THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW an edition of the United Methodist Reporter

Leading congregations to lead people to actively follow Jesus Christ Tapped Out Service Ramped Up l Living Word takes 024000 Volume 160 Maple syrup raises Churches work Number 4 l May 24, 2013 money for CCYM. mission work local together to meet a 2A with GO! 5A need. 5A Two Sections, Section A Missouri, Mozambique Conferences forge new relationship

The Missouri Conference the MI. Some of these projects ments regarding the future of this Leadership Team, including included safe water wells drilled partnership in ministry. With Bishop Robert Schnase, returned at United Methodist churches, the changes in the MI leadership from Mozambique at the end of micro-finance projects supporting team and the new coordinator in April after a significant and fruit- the ministry of these local church- Missouri, there were many ele- ful mission supporting the work es, the Carolyn Belshe Orphanage, ments of this ministry that were of the Mozambique Initiative and our seminary student part- in need of renewal. Together, (MI). During their ten days tour- ners at the Cambine Seminary. the teams from Missouri and ing the country, the team, led by In addition to touring the Mozambique shared in their Yvi Martin and Sarah Bollinger, major project sites, the leader- vision for the future and planned visited many partner churches ship team, with key leaders from the best ways to move forward in across Mozambique and saw both Missouri and Mozambique, this new chapter. Bishop Schnase Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase and Mozambique Bishop some of the major projects run by spent time drawing up new agree- Joaquina Filipe Nhanala sign an agreement of understand- See Mozambique, pg. 4A ing regarding how the two Conferences will work together. Hispanic ministry reorients to reach broader base

When the first Hispanic min- tions. The lat- istry effort started in the Missouri ter includes Conference in the mid 1990s, third- the target population were recent generation immigrants who speak only Americans Spanish, have Hispanic cultural who only practices and identify with their speak English home country more than the and who United States. Hispanic pastors maintain few fitting the same description were Hispanic cul- Geovanna appointed to begin several new tural practices. Huffmann- ministries. “The past year Chavez The Missouri Conference now has been a has a much broader approach year of learning and growth,” said and is working toward developing Missouri Conference Hispanic Hispanic ministries that appeal Ministry Coordinator Geovanna to all categories of people, from Chavez-Huffman. recent immigrants to Hispanics In the Carthage area, Ymbar who have been living in the Polanco has been working with Oakton United Methodist Church. When A group from La Trinidad in St. Louis meets in a home. he began he was only com- plant that offers multiple worship their evangelistic approach. Their tinue to worship and attend small fortable speak- services and programs in both aim is to reach a multicultural groups in Spanish. ing Spanish, English and Spanish in Carthage, audience in the Southwest area In Kansas City, starting this but he has since Lamar, and other adjacent areas. of St. Louis. The first step will fall Humberto Gonzales will be become bilin- In the fall of 2012, this initiative involve combining their children launching a new Hispanic church gual. The effort became known as the Oakton and youth programs into one in partnership with Revolution that began as South/Plenitud campus of Oakton ministry that is offered in English. UMC. This new church will target a Hispanic UMC. Jose Chacon, the lead pastor of the booming Hispanic popula- church plant in In St. Louis, La Trinidad is now La Trinidad feels confident that tion of midtown Kansas City and the Carthage located at Concord Trinity UMC. through this initial effort they will other key adjacent areas close to area has Much like the Oakton UMC ini- reach Hispanic youth that primar- Kansas City, Kansas. “This will be become a mul- tiative, La Trinidad and Concord ily speak English and that grew another example of how we’re no up in the St. Louis area. These longer just trying to reach new new efforts will happen without The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profi t, Dallas, TX 75247-3919. Periodicals See Hispanic Ministry, pg. 5A Postage Paid at Dallas. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. neglecting the needs of Hispanic people who have recently arrived United States for many genera- ticultural and multi-site church Trinity are partnering to broaden to St. Louis area and who will con- immigrants, but trying to develop 2A Opinions and Insights May 24, 2013 Founders of Missouri Conference Hispanic ministry still at work

By. Rev. Mark Mildren reach ministry to the Hispanic First UMC West Plains population began in 1993 when I spent last night and this we first noticed how many Spanish morning with Fausto and Alma speaking people were in our town Villagrana here in West Plains, overnight , it seemed. Recognizing trying to help us get a Hispanic they were our new neighbors, ministry up and going. I first met who came from a different part of them when I was the pastor of the world, a different culture and the 1st UMC in Monett, Mo. in who were struggling in Monett 1996. They had been serving the prompted the church to offer our North Carolina Conference when help. Bishop Sherer worked to get them Never having done such a to come to Missouri and begin the ministry, we learned by the seat first Spanish speaking church in of our pants. One thing we did Missouri. know was our need for someone They are such kind and hum- who could speak the language, Fausto Villagrana ble servants, and understand the culture. The who have Villagranas were a God-send. Not They were pioneers in the United truly served only did they win the hearts of Methodist Church in doing the needs of the Mexicans, Guatemalans and Hispanic ministry. As the Latino the Spanish Hondurans, but they won the population in the U.S. continues speaking hearts of the Anglo people of 1st to grow our denomination needs population of UMC. I commend the spirit of 1st to increase its outreach to this Monett and UMC who opened their hearts demographic segment of our in Barry and and their church to these new- national population. It is not easy, Lawrence comers. as we are discovering here in West counties. Those first years were difficult. Plains which has fewer numbers Both of them The first immigrants didn’t stay of Spanish speaking citizens. had been Mark Mildren long, but moved to other jobs that Such a ministry could be criti- professional paid better, or which was a more cal in restoring the health of our Trees tapped for people in Mexico before feeling pleasant kind of work. The result denomination, and to ignore this the call of God to minister to fel- was that it was difficult to build a segment would be shortsighted homemade fundraiser low Mexicans migrating to the congregation when so many were indeed. United States. Two nicer people moving so frequently. I’m sure it Alma and Fausto were my first By Beth DiCocco grown up on a farm in Vermont. would be hard to find anywhere. had to be frustrating to work so Mexican friends, and I hold them High school freshman Caleb “It was something different,” They worked tirelessly to help hard and wonder about the results. in a special place in my heart. Smith tapped into family tradition Rev. Smith said. “There’s not a lot a pretty transient population in But the Villagranas persevered. I Their humility and kindness have and turned it into a fundraiser. of people in Latham making their Monett, most of whom worked know that the number of people been an inspiration to me, and I Smith, 14, and his family pro- own syrup in their yard.” at the local Tyson’s Poultry who came through the church for count myself blessed to have them duced maple syrup, which he sold Caleb and his brothers – Sam, Processing Plant. Their first year short or long stays numbered in as friends. Our United Methodist to raise money for the Conference 12, and Jonathan, 9 – did a lot of they worked seven days a week as the thousands. Today, more immi- Church in Missouri owes them Council on Youth Ministries the sap collecting themselves, Rev. the needs of the Hispanic people grants have found other occupa- our gratitude as well for their (CCYM) Youth Service Fund. Smith said. were great. I remember when they tions, and many are putting down untiring service. Too often true The family made a little over Two gallons of syrup may not returned from a much needed roots and settling into Monett as servants fall under the radar two gallons of syrup total; Caleb seem like a lot, until you consider vacation only to find their entire their new American home. screen in our church. We need to raised $100 with the syrup they that it takes about 40 gallons of yard filled with people waiting for Alma and Fausto have per- recognize such service for what it sold. sap to make a gallon of syrup; the them to return so as to get help severed, and the results reflect is….real ministry in the name of “We had been making syrup family collected about 100 gallons from them. They had little time that. Many may not have noticed and for the glory of Jesus Christ for the winter, and it came to me of sap, Rev. Smith said. to rest. what they have accomplished, our Lord. one day that it was a good thing The best sap running condi- Our efforts to begin an out- but it is significant in many ways. to do to raise money,” Caleb said. tions, Rev. Smith said, are temper- “My family had (made syrup) atures in the low 40s during the when I was a kid growing up in day but below freezing at night. THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW Saranac Lake,” said Caleb’s father, The weather this year was good the Rev. Steven Smith, pastor at for sap, he said. Robert Schnase Columbia: (573) 441-1770 the Newtonville UMC (Albany But that doesn’t mean collect- Bishop, Missouri Area Fax: (573) 441-1780 District). ing it was always easy, Caleb said. Sherry Habben Subscription rate is available upon request. E-mail When he noticed the wooded “It was tricky,” he said; some- Director of Connectional Ministries Lorraine Sanders, Circulation, at area at the parsonage had a lot of times the buckets would overflow Contact information [email protected] 3601 Amron Court Subscribe for the free e-mail version of the maple trees, Rev. Smith thought it or fall off the trees – and one Columbia, Missouri 65202 Missouri Conference Review at might make a good family project, bucket of sap had to be dumped E-mail for news submission: www.moumethodist.org/stayconnected and decided to show his fam- because “it was filled with ants.” fk [email protected] Next Deadline: May 24 Next Issue: June 5 ily how to tap the trees for their Even so, Caleb said he found Toll Free: (877) 736-1806 sap and boil it down to make the the experience rewarding. syrup. Vision: Growing, fruitful, vibrant congregations He said they had 15 taps on *Beth DiCocco is the writer/edi- changing lives through Jesus Christ. 12 trees. They borrowed the taps tor for the Upper New York Annual from Rev. Smith’s father, who had Conference. May 24, 2013 Missouri Conference News 3A

Missouri High-Tech Chat UMC offers scholarships

The Board of Directors of Board of Ordained Ministry sets social the Foundation of the Missouri United Methodist Church of media guidelines Columbia, MO administers a scholarship fund. Awards are With the quick rise of social us remember the grace with which works. • What does the local made to persons who need finan- media in human society; busi- God has touched human life and • If you are United Methodist church community want cial help while preparing for nesses, sports organizations and transformed human behavior to Clergy or Laity, ensure your on social media? careers in church-related voca- other entities have begun creating reflect the presence of Christ. profile and related content Regularly monitor your use tions. guidelines for the responsible use Social Media Guidelines is consistent with how you of social media to ensure that an The recipient may attend of social media by their constitu- • Discern what the purpose of wish to present yourself as a inordinate amount of time and any school recognized by the ents. The reason for these guide- the social media is for you. member of the Christian com- energy is not spent interacting on United Methodist Church and lines is to assist their members in • Is social media a tool for min- munity. social media to the detriment of by the Board of Directors of the appropriate use of social net- istry or your private domain? • Social media communication your effectiveness as a clergyper- The Foundation of MUMC of works in an effort to prevent peo- • Think before you post some- with previous parishioners son or religious professional. Columbia, MO for educating ple within the organization from thing always remembering that and friending on Facebook or religious workers. being abusive or abused through social media is a public forum. other social media: For clergy, Security An applicant should have social media. The church is no • Weigh whether a particular if a “friend” is not a member Due to security risks, be cau- completed at least two years of different. The Internet and rise posting puts your effectiveness of your current congregation, tious when installing the external college work. Interested appli- of social media offers the church as a pastor or Christian at risk. remember you are friends, applications that work with the cants should request a scholar- both positive and negative ele- • Remember the Internet is not their pastor. Observe social networking site. Examples ship application by e-mailing ments of human community and instant communication, any- appropriate boundaries and of these sites are calendar pro- [email protected] by interaction. Throughout human thing can be forwarded and exercise care to ensure you are grams and games. mailing the Foundation of history new forms of communica- saved. not a hindrance for the pas- Run updated malware protec- MUMC Scholarship Committee, tion continuously develop as each • Do not use commentary tor currently appointed to that tion to avoid infections of spyware 204 S. Ninth St. Columbia, MO one rises and falls from one time deemed to be defamatory, congregation and the ministry and adware that social networking 65201-1818. The deadline for all to the next. The question becomes obscene, proprietary, or libel- needs of that congregation. sites might place on your com- materials is June 15. how does the Christian communi- ous. Exercise caution with • Remember that people classi- puter. ty adapt new communication tools regards to exaggeration, col- fied as “friends” have the abil- Be careful not to fall for phish- to the mission of the church. orful language, guesswork, ity to download and share your ing scams that arrive via e-mail The following are guidelines, obscenity, copyrighted mate- information with others. or on your wall, providing a link Training for not rules or regulations, created in rials, legal conclusions, and • Be discerning on who you for you to click, leading to a fake people in an effort to inform the Christian derogatory remarks or charac- friend. Do not initiate one on login page. community about appropriate terizations. one friending with minors and, Visit your profile’s security and ministry with behavior online. These guidelines • Post only what you want the if a minor initiates such friend- privacy settings. At a minimum, single mothers are not about limiting what we can world to see. It is not like post- ing with you, carefully weigh all privacy settings set to “only do through social media, rather ing something to your web the advisability and potential friends”. “Friends of friends” and The Caring People, an the question is as a member of the site or blog and then realizing risks of such an online rela- “Networks and Friends” open organization reaching out to Reign of God, what is the best use that a story or photo should tionship. your content to a large group of Single Moms, will be host- of social media for Christian com- be taken down. On a social • Make sure privacy settings are unknown people. Your privacy ing a Volunteer Training Event munity and outreach? Christians networking site, basically once set to allow only the online and that of your family may be at on June 1 from 8:45-3:00 at are called to remember that in you post something it may content you want visible to risk. People you do not know may Independence First United all interactions we are members be available, even after it is show up on your profile. be looking at you, your home, Methodist, Independence, MO. of the body of Christ, and what removed from the site. • When considering social your kids, your grandkids, - your 400 West Maple Ave, 64050. is done in the physical and vir- • Do not discuss pastoral con- media for yourself or a social lives! The event is for women who tual world has an impact on the cerns or coworkers or publicly media strategy for the congre- desire to make a difference in mission of God in the world. criticize conference personnel gation, ask: Approved 10/31/2012 by the the life of a single mom. This Clergy and laity are accountable or colleagues. • What does social media Missouri Conference Board of training is an opportunity to see to one another and have a shared • Know and follow the mean for a faith commu- Ordained Ministry if this ministry is right for you. responsibility for living the gos- Discipline and biblical under- nity? Contact: Rachel Andrisevic: pel in all relationships, including standings of community. • What is appropriate for the [email protected] or those online. While the reality of • Be cognizant of your associa- wall of the church? Karen Sinn, at 573-825-2869 or human sinfulness is always a part tion with the United Methodist • Who is allowed to post on [email protected] for of human life, guidelines can help Church in online social net- the wall of the church? more information. Free child- care, breakfast and lunch. To learn more about this outreach visit www.thecaringpeople.org. Read the Missouri Conference Review online at www.moumethodist.org/Review 4A Missouri Conference News May 24, 2013

A wedding takes place at the Hispanic ministry at Oakton South in the Southwest District.

Hispanic Ministry from pg. 1A

multi-cultural ministries across broaden their reach in northeast the state,” Chavez-Huffman said. Kansas City. La Croix UMC is also hav- First UMC Monett has had a ing initial conversations with the long-standing Hispanic minis- office of congregational devel- try (see sidebar). This ministry opment to establish a Hispanic is still active, and operates as a church partnership in Cape ministry of the local church. The The leadership team visits a well at the Gondola Training Center. Girardeau. pastors there, Fausto and Alma In addition to the multicultural Villagrana, are mentoring First church plants across the state, UMC West Plains as they plan continued from page 1A the Missouri Conference has ways to launch a new Hispanic Mozambique also established Camino, Verdad ministry. y Vida UMC, a free-standing of Missouri and Bishop Nhanala in Springfield, MO on Sunday, time to connect with others and Hispanic church in Kansas City. of Mozambique signed new cov- June 9th from 2-3pm. Ezequiel share stories about the work of the Most of the programming that enant agreements and shared in a Nhantumbo, the MI representa- MI. If you are able, please e-mail CVV offers is in Spanish, but time of prayer, spiritual renewal, tive from Mozambique, and Sarah Sarah Bollinger at sbollinger@ they are also in the process of and fellowship together with the Bollinger, the MI coordinator in moumethodist.org in order for establishing an English service to team. Missouri, will be talking about the the MI to get a head count for the If you are interested in hearing bright future of this transforma- mingle. Come and get involved! more about this trip or learn- tive ministry. We will also have a You can also connect with ing about the changes in the Mozambique Mingle on Saturday, us on Facebook or follow us on structure of the ministry of the June 8th from 4-7pm at Gilardi’s Twitter. Mozambique Initiative, the MI Italian Restaurant located at 820 Facebook: https://www.face- invites you to attend the MI’s East Walnut Springfield, MO book.com/mozambiqueinitiative workshop at Annual Conference 65806. This will be an informal Twitter: @MZInitiative

La Trinidad in St. Louis during the sacrament of baptism.

Find the Missouri Conference Hispanic ministries on Facebook:

La Trinidad (St. Louis): www.facebook.com/iglesia.umcla- trinidad

Plenitud (Carthage): www.facebook.com/imuhispana.deoak- tonsur The Missouri Conference leadership delegation that visited Mozambique: From left: Ron Watts, Brian Hammons, Larry Williams, Sara Bollinger, Matt Miofsky, Yvi Martin, Jeff Baker, Camino (Kansas City): https://www.facebook.com/iglesia. Kendall Waller, Bishop Robert Schnase. cvv May 24, 2013 Local Church News 5A

Living Word Church serves the community with GO! Churches work together to All-church Serve Day build ramp for home access On May 5, 500 volunteers (chil- the community that Jesus loves them Through a High School and sending workers, which were from the car to the deck. It was dren, youth and adults) from Living through serving. GO! Day is so well reunion in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Glen Allen UMC; Broadway hard to watch. Never again will Word United Methodist Church in received by everyone that we have Pastor Kim Mitchell of Glen Allen UMC, Scott City; St. Paul UMC, he have to drag himself around. Wildwood came together for one another GO! Day planned for Sunday, UMC in the Southeast District Commerce; New McKendree Thank you for the ramp.” worship service at 9:00 a.m. and par- October 13 later this year!” You don’t was reunited with a friend whose UMC, Jackson; and LaCroix “This project has shown me ticipated in the GO! All-Church Serve have to be a member of Living Word brother was living outside Scott UMC, Cape Girardeau. the beauty of what it means to not Day. The 25 service projects includ- to participate, everyone is welcome. City. Several years back, Pam’s On two separate dry days, only be a part of an active family ed: assembling craft kits for Cardinal We are partnering with several other brother Shane Broccard was bookended by constant rain, the of God, but also to see our con- Glennon Children’s Hospital, cooking churches and JOY FM. Watch for diagnosed with RSD*, a debilitat- work was done. Day 1, (May 2) nectional community respond to for Shalom House, cleaning windows details at www.livingwordumc.org ing disease that effects the limbs. was the day for post hole dig- a need and come together to sup- at Gambrill Gardens, spreading or www.servestlouis.org. If you have Shane lost his first leg to the dis- ging. God sent a major help in port someone they never met… mulch and landscaping at several an idea for a service project or would ease in 2005. In February of 2013 Ryan Shelton, who was just mov- well, no words can describe the agencies and much more. Michael like more information please con- he was told that he would lose his ing back to the area and heard feeling,” Mitchell said. “We acted McIntyre, Lead Pastor, said “This is tact Chris Shank at cshank@living- second leg. about the project. Ryan had an as the church should, being the the 4th year for GO! Day and it’s a wordumc.org! Pam contacted Pastor Kim to auger and he was willing not only hands and feet. All the glory goes great way to BE the church and show see if there was any way to build loan it out, but ready and will- to God.” a wheelchair ramp for Shane. His ing to work. The holes were dug *Reflex sympathetic dystrophy surgery was set for late February and poles set in less than three (RSD), also known as complex and after a week of rehabilitation hours. Day 2, (May 4) began with regional pain syndrome (CRPS), he would be heading home. He a breakfast at Broadway UMC and is a chronic progressive neuro- spent two months at home with- after a short prep meeting 15 men logical condition that affects skin, out a ramp. set out to build. Just before lunch- muscles, joints, and bones. The Mitchell made a few phone calls time on day 2 the last screws were syndrome usually develops in an and found a potential source for in and Shane was about to take his injured limb, such as a broken ramp parts, but when that source first ride down the ramp. leg. However, many cases of RSD became unavailable she emailed Shane and girlfriend, Melissa involve only a minor, seemingly the Southeast District office for smiled throughout the build. inconsequential injury, such as direction. District Secretary Bev Melissa shared a story with Pastor a sprain. And in some cases, no Rhodes called Mitchell with a Kim on day 2 that really set things precipitating event can be identi- name, Rev. Charles Buck, who was into perspective. “Thursday eve- fied. Pain may begin in one area the interim pastor at Broadway ning we had a choir concert to go or limb and then spread to other UMC in Scott City and St. Paul to for my son. The rain was com- limbs. RSD/CRPS is character- UMC in Commerce, two churches ing down heavy and steady and ized by various degrees of burning near Shane’s. After a few conversa- we got home late, a little after 9. pain, excessive sweating, swelling, tions between the two pastors, the Because the stairs to the deck had and extreme sensitivity to touch. connectional community went to been removed for the post holes, Symptoms of RSD/CRPS may work. I had to drive up into the yard recede for years and then reappear Five churches committed to and pull in as close as possible for with a new injury.http://www. the project through raising funds Shane to get out and drag himself aboutrsd.com/what_is_rsd.php 6A Missouri Conference News May 24, 2013 Check out Conference Benefits at Subscription price reduced Annual Conference Pension on historical Consultations Screening Preparation and medical deductible ($250 for active. Accrue Health Miles for journal Results individuals or $500 for families). doing things like increasing your The Conference will be spon- For the most accurate results, Therefore, your deductible for physical activity and taking a Subscription Price Reduced soring pension consultation individuals should fast for a mini- 2013 would be $1250 for indi- closer look at your risk factors The annual subscription rate meetings on Friday afternoon, mum of nine hours (except for vidual and $2500 for family if and health history. As Health for the conference historical jour- June 7 and Saturday, June 8 water) before taking the Quest you do not complete the HQ by Miles add up, redeem them for nal, Toward the Setting Sun, has 8:30am – 5:00pm during Annual diagnostic screening. Fasting, is September 30, 2013. Individuals HealthCash in the form of major been reduced to $5.00, or $9.00 Conference. These will be thirty strongly encouraged. will not receive any monetary retailers’ gift cards or a check for two years. Published in the minute, confidential consultation HealthCash or HealthMiles for payable to you, your church or a spring and fall by the Missouri appointments. There are a limited After the screening, partici- completing the HQ in 2013. charity of your choice. Remember, United Methodist Historical number of appointments. Please pants will receive an easy-to-read If both clergy and spouse are you must be enrolled in the Virgin Society, each issue includes inter- contact Jenny Gragg before May report from Quest containing enrolled in HealthFlex, both must HealthMiles walking program to esting articles on a variety of his- 28th or at the Benefits Booth to important information about their complete the HQ to avoid the earn HealthFlex incentives dur- torical topics. see if there are still appointments results and any health risks. The deductible surcharge. ing 2013. Go to www.gbophb. Stop by the Archives and available if you are interested in report is mailed directly to each By assessing the individual’s risk org , log in to your HealthFlex/ History Book Sale table at talking with a GBOP representa- screened participant within two for chronic conditions, the HQ WebMD account and click “Join Annual Conference to subscribe tive. weeks of the event. Individuals can potentially allows for earlier and Now!”. Your spouse also can and pick up back issues. While share the report with their doctor less-costly intervention and treat- enroll in the walking program to you are there pick out a used to make more informed decisions ment. The HQ also triggers or earn incentives if he or she is cov- book or two. To subscribe you Benefits Booth about their health. guides the individual to other ered by HealthFlex. can also contact John Finley at health support tools provided Smiley Memorial Library, Central There will be a Benefits booth $100 Healthcash Incentive by HealthFlex. Data from past Methodist University, 411 CMU in the exhibitor area that will have Then the General Board of years shows that individuals who Continued for Square, Fayette, MO 65248 or information and handouts regard- Pension and Health Benefits have never taken the HQ tend to [email protected]. ing Clergy Benefits. If you are will credit participants $100 have higher total health claims 2013 Don’t forget that you can also new to the conference and serving Healthcash for participat- compared to those who take the bring books to the book sale for the first time as a local pastor, ing in the Quest Screening. HQ each year. Increase in health Earn rewards for taking when you are finished with them. or provisional member, please stop You must also enroll in the claims attribute to higher insur- action All sales go to support the publi- by to get an enrollment packet for VirginHealthmiles Walking ance premium costs. By address- Earn $150 HealthCash for cation of the journal and the sup- your pension and health insur- Program to receive this incen- ing risks that are highlighted in accumulating 150 wellness points port of Conference Archives. ance if you did not receive one at tive. the HQ, participants should be on the WebMD website (or $50 the Right Start Event or Licensing able to lower their health costs, for 100–149 wellness points) School. Date/Time/Place which would help minimize Plan to participate in the Quest increases in insurance premi- More Details About the Quest Diagnostic Screening diagnostic screening while at ums. Information from the HQ Wellness Points: Clergy/Clergy (Blood Draw) - you may Annual Conference. You will have is not shared with the Annual Earn $150 for accumulating be eligible to receive $100 needed to make an appointment Conference, it is private and 150 wellness points on WebMD, Spouse Deaths Healthcash (few walk-ins will be available), secure information and is HIPAA awarded monthly. At this year’s annual confer- and then come to the upper level compliant. It will take approxi- Earn $50 for accumulating 100- Norman Russel, surviving ence, attendees will have the of the Expo Center, follow the mately 20 minutes to complete 149 wellness points on WebMD, spouse of Frankie Russel, died on opportunity to participate in signs for Quest diagnostic screen- the HQ. Complete the HQ by awarded in January 2014. October 7. Quest screening—a simple blood ing, and bring your insurance September 30, 2013 to avoid a Timeline for points accumula- test that provides a comprehensive card. surcharge to your 2014 deduct- tion: January 1, 2013–December Rev. Clarence Eugene “Gene” health screening for many com- Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, ible. 31, 2013. Atkins of Raytown died on April mon diseases and conditions. June 9 To complete the analysis, 10. He was a retired pastor in the 6:30AM to 9:30 AM participants will need to know Accessing Wellness Points Heartland Central District after Eligibility and Costs their userID and password for on WebMD: serving at Sugar Creek, Kingsway All HealthFlex participants are WebMD. The Conference does Log in to HealthFlex/WebMD in Springfield and Blue Ridge eligible to participate in a Quest Health Risk Analysis – not have access to this informa- through www.gbophb.org. Blvd UMC. health screenings. Health Quotient (HQ) tion. Instructions for completing Select “HealthFlex Wellness Quest diagnostic screen- Healthflex participants are the analysis will be available at the Points” to view detailed informa- Mildred Hilme, surviving ings are available at no cost to asked again this year to com- Benefits booth. tion about how to accumulate spouse of Herbet Hilme, died on HealthFlex participants and their plete the Health Risk Analysis. points and view progress toward April 23. covered spouses. The full cost of Participants and covered spouses Virgin HealthMiles the $150 incentive. the screening is covered under in the HealthFlex active plan Walking Program – earn Betty Hartz, the widow of the the HealthFlex wellness benefit. will be expected to complete the up to $150 More information will be avail- Rev. John Hartz, died on April 29. HealthFlex participants must have HealthQuotient™ (HQ) online able at the Benefits Booth, includ- scheduled an appointment ahead health risk assessment between The Virgin HealthMiles ing a complete list of how to accu- Rev. George “Bill” Hafley, pas- of time to receive the screening. August 1 and September 30, 2013. walking programs is sponsored mulate points. tor of Rosebud and Drake UMCs, There are few limited spaces for Those who do not complete the by HealthFlex and the Center died Saturday, May 4. walk-ins during the screening. HQ by September 30 will have for Health to help you become an extra cost added to their 2014 healthier by becoming more May 24, 2013 Opportunities 7A Conference Calendar Date Event Location Phone/E-Mail Contact Job 5/29/2013 Adult Mission Trip NW Missouri (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer Postings 5/30/2013 Mid State PAUMCS Conference Office (573) 474-7155 Dora Thackery Admin. Asst., New 6/7/2013 Annual Conference Springfield Expo Center (573) 441-1770 Sherry Habben Horizons UMC, Columbia 6/11/2013 Youth Mission Trip Poplar Bluff (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer The Administrative Assistant 6/16/2013 Youth Mission Trip Mobile, AL (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer acts as the church office admin- 6/17/2013 Family Mission Trip Branson (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer istrator, performs clerical duties, facilitates the lay ministry of the 6/23/2013 Youth Mission Trip New Orleans, LA (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer congregation, assists the Pastor 6/30/2013 Youth Mission Trip Jefferson City (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer and staff, and provides the initial contacts (in-person, electronic, 7/8/2013 Youth Mission Trip Cherokee Nation (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer and telephone) with visitors and the general public. HOURS: 12 7/12/2013 Missouri School of Lay Ministry Community UMC (636) 346-7172 Ken Willard regularly scheduled hours per week. Please send resume, cover 7/14/2013 Youth Mission Trip Cherokee Nation (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer letter and references by mail or e-mail to Rev. Heather M. 7/21/2013 Youth Mission Trip Colorado Springs (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer Morgan, Pastor, New Horizons United Methodist Church, 7/28/2013 Youth Mission Trip Kansas City (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer 1020 S. El Chaparral Avenue, 8/1/2013 MO Candidacy Summit Camp JoOta (573) 441-1770 Karen Hayden Columbia, MO, 65201-9091 or heathermccainmorgan@gmail. 8/6/2013 Professional Coach Training Conference Office (573) 441-1770 Jenny Gragg com.

8/9/2013 Holy Ghost Party Lake Ozark State Park (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer Director of Children’s Ministries – Community 8/10/2013 UMW Conference Office (417) 437-9628 Paula Ackerson UMC, Columbia

8/22/2013 Large Church Dynamics Missouri UMC (573) 441-1770 Jenny Gragg Community UMC is cur- rently seeking a committed and 8/26/2013 RIM Retreat Conference Office (573) 441-1770 Karen Hayden passionate Christian to develop and lead our children’s minis- 9/7/2013 SERVE 2013 Statewide (573) 474-7155 Jeff Baker tries. The Director of Children’s 10/19/2013 Festival of Sharing Sedalia (573) 474-7155 Terri Williams Ministries will build and provide oversight for all children-related 10/28/2013 RIM Retreat Marianist Retreat Center (573) 441-1770 Karen Hayden ministries including, but not lim- ited to, Sunday School, weekday and Sunday evening programs, special events, and fundraisers. This position is part-time (20+ hours per week) and salary is Holy Land Gifts raise $17,600 in 2012 commensurate with experience. Questions may be directed to Last year sales of Christian Rev. Kevin Shelton at 573-445- gifts crafted in Bethlehem by 6131 or kshelton@commu- olive wood artisans resulted nityumc.net. Interested candi- in $17,600. going to support dates should submit a cover let- Palestinian Christian ministries. ters, resume, and three references Since 1996, Missouri Conference to Community United Methodist churches support has amounted Church, 3301 W. Broadway, to nearly $350,000. More than Columbia, Mo. 65203. 260 churches have participated in fundraisers across the US. To date, the total amount of support The Missouri Conference raised through the ministry has Review accepts postings been more than $750,000 to pro- for paid positions from vide income to both Palestinian churches in the Missouri families and ministries. Conference at no charge. For more information, visit Postings may be published the website www.holyland- in two issues, space per- gifts.com, e-mail Frederick mitting, and should be lim- Zahn at [email protected] ited to 75 words. E-mail [email protected] or call him (417) 369-7264. Zahn call (573) 777-1205 or is a retired Missouri Conference mail Fred Koenig, MO elder, serving the Battlefield Conference Editor, 3601 UMC in Springfield. Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202. 8AA Office of Creative Ministries News May 24, 2013

Annual Conference offerings announced

The following offerings Ludhiana will be collected at Annual Christian Medical Conference Session in Springfield, June 7-10: College offering The special Annual Conference offering for the Ludhiana Kit Offering – Christian Medical College will provide nursing scholarship Family Food assistance so that young women Packs and men can be trained to serve as nurses in mission hospitals Please bring your offering across the country of India. For of kits to Annual Conference and the past two years the generosity load them on to the Festival of of Missouri United Methodists Sharing trailer during the street has enabled 11 persons to attend party Friday evening. There will the Ludhiana Christian College be youth on hand to help unload. of Nursing with scholarships of The Family Food Pack is the most $1000 each. We hope the offering requested and most needed pack will go a long way to enable 11 in Missouri. students to be trained in the com- years. For more information viduals in Africa. to the largest cities in the state of Family Food Pack - ing year. about this project go to www. Missouri. This past year has been $25 Value ifyouknewthegift.com. The Vision a year of visioning, recalibrating, 3 cans assorted vegetables Haiti Water Offering and articulating a new chapter 3 cans assorted fruits Imagine No of ministry as the new leader- 3 cans tuna Project The work of the Mozambique ship team of the MI has taken the 1 can pasta sauce Each year 3.4 million people Malaria Initiative (MI) centers on the reigns and worked to reformat 1 pound pasta die from water related diseases. In In Africa one child dies from transformation of people and their the structure of this vital ministry. 1 jar peanut butter Haiti, half of the population malaria every 30 seconds. Imagine communities toward the image This special offering goes to sup- 1 can Spam does not have access to clean No Malaria is the bold campaign of Christ. Through covenant port the new mission, vision, and 3 packages macaroni & cheese water. Through the Haiti Water of our United Methodist Church partnerships between churches direction of the MI, and supports Place items in a sturdy box Project, we are able to provide to put an end to this terrible dis- in Missouri and churches in the work of the new coordinator, (thin mint Girl Scout cookie boxes treatment options using multiple ease. Your generous contribution Mozambique, the MI facilitates Sarah Bollinger. work wonderfully!), tape and label technologies for removing para- in this special annual conference transformation of communities, “Family Food Pack.” sites, viruses, and bacteria. These offering for Imagine No Malaria bodies, hearts, and minds for the No more than two Family Food low cost filters range from $50- will make such a difference in the purposes of the gospel from the Packs per box. $100 and have a life span of 10 everyday lives of families and indi- most rural villages in Mozambique

Ward to conduct poverty simulations This summer Cameron Ward more information. will be working for the Office Ward just completed his Visit the Office of of Creative Ministries conduct- sophomore year of college at ing Poverty Simulations. The Truman State in Kirksville, goal of our simulations is to help where he is a pre-med student Creative Ministries increase awareness of poverty in majoring in Health Science our communities, and sensitize with a minor in Biology. He is a Web site at the participants to the struggles of long-time member of Missouri low-income families. United Methodist Church in Simulations generally take Columbia, and will be join- www.umocm.com. about two and a half hours to ing their college-age trip to run, depending on the size of Haiti later this month. This the group, and are designed to will be his second trip to Haiti put participants in the place of a to install water filters. During low-income family for one month previous summers he worked (simulated as four 15-minute at Wilderness Retreat and sessions). Anyone interested in Development Center in Lawson scheduling a poverty simulation and Camp Reynoldswood in for their area is encouraged to Dixon, IL. Both are Methodist e-mail [email protected] for camps. Risky Vital Hubris vs. outreach signs humility

UM woman helps arrange Sure, church vitality matters. Fans and foes of Bush, bombing suspect’s burial | 3B But how to measure? | 4B learn from one another | 6B

May 24, 2013 Section B

THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER The independent source for news, features and commentary about the United Methodist Church UMR Comm., including UM Reporter, to shut down

BY SAM HODGES Managing Editor Finding no viable plan for revers- ing financial losses of recent months, UMR Communications will cease op- erations on May 31. UMR Communications (UMRC) publishes the United Methodist Re- porter in print and digital formats and online, and provides printing and communication services to churches and other nonprofits. The final print Reporter will carry the date June 7, but will be mailed and printed by May 31. The UMRC board reluctantly but unanimously voted to close during a tearful May 16 meeting at the non- profit’s Dallas office. “At one time, our ministry pro- duced nearly 300 separate editions of PHOTO COURTESY KANSAS EAST CONFERENCE the newspaper which integrated con- Delegates to the Kansas East Annual Conference in 2012 voted on a resolution by holding up their voting cards. During sessions last year, tent created by our news staff with the Kansas East, Kansas West and Nebraska conferences approved a measure to merge into one conference by the beginning of 2014. content provided by church and con- ference partners,” said Tom Palmer, board chair. “That number has de- Less debate, more worship for some annual conferences creased over the past 10-15 years due  See ‘Closing’ page 2B “You will hear fewer reports, Annual conferences date to the learning time, and partly a business BY MARY JACOBS shorter reports and less emphasis on 18th century. The first in North Amer- meeting,” said Great Plains Area Staff Writer institutional concerns,” Bishop Gary ica took place in 1773. Bishop Scott Jones. In the past, delegates headed to Mueller promised delegates in a pre- “This is the way Methodists have The Great Plains Area confer- Annual Conference might carry copies view of the Arkansas Conference, come together to do business, to care ences—Kansas West, Kansas East and of Robert’s Rules of Order for long which meets June 9-12 in Little Rock. for one another, and to increase the Nebraska—will, like the Arkansas hours of legislative sessions and Bishop Mueller’s vow reflects a spiritual depth and range of the Conference, spend less time on re- budget debates. broader evolution in the way United movement,” Dr. Richey said. ports and legislative business this This year, delegates might do bet- Methodists do annual conferences, ac- The 59 annual conferences in the year. ter to pack hymnals, work gloves and cording to Russell Richey, a historian U.S. are a key link to the church’s con- Taking cues from evaluations by sneakers. of Methodism and former dean of nectional structure. Active clergy are lay and clergy members from past With the seven-week annual con- Candler School of Theology. required to attend, along with elected years, Bishop Jones said, “We will de- ference season under way (having “[Conference leaders] are limiting lay delegates and other lay leaders. vote more time to the things that were begun with the May 16-18 Eastern the time devoted to legislative con- The meetings are tasked with approv- more meaningful, and less time to the Pennsylvania Conference at the cerns, and increasing the time for spe- ing programming and budgets, exam- things that were less meaningful.” Greater Philadelphia Expo Center) cial events that are motivational in ining and recommending candidates Similarly, the Missouri Conference many such gatherings will spend less character,” he said, reflecting a broader for ministry, and, once every four is paring non-essential reports and time on business and more worship- effort among church leaders “to make years, electing delegates to general greetings from dignitaries in favor of UMR PHOTO BY SAM HODGES ping, learning, performing mission the church more effective, more goal- and jurisdictional conferences. workshops and seminars that give Tom Palmer, UMRC board work and even fostering healthy oriented, more missional and more “It’s partly a revival, partly a family delegates practical tools. chair, at May 16 meeting in habits. spiritual.” reunion, partly an educational and  See ‘Annual’ page 8B Dallas. 2B FAITH focus

 CLOSING FAITH WATCH Continued from page 1B to changes in publishing technology. no direct support from the United Bible-copying effort The financial crisis of 2008 had a sig- Methodist Church. ends with an ‘Amen’ nificant impact on both individuals In recent days, various organiza- A New York man’s four-year and institutions. Local church and tional alternatives were explored in- project to copy out every conference finances were also severely ternally and with friends of the word of the Bible has affected. As a result, a growing num- ministry, Mr. Heath said, but closure ended. Phillip Patterson, 63, ber of churches and conferences either became the only realistic step. finished on May 11, inking ceased publishing Reporter editions or “There was no solution that didn’t the final two verses of the changed their publishing frequency. involve red ink,” he told board mem- King James Bible before a We now no longer receive enough rev- bers. crowd of 125 people at St. enue from our publishing and print- Mr. Heath added, “This decision Peter’s Presbyterian Church ing operations to sustain the overhead obviously affects not only our news- in Spencertown, N.Y. needed to maintain the ministry.” paper customers, but other customers “Amen,” he said. Mr. Patter- Closure will cost the jobs of the 26 that have relied on us for printing and son is a retired interior de- remaining employees, including some mailing services for many other prod- UMR PHOTO BY SAM HODGES signer, and began the with more than 40 years of service. ucts. We are sorry to leave our part- Board members and staff of UMR Communications celebrated Holy project to learn more about Thirteen others were laid off near the ners in ministry who have been so Communion after the vote to close the ministry on May 16. the Bible, the Associated end of 2012. faithful to continue their relationship Press reported. Alan Heath, CEO since August with us. We will do our best to help maining funds will be used to pay for- meeting, led by the Rev. Arthur Pope Francis names 2011, said the ministry had struggled these ministries find a new print mer employees proportionally. McClanahan, a board member and hundreds as saints financially for several years. But the provider.” The Reporter has its origins in pre- director of communications for the New saints named by Pope late 2012 loss of a major contract— Customers with questions are en- Civil War Methodist papers in Texas, Iowa Conference. Francis include hundreds of for printing, as well as for warehous- couraged to contact the following: and was long the main vehicle for Before doing so, he said: “Many of 15th-century Italians who ing and shipping curriculum • Debbie Christian, Director of Pro- news about Methodists in Texas and us standing around these ordinary ta- were beheaded by Turkish materials—reduced revenue by about duction, [email protected] across the Southwest. bles have received the gift of grace of invaders when they refused 40 percent. • Kay Fielder, Sales and Customer In recent decades, it has covered people of the UMR family—the grace to become Muslim. Francis’ Reporter editions have declined to Service, [email protected] the full United Methodist Church, of- of an extra day, or days, or more when predecessor, Benedict XVI, 45, though UMRC has continued to • Cherrie Graham, Ad Sales and fering independent news coverage, we’ve needed to send our copy for a selected them for sainthood, print other newspapers, as well as Customer Service, [email protected] features and commentaries. Staff paper, the grace of converting stick- and Pope Francis gave final doing a variety of specialty printing. • Wendy Campbell, Sales and Cus- members have regularly won religious figure ideas into beautiful designs, the approval. Francis, the first Since the beginning of the year, ef- tomer Service, [email protected] press awards. grace of telling stories, offering com- pope from South America, forts to cut costs while seeking new For departing employees, sever- Mr. Heath said an appropriate mentaries, helping us to see beyond named as a saint Laura of income could not keep the ministry in ance and vacation pay will not be home will be sought for the newspa- our own horizons. And we are the bet- St. Catherine of Siena Mon- the black. Mr. Heath noted that UMRC available in the short term, for lack of per’s print and online archives. ter for the gift that the UMR team is.” toya y Upegui—the first has operated as a fee-for-service min- funds, Mr. Heath said. He added that The UMRC board celebrated Holy from Colombia. istry, with no strong donor base and after liquidation of assets, any re- Communion at the end of the May 16 [email protected] Soldier says name made her a target Army Sgt. 1st Class Naida LETTERS Take a pass on clergy housing break Hosan is a Catholic, but she says she faced slurs and Regarding Bishop Jack Tuell’s col- must make up the difference in rev- wants to be fair. and therefore that they can never be jokes from fellow soldiers in umn (‘Bishop: End tax break for enue for the government. Churches Lynn Jamison first-class church members. They Iraq who assumed from her clergy,’ Reporter, March 15) and the could make a marvelous start on Louisville, Ky. will always have to sit in the back of name that she was Muslim. Rev. James E. Taylor’s letter in re- ending this unfair practice if they *** the bus under a cloud of disap- Sgt. Nova, 41, told the As- sponse (Reporter, April 29): simply don’t mention any housing Thomas Ogletree and Thomas proval, having few of the rights and sociated Press that her com- The church is not being fair to allowance in the pay package that Lambrecht weighed in on gay mar- privileges that heterosexual mem- plaints to Army superiors other people when they designate they set up. No legislation is needed. riage in the May 17 Reporter. I be- bers have. “fell on deaf ears every some portion of the pastor’s pay as a Also, the individual pastor could lieve Rev. Ogletree is on the right If parents are forced to choose time.” She belongs to the housing allowance which will not be ignore the housing allowance lan- side of history, the gospel, and the between their children and the Army’s 82nd Airborne Divi- sion, based at Fort Bragg, taxed. Others who don’t get that deal guage and pay taxes on it if he or she spirit of UM theology and mission. church, the children will win out N.C. Rev. Lambrecht isn’t. every time. Is it any wonder that the As Dr. Ogletree states, United Episcopal Church is filling up with 2011 attendance rates Board of Directors Methodists have evolved on social former United Methodists? That cheer Anglican bishop Tom Palmer, Chair issues such as racial segregation and church is accepting and open—in Brad Bowen, Vice-Chair Average attendance at Michael Schaefer, Treasurer leadership roles for women. The contrast to the UMC. At least four Church of England parishes www.unitedmethodistreporter.org Karla Abernethy-Thetford, Secretary Bible condones practices like slavery Christian denominations and two of [email protected] declined only slightly in John Allen Scott Reese that our society has made illegal. If the three branches of Judaism have 2011, and attendance rose Alan Heath, CEO Charles Carnahan Gavin Richardson we treated our children in the man- now dropped sexual orientation as a at some of England’s best- Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Lynn Hamric Hiram Smith ner in which some passages of the consideration for ordination. But the known cathedrals. Christ- Bill Fentum, Associate Editor Michael Heiskell Martha Taylor Bible encourage us to do, we would heterosexual members of the UMC Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer mas church attendance Nathan Kirkpatrick Eradio Valverde rightly be thrown into prison. blindly march on under the banner rose by 14 percent, and Cherrie Graham, Advertising Manager Lisa Neslony Kristin Van Nort Dale Bryant, Senior Designer Arthur McClanahan Kim Wheless Because there are a few passages “open hearts, open minds, open adult baptisms climbed by in the Bible that seem to teach doors.” How ludicrous is that? 5 percent. Attendance had THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER has provided denominational news coverage against homosexuality doesn’t mean Rev. Sandy Wylie, since its beginning as the Texas Methodist newspaper in 1847. The Reporter has no been dropping by about 1 that this must be the church’s posi- Retired UM pastor, percent annually, but official ties to the United Methodist General Conference or to any of the denomination’s general boards or agencies. This newspaper aims to provide readers with a broad tion until the end of time. Oklahoma Conference dropped only 0.3 percent in Far too few United Methodists 2011. “The attendance fig- spectrum of information and viewpoints consistent with the diversity of Christians. realize how hurtful it is for our The Reporter welcomes brief, civil ures are heartening,” said All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted by UMR Communications church to tell many of our precious letters, and reserves the right to Bishop of Norwich Graham Inc. unless otherwise noted. Reprint of material from this newspaper must be au- children that they are unworthy, that edit for space and clarity. Send to James. thorized in advance by the Managing Editor, and fees are assessed in some cases. [email protected] or The United Please recycle. they are fatally flawed by a circum- Methodist Reporter, 1221 Profit —Compiled by Sam Hodges To request reprints, email [email protected], or fax a request to (214) 630-0079. We do! stance that is not of their choosing, Drive, Dallas, TX, 75247.

M AY 24, 2013 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER UNITEDMETHODISTREPORTER. ORG FAITH focus 3B UM CONNECTIONS UM helps arrange burial of bombing suspect Two seminaries selor who studied at a UM seminary, Doswell, Va., run by Islamic Funeral faith journey,” Ms. Mullen said. BY SAM HODGES name presidents was distressed at news accounts about Services of Virginia. United Theological Seminary, a Managing Editor Two UM seminaries, Iliff the struggle to bury Tsarnaev, who Ms. Mullen said she contacted UM seminary in Dayton, Ohio, veri- School of Theology in Den- A United Methodist woman in died in an April 19 shootout with po- Worcester police, who worked with the fied that Ms. Mullen was a 2002 grad- ver and Garrett-Evangelical Richmond, Va., said she was acting lice. funeral home in Worcester and Tsar- uate, with a master of arts in Theological Seminary in out of Christian The body was kept at a Worcester, naev’s family, resulting in a May 9 bur- Christian ministries. Evanston, Ill., have named compassion in help- Mass., funeral home, as cemeteries in ial in the Doswell cemetery, in Ms. Mullen said her Wesleyan new presidents. The Rev. ing to arrange the Massachusetts and other states re- accordance with Islamic law and prac- background informed her decision to Thomas V. Wolfe, a senior burial of Tamerlan fused to accept it. tices. get involved in the burial matter. vice president and dean at Tsarnaev, suspected Ms. Mullen suspected his faith “I just kind of coordinated things “John Wesley advocated practicing Syracuse University, will lead in the Boston background was part of the problem. and took a step back,” Ms. Mullen said. a social gospel,” she said. “I take that Iliff. He has pastored UM Marathon bombings. “I understand he’s a terrorist and Ms. Mullen would not identify her very seriously—that I am to be in- churches, and served as “Jesus tells us to he did something terrible, but it UM church in Richmond. volved in life, and I am to be an am- chaplain at Syracuse’s Hen- love our enemies, not seemed like the hatred was coming “I don’t want to put the church out bassador for Christ, even if it’s dricks Chapel. Lallene J. Martha hate them after out of the fact that he was Muslim,” there because I think it would be per- uncomfortable or inconvenient or Rector will be president at Mullen they’re dead,” said she said. turbing to some members,” she said. dangerous.” Garrett-Evangelical, moving up from vice president for Martha Mullen. Ms. Mullen said she reached out to Ms. Mullen said she told her pastor The Richmond Times-Dispatch re- academic affairs and aca- “That’s why I kind of got this ball local Muslim, Jewish and Hindu con- about helping arrange the burial. ported that some neighbors of the Al- demic dean. She’ll be the rolling. gregations. A burial plot offer came “She said she understood what Barzakh Cemetery were upset to learn first layperson in the top Ms. Mullen, a 48-year-old coun- from Al-Barzakh Cemetery in motivated me and she supported my Tsarnaev was buried there. job. A member of First UMC at the Chicago Temple, she’s been a Garrett-Evan- gelical faculty member for Bishops ‘get act together’ without press 27 years. “We really did need some time to ment, Maria Dixon Hall, an associate been by the trip, given her family’s BY SAM HODGES get our act together in this kind of set- professor of organizational communi- history. $7.5 million for Managing Editor Bridwell Library ting,” he said in a telephone press con- cation at Southern Methodist Univer- “I met my grandfather again yes- Bridwell Library at Perkins Active bishops of the UMC ference after the meeting. sity, and retired Army Lt. Gen. James terday,” she wrote. “I met the gentle School of Theology has wrapped up their meeting in San The week of the bishops’ gathering Dubik, a consultant for the National man who came to the United States been given $7.5 million Diego on May 9, emerging with no ac- saw a New York Times story about on- Leadership Roundtable on Church about 100 years ago to provide a bet- from the J.S. Bridwell Foun- tion items or joint statements, but in- going divisions within the UMC over Management. ter life for his family. … I met my dation of Wichita Falls, sisting the time had been fruitful. homosexuality, but the bishops did The May 7 trip to the border had family, Los Fierros, in the faces of Texas, for renovations and The sessions at the Catamaran Re- not discuss that issue in plenary, nor the bishops traveling in four groups, those I encountered on the Mexican- expansion. Perkins is a UM sort Hotel & Spa were not open to the did they agree on any new emphasis meeting at the end of the day for a U.S. border.” seminary, and part of South- press, though the bishops did invite on immigration, said Bishop Rose- Holy Communion service, with some The Council of Bishops decided ern Methodist University in press coverage of a visit they made to marie Wenner, president of the Coun- bishops on the Tijuana, Mexico side of last year to create a “Forum of Resi- Dallas. Bridwell Library was the gritty California-Mexico border. cil of Bishops. the border and some on the U.S. side. dential Bishops,” consisting of active established in 1950 through Greater Northwest Area Bishop She called the San Diego meeting a One group hiked 1½ miles through bishops only, and this was the first a gift from rancher J.S. Brid- Grant Hagiya compared himself and “wonderful week of learning together” the Tijuana Estuary, an undeveloped meeting of that group. The full Coun- well and his daughter, Mar- his colleagues to polite but dysfunc- and noted that only a full Council of area, and another crossed into Mexico cil of Bishops meets next in Lake Ju- garet Bridwell Bowdle. Mr. tional family members who must be- Bishops meeting, involving both ac- to an open-air migrant encampment, naluska, N.C., from Nov. 10-15. Bridwell supported the li- come more candid and accountable to tive and retired bishops, can take ac- and distributed health kits. That meeting will be open to the brary through his death in 1966, and the foundation lead the church well in troubled times. tions on behalf of the Council. Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of press. he created funded a major Having the press at the San Diego The active bishops formed small, the Louisiana Conference blogged renovation and expansion in gathering might have had bishops self-selected accountability groups, about how deeply moved she had [email protected] 1988. “The Foundation’s worrying about being misquoted or and heard from such speakers as new gift will enable Bridwell misunderstood, he said, rather than Brian McLaren, popular author and to remain a leader in theo- opening up. leader of the emergent church move- logical libraries for many decades,” said the Rev. William Lawrence, dean of Perkins. Williams retiring from We provide fi rst-mortgage loans for building, Archives and History expanding, and renovating United Methodist The Rev. Robert Williams churches and mission institutions. has announced plans to re- UÊœ>˜ÃÊÃÌ>À̈˜}Ê>ÌÊfÓx]äää tire as top executive of the UÊ
“œÀ̈âi`ÊÕ«Ê̜ÊÓäÊÞi>Àà General Commission on Archives and History. He >ÊÕÃÊ>ÌÊ£‡nää‡nÈӇnÈÎΰ turns 65 in March 2014, ÜÜܰՓV“ˆÃȜ˜°œÀ}ÉՓ`v and will retire no later than July 1, 2014. He has led the commission since 2006, and has been under ap- pointment to the church for 43 years. “I am grateful for these years of service both as a pastor and general UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BARRY secretary,” he said. Bishop Minerva Carcaño shares communion bread with a little boy —Compiled by Sam Hodges and his father in El Faro Park, on the Mexico-California border, on May 7.

UNITEDMETHODISTREPORTER. ORG U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | M AY 24, 2013 4B FAITH focus

CHURCH VITALITY

PHOTOS COURTESY GRACE CHURCH ABOVE: A door greeter hugs another church member before worship at Grace Community Center in North Fort Myers, Fla. The center is one campus of Grace Church, a multi-site United Methodist faith community. RIGHT: The Rev. Jorge Acevedo (with microphone) baptizes Brian Rankin at Grace Community Center. What a vital church is & how to keep it that way gation? word in the denomination’s efforts to tional leaders regard Grace Church as is about building the future even if we BY HEATHER HAHN Ms. Valdez Barker spends a lot of reverse decades of declining U.S. a vital congregation. Grace’s lead pas- won’t necessarily be there to see the United Methodist News Service time thinking about that question. She membership. tor, the Rev. Jorge Acevedo, even wrote fruit.” To determine whether a congrega- is the executive secretary of the Con- “It is something we’ve got to keep a book on the subject, Vital: Churches tion was doing well, church leaders nectional Table, which coordinates the on exploring,” Ms. Valdez Barker said. Changing Communities and the World. Indicators of vitality used to count just two things—bot- denomination’s mission, ministry and She has her own ideas. “For me, But denominational leaders also The denomination-wide emphasis toms in the pews and dollars in the resources. She also previously served vital congregations really are helping point to the far smaller Evangelical on vital congregations began in 2010 plate. as the project manager for the Vital people grow in their relationship with United Methodist Church in Billings, when the Call to Action Steering Now many United Methodist lead- Congregations initiative established God and their relationship with Mont. Team, a cross section of 16 United ers believe those metrics are not good by the United Methodist Council of neighbor,” she said. “Congregations The congregation, like Grace Methodist leaders, commissioned a enough. People and money do not Bishops and Connectional Table. that are vital are helping people live Church, offers weekly Bible studies. study by the consulting firm Towers capture whether a church is truly She is not alone. Pastors, bishops out their discipleship.” Since December 2011, it also has oper- Watson. Ms. Valdez Barker and Mr. doing the vital work of making Chris- and lay people across the United The challenge comes in figuring ated the Yellowstone United Methodist Acevedo were among the Call to Ac- tian disciples, said the Rev. Amy Methodist Church are wrestling with out how to measure disciple-making. Free Store “giveaway” ministry at least tion Steering Team members. Valdez Barker. defining vitality—even as the term Denominational leaders have varied twice a month. As of the end of 2012, The study used six “indicators of So, what qualifies as a vital congre- “vital” increasingly becomes a buzz- ideas of how to go about that. it had a weekly worship attendance of vitality” identified by the steering 98 people. team to measure United Methodist Two examples “You can have a big church that’s congregations in the United States. One thing Ms. Valdez Barker and wimpy, and a small church that’s They were: other denominational leaders do strong,” Mr. Acevedo told United • average worship attendance as a agree on: The United Methodist Methodist News Service. “The key is percentage of members Church has plenty of stories of vital whether the church is moving in the • total membership churches engaged in dynamic min- right direction.” • number of children, youth and istry, and those churches come in a The Rev. Jeremy Scott, Evangelical young adults variety of sizes and cultural contexts. UMC’s pastor, said the church has • number of professions of faith Take just these two examples of seen its worship attendance grow this • annual giving per attendee vital United Methodist congregations. year. Nearly all that growth has been • financial giving beyond the local Grace Church—a multi-campus people under retirement age and fam- church United Methodist congregation in ilies with young kids. Towers Watson reviewed data for Southwest Florida—routinely wel- What both Grace and Evangelical 32,228 U.S. United Methodist congre- comes more than 2,500 worshippers share in common is that they offer op- gations—that is, 95 percent of U.S. each week. The church offers more portunities for spiritual formation churches at the time—for a three- to than 100 small groups, operates its and social outreach to their commu- five-year period. The information own Grace Community Center and nities. They also share a clear sense of came from the General Council on Fi- has gained a national reputation for vision, of what they can do to help nance and Administration, the de- PHOTO COURTESY FLORIDA CONFERENCE CONNECTION providing one of the largest recovery build God’s Kingdom. nomination’s finance agency. Each summer Grace Church has footwashing and back-to-school ministries in the United States. “Vitality is an attitude in my The firm then divided the shoe giveaways as part of its outreach to local youth. It’s no surprise that denomina- book,” Mr. Scott said, “an attitude that churches into three groups: “high

M AY 24, 2013 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER UNITEDMETHODISTREPORTER. ORG FAITH focus 5B vital,” “medium vital” and “low vital.” • Average worship attendance people in our own backyard?” Based on the data churches had • Evangelism measured by profes- submitted to the finance agency, Tow- sions of faith Sustaining churches ers Watson categorized 49 percent of • Spiritual formation measured by Mountain Sky Area Bishop Elaine U.S. United Methodist churches, small groups, Sunday school classes J.W. Stanovsky says she knows 15,546, as medium vital and 15 per- and Bible studies whether a congregation is vital soon cent, 4,961, as high vital. • Missions measured by number of after walking through its door. Still with only a few additions, the people in the congregation engaged in “When I visit a church, it doesn’t study’s vitality indicators were based local, national and international out- take long at all to determine whether largely on the old paradigm of pew reach this is a place that is in the habit of and offering plate—the things the • Stewardship measured by the inviting and receiving people into the church now measures. total amount given by a congregation community,” she said. “[You can tell] “While they tell us some things, in to other organizations for support of whether the systems are transparent my opinion, [the indicators] aren’t the benevolent and charitable ministries, to guests and newcomers or whether whole picture of the health and vital- including apportionments to the de- you have to be a lifelong member to ity of a congregation,” said Kim nomination as a whole know where to find a cup of coffee.” Shockley, team leader of the recently “The goals set by congregations When a church is vital, she said, completed Toward Vitality Research have become a resource for conversa- “life spills out and every aspect of the Project. Her study, sponsored by four tions for many [district] superintend- church is affected.” ents,” said Greater New Jersey Area Bishop Schol cautions that just be- United Methodist agencies, examined ABOVE: Evangelical Bishop John Schol, the initiative’s cause a congregation is vital does not congregations that had undergone UMC in Billings, team leader. mean it necessarily is sustainable for change recently and were reaping the Mont., held its second “They use the goals to talk with the long term. benefits of that change. annual craft bazaar pastors and congregations. Asking Churches in low-income areas may “The vital congregations we inter- last November.LEFT: questions like—‘Looking at your be seeing their resources drained by viewed were wanting to measure the Two young shoppers progress on your goals, what are you buildings that are too large or too old impact they were making within the at the Free Store, a learning about your congregation? to maintain. community—how many people were ministry of Evangelical What are you doing more of? What are “Vitality indicates a church is giv- we feeding, clothing, etc.,” Ms. Shock- UMC that provides you doing differently? What is helping ing life, [but] not always sustaining its ley said. household necessities your progress on the goals? What own life,” Bishop Schol said. “A chal- The churches also wanted to meas- to families in need. roadblocks are you encountering and lenge for our denomination is the ure how many people they engaged in The church has how are you overcoming the road- large number of small congregations study and fellowship groups. launched an online blocks?’” that are becoming less sustainable be- “Growth in attendance and partic- campaign to raise Ms. Valdez Barker of the Connec- cause of the cost of ministry. Many of ipation is important,” Ms. Shockley funds for the store tional Table expects that church lead- these are vital congregations that are said. “But we have to look at things be- (http://alturl.com/ ers will look at additional indicators of unable to sustain building and per- yond Sunday morning worship— d62vv/). small groups, mission opportunities, vitality in the future. sonnel costs.” places where we can intentionally She noted that the United Mr. Scott of Evangelical UMC in build relationships and help people to Methodist General Commission on Montana knows that despite his con- find a connection back to a relation- Religion and Race is encouraging con- gregation’s recent growth in atten- ship with God.” gregations to look at how they reflect dance and giving, it still faces their neighborhoods. challenges. Setting goals “Where God has planted us, do the “We still have a lot of deferred A broader idea of vitality is re- people worshipping reflect the com- maintenance on the building to deal The story of Evangelical UMC flected in the Vital Congregations ini- munity in which we live? Unfortu- with, but we continue to chip away at Not long onto being the church,” Mr. tiative which, starting in 2011, asked nately, I don’t think that’s true,” Ms. it,” he said. “Right now I’d say we need ago, it looked Scott told United Methodist United Methodist congregations and Valdez Barker said. “If we really are for to be at 125 to 150 on a Sunday to re- like Evangelical News Service. “The growth in conferences around the globe to set transformed lives, then what are we ally breathe easy. But all signs point us United our giving has come as a re- goals in five areas: doing to transform the lives of the that way.” Methodist sponse to this refocus.” Church in Sometime during the last Billings, Mont., two years, he said, the was in real church members’ conversa- trouble. Jeremy tions also changed “from When Evan- Scott maligning what we don’t gelical’s cur- have [young families, money, rent pastor, the Rev. Jeremy energy] to [recognizing] what Scott, arrived in 2010, the we do have and how we can church had a regular atten- put it into action.” dance of 82 and had de- Mr. Scott has seen the clined at least 10 percent Holy Spirit at work in mem- each year for a decade. The bers of his congregation. church also had financial “When I arrived, people problems—the kind, as Mr. treated my church as Lazarus Scott recounts in his blog, already in the tomb and ‘he that gave him “Keep-you-up- stinketh,’” Mr. Scott recalled. at-night panic.” “The most amazing thing to What turned things me is that all the leadership around was not a capital who bought in and did the campaign, he said, but a hard work of rebuilding were nine-month sermon series on in the pews when I got there, the Acts of the Apostles and written off by everyone. Not

PHOTOS COURTESY EVANGELICAL UMC the issues facing the early all in positions of formal LEFT: The Rev. Jeremy Scott, pastor at Evangelical UMC, preaches at a Holy Saturday service on Easter church. leadership, but just waiting to weekend. RIGHT: The 2013 Palm Sunday service at Evangelical UMC. According to Mr. Scott the church “The series on Acts fo- be asked. They are the real has seen worship attendance growing this year. “Vitality is an attitude in my book,” he says, “an attitude cused us away from our fi- agents of resurrection.” about building the future even if we won’t necessarily be there to see the fruit.” nancial troubles and back —Heather Hahn

UNITEDMETHODISTREPORTER. ORG U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | M AY 24, 2013 6B FAITH forum How Bush fans, foes can understand one another

Bush’s decisions. This is not about How one presumes to know for cer- are not conducive to long-range devel- this?” In other words, to what or BY WILLIAM MCELVANEY “bashing George W. Bush.” It’s about tain the inner motives of another per- opment of freedom. The war is not whom do you attribute your present Special Contributor what is considered most compatible son is beyond my knowing. over in Iraq, as many civilians remain understanding? This really helps me It’s not exactly a secret that Presi- with democracy. It’s about accountabil- Apparently, “He comes across as under hospital care with 100,000 dead “get inside” another person’s history of dent George W. Bush’s supporters and ity at the highest level of government. earnest and forthright,” is enough for (according to wire reports) and with learning and formation. Almost with- opponents think and Is a pre-emptive war of choice many to simply ignore the conse- millions who are refugees in their own out exception, I become more em- speak differently against a country with no connection quences of his decisions and the basis land. Is the use of torture in violation pathic in my understanding and more concerning his eight with 9/11 and with no evidence of upon which they were made. of virtually all religious statements to compassionate toward the person years in office. I want WMDs simply to be dismissed? Are There is also a sense that whether the contrary, as well as violation of the with whom I am in conversation. to look at these dif- we to give an OK to United Nations 1987 Bush supporters might consider ferences and encour- 100,000 U.S. troops re- ‘. . . We owe to one another the Convention and the some of the above consequences with age mutual turning home with Geneva Conventions, ac- the hope and determination that they understanding that PTSD and/or traumatic practice of humility rather than ceptable to democracy are not repeated in the future. Bush could lead to less William brain injuries in a war as a tool of freedom? opponents would do well to give credit hubris on both sides that was sold to the Is not freedom best to Mr. Bush for challenging his own McElvaney hubris. . . .’ and stronger civil Congress and public on served by setting an ex- party about an immigration overhaul, discourse befitting misleading statements? Is there ac- right or wrong, the past is what it is ample on the home front—availabil- his concern for stronger public educa- our democracy at its best. countability for a war that will never and it’s time to move on rather than ity of health care and human tion, and offering U.S. assistance in re- No worthy purpose is served by be over for countless U.S. military per- dwelling on the past. I imagine that services, sufficient food for all, proce- ducing AIDS in Africa. vilification of George W. Bush as a sonnel? most, if not all, of us can understand dural justice where all citizens are I can’t speak for Bush supporters; I human being, although I am willing to this longing whether we agree with it treated equally by the law—and in- can only speak generally for those of grant Iraq or Afghanistan veterans Defining freedom or not. ternationally, by having respect for us who have challenged some of the some leeway in their protests as long What I frequently find in talking A second difference between Bush the history of other nations? Bush policies and practices. What I as they are nonviolent. Likewise, I find with Bush supporters or reading supporters and challengers has to do can say is that I believe we owe to one unwillingness among some Bush sup- comments in the paper has nothing with the concept of freedom and how Better practices another the practice of humility porters to even consider some ques- to do with the above stated conse- it is best achieved. Freedom is with- So how can these two views of the rather than hubris, compassion rather tionable choices and practices by the quences or any responsibility for out question the main mantra of the Bush administration hear each other than conflict, discernment rather than Bush administration to be counter- them. Instead what I usually hear is Bush presidency and his policy insti- respectfully? How can we best dis- dismissal. productive to meaningful conversa- something like this: “George W. Bush tute at SMU. And who can challenge cover those issues where we can work The Rev. McElvaney is a retired tion. is sincere, honest and not afraid to the concept itself? We all cherish free- together for the best future of our UM pastor in Dallas and professor How, then, might we best explain stand up for his principles. He has dom and do well to seek it for others. democracy? emeritus at Southern Methodist the differences in the way Bush sup- done the best he could for our coun- This acknowledged, the question I suggest we begin with the as- University’s Perkins School of porters and detractors think and try.” becomes how do we define freedom sumption that something of value can Theology. He also served as speak about his administration? This perception, a kind of person- and how is it best served? Some of us be gained by listening to a contrasting president of Saint Paul School of Theology, and he’s the author of Many of us want to talk about the ality profile, seems to make every- believe that coercive methods, such as view. I like to ask, “What are the fac- the book Becoming a Justice content and consequences of Mr. thing acceptable, even admirable. “shock and awe” bombing by the U.S., tors that have influenced your view on Seeking Congregation. Embracing our ‘Jesus came for all’ identity in “unlimited” atonement. It was a mands a regard for all, and it is time moneymaking opportunity for them. sent Christ for all people. BY CHRISTOPHER P. M OMANY cornerstone of John Wesley’s theology to back up our prophetic witness with Yet there is still something wrong I spend a lot of time with college Special Contributor and a major distinction between his a carefully articulated theology. with this picture. Annual conferences students and find them attracted to Before the United States entered position and that of John Calvin. Traditional Wesleyan reflection like to talk inclusion and affirmation, such consistent, comprehensive and World War II, preacher and social Calvin taught a “limited” atonement, a calls us to the most comprehensive but doing so in an environment that unconditional love. They tell me that critic Harry Emer- companion to the notion that some love imaginable. However, a move- openly teaches a limited atonement new church initiatives are fine, flashy son Fosdick deliv- are chosen for redemption and some ment that has lost its way often re- strikes me as disingenuous. outreach to them is appreciated, but ered a sermon titled not. This limited conception was for- treats into divided amnesia. On the This is perhaps a minor observa- most of all they want to join a move- “Winning the War of malized in 1618/19 among the one hand, many attempt to push tion, but it does point out a major ment that invades our punitive and Ideas.” It was no cel- “Canons of Dort.” These days our eyes ahead by buying every fad the culture problem. We have yet to embrace our manipulative culture with authentic ebration of conflict glaze over when someone probes such has for sale. On the other hand, many true identity, which was and is one of grace. but a reminder that distinctions, but theology matters. My seek to defend the heritage by making inclusion—theologically speaking It is time to be who we are. God opposing ideas con- goodness, does it ever matter! exclusionary claims that never de- and practically speaking! has called us to be who we are. The tend for our souls. Christopher fined the tradition. We often end up world needs us to be who we are! We Fosdick quoted a Regard for everyone with the worst possible combination All others can debate other points related to the Momany Nazi propagandist Among United Methodism we are of energies. The founding president of Adrian atonement, but let’s, at least, stand on who bragged that so obsessed with the societal para- I know an annual conference that College, Asa Mahan, turned from an the principle that Jesus came for all. the future belonged to a “racial-na- digms of liberalism and conservatism used to meet on the campus of a upbringing steeped in ideas of limited Embracing our identity and heritage tional” ideology. This culture was to that we often fail to atonement to embrace on this issue is no self-absorption. It is eclipse one in which the individual grasp the implications ‘Traditional Wesleyan reflection the Wesleyan position of a reception of the call to be for oth- and (by extension) all were considered of our theology. Those unlimited love. Mahan ers—ALL others. important. Well before Pearl Harbor, who ponder the mean- calls us to the most also became a champion Harry Emerson Fosdick defended the ing of unlimited atone- among the antislavery The Rev. Momany is chaplain and perspective that each and all are of in- ment might be cause and struggle for part-time professor of comprehensive love imaginable.’ philosophy/religion at United estimable worth. dismissed as irrelevant women’s rights. The link Methodist-affiliated Adrian (Mich.) Wesleyans might note that Fos- or out of touch. Those who under- United Methodist-related college. between his mature theology and his College and an ordained UM elder dick’s compelling response was score the value of all might be dis- Now that annual conference meets on social witness was no accident. He who served as pastor of several grounded in Hebrews 2:9 and the un- missed as social activists with an the campus of a staunchly Reformed came to teach that each and every churches in New Jersey and western Michigan. He is the author derstanding that Jesus tasted death agenda. (Calvinist) institution. The location is human being possesses “intrinsic of Doing Good: A Grace-Filled “for everyone.” This conviction that It is time to recognize that our more convenient, and the new host worth,” and much of this conviction Approach to Holiness (Abingdon Jesus died for all is known as a belief Wesleyan theology of atonement de- seems decent enough. After all, it is a was grounded in his belief that God Press).

M AY 24, 2013 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER UNITEDMETHODISTREPORTER. ORG FAITH forum 7B WESLEYAN WISDOM Blueprint for revitalizing a UM congregation

the world. congregational strengths, weaknesses them all. Have “singable” hymns and mother/daughter, father/son events, B Y D ONALD W. H AYNES The mission of the local church is and potential. praise songs to lead people in glorify- etc. UMR Columnist to bring people into a saving, life- ing God. This is inspiration by partici- 8. Organize and recruit individuals In 1944, I walked into our four- changing relationship with Jesus How to dream again pation, not spectatorship. for support or recovery meetings. room farmhouse and found my Christ. The mission is not to maintain The “playbook” I sent to Martin 4. Encourage each member of the These can include groups for people mother cleaning a colossus of brick and mortar, or to Memorial prior to my visit had three church to practice “emphatic evangel- who are grieving, parents and youth dishes in two dish- pay clergy pensions and connectional dimensions: ism” with local table servers, garage dealing with substance abuse, persons pans—one for staff. These are not bad things, but • Reading, reflecting on and dis- mechanics, receptionists, people who with diabetes, etc. washing and one for your community needs your church cussing 15 biblical passages I had cho- are new to the neighborhood, bank 9. Start weekly class meetings so rinsing. She was cry- not as a building, but as a base from sen. tellers, colleagues at work, kinsfolk, people can respond together to Jesus’ ing, and her tears which missional ministry connects • Driving on Sunday morning etc. Take a moment to chat, saying challenge: “Learn of me, for my yoke is were dropping into with the community and world. That down every road within a 3-mile ra- things such as, “When I went through easy and my burden is light.” Learn, the dishwater. Trou- is why we must revitalize the local dius of the church, noting the address the major crisis of my life, I could not learn, learn. Fundamentalists know by bled, almost fright- Donald church, however large or small. of each home where the presence of have made it without my Christian memory what they call “God’s Plan of ened, I asked her Denominational loyalty is no people or parked cars indicates they faith.” Often their response is, “I wish I Salvation,” but God does not have a Haynes why. She said, “They longer a factor in most churches, and do not attend church. could say that.” This can open the plan any more than a loving parent are going to put us most church conflicts end not in a • Engaging in intercessory prayer door for you to invite them to your has a plan. God has a relationship, a out of the conference.” fight, but in flight. When a denomina- for people known by the congregation church. Mormons do this and are loving relationship that is marked by At the time I did not understand tion’s hierarchy comes down on a local to be “pre-churched” or “ex-churched.” growing; Methodists don’t and are forgiveness, second chance, and a what that meant, but I knew it was church for any reason, we see an un- This gave the members of Martin shrinking. That is not the bishop’s hand-up rather than a push-down. bad. The story was that during World counted “vote” that is cast not with Memorial empirical data about the fault, or the pastor’s! The Holy Spirit quickens, awakens and War II, gasoline was being rationed hands but with feet, silently leaving, neighborhood. Now they could begin 5. Covenant with God to “accentu- convicts us that we need Jesus. Upon and our pastor, who also served four never to return. Oh, that our bishops radical outreach. I told them to go, as ate the positive” in your congregation accepting him, we “come home,” be- other churches, said it was not worth and superintendents and general Jesus said, “to the highways and back and take that attitude into business ginning a life-long journey that is em- the expense for him to drive nine agencies could see this. Lovett Weems alleys and urge people to come in so meetings. Many people quit church powered by what Wesley called miles to preach to a few women and is so right; the death tsunami is com- that my house will be filled.” because of bickering and arguing at “means of grace”: searching the Scrip- children. ing and may hit us financially as early How did they do this? With 250 church council, finance, SPRC, trustee tures, prayer, communion, holy con- Things turned out all right, as 2018. We need a new “playbook.” door-hangers and 200 hand-ad- and program team meetings. Grace versation with soul mates, and though. Mama’s brother was an “ap- So it is that I traveled a thousand dressed brochures. And none of it re- theology means two ordinary words: attending public worship. proved supply preacher” with five miles west to Martin Memorial UMC. sulted in people coming to church. So gratitude and graciousness. Church Then commit all this to God in a churches 30 miles away, in another The church once had a hundred mem- much for mass marketing! What we leaders should sign a covenant to be covenant service, and adopt periodic district. He asked his district superin- bers with well over 50 in average at- need is personal, not mass. gracious in disagreement. “check-ups” so that all is monitored tendent to let him add our church to tendance—a station church with a Here, step by step, is how to inter- 6. Don’t be over-structured. In and measured. Have an altar call his circuit, and his request was parsonage and no debt. Now they have cept the Provolutionary Cycle and churches of under 50 in attendance, where pre-distributed, signed cards granted. Within a year, before the war 56 members and fewer than 20 on dream again: bring everyone together in what I call are dedicated. Each member ended, we tore down our large 1904 Sundays. The pastor is part-time and 1. Change the image of your a “committee of the whole”—to deal covenants with God, committing to building and salvaged enough mate- non-resident. Like most churches in grounds, signage, etc., so that people with any issue the church is facing, bring at least one new person to rial to construct a modest chapel that retreat mode, tension runs high and who long ago stopped noticing your whether it’s about money, property, church in the coming year. seated 80 people. Neighbors helped conflict is frequent. The future seems church will say, “Wow, something dif- personnel or programs. us, who had never darkened the grim. ferent must be going on inside.” The 7. Hold more fellowship gather- Dr. Haynes is a retired member church door. heavier the traffic ings. Take trips, perhaps an overnight of the Western North Carolina Conference and the author of Later, when the GIs ‘. . . The new dream cannot be just around your church, retreat for the church council. Plan On the Threshold of Grace: came home, married the more important banquets and decorate the fellowship Methodist Fundamentals. local girls and received a revival of the old dream. It must this is. Martin Memo- hall for holiday celebrations or Email: [email protected]. training and loans rial is on U.S. 82—a from the federal gov- fit the reality of the second decade major east-west route. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ernment, we held a 2. Practice radical great revival where my of the 21st century. . . .’ hospitality to match EMPLOYMENT MISCELLANEOUS own daddy was con- your radical outreach. verted, baptized and joined the church I went because I wanted to help Have all doors open and a greeter at DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES DISPLAY & BANNER ADVERTISING First United Methodist Church of Lubbock is The United Methodist Reporter offers advertisers the on the same day I did. “This is my them, and to learn something that every door for every occasion—Sun- receiving resumes for a full time Director of ability to target unique messages regarding story, this is my song.” It is why I will might be helpful to thousands of other day school, worship, child develop- Children’s Ministries with training and effective products, services and employment to church spend the rest of my life, energy and churches in a similar situation. ment classes, after-school programs, experience at building a modern children’s leaders and clergy, as well as individuals in the insight helping to save churches like In my last column I referred to the etc. And stop charging fees for com- program. Send resume to Dr. W. Craig Curry via pews. Reach thousands of Christian households, Martin Memorial UMC in Detroit, Provolutionary Cycle that all churches munity groups to use the church [email protected] or mail to Dr. Craig Curry, 1411 agencies and organizations by advertising in Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401. print and on the web. Variety of display ad sizes Texas. are prone to, no matter the size or de- building; remember, the county does and rates to fit any budget and objective. Contact: nomination. They start with a dream, not charge you property taxes, so let DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES Cherrie Graham at 214-630-6495, x142 or New ‘playbook’ doctrine and structure, and missional this be your gift back to the culture! First UMC of Lubbock is receiving resumes for the [email protected]. In 2013 a new phrase has risen ministry. Then they slip into institu- 3. 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Work creatively (and care- UnitedMethodistReporter.org for one month on UnitedMethodistReporter.org. our Book of Discipline, it is where dis- the reality of the second decade of the fully) toward having only one service You can find position listings, services, and exciting E-mail your classified ad to: [email protected] or ciples are made who can transform 21st century, based on your present on Sunday if the sanctuary can hold opportunities—available only on the website enter it online at: www.umportal.org/classified.asp.

UNITEDMETHODISTREPORTER. ORG U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | M AY 24, 2013 8B FAITH focus

 ANNUAL Continued from page 1B

Annual conferences, some say, are we pass don’t make any difference, Conference will add back half a day, getting smarter about the way they and they are tired of the polarizations in part to allow more fellowship. handle the many reports that must be that causes.” Bishop Willimon does admit to a delivered to delegates. Many are mov- bias against long meetings. ing toward presenting reports as short Shorter gatherings “Annual conferences can be de- (usually 4-5 minute) edited videos, Most conferences in the U.S. meet pressing,” he said. “I’m not allowed to said the Rev. David Wood, executive for three to four days. This year, at be left alone with scissors.” director of Good News TV, a United least six conferences—Tennessee, Methodist ministry in Macon, Ga., Iowa, Detroit, Kansas East, Kansas Bumping up worship that provides audio-visual services to West and Nebraska—have shortened Several annual conference leaders many annual conferences. He said that their gatherings by a day or half day. say they’ve made an effort to shift spurs presenters to distill the most Some did so for logistical reasons; but more focus to spiritual renewal. This important information and helps keep leaders in Iowa and Detroit say their year’s schedule for the Arkansas Con- delegates more engaged. shorter meetings will mean better ference, for example, includes no less The tone and focus of reports has stewardship of time and resources. than 10 worship services. changed in some annual conferences. “This makes attendance easier for “The more worship, the more holy “More and more of our reports laypersons and reduces the costs of conferencing, the richer the experi- the session for both the annual con- UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE PHOTO COURTESY OF WEST OHIO CONFERENCE end up being stories of lives changed,” ence is,” said Bishop Mueller. He The Miracle Offering at the 2012 West Ohio Conference session said Danette Clifton, director of com- ference and attendees,” said the Rev. thinks more annual conferences are Bob Burkhart, Iowa’s assistant to the was given to Wings of the Morning, a United Methodist ministry in munications in the North Alabama moving in that direction because the Democratic Republic of Congo. Conference. “The details of the min- bishop for administration. “people are wanting annual confer- istry, you can put in the written re- For example, lay delegates with ence to be a time of growth in spiritu- may opt to join the Bishop’s Fitness cooperate. It can easily get out of port. That’s a more effective way to use jobs will need to take off only one ality.” Walk at 6:15 on Sunday morning. control.” that stage time.” weekday, instead of two, in order to Some annual conferences will get Health screenings—including blood Dr. Frank likens annual confer- attend. the spiritual focus rolling even before tests and blood pressure monitor- ences to state fairs, with a wide array Required voting Another conference, Northern Illi- the first gavel. In advance of the ing—will be also offered throughout of music, speeches and entertainment All of the annual conferences do nois, is preparing to trim its schedule Memphis and Tennessee conferences, the conference. under one big tent. But he cautions face some required business this year. back by a day and a half in 2014. Bishop Bill McAlilly called on church The Arkansas Conference will fea- that the pendulum could swing too far They’ll be voting on four proposed South Georgia trimmed its schedule members to join a “40-Day Walk with ture a “Skeeter Beater Run/Walk” at 6 in the other direction. Too carefully amendments to the United Methodist from four to three days in 2012, and God,” following a daily prayer guide. a.m. on June 12. For a $10 donation to orchestrated conferences could leave Church’s Constitution. The 2012 Gen- will keep the shorter format his year Arkansas delegates were invited to Imagine No Malaria, participants can little room for debate, conversation eral Conference approved all four when it meets in Macon, Ga., June 2-4. commit to prayer and fasting for enjoy a trek along the River Trail. and even a few surprises. amendments, which relate to lay “If you’re trying to get a younger three weeks before Annual Confer- “I’ve seen the spirit sweep through speaker ministries, episcopal bound- demographic to attend, you’ve got to ence. Over-managed? a conference and blow the agenda aries, Christian unity and the sched- be sensitive to the work schedule,” Organizers’ instincts toward keep- right off the table,” he said, recalling uling of General Conference. said Brad Brady, assistant to the Mission work ing annual conferences mission-fo- an annual conference where delegates, Issues relating to homosexuality, bishop for connectional ministries. Many annual conferences have cused and “on message” are one by one, spontaneously volun- including same-sex marriage, typi- Bishop Will Willimon (retired) added some kind of mission project to understandable, according to teered to donate 400 generators cally get floor time at many annual echoed that sentiment in his memoir their agendas in recent years, and will Thomas Frank, University Professor needed by a guest speaker from conferences. Also on the agenda of Bishop, and sharply criticized pro- continue to do so in 2013. at Wake Forest University in Win- Africa. several conferences are health insur- tracted annual conference sessions. The South Georgia Conference and ston-Salem, N.C., and a historian of “I actually think it’s important to ance and pension changes, restruc- Under his leadership, the North Ala- the South Carolina Conference will Methodism. retain the state fair quality,” he said. turing plans, and debates over gun bama Conference meeting shrunk. In each devote time to packing meals for “Historically, nobody’s been in “There is an unbridled openness that control, immigration and military Bishop, he writes that his team “trans- Stop Hunger Now. Delegates to the charge of annual conference,” he said. I think should not be entirely reined spending. formed our annual conference from a Northern Illinois Conference will as- “Traditionally, the group that actually in.” But Bishop Jones says many an- four-day somnambulant conclave to a semble hygiene kits or volunteer at a organizes it has really had to struggle nual conferences are spending less lively two-day teaching/mission fest.” food pantry. When the Alabama-West to get everyone to coordinate and [email protected] time debating social issues. That led some delegates—but Florida Conference meets June 2-5 in “There’s less arguing over social only clergy, according to Bishop Mobile, Ala., delegates will fan out to issues, more inspiration and more WIllimon—to complain that the food banks, ministries and commu- teaching,” he said. “I believe that peo- shorter meeting shortchanged fellow- nity centers to spend an afternoon ple have realized that the resolutions ship. This year, the North Alabama helping out. “We wanted to be the eyes, ears and hands of the church and leave Mobile a better place after our four- day session,” said Susan Hunt, director of mission and advocacy for the con- ference. Healthy breaks Following another trend that’s been underway for a few years, many annual conferences are offering fitness events, a nod to concerns about clergy health as well as a break that gets del- egates up and moving, bright and early. This year, the Memphis Conference added a new, one-mile “Witness Walk” at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, June 3, when PHOTO COURTESY MISSOURI CONFERENCE the conference meets in Collierville, Delegates to the 2012 session of the Missouri Annual Conference in Tenn. Springfield, Mo. At the Iowa Conference, delegates

M AY 24, 2013 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER UNITEDMETHODISTREPORTER. ORG