THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW CUMBERLAND DISTRICT Macon, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson and parts of Clay, Smith, Robertson, Davidson, and Cheatham Counties
Volume 7, Issue 5 May 2014
Cumberland District Staff
Rev. Tom Halliburton, Why did Jesus have to die? District Superintendent By Heather Hahn Ms. Carolyn Bullock, April 16, 2014 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) District Secretary The Rev. Cynthia Rigby was helping her daughter get ready to play Butterfly Scott Hilgadiack, Editor No. 4 in their church’s Easter play and Cumberland District asked the 8-year-old: “What does the Review cross mean?” Inside this issue: Her daughter thought for a bit and Golden Cross Sunday, May 11, 2014 3 then answered. “Well, I think it’s kind
Be a Better Email Communicator in 4-5 of like when a firefighter goes into a 2014 burning building and rescues someone
Certified Lay Ministers Academy 6-7 but dies in the fire.”
Conservative Church Leaders Consult 8-9 Rigby was thrilled. After all, Jesus’ on Division in the UMC death and resurrection pose hard Volunteers Needed on May 29th for 9 questions for grownups too. TNAC2017 TN Conference Adult/Older Adult 10 Even today, Christian theologians wrestle with how best to explain the meaning of the cross and Ministries Events why Good Friday is good.
3 Simple Rules of Social Media 11-12 As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:23-25, the Crucifixion — “a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Events at Lambuth United Methodist 12 Gentiles” — makes Christianity a tough sell. But as Paul also writes, preaching Christ crucified is Church an essential part of the faith. Neely’s Bend UMC Spring Festival 13
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries 14-15 “Christ’s willingness to suffer and die is equally remarkable with his ability to conquer death,” Upcoming and Sponsored Events said the Rev. Randy L. Maddox, associate dean and William Kellon Quick Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies at United Methodist-related Duke Divinity School. He is also an ordained Stations of the Cross at Gallatin First 16 United Methodist Church United Methodist elder.
Local Church Events 17 “If one seems to challenge his divinity, the other challenges his humanity. One task of Christian Lebanon FUMC Puts On Stations on 17 doctrine through the ages has been to hold these two together with their full force.” the Square Job Opportunity 18-19 But over the ages, theologians also have reflected on why Jesus freely submitted to such a
Old Hickory UMC—John Wesley Golf 19 violent death to atone for humanity’s sins. Was there no other way for God to redeem humans? Classic
Liberty UMC Fish Fry 20 Among those theologians is Rigby, who ponders that question in her article “Prodigal cross” in
Cook’s UMC to Show Faith-Based 20-21 the magazine Presbyterian Outlook. She is an ordained Presbyterian minister and W.C. Brown Movie Professor of Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas, where about a third of the students are United Methodist. An Open Letter to the Left & Right of 21-22 the UMC
Worship Leader Opportunity 23
Prayer Request 24 PAGE 2 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
“The idea that the Son had to die so the Father would be able to forgive us has never made much sense to me,” she writes. “If God loves us no matter what, why can’t God just go ahead and forgive us?”
She and other Christian thinkers offer a variety of answers to that question.
The importance of the cross Make no mistake: Crucifixion was a horrific and ignominious way to die. Roman authorities reserved this public form of execution for particularly heinous crimes such as treason and for certain classes of people, namely non-Romans and slaves. Perhaps appropriately, the Latin verb crucio — torture — shares a root with crucifixion.
Yet, the cross tells us something significant about God, said Will Willimon, former bishop of the North Alabama Conference and now a professor at Duke Divinity School and pastor of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church in Durham, N.C.
“God is the God who achieves what God wants through suffering, self-sacrificial love (the cross),” Willimon said.
The New Testament uses a variety of metaphors and models to explain how such sacrificial action redeemed humanity. In Scripture, Christ is described as giving his life as ransom, as acting as the Lamb of God who carries away sin, and as serving as the ultimate high priest who uses his own blameless life to purify the populace.
For many theologians, the cross reconciles two attributes of God — divine justice and divine love.
One of the more influential explainers of atonement was Anselm of Canterbury, who lived in the 11thcentury. Anselm argued that human sin dishonored God and corrupted creation. By suffering as a substitute for humankind, Christ provided satisfaction to restore God’s honor and purpose for creation.
But over the centuries, Anselm’s theory has drawn plenty of detractors. Many theologians have accused Anselm of treating Jesus’ death almost as a business transaction. Others see Anselm’s portrayal of God as abusive rather than loving.
Willimon said it’s a mystery why Jesus endured such a violent death, but it also makes sense given the nature of human sin.
“We have the cross because humanity is a violent, brutal species,” said Willimon. Among other books, Willimon has written “Thank God It’s Friday” about the seven last words of Jesus from the cross, and“Thank God It’s Thursday” about Maundy Thursday.
“Any God who would love us, must not be a God who shirks from some blood and pain for that’s how we treat our enemies and our saviors!”
What the Wesleys taught Both John Wesley, in his sermons, and Charles Wesley, in his hymns, used a variety of images to explain what Jesus achieved on the cross — including substitionary atonement. Methodism’s founders also emphasized God’s wondrous love.
“Both John and Charles Wesley set a precedent for Methodists of refusing to limit themselves to only the ‘penalty satisfaction’ model,’” said Maddox, the Duke professor. The Wesleys used a range of biblical allusions, he said, “to stress that Christ not only dealt with the ‘penalty’ of our sin but also brought healing power to deliver us from the ‘captivity’ of sin and enable us to walk in newness of life.”
The Wesley brothers considered one aspect of atonement nonnegotiable, and it is still an essential part of the movement they founded, said the Rev. Jason Vickers, president of the Wesleyan Theological Society. He is an ordained United Methodist elder and professor of theology and Wesleyan studies at United Methodist-related United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
“Whatever it is Christ undertakes in his death and resurrection, however Christ’s death accomplishes salvation,” Vickers said, “we’ve always said that Christ undertakes his saving work for all — not just for the elect, not just for the rich, not just for certain people. He died for all.” PAGE 3 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
God with us Vickers sees Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as bridging human separation from God. In the Incarnation, he said, God does more than make a cameo appearance in human history.
God incarnated in Christ “is the most intimate joining of God and creation,” Vickers said. “God then knows what it’s like to be a finite creature, to be dependent, what it is to be a human — that which is not God.”
Rigby, the Presbyterian theologian, offers a similar view. She sees the meaning of the cross in Jesus’ well-known parable of the prodigal son. Just as the father in the parable does not hold back anything in his love for his sons, so too does God in Christ risk and endure everything to show love.
The Crucifixion is the culmination of that love. Although Jesus was free from sin, he undeniably experienced the wages of sin firsthand — the feelings of abandonment, the pain of violence, the chill of death.
“It’s not only that God walks in our shoes,” Rigby said. “But God takes our shoes and goes into places where we couldn’t walk without being destroyed and takes on even that which would annihilate us.”
Rigby does not see the cross as necessary to appease God, but it does shows the lengths God will go to show divine love.
Jesus is Emmanuel — God with us — on more than just Christmas, Rigby said.
Perhaps the greatest comfort the cross offers is the knowledge that there is no sorrow, pain or despair humans can undergo that God does not know and walk through with us. And because of the Resurrection, we know that sorrow and death do not have the last word.
*Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist News Service. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].
Golden Cross Sunday May 11, 2014 - Mother's Day
Mother’s Day, May 11 is fast approaching as is Golden Cross Sunday, an approved Tennessee Annual Conference Special Sunday with offering. Golden Cross Sunday has been a Mother’s Day tradition in Tennessee Conference churches for almost 50 years. By vote of the 2012 Tennessee Annual Conference, Golden Cross Sunday has a different purpose for the offering—75% of the offering goes to the Golden Cross Foundation for the expansion of older adult ministries in the Tennessee Conference. The other 25% of the offering goes to the conference Health & Welfare Committee\Disabilities Committee. The Golden Cross Foundation is self-funded without conference apportionment. Additionally the total offering for the Golden Cross Foundation up to $25,000 will be matched by a donor dollar for dollar. Will you share the importance of Golden Cross Sunday with your church members?
To order Golden Cross Sunday brochures for your congregation, please email or text: church name and address (must have street address for delivery) plus the number of brochures.
Email:[email protected] or call/ text: 615-479-6175
REMINDER: Please send your church’s Golden Cross offering to the Conference Treasurer. PAGE 4 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 Be a better email communicator in 2014 Gavin Richardson
Email has slowly become the primary communication channel for many churches. However, how effectively do churches use email? Are we guilty of assuming that people are receiving and reading our messages and acting appropriately – without evidence? It is important to create emails that people open and read.
Here are some good practices to follow when creating the next email campaign for your church.
Start small.
This is a great concept to apply when choosing designs that adapt to mobile platforms. What does your email look like on smartphones? Does it pass the squint test? Avoid designing your email using a flashy template that looks great on a website but not on mobile. Smaller templates with bigger fonts and plenty of whitespace look the best on mobile devices.
Before sending, use a service such as Litmus to preview how your emails will look on different devices and then make the necessary adjustments to optimize for the largest audience.
Tell recipients what you want them to do.
Emails must have a clear call to action (CTA):
This important message needs your response.
Share this via social media.
Vote on these new ministry ideas.
Sign up now.
Make a secondary CTA.
If your email simply provides information, consider adding a secondary CTA. For example, if the message announces a cancellation, you might ask recipients to sign up for a new event or to post alternative plans on your social media channels.
One or two CTAs are better than three.
Each email should have one main message and sometimes a secondary CTA. Promote other CTAs elsewhere. If you must break this rule, think minimal. Use smaller font sizes and softer colors for other information, so the primary message grabs the reader’s attention.
Tell them why.
If you want recipients to download a PDF newsletter, give them a good reason to do so. Here are a few ideas.
Download this month’s newsletter to see photos of the mission trip.
Check out this month’s newsletter and read the article about our own (person from the church).
Complete the registration form for the last Parents’ Night Out before Christmas. It is in this month’s newsletter.
Find a detailed list of summer education and mission opportunities in this month’s newsletter.
Read about the new monastic retreat led by Pastor (name) in this week’s news download.
PAGE 5 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
Do not be subtle.
If you need people to sign up for an event, include an obvious “button” or text link that draws attention. Many times images are blocked by default or by user preference, so it’s always good to include a text link above or below the linked image.
Place your CTA near the proverbial “fold.”
Content areas at the very top do not always have the most engagement. In fact there’s new data that proves the opposite. View this heat-map of where we spend time reading on the web from Time magazine. People know by now that the “meat” is a little farther down, so they skip over content at the very top. Keep important information and links near the top and to the left. Information on the right may be hidden from mobile users who have to scroll over.
To make a simple heat-map, print-out one of your e-newsletters. Then write the click-through rate next to each link. Your email service provider should provide these click-through rates.
Design for skimmers.
A desktop user may read more email content. However, mobile users will likely skim the message. Since mobile use continues to increase, be sure to keep content simple and clear. Use bold headlines and bulleted lists to engage the skimmers.
Associate the email look with the campaign.
Create email templates that fit the message. The youth announcements should not be on the same template or have the same look as an email used for the children’s ministry. Create several themes and use a different template for each campaign.
Tell recipients where to sign up.
Often emails from the church come from the office housing “the list” of church members. This makes it hard for those outside the congregation to learn what the church is doing. Use an email service provider, such as MailChimp, that makes it easy for people to sign up for your messages. MailChimp lets nonprofits send up to 12,000 emails a month free.
Use images with impact.
Poor stock photography can be just as bad as clip art if you don't have time to search for something fresh and interesting. Many stock images are seen repeatedly and some are a little too stereotypical. Commission some talented volunteers to photograph or create unique, original images. If you need an image now, here are some fresh and free stock photo options that we like.
Get back into the primary folder.
Last year, Gmail rolled out its own filter system. Emails now show up in “primary,” “social” or “promotions” folders. Other email clients will likely follow suit. Let everyone know that church emails may be buried in the “promotions” folder. Instruct them to drag the email to the primary folder, so they do not miss important updates. Be sure to include these instructions on your website and blog and in printed newsletters.
Break the rules, but test results.
These guidelines should be called “better practices” because marketing rules are not always the "best." You must test to learn what is "best" for your specific message and audience. There are times when you can break certain rules. For example; your newsletter subject line may be so provocative that you put the subject line's content at the bottom of the newsletter. People will scroll to the bottom to find the interesting news, and in the process, view all other stories as well. This could boost engagement across the board! But you won't know until you do an A/B test and find out.
Follow and test these “better practices” so your emails do not get unsubscribed from or ignored. If new visitors unsubscribe, you may lose all contact with them. Take the extra time to design effective emails and share your strategies in the comment section below. PAGE 6 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW PAGE 7
PAGE 8 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 Conservative church leaders consult on divisions in the UMC
April 8, 2014 By UMReporter Staff
In a press release issued April 8th, a group of some 60 conservative pastors and theologians from the United Methodist Church announced that they had begun conversation about how to respond to what they see as deepening divisions in the church. The group came together via conference call earlier this week, and they stated they believe “the present reality, where a growing number of United Methodist bishops are unwilling to enforce the Book of Discipline, is unacceptable and untenable.” The group said that they were forming a smaller working group to bring suggestions to the larger group for responses, including suggestions of withholding funding from the church, advocacy with the Council of Bishops for greater enforcement of the Book of Discipline, and the possibility of creating a proposal for the division of the United Methodist Church into two denominations.
“Lyle Schaller’s 2004 book, The Ice Cube Is Melting, described a problem that still confronts The United Methodist Church today: two groups are locked in diametrically opposed positions,” said the Rev. Dr. Tom Harrison, pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Since his book was published, the conflict has escalated to the point where one group is breaking the covenant which binds us together. A new path Rev. Dr. Tom Harrison must be found.” Asbury UMC, Tulsa, OK While the divisions in the UMC over the issue of human sexuality and gay marriage, leading to what the group sees as acts of disregard and disobedience to the Book of Discipline, the groups believe that the deeper and more important division in the church is the different understandings on the inspiration and authority of the Bible. “We believe that the Bible is God’s word – inspired by the Holy Spirit in its entirety and authoritative for determining what is spiritually and Rev. Dr Charles Kyker morally true. Many progressives see the Scriptures very differently, so much so that Christ UMC, Hickory, NC they accept some parts as coming from God and dismiss other parts as being uninspired – even flat out wrong,” said the Rev. Dr. Charles Kyker, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Hickory, North Carolina.
An issue of concern for the group was what they see as a disregard for the covenant of the church. The group said that while they had been willing to engage in debate and dialogue, they believed that the church had arrived at a settled doctrine and practice, and that the decisions to ignore the provisions in the Book of Discipline were are breach of that covenant.“Our connectional covenant depends on obedience and faithfulness to the policies adopted by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Steve Wood, pastor of Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Rev. Steve Wood Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. ‘From bishops, to clergy, to boards and agencies, it is Mt Pisgah UMC John’s Creek, GA that covenant that makes us united and binds us together. When the covenant is not maintained and protected at any level of the church, we suffer from disunity and create a diffused witness to both the church and the world in which we live.” VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW PAGE 9
“The heightened conflict within our denomination is hindering the ability of both progressive and orthodox United Methodists to pursue the mission of the church as they see it,” said the Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam, retired pastor, author, and seminary president. “We must resolve this conflict, so that we can focus wholeheartedly on the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
No list of participants in the conference call was made available at the time of publishing this article. The group also gave no timeline for followup calls or Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam meetings.
UMReporter Staff
This story was created by the staff of The United Methodist Reporter. For over 160 years The United Methodist Reporter has been helping the people called Methodist to tell their stories. If you have stories that you think need to be told, please let us know at [email protected]
Volunteers Needed on May 29th
One of the great tasks of getting ready to TNAC2014 is stuff over 1,200 bags with some 30-40 different booklets, flyers, or other information. We need volunteers to help us with that task, and hope that you will bring a group from your church to help out. Any group submitting material to be included in the bags should plan on sending at least one person to help stuff the bags. If you and/or your group can help, please e-mail Tracey Karl at [email protected] to let us know.
PAGE 10 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 TENNESSEE CONFERENCE ADULTS/OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES 2014 EVENTS
JULY 28 – JULY 31 Southeastern Jurisdiction Wisdom & Grace Conference, Lake Junaluska, NC. Inspirational preaching, speaking, Bible Study, beautiful music, informative workshops, delicious food and a wonderful opportunity to meet others from the Southeastern Jurisdiction. For more information and to make reservations you should visit the Lake Junaluska website: LakeJunaluska.com/wisdom-and-grace
OCTOBER 21 – Adult/Older Adults in Action and Service Fall Conference - St. Marks United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro. The Keynote speaker will be: Rev. Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas, UMC minister, author & professor. Details will be sent in late summer to all pastors and Adult/Older Adult Coordinators and leaders.
CHRISTMAS AT BEERSHEBA Tuesday, December 2 Thursday, December 4 Friday, December 5 Tuesday, December 9 Thursday, December 11 Each day there will be an inspirational program including a Carol Sing and a delicious lunch in the beautifully decorated hotel at the Beersheba Springs Assembly Grounds. Choose your day to come! Details will be sent in late summer to all pastors and Adult/Older Adult Coordinators and leaders.
NOTE TO PASTORS: Please share this page with your Adult/Older Adult Coordinators and leaders. Ask them to add these events to their calendars.
If you would like your name to be added to the CCOCM Database for Adult/Older Adult emails or other ways of contacting you, call CCOCM 329.1177 or send an email to Tracey Karl: [email protected]
If you have ideas you would like to share or questions to ask, contact me at [email protected]
Shirley Vaughn, Cumberland District Adult/Older Adult Representative PAGE 11 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 3 simple rules of social media By Eric Seiberling
In his book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living, retired United Methodist Bishop Rueben P. Job uses John Wesley's three general rules to give Christians a guide for living a faithful life. The book is published by the United Methodist Publishing House.
The rules from Wesley, the founder of Methodism, are simple: "Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God."
These rules also apply to how we live our online lives in social media. The Rev. Dan Gangler, director of communications in the Indiana Conference, expanded on Job’s ideas in his article “3 Simple Rules for Social Media.” Michael Rich, communications coordinator in Western North Carolina Conference, did the same in his article “Social Media – 3 Simple Rules.” Both advise ways to follow the rules when using social media.
Rule #1: Do no harm.
Job writes, “To do no harm means that I will be on guard so that all my actions and even my silence will not add injury to another of God’s children or to any part of God’s creation.” Doing no harm means respecting the cultures and life situations of those with whom we minister.
When we engage with others online, we may forget that living, breathing people with thoughts and feelings are on the other end of the digital conversation. With almost 70 percent of all communication being nonverbal, we may easily misunderstand what someone is trying to convey or how another interprets our intentions. It is easy to focus so much on proving a particular point that we cause unintended harm.
When engaging in social media activities, take the time to discern both the intention and the potential consequences of online engagement:
What is the intent of the post? Does it show Christ’s love or does it focus on judgment and condemnation?
Do I speak disparagingly about anyone involved? Do I try to use facts and opinions to manipulate others to my viewpoint?
Could this post “do harm” to the reputation of Christ, the church or another person or organization?
Could someone interpret the post as harmful, offensive, rude or distasteful?
Does this interaction recognize each person involved as a “loved child of God – a recipient of love unearned, unlimited and underserved – just like myself”?
Rule #2: Do good.
Job writes, “My desire to do good is in response to God’s invitation to follow Jesus, and it is in my control. I can determine to extend hospitality and goodness to all I meet.” Doing all the good we can means to engage others proactively in a way that “nourished goodness and strengthens community.” Assess every word and act to determine if it brings God’s grace and goodness to others.
Whether it is Facebook, Instagram or something else, social media very quickly embeds us in other people’s lives. How we engage online can have a profound effect on the people with whom we connect. Use social media to extend hospitality and goodness to all or to demonstrate God’s love to digital neighbors.
PAGE 12 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
Whether engaging as an individual or as a representative of your church, think about every status update, comment or post as an outlet of “doing good.”
Would you describe the post as “good”? Does it reflect God’s interest or your own self-interest or will? Does it serve the good of the community and those in it?
Will it help God’s reign and fellow believers? How will those outside the church perceive it? How will people of different cultural or faith backgrounds receive it?
Do you communicate effectively by asking questions and providing information?
Rule #3: Stay in love with God.
Job writes that as we stay in love with God, we "find our moral direction, our wisdom, our courage, our strength to live faithfully from the One who authored us, called us, sustains us, and sends us into the world as witnesses who daily practice the way of living with Jesus."
Social media can be a powerful channel to “re-present” Christ to the community outside the church building. Stories can show how God transforms lives, communities and the world. Social media provides ways to share those stories that help all of us to “stay in love with God.”
Social media, like other ministry, can lead to emotional burnout and exhaustion. We can overextend ourselves in too many people’s lives or engage in too many concerns. We must find a balance between sharing God’s love and sustaining efforts over time.
What stories can you tell or share online to help others stay in love with God?
How does social media help you to stay in love with God? How does it hinder you?
How can your social media contribution help others stay in love with God?
Handle with care
Social media is another channel to minister to those around us, but it must be used carefully. Words or comments posted online can go viral in a matter of hours. Focusing on “doing no harm, doing good and staying in love with God” can help ensure that we make a positive impact in the world.
Events at Lambuth United Methodist Church Lambuth United Methodist Church, 1042 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN
May 10, 7am-2pm, Yard Sale, Fellowship Hall
May 15, 9am-noon, Health Fair, Fellowship Hall
May 18, 1:30 pm, The Miracles, adults with intellectual disabilities from Senatobia, MS, share their ministry through music, sanctuary
June 26, 7:00 pm, Lisa Spencer, Channel 4 "Lisa's Hometown Tour", sanctuary
July 6, 1:30 pm, Mr. Lincoln portrayed by Dennis Boggs, sanctuary PAGE 13 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
PAGE 14 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Upcoming and Sponsored Events Located at 121 East Avenue, Goodlettsville TN 37072 | 877-857-9372 | aldersgaterenewal.org | [email protected]
Register for Aldersgate 2014 at http://aldersgaterenewal.org/registration2013-14 PAGE 15 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
PAGE 16 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
Stations of the Cross at Gallatin 1st United Methodist Church
Thursday, April 18th Gallatin FUMC held the Stations of the Cross. Each of the four stations depicted the last week of Jesus’ life. Station One represented Palm Sunday. Members were able to decorate a palm with a message of hope for the Easter season. Station Two represented the Last Supper. The room was set with a table of olives, flat bread and cheese where members could recline as Jesus had and have either their feet or hands washed by a fellow member. Station Three was the Garden of Gethsemane. One could come and pray just as Jesus had that night we was arrested. Station Four represented Good Friday. Members entered the chapel to see a cross and heard the story of how much love God had for His creation that He gave His only Son. Each person was given a read stone to remind us of the blood of Jesus that was shed for us. Finally members entered the sanctuary were they received Holy Communion to help them understand the sacrifices that were made for us and lead us into the Easter Season.
PAGE 17 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
Local Church Events
Weekly Schedule Lafayette United Methodist Church 506 Bratton Avenue Sunday School at 9:45 AM for all ages! P.O. Box 122 Lafayette, Tennessee 37083 Phone: 615-666-3497 Traditional Worship - Sunday Morning at 10:55 AM E-mail: [email protected] Bible Study each Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Hispanic Church meets every Monday and Thursday at 7:00 PM
Lebanon FUMC Puts on Stations on the Square
This year Chad Karl proposed a wonderful idea to the staff of Lebanon FUMC. He presented the wonderful idea of “Stations of the Cross” but his idea was “Stations through our Square”. There were 14 stations beginning at LFUMC’s Jason Snyder Prayer Garden, traveling up and down Main St., Cumberland Ave. and through the Lebanon Square. It was open on Good Friday to all from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The three mile walk consisted of 14 stops, each representing a scriptural station of the cross. The stations were provided so people could personally reflect on the death of Christ with other believers. We, as believers, hope this will be an annual event for the Lebanon community.
Neely’s Bend UMC Spring Festival Saturday, May 3, 2014 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Neely’s Bend United Methodist Church 1605 Neely’s Bend Road Madison, TN 37115 615-865-8110 [email protected] www.neelysbendumc.org
In celebration of our 75th year in ministry, the Neely’s Bend United Methodist Church is having a Spring Festival. There will be live music outdoors on our patio, games for kids and adults, face painting, food and fellowship, a silent auction, and a live auction. We’re looking forward to having a great time with our neighbors and friends (new and old). Everyone is welcome!
Free Food Giveaway
Come to this free food distribution event, sponsored by the Lynnville, Olivet, and Diana United Methodist Churches. Food will be given on a first-come, first-served basis until all is given out.
For more information call James Mark at (615) 554-2398 PAGE 18 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 Job Opportunities:
Gallatin First United Church Methodist - Part Time Contemporary Worship Director-Part Time Gallatin First United Church Methodist , Gallatin, TN
Job Description Gallatin First United Methodist Church Contemporary Worship Director
Position: Contemporary Worship Director-Part Time
Position Description: The worship director will be the "producer and leader" of each worship service and special programs. Although the lead pastor is the "director" in terms of setting the theme and overall direction, the worship director will oversee and coordinate all the details that a service and ministry encompasses. The worship director must be a visionary who is creative in leading people to God. The worship director is a servant leader who can communicate a direction in a way that inspires those around him/her to join in the pursuit of that vision. This position is also pastoral in nature which requires the individual to serve not solely as contemporary director but also as a shepherd to the people who serve in this ministry.
Qualifications: 1. A clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and a vital, growing personal relationship. 2. Commitment to moral purity. 3. Commitment to the mission, vision, and worship philosophy and theology of UMC. 4. Demonstrates excellence as a worship leader with a dynamic and engaging worship presence. 5. Experience in leading and growing a music ministry over the past few years with skills in vocal, and instrumental arrangement and direction. 6. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. 7. Strong commitment to the overall ministry of Gallatin FUMC. 8. Strong organizational and administrative skills with attention to details and time management with a strong work ethic. 9. High School Graduate with professional music education strongly preferred. 10. Skilled in the use of technology in worship and in the use of sound, lighting, computers, Propresentor, Planning Center, and video projection. 11. A self-starter. 12. A team player with a positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and servant leadership style.
Responsibilities: 1. Maintain an authentic and growing walk with Jesus Christ through ongoing spiritual development. 2.Plan the contemporary worship services of GFUMC in consultation with the Lead Pastor, MERGE team and other staff doing so with spiritual excellence 3. Serve as lead worshiper in MERGE worship services. 4 Work with current teams and build the necessary teams to carry out effective worship and ministry in GFUMC MERGE. 5. Spend time developing relationships with lost people so as to be personally effective in pursuing the Great Commissionand helping the church to do the same. 6. Ensure that all the musical and technical aspects of the service advance the theme for the day. Oversee song selection, media preparation and presentation, sound and lighting enhancements, and coordination of all instrumentalists, vocalists, and dramatists. Purchase or otherwise obtain music for the Praise Team, staying within the annual music budget, CCLI. 7. Direct all weekly activities and rehearsals necessary to facilitate worship in services. Oversee the contemporary worship service, organization, and volunteers. 8. Provide pastoral care for the worship teams. 9. Introduce our worship teams to worship training provided by other ministries, books, and conferences. 10. Set annual goals for the worship ministry that are in line with our vision and then evaluate how those goals were attained or modified during the year 11. Attend scheduled or called staff meetings as agreed upon with Lead Pastor. 12. Assist with other duties as needed and required by the Lead Pastor.
PAGE 19 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
Expectations: 20 hour work week: these hours should encompass planning, staff and team meetings, practicing, and worship service.
Salary: $20,000.00 yearly
EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated semi-annually by the Lead Pastor and SPRC.
Resume and epk to: [email protected]
To Apply, please send resume to: Name : Jerry Wallace Title : Lead Pastor Email address : [email protected] Address : 149 West Main Street Gallatin, TN 37066
For Questions, please contact: Phone : 615-452-1922 Email : [email protected]
Expiration Date : 14-Jun-2014
Old Hickory United Methodist Church John Wesley Golf Classic
Monday, May 19, 2014 Registration from 12 – 1 p.m. Shotgun start at 1 p.m.
The Old Hickory United Methodist Church is hosting our third annual golf scramble and silent auction and we are inviting all the churches in the Tennessee Annual Conference to join in the fun.
Old Hickory Country Club 1904 Old Hickory Blvd. Old Hickory, TN 37138
All proceeds will be used to support missions and outreach ministries in Old Hickory, Nashville, and the world.
Get your team together to stake your claim to the Wesley Cup!
Event Cost $360 per team or $90 per individual
Please send your team names and phone numbers along with your check to: Old Hickory United Methodist Church Attn: Geneva Pugh 1216 Hadley Ave. Old Hickory, TN 37138
For more information on the John Wesley Golf Classic call Geneva Pugh at (615) 847-5649 PAGE 20 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
Liberty United Methodist Church Annual Fish Fry
Liberty United Methodist Church will hold it's annual FISH FRY, June 7th, 4- 7pm. It's all you can eat, with donations accepted at the door. There will also be a gospel concert that afternoon for your entertainment. Liberty is located at 1130 Liberty Lane, Gallatin.
Cook’s United Methodist Church
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE` Contact: Pastor Lee Stevenson 615-449-2573
New Faith-Based Movie with Erik Estrada to Show at Cook’s United Methodist Church
Cook’s United Methodist Church will be screening a new faith-based family-friendly film called Uncommon on Saturday, May 17th at 7:00PM. Cook’s United Methodist Church will also be hosting the star of the film, Erik Estrada, at the screening.
This event is a free ticketed event. The event will be held outside, please bring your own lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather the event will be held inside and seating will be limited. Go to eventbrite.com to reserve your tickets.
Erik Estrada is best known for his leading role in the television series, ChiPs. Since that program, he has appeared in a long list of movies, television shows, and reality programs. Estrada's Ucommon comes on the heels of his 2013 release of Finding Faith, and is the next in a series of faith-based family-friendly movies from JC Films.
The film Uncommon is a feature-length narrative motion picture that highlights the struggles of a group of students at fictional Rosewood High School as they seek to write, produce, and perform their own theater production after the school announces that their Theater, Music, and Dance departments have been cut due to budgetary issues.
Struggling to find the right script, music, and choreography, the students get advice from an uncommon source: the Bible! Each student becomes uniquely influenced as they discover that God takes them personally. Equipped with unique talents, they bond together to prepare the perfect production by exploring the diversity of stories in the Bible. PAGE 21 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
Fighting overwhelming challenges, the teens fight against political correctness to defend their privilege to worship, meet, and perform. Will months of constant bullying by the establishment defeat the production and dismantle their faith? Armed with expert legal counsel, these teens realize what it means to be . . . Uncommon!
Uncommon explores the issues surrounding religious liberties in public schools, and examines specific questions, such as: Can students pray aloud in their schools? Can students conduct their own Bible studies on school grounds? Can they mention God or wear Christian-themed clothing at their schools?
The film is produced in association with Liberty Counsel, which is an international nonprofit litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Liberty Counsel's purpose is to preserve religious liberty and help create and maintain a society in which everyone will have the opportunity to discover the truth that will give true freedom.
Playing himself in the movie as the students' attorney is Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel's Founder and Chairman.
With our religious liberties under vast attack each day, it is imperative that the message of Uncommon be heard by families around the nation—to educate and empower them to stand up against the political correctness that seeks to silence Christians from expressing their beliefs in God and the Bible in the public forum. Christians must not be complacent in this, but must stand together with one voice to reclaim the heritage we are so rapidly losing.
For more information about Uncommon, please visit the film’s website at www.UncommonFilm.com. To schedule a direct interview with Erik Estrada please contact Dean Haskins at [email protected].
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH You’re killing my church. There, I said it. And it hurts. But not only are you killing my church, you’re killing my future kids and my future grandkids’ church. You’re killing the church I grew up in, the church I found shelter in, the church I call home. You’re killing the legacy of a man, in John Wesley, that I found connection and passion in. You’re killing the church that I chose to give my life working for because it professed to be working for the Kingdom to be set up here on earth. You’re killing it and there’s not much I can do about it. And that upsets me.
I don’t have a stole, I don’t have a guaranteed appointment, I’m not ordained, yet. I am a lowly licensed local pastor who dearly loves what I do and who I do it with. I’m a progressive pastor in a small rural Oklahoma town with some progressive people and a lot of fundamentalist people. And we get along just fine. But you’re killing that. PAGE 22 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5
It’s not enough to say that the ever-widening chasm between the left and right of the church is unable to be crossed. It is 2014, we can build a better bridge. It’s not enough to say that there is a way to part paths, to tear apart the fabric of the connection and play in our own sandboxes- because that means that one side or the other (thought it should be both) has to remove the “United” in front of the Methodist, and I’m not okay with that. Both the left and right wing of the UMC is my church, my home, and an eagle cannot fly without both of its wings. There is no simple answer, I get it. Both the progressives and fundamentalists claim that they are convicted by the Holy Spirit, that their belief on the topic of homosexuality is well with their soul, that they hold the correct, biblical view. How can a group of pastors, who have dedicated their life to Jesus, say that another group of pastors, who have dedicated their lives to Jesus, are not worthy to share the same family? How can we be so selfish that we cannot make the table bigger? When I was growing up, my Nana always had room at her table. When more people showed up, we put these big plywood pieces in the table and made it bigger. If more people showed up, we squeezed our chairs in real close. She didn’t turn anyone away. Their was always room. There is always room. I don’t have a big title, some ordained clergy don’t think I should even be called Reverend. I’m not considered a “church leader” or an authoritative voice at district, annual, or general conference. I haven’t published books or contributed to the Book of Discipline. I’m just a pastor of a church- one that you are killing. I am not okay with losing any of my family, the left or right. I’m not okay with churches around the nation stripping the UMC logo from their signs. I am proud to wear the Cross and Flame and I want others to be proud, too. So this is my plea: don’t take the easy way out. Don’t pack up your toys and go home. Don’t give up on the chasm. Build a bigger bridge. The headlines keep saying you are “Church Leaders”- so be that. Step up and invite leaders from the opposite side to the table. Find a way. Don’t break up my family. Because it is not okay with me and I can’t do anything about it. Find a way. There is always room.
Grace and Peace, Pastor Dylan P. Ward
© 2014 Dylan P. Ward All rights reserved. This is an open source document that may be used for academic or informational purposes without the express consent of the author, but with credit given. http://subversivewesleyan.wordpress.com/
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW PAGE 23
CUMBERLAND DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST CHU RCH Check out our updated web page: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 477 http://cumberlanddistrictumc.org/. If you have Hendersonville, TN 37077 any suggestions or corrections please email District Office Location: Scott Hilgadiack at [email protected] . 525 New Shackle Island Rd Hendersonville, TN 37075 (Inside Good Sheppard UMC)
Telephone: 615-822-1433 FAX: 615-822-3729 Deadline for the next Cumberland District Review, May 18, 2014. Please send any information you wish to be printed in this edition to [email protected] or to [email protected].
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.
Prayer Request:
We are sad to announce the sudden passing yesterday of Linda Hurst Locke, the beloved Director of Christian Education at the Hermitage United Methodist Church. This was a big blow for many who have been touched by her gifts of teaching and her grace.
We learned that Dr. David C. White died April 1 in Nashville at 92 years of age. He was a professor of Christian Life and Thought at Scarritt College. He served as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) as a seminary professor and minister in Latin America and taught in Fiji and Australia. Dr. White was known for his dialogue with his students and colleagues as well as his interest in people around the dinner table. His love of tennis continued to 90 years. His beloved wife, Mary Ellen, passed away in 2008. He is survived by his children Cherie (Mexico) a retired GBGM missionary, Byron (Nashville, TN), Timothy (Washington, DC), and Patricia (Australia) and several grand- and great-grandchildren.
Dear friends,
It's been a quiet week and we haven't had any special requests. But this coming week is an important one for many in our conference as our Bishop and Cabinet meet to make appointments for the next year.
This is a hard week for all involved -- those making the appointments who recognize that they hold the futures of both clergy and congregation in their hands; for clergy waiting to hear if there will be a change and not certain where God is calling them next; and for congregations who are hoping and praying for leadership that will help them discern and carry out God's call to make disciples for the transformation of the world. Thus, this is a special time for intentional prayer for all involved.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to descend on our leaders in a special way as they discern God's desires.
Pray for our clergy to experience assurance and patience as they wait to learn what God has in store for them.
Pray for our congregations to be filled with anticipation regarding the leader that God will be sending to them.
Pray that in every decision, God's Spirit and grace may be present.
May God's blessings be with you in a special way during the coming week.