from local congregations to support mission and ministry in Middle Tennessee. This represents just under a quarter of the total apportionment request of $13,549,082, and is the highest rate of payment in the past 7 years.

Bishop Bill McAlilly thanks everyone who has contributed to our success this year.

Hillary Clinton: ‘Time to roll up our sleeves, make it happen’

By Kathy L. Gilbert April 26, 2014 | LOUISVILLE, Ky. (UMNS)

Hillary Clinton shared her love and gratitude to all the United Methodist women in her life and then challenged the more than 6,500 United Methodist women before her to go out and “make it happen.”

Clinton spoke for 45 minutes at the Saturday, April 26, morning worship service for the 2014 United Methodist Women Assembly. The gathering took place at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

“We need to wake up our world to what can and should be done,” she said. United Methodist women have a great tradition of “rolling up our sleeves and taking the social gospel into the world.”

In introducing Clinton, Yvette Kim Richards, board president of UMW, called her “a daughter of The United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women.” She added that Clinton declined the honorarium offered by UMW “and paid her own expenses.”

That was one of the many times when the crowd responded with applause and cheers. United Methodist Women, the official women’s organization of The United Methodist Church, and the former U.S. secretary of state share a common concern for women, children and youth. PAGE 9 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6

United Methodist roots Clinton started her speech talking about the influence her United Methodist family had on her life. She spoke of the “great witness” of seeing her father kneel by his bed to pray every night. She also said her mother taught Sunday school and was committed to social justice issues.

It was her grandmother, Hannah, “a tough Methodist woman” she said, who “taught me to never be afraid to get your hands dirty.”

But it was Don Jones, her youth pastor at First United Methodist Church in Park Ridge, Ill., whom she credits with being the first person to teach her to “embrace faith in action.”

She commented that the event’s theme “Make It Happen” was such a fitting title.

The biblical text for the 2014 Assembly is the story of the feeding of the multitude in Mark 6:30-44, in which Jesus instructs his disciples to organize the people into groups of 50 to feed them with five loaves of bread and two fish. Throughout the event, participants have been grappling with Jesus’ instructions for his disciples to “give them something to eat.”

“The miracle of loaves and fish was the first great potluck supper,” she said. Jesus responded by serving the community.

“It is what women do every day: we feed the multitudes.”

Women, youth and children As the nation’s first lady, she spoke before the 1996 United Methodist General Conference,the denomination’s top legislative body. At that time, she urged the church to continue its social witness for the world’s children and cultivate “a new sense of caring” about its responsibilities to the larger society.

Clinton on Saturday, April 26, commented on the church’s dedication to global health and, especially, the campaign Imagine No Malaria.

“I know what a difference you make,” she said. The nearly 800,000-member United Methodist Women is the denomination’s official women’s mission organization. Members raise more than $16 million annually for mission with women, children and youth.

“Even when the odds are long, even when we are tired and just want to go away somewhere to be alone and rest, let’s make it happen.”

Farilen Coates, a United Methodist woman from Kansas City, Mo., had to miss breakfast to get in line outside of the doors to see Clinton. She was happy with her place on the end of a row, even though it was several rows from the front.

“This has been a wonderful assembly,” she said. “It just shows how great United Methodist women are.” Gilbert is a multimedia reporter for United Methodist News Service. Contact her at (615)742-5470 or [email protected]. PAGE 10 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Upcoming and Sponsored Events Located at 121 East Avenue, Goodlettsville TN 37072 | 877-857-9372 | aldersgaterenewal.org | [email protected] PAGE 11 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6

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The Upper Room Chapel and Christian Art Museum The Faces of the Passion of Christ museum exhibit featuring paintings, sculptures and the Ukrainian Egg collection continues on display until June 27, 2014. Paintings dating from the mid 1300’s to 21st century portray the stories of Jesus teaching and Passion. Year round displays include letters of , illuminated manuscripts dating from 12th -16th centuries, Bibles from the late 1500’s, nativity scenes, porcelain figures, furniture and rugs. The nearly life size Last Supper woodcarving and Pentecost story stained glass window are in the chapel. $4.00 donation encouraged for adults, free parking for cars and also free parking for your church van or bus. M-F, 8:00 - 4:30; closed week ends and holidays. Gift shop carries Upper Room and Discipleship Resources, Christian gifts and cards.

Easter at Liberty UMC

While Liberty UMC, Gallatin, is a small country church with a common thread of decreasing attendance, Easter Sunday held forth the promise of renewed encouragement and growth. Shown here are friends and family gathered 'round the cross after morning service." (photos by Marie McDonald) PAGE 13 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6

Local Church Events

Weekly Schedule Lafayette United Methodist Church 506 Bratton Avenue Sunday School at 9:45 AM for all ages! P.O. Box 122 Lafayette, Tennessee 37083 Phone: 615-666-3497 Traditional Worship - Sunday Morning at 10:55 AM E-mail: [email protected] Bible Study each Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Hispanic Church meets every Monday and Thursday at 7:00 PM

Events at Lambuth United Methodist Church Lambuth United Methodist Church, 1042 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN

June 26, 7:00 pm, Lisa Spencer, Channel 4 "Lisa's Hometown Tour", sanctuary

July 6, 1:30 pm, Mr. Lincoln portrayed by Dennis Boggs, sanctuary

Liberty United Methodist Church Annual Fish Fry

Liberty United Methodist Church will hold it's annual FISH FRY, June 7th, 4- 7pm. It's all you can eat, with donations accepted at the door. There will also be a gospel concert that afternoon for your entertainment. Liberty is located at 1130 Liberty Lane, Gallatin.

CUMBERLAND DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST CHU RCH Check out our updated web page: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 477 http://cumberlanddistrictumc.org/. If you have Hendersonville, TN 37077 any suggestions or corrections please email District Office Location: Scott Hilgadiack at [email protected] . 525 New Shackle Island Rd Hendersonville, TN 37075 (Inside Good Sheppard UMC)

Telephone: 615-822-1433 FAX: 615-822-3729 Deadline for the next Cumberland District Review, June 18, 2014. Please send any information you wish to be printed in this edition to [email protected] or to [email protected].

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.

Prayer Request: Allison Gilliam wrote to request prayers for her and her daughter Hogan. Allison is an elder in the TN Annual Conference who has struggled with a variety of health issues for several years now, and both she and her daughter have struggled in the wake of the death of her husband from cancer several years ago. Please keep Allison in your prayers.