United Methodists Living Their Faith JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

MAKING DISCIPLES, TRANSFORMING THE WORLD FOR Together

A VITAL LEADERS MOVING TOWARD MAKING ‘WORLDWIDE’ WHEN PRAYER SEEMS A LETTER CONGREGATION ARE FIRST A HEALTHIER MORE THAN GEOGRAPHY UNANSWERED TO MARTIN IS ... HOPE DISCIPLES WORLD STATE OF THE CHURCH A MINISTRY OF United Methodist Communications STATE OF THE CHURCH

MAKING DISCIPLES, TRANSFORMING THE WORLD FOR CHRIST – Together Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, We are pleased to introduce to you this special edition of Interpreter magazine. As we begin the new year, these stories highlight how the Holy Spirit is moving through United Methodist Christians joined in ministry together across the connection, making world-transforming disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 17 The Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, in partnership

with the General Council on Finance and Administration, renewed a UM COUNCIL OF BISHOPS commitment to stay focused on increasing congregational vitality through Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS ministries in the Four Areas of Focus and deepening our worldwide connection toward greater missional alignment and more equitable sharing of our God-given gifts. We invite you to pay special attention to the ways in which these stories of local congregations, annual conferences and general church agencies live out our common mission through this unique and powerful United Methodist tradition of connectionalism. What does it mean to be connectional? “Connectionalism in the United Methodist tradition is multi-leveled, global in scope, and local in trust. Our connectionalism is not merely a linking of one charge conference to another. It is rather a vital web of interactive relationships.” [2012 Book of UM COUNCIL OF BISHOPS Discipline] Bishop Michael J. Coyner, In short, to be connectional means we are stronger together. We PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL Be Hope. ON FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION celebrate the growing “vital web of interactive relationships” across the United Methodist Committee on Relief world that allows the Holy Spirit to work through us every day, in new 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1520 Be UMCOR. and powerful ways as evidenced in these stories. These relationships New York, NY 10115 212-870-3951 enable and empower us to experience and witness to the power of God’s [email protected] www.umcor.org To learn more about how you can redeeming grace. facebook.com/UMCOR twitter.com/umc_umcor celebrate UMCOR’s 75th while May God bless and strengthen you and your vital web of relationships for the sake of the kingdom in the coming year. bettering yourself, your community or Through Christ our Lord, PHOTOS 1940—Board of Missions 1996—UMCOR your world, visit 1953—Wold Outlook 2002—Christie House 1954—MCOR 2007—Crysanthe Loizos/IOCC www.umcor.org/UMCOR/umcor75 1960—Toge Fujihira 2010—Mike DuBose/UMNS UM COUNCIL OF BISHOPS 1972—In As Much UMCOR 2012—Mike DuBose/UMNS and look through the list of Bishop Bruce R. Ough, 1991—Christie House 2013— Mike DuBose/UMNS CHAIR OF THE CONNECTIONAL TABLE 1992—©Richard Lord Back Cover—Mike DuBose/UMNS 75 ways to celebrate.

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 STATE OF THE CHURCH Watch “Church 2092,” a thought-provoking video from 2012 about what the church of the A VITAL future might look like. CONGREGATION IS...

HopeBY TITA PARHAM What makes a congregation vital? 18 That question is receiving critical to stay after church services and visit with attention across the denomination as United each other. Methodist churches and conferences strive “When everyone runs out the door, it to reverse years of declining membership doesn’t feel vital,” Birkahn-Rommelfanger and fulfill their mission to make disciples of says. “But when folks stay to talk to new peo- Jesus Christ for the transformation of the ple and each other, you can feel the energy.” world. Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce While the responses may vary, leaders Ough says vital churches in his confer- across the connection say what happens ences are living out three of Jesus’ greatest

DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES outside the church’s walls is an integral part commands: to grow in loving God and their The Rev. Timothy Bias of the answer. neighbors (the Great Commandment), to The Rev. Rachel Birkahn-Rommelfanger, reach new people (the Great Commission) senior pastor at Berry United Methodist and to heal a broken world (the Great Call Church in Chicago and a member of the from Luke 4). denomination’s Connectional Table, says Ough is also chair of the Connectional engagement in the community through “mis- Table. He says churches are using denomi- sion, service and justice” is a clear indicator national criteria to assess vitality, but they of health. are beginning to pay greater attention to the “A vital church knows about what is kinds of qualitative measures Birkahn-Rom- happening at schools, libraries, at businesses, melfanger notes — behavioral indicators not and with folks who live down the street,” she related to statistics. says. The evidence of that is “what people That is key, says the Rev. Marc Brown, pray about, what is printed in the bulletin or director of connectional ministries in the on the bulletin boards.” Virginia Annual Conference. Other clues? Children and families Assessing a church’s vitality based BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON CONFERENCE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON Bishop John Schol regularly involved in the life of the church on specific indicators of health and and people actively participating in worship. effectiveness is important, he says, but the

Vital churches also have members who want conversation should begin “with a focus on MCKENDREE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH COURTESY

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter the congregational life in which the seeds vital in their mission to make disciples. “We are committed to a God-sized of vitality are being planted.” It is based on an idea of vitality that goes vision for the church and our mission,” That means considering several core beyond offering-plate giving and mem- Schol says. “We want to be able to respond questions. bership numbers. Instead, it asks faith to all that God is calling us to be for the »» Is the congregation rich in faith, hope communities to increase their vitality by world. We recognized our diminishing and love? setting goals in five areas: average worship capacity would ultimately impact how God »» Is that faith rooted in the past or “fu- attendance, professions of faith, small- could use us in the world.” ture resurrection possibilities”? group participation, missional engagement »» Is the church’s ministry meeting the and giving. ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS needs of the community? The key to fulfilling that God-sized »» Is the congregation drawing people to For the first time, vital congregations mission, Bias says, is Paragraph 122 of the God through its love for Christ? United Methodist Book of Discipline, “The “There is a richer conversation to be are defined. They are Spirit-filled com- Process for Carrying Out Our Mission.” had — a conversation about Christian vi- munities of believers that welcome It is a how-to guide for vitality and the tality that leads to a deeper understand- all people, make and mature disciples basis for the Vital Congregations Initia- ing of congregational vitality,” Brown of Jesus Christ, and serve like Christ tive, with four imperatives at its core: says. “When this vital conversation is hospitality, opportunity, purpose and faithfully held, the numbers take care of through justice and mercy ministries. engagement. themselves.” They also have inviting and inspiring “If you go through Paragraph 122, the worship; engaged disciples in mission first part is that you proclaim that you’re THE RIGHT QUESTIONS and outreach; gifted, empowered and welcoming, receiving people. That’s That richer conversation began to hospitality,” Bias says. “The opportunity is take place across the denomination in equipped lay leadership; effective, that you are, as Wesley would say, offering late 2009 when the Council of Bish- equipped and inspired clergy lead- Christ. It says that you’re inviting people ops called for an in-depth study of the ership; small-group ministries; and into the community through baptism.” church’s health and future ability to fulfill strong children’s and youth ministries. The third element is purpose — its mission. The Vital Congregations achieved by engaging people in small Initiative launched in 2011 as a result. groups so they can grow and live as “We’ve put a focus on congregational “In essence, these are congregations Christians. The paragraph then instructs 19 vitality that helps us see that there is some with a clear purpose that grows their disci- churches to “send persons into the world vitality,” says the Rev. Tim Bias, general ples’ faith and leadership and connects to live lovingly and justly as Christ” and secretary of the denomination’s Disciple- with the community through ministry that offers a list of things people can do — feed ship Ministries (General Board of Disci- is important and meaningful to the people the hungry and care for the stranger. That pleship). “When we were just recording in the community,” says New Jersey Area is engagement in the community. the statistics, we weren’t looking for it. Bishop John R. Schol, one of the initia- Those components form an acronym Now we’re actually looking for it.” tive’s leaders. for HOPE, Bias says. “Where churches Discipleship Ministries, the Connec- The emphasis on vitality was needed, he are offering hope or engaging in hope, tional Table and other denominational says, because declining membership meant they are places of vitality because they are bodies are leading the initiative, which fewer disciples engaged in the church and using the process of making disciples in a provides resources and tools that help community, weakening the mission to Wesleyan way.” churches and conferences become more make disciples. Bias says another piece of the vitality puzzle is the denomination’s four areas The Rev. Stephen Handy (right) prays with the staff of the of focus: developing principled Christian YouthWorks mission camp at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. leaders for the church and the world, creating new places for people by starting new congregations and renewing existing ones, engaging in ministry with the poor and combating diseases of poverty by improving global health. Vital congregations produce one or all of those areas of focus, Bias says. The Vital Congregations metrics measure those out- comes, and Paragraph 122 is the process by which they are achieved. “Vital congregations helps us make dis-

COURTESY MCKENDREE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH COURTESY ciples for the transformation of the world,”

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 INTENTIONALITY PAVES WAY FOR EMBRACE CHURCH/AMIE HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHY Children in grades 1-5 enjoy age-appropriate worship and activities on Sundays in the (e)Kids program at vitality Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, S.D. Ministries for BY TITA PARHAM children and youth are among the indicators of vital congregations.

he says. “How do we know we’re transforming the NO BRUTAL CRITIQUES FROM BILLIONAIRES DECIDED world? Through the results that come from those WHICH BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR WOULD GET THEIR four areas.” INVESTMENT, BUT THE EXPERIENCE WAS AS EN- Underpinning it all is the mission to make ERGIZED AS ANY EPISODE OF ABC’S “SHARK TANK” disciples. “If we want principled leaders in the church, REALITY SHOW — WITH A FEW DIFFERENCES. we have to make disciples who become leaders,” Instead of successful business- It is part of the denomination’s Bias says. “If we want new places for new people, people grilling contestants about Vital Congregation’s Initiative, we have to make disciples who will help those their business plans, annual con- which launched in 2011 to help churches be the new places for people or revitalized ference representatives thought- congregations and conferences so people can find their way in. If we actually want fully judged proposals designed across the connection increase to make a difference in the world around global by their colleagues to increase their vitality and disciple-making 20 health, we have to make disciples who are willing to congregational vitality. ability. make the sacrifices to make that happen.” The winner? A preaching Leaders say Team Vital and improvement pilot presented by other strategies are helping the HOPE FOR THE CHURCH a team from the Upper New York Schol is optimistic about the church’s future Annual Conference. disciple-making ability. The drama-free exercise took “God has blessed us with strong progress in the place during Team Vital, a two- last three years,” Schol says. “We have doubled the year, peer-learning experience number of highly vital congregations, which is a led by the Council of Bishops sign of the commitment and creativity of clergy and and coordinated by the denomi- lay leadership in the congregations, conferences nation’s Discipleship Ministries and the general church. ... As we humble ourselves (General Board of Discipleship) UMNS/KATHLEEN BARRY UMNS/KATHLEEN before God, serve together, grow the faith of our with support from various other The Rev. Amy Valdez Barker laity and engage in justice and mercy ministries United Methodist agencies. in the community, we will continue to grow our Congregational vitality and new denomination achieve its vitality vitality.” church-development staff, district goals, but the method used is not Bias agrees. He is convinced the world will be superintendents, bishops and the key. Intentionality is. It is pro- different in 10 years because of The United Meth- local pastors from seven annual ducing positive results. odist Church. conferences gathered twice each “It’s not about program; it’s not about agencies,” year beginning in 2013 to learn GETTING THERE he says. “It’s about being focused on a living God how to increase the number of vital A congregational vitality report that we know in Jesus Christ so we do what God congregations in their conferences. presented to the denomination’s has created us to do. For me, I wouldn’t be doing They shared strategies, learned Council of Bishops in November what I do now if I didn’t believe that. I think we’re about new resources and held each showed the percentage of highly on the right track.” other accountable for meeting vital U.S. congregations — those goals. Between sessions, partici- with at least two of five vitality Tita Parham is a communications consultant, writer pants worked to incorporate what indicators in the top 25 percent of and editor based in Apopka, Fla. they had learned. churches and none in the bottom

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter STATE OF THE CHURCH

25 percent — increased from 15 percent in 2010 to 34 percent in 2012. Profes- “The key focus of any congregation is helping sions of faith, small-group participation, mission participation and mission giving people grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, and also grew. if we’re growing disciples of Jesus Christ, the Church starts in the United States jumped from 116 in 2012 to 145 in 2013. system doesn’t make any difference.” In the denomination’s central confer- ences in Africa, Asia and Europe, 688 new faith communities launched. proposed during Team Vital, says the Rev. Jesus Christ, the system doesn’t make any The number of highly vital congrega- Aaron Bouwens, the conference’s director difference,” Bias says. “Any one system tions dropped to 27 percent in 2013, with of vital congregations. that helps us grow in our faith and engages growth only in small-group participation At the academy’s core are “bright spot us in the community is a good system.” and mission giving. More than 70 percent preachers” — pastors from the conference of churches are still struggling to be vital. who embody the skills and characteristics MORE TO COME Despite those challenges, vitality is in- identified as unique to effective preach- Bouwens says the Team Vital experi- creasing “in congregations of all sizes and ers. They will serve as mentors to other ence helped his conference — particularly geographic areas,” says New Jersey Area pastors. The model also offers four train- the conversation between conferences Bishop John R. Schol, a Vital Congrega- ing sessions and instruction by outside about what they are doing and reflec- tions leader. resource people, all over the course of six tions with his own team about what they His area is one of them. “We are one of months. learned. 10 conferences to increase in the percent The strategic plan for the Minnesota “The greatest benefit was the chance to of highly vital congregations,” he says. “We Conference, another Team Vital partici- pull together some leaders, get offsite out are also the conference with the sec- pant, is Journey Toward Vitality. Its focus of the context of the conference and have a ond-highest percentage of congregations is “equipping missional congregations, place to have conver- growing.” developing missional leaders, generating sation around what 21 missional resources and extending mis- are we doing in our THE CRITICAL COMPONENT sional impact.” conference,” he says. Specific strategies have made those “Numbers are a lagging indicator, and “Certainly, the time gains in the New Jersey Area possible: we have not seen dramatic change in those with our team held helping congregations assess where they yet, but the culture is shifting,” says the the greatest value.” are and the steps needed to reach their Rev. Cindy Gregorson, the conference’s Both Gregorson goals, equipping lay and clergy leaders director of connectional ministries. and the Rev. Bener CALIFORNIA-NEVADA CONFERENCE CALIFORNIA-NEVADA through coaching and learning groups, The Rev. Amy Valdez Barker, executive The Rev. Bener Agtarap Agtarap, superin- and providing financial resources to help secretary of the denomination’s Connec- tendent for congre- churches grow. tional Table, says churches and confer- gational vitality in the California-Nevada The main ences with a “clearly defined and adopted Conference, agree. strategy for the strategic plan for mission and ministry” Agtarap says building working rela- Upper New York are experiencing the most fruitfulness. tionships with other conference leaders Conference is Hand The Rev. Tim Bias agrees and says that who share “common vision and passion to Plow, an adapta- is key. Bias is general secretary of Disci- for creating and improving the culture tion of the Healthy pleship Ministries, one of the agencies of congregational vitality” was an added Church Initiative charged with leading the vitality initiative. benefit. many conferences Churches with a clear vision that is On the downside, Gregorson says, the

are using. It is a se- UPPER NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE lived into and “not just a written vision project did not function as a “true strategy ries of clergy and lay The Rev. Aaron Bouwens on the wall” are experiencing greater team” for her conference because only part peer-learning groups focused on specific vitality, he says. That is also true for con- of the leadership team could participate. factors — clarity of vision and mission, ferences that intentionally equip laity and Because the conference is already imple- effective leadership and vital worship. It clergy to fulfill their mission and engage in menting a variety of strategies, the team also includes congregational assessments their community. felt there was not as much new learning as and consultations. “The key focus of any congregation is anticipated. That is in addition to the newly helping people grow as disciples of Jesus It was also a significant financial launched Illuminate Preaching Academy Christ, and if we’re growing disciples of investment, Schol says, with conferences

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 Factors calculated in vitality To be considered “highly vital,” a congregation UMNS/MELISSA LAUBER Bishop John Schol (left) talks with Bishop Daniel Arichea (center) and Bishop Rodolfo Juan must be in the top 25 percent of all U.S. congrega- of the Philippines. Juan leads the Manila Episcopal Area where monthly class-meeting style tions in two of the four major areas and cannot be groups for district superintendents are contributing to vitality. in the bottom 25 percent in any one of the areas.

covering costs for five to seven participants. GROWTH Overall, participants believe the project helped sharpen and »» Five-year change in average worship focus their work, he says. It also showed “there is no one way to attendance, divided by five-year average of grow vitality.” worship attendance. That will likely prove true in the central conferences with a »» Five-year change in persons received by project launching this year called Bright Spots. It will focus on profession of faith and faith restored, divided increasing vitality in Nigeria, Central Congo and the Philippines by five-year average professions and faith using a research method called “positive variance” or “bright restored. spots.” “This process studies the most vital congregations and INVOLVEMENT identifies what they are doing that is different from other »» Number of people (all ages) in small groups, congregations,” Schol says. “The goal is to help all congregations Bible study and Sunday school as a percent of do what will increase their vitality.” worship attendance. 22 Because ministry is “contextual and varies because of cul- »» Number of young adults in Christian ture,” he says, each geographic area will likely identify and adopt formation activities as a percentage of worship different characteristics of vital churches — their own “bright attendance. spots.” »» Average worship attendance as a percentage of Valdez Barker says the Manila Episcopal Area already is professing membership. seeing signs of growth with a strategic plan called UMC DOC: Disciples of Christ. Each month, Bishop Rodolfo Alfonso Juan ENGAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY shares a lesson with three “care” or accountability groups of »» Number of people engaged in mission as a district superintendents. The superintendents then replicate percent of worship attendance. that lesson and process with their pastors, who do the same with »» Number of professions of faith and faith their congregations. restored (who are not confirmands) as a “This emphasis on class-meeting style growth has been very percent of worship attendance. fruitful,” Valdez Barker says, with churches seeing increases in both small groups and worship attendance. GIVING She calls it just one example of the vitality growing within »» Apportionment percentage paid for most conferences that are “intentional and strategic.” current year. Schol is optimistic about the progress, but says the church »» Five-year change in mission giving per must do more. attendee, divided by five-year average of “We anticipate continued growth in the future, but also rec- mission giving per attendee. ognize we have significant challenges ahead of us,” he says. “The »» Five-year change in giving (defined as total culture is looking for new ways to experience and encounter God. non-capital local church spending) per What worked for so long for The United Methodist Church was attendee, divided by five-year average of non- no longer connecting with people in our communities. The Vital capital spending per attendee. Congregations Initiative is helping congregations better connect with the community.” Source: General Council on Finance and The ultimate goal, he says, is building a church that is making Administration, published by United Methodist disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. News Service, Nov. 19, 2014.

Tita Parham

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter AVITAL CONGREGATION TEXAS CHURCH BUILDS DISCIPLES OF ALL AGES oday is church day!” Taylor, 4, church family are expected to live, learn shouts, as her parents drive to and love by participating in three groups. COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY church. The first is a Life Group, a small The Petersons — Chris, holding Taylor, 4, and T Jenny, with Harper, 1 — are active members of Taylor’s family joined First United gathering of members who meet Methodist Church of Rowlett, Texas, regularly to support and hold each other First United Methodist Church, Rowlett, Texas. in 2013. They are part of a worshipping accountable. Peterson and her husband, congregation that expects every person, Chris, connect with other parents in in mission trips, volunteer in the church young and old, to grow in faith. “We want Foundation, the life group for parents clothes closet and help with events serving our children to know that going to church raising young children. “If a baby or child people outside the church. should be a part of their lives,” says Jenny gets baptized, the whole class stands with Taylor and her family have found a Peterson, Taylor’s mom. the family,” says Peterson. church home that feeds and nourishes them The Rev. Dretha Burris, associate Learn Groups are the next component spiritually as they grow as disciples. Tay- pastor of First Church, says the children to the discipleship journey. Participants lor’s excitement is contagious. “We are at listen to the same message five Sundays attend Bible study, youth retreats, vacation church!” she exclaims. “Oh, my goodness!” in a row during Sunday school as they Bible school or church camp. color and do other activities. She believes Lastly, church members are encour- Christine Kumar is a freelance writer and repetition in learning, especially for young aged to engage in a Love Group to “Find administrator, Baltimore Metropolitan children, is important. a need; fill a need.” Participants engage District, Baltimore-Washington Conference. In 2010, the church went through a AT A GLANCE: First United Methodist Church of Rowlett | 4405 Main St., Rowlett, TX 75088 | visioning process that focused on inten- [email protected] | www.fumc-rowlett.org | Pastor: The Rev. Jan Davis | tional discipleship. Taylor’s parents and the Attendance: 536 | North Texas Conference

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United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 State of the Church—By the Numbers Quick Facts REGULAR ORGANIZED PREACHING ANNUAL 2003 TOTAL CLERGY CHURCHES PLACES CONFERENCES ACTIVE BISHOPS Paid on Apportionments AFRICA 6,886 4,792 4,880 19 1 to All General Funds

ASIA 3,279 1,691 444 24 3 APPORTIONED PAID % PAID

EUROPE 1,100 881 829 21 4 1993 $107,556,097 $90,695,740 84.32% NORTH AMERICA 50,823 35,275 65 50 1994 $110,639,996 $93,339,909 84.36% REGULAR ORGANIZED PREACHING ANNUAL 1995 $113,828,214 $97,868,862 85.98% 2013 TOTAL CLERGY CHURCHES PLACES CONFERENCES ACTIVE BISHOPS 1996 $117,146,649 $100,382,948 85.69% AFRICA 6,886 4,792 4,880 19 11 ASIA 3,025 1,444 1,444 24 3 1997 $118,425,273 $104,496,463 88.24%

EUROPE 1,831 1,047 1,741 21 4 1998 $118,431,010 $105,394,783 88.99% NORTH AMERICA 49,814 32,608 59 46 1999 $119,630,756 $107,857,724 90.16% United Methodist Church Membership 2000 $121,999,757 $111,187,769 91.14% 2001 $127,256,750 $114,676,537 90.11% CENTRAL 2003 MEMBERS 2013 MEMBERS % CHANGE CONFERENCE/ (PROFESSED, BAPTIZED, (PROFESSED, BAPTIZED, IN PROFESSING 2002 REGION CONSTITUENTS) CONSTITUENTS) MEMBERSHIP MEMBERS (2013) $127,860,750 $113,095,935 88.45% AFRICA CENTRAL 236,396 459,431 94% 2003 $129,634,750 $112,418,090 86.72%

CONGO 1,240,214 3,872,000 212% 2004 $132,656,250 $116,808,070 88.05% WEST AFRICA 692,989 2,076,559 200% 2005 $139,955,000 $121,703,502 86.96% AFRICA 2,169,599 6,407,990 195% 4,290,870 REGION TOTAL 2006 $142,849,627 $126,427,676 88.50% CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN EUROPE 36,930 42,169 14% 2007 $145,693,841 $130,564,022 89.62%

GERMANY 64,058 71,112 11% 2008 $150,973,581 $130,210,994 86.25% NORTHERN EUROPE AND EURASIA 28,458 29,554 4% 2009 $150,308,000 $126,303,259 84.03%

EUROPE REGION 2010 $150,232,058 $129,428,321 86.15% TOTAL 129,446 142,835 10% 48,829 24 PHILIPPINES 229,046 293,341 28% 216,326 2011 $149,472,006 $130,885,848 87.57%

UNITED STATES 10,831,042 9,543,407 -12%* 7,299,753 2012 $147,268,131 $138,765,037 94.23%

TOTAL 13,359,133 16,387,573 23% 2013 $143,302,750 $134,248,386 93.68%

Benevolent Giving Total Benevolences “ enevolences” describe the portion tional costs are reported as church TOTAL OTHER BENEVOLENT YEAR BENEVOLENCES GIVING TOTAL of a church’s budget that goes to- program expenses and used in the ward benevolent causes including calculation of apportionments. 2004 $ 92,753,956 $230,901,938 $323,655,894 Bdesignated United Methodist funds and »» If a United Methodist church sends $169,651,348 $278,249,781 $447,901,130 *2005 causes, general giving to United Meth- a check every month to support odist causes and general giving not re- a soup kitchen housed at a local 2006 $ 94,617,159 $271,973,364 $366,590,523

lated to The United Methodist Church. Baptist church, that is reported as a 2007 $ 98,165,753 $286,344,383 $384,510,136 For denominational funds and causes, non-UM benevolent cause. money is sent to the annual conference »» If a church sends the offering for 2008 $106,597,122 $284,615,024 $391,212,326 treasurer and included in the confer- disaster relief to the General Board *2009 $49,924,787 $253,203,164 $303,127,951 ence’s annual total giving report. In this of Global Ministries, this United chart, “Total Benevolences” represents Methodist-related giving that is 2010 $73,551,325 $267,832,213 $341,383,538 the total giving reported by conference not reported to the conference 2011 $70,158,881 $200,467,917 $270,626,798 treasurers. treasurer. In their annual statistical reports, »» Receiving a disaster relief offering 2012 $75,351,321 $225,809,923 $301,161,244 churches may report other giving and sending it to Red Cross is $81,313,346 $234,145,997 $315,459,343 to charitable causes, giving not sent giving to a non-United Methodist *2013 through the conference treasurer. Be- benevolent cause. *Denotes a new quadrennium and subsequent table updates. nevolences are not included in appor- Fluctuations can be attributed to changes in the ways benevolences tionment calculations. Lauren S. Arieux, statistician and are reported with an adjustment period following the initial change.

»» If a United Methodist church runs research fellow, Data Services, General All statistics on this page were provided by the General Council on a soup kitchen ministry, opera- Council on Finance and Administration Finance and Administration.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter AVITAL CONGREGATION SEATTLEITES STAND UP FOR THEIR CONVICTIONS alley & Mountain United Methodist group meeting at Helmiere’s house. The Fellowship created a new church parachute-dropped church now has 50 to Vholiday. “Turning Tables Monday,” 60 Sunday worshippers, but that is not the the Monday of Holy Week, commemorates sole indicator of church vitality.

Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple. In 2013, the church joined with an arts & VALLEY COURTESY UMC, SEATTLE MOUNTAIN “It’s a significant but often overlooked organization to create the Hillman City “We’re an activist church,” says the Rev. John Helmiere of Valley and Mountain United Methodist part of the Holy Week story,” said the Rev. Collaboratory. The website describes it Church, Seattle. John Helmiere. “We felt the church need- as a neighborhood hub where community ed a day to emphasize direct action against thrives, a breeding ground where collab- break into small groups, each with a spe- oppression.” orations are born and relationships form, cific spiritual practice. Finally, everyone V&M, a new church start situated in a compost bucket where positive social gathers for a Love Feast. the economically challenged Hillman City movements blossom.” “There are a lot of ways to connect to neighborhood of Seattle, is “an activist Worship happens Sundays at 4 p.m. God,” Helmiere said. “We organize our church,” said the pastor. “We’re on the with singing, praying, preaching and offer- resources, love and gifts to make a tangible street; we’re out lobbying; we perform ing. Following that, however, is a 15-min- difference in people.” direct action for social justice. All of this is ute Quaker Meeting-style time where rooted in our faith. worshippers share what is on their hearts The Rev. Erik Alsgaard is managing editor “I want us to be a church that’s not or reflect on the sermon. Then, people for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. playing the ‘everybody-be-like-us’ church AT A GLANCE game,” he said. “I want us to stand up out Valley & Mountain United Methodist Fellowship | 5623 Ranier Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98118 | of our convictions.” [email protected] | www.valleyandmountain.org | Pastor: The Rev. John Helmiere | The church began in 2010 with a small Pacific Northwest Conference 25

TOTAL OTHER BENEVOLENT YEAR BENEVOLENCES GIVING TOTAL

2004 $ 92,753,956 $230,901,938 $323,655,894

*2005 $169,651,348 $278,249,781 $447,901,130

2006 $ 94,617,159 $271,973,364 $366,590,523

2007 $ 98,165,753 $286,344,383 $384,510,136

2008 $106,597,122 $284,615,024 $391,212,326

*2009 $49,924,787 $253,203,164 $303,127,951

2010 $73,551,325 $267,832,213 $341,383,538

2011 $70,158,881 $200,467,917 $270,626,798

2012 $75,351,321 $225,809,923 $301,161,244

*2013 $81,313,346 $234,145,997 $315,459,343 STATE OF THE CHURCH How does the church nurture a new generation of leaders? This 2012 video features current and former staff of CHURCH Discipleship Ministries. MAKES DEVELOPING young leaders A PRIORITY BY POLLY HOUSE

BLAINE WILSON ADMITS HIS Wilson said pastors in the Dakotas Church and direct critical aspects of its CALL TO MINISTRY WAS “A Conference, who have always been avail- connectional ministries in collaboration. able for guidance and mentoring, have The implementation of the first focus LITTLE UNIQUE.” encouraged him. However, one especially – developing principled Christian leaders The Sioux Falls, S.D., resident con- significant mentor has been the Rev. Steve for the church and the world – went to the fessed that his “calling” was never really Trefz, the husband of Wilson’s former General Board of Higher Education and his idea. It was a call to him through other pastor. Ministry with Discipleship Ministries people who recognized his potential. “Steve and I serve on (General Board of Discipleship) collabo- “My pastor came to me at the conference Lay Servant rating in the development of lay leaders. Thanksgiving 2005 and asked if I would Ministries Executive Team, As the primary agency for leadership 26 preach for him on New Year’s Day Sunday and we have worked well development, Higher Education and 2006,” Wilson said. “At the time I thought together in scheduling and Ministry understands that good leaders the pastor was nuts (“You want me to crafting educational oppor- are critical. The agency invites, equips and

do what?”), but I agreed to fill in. I had GBHEM tunities not only for me, but supports faithful and effective clergy and Blaine Wilson every expectation that it was going to be [also for] my fellow lay lay leaders for vital congregations in the a one-and-done deal, but the feedback servant leaders and certified lay minis- church and the world. It also provides re- was positive enough that I was asked to ters,” he said. “Having access to Steve sources and training crucial for developing do it again, and it ... went from there. I got locally was critical to my success. Through leaders in the pulpit and those who serve certified as a lay speaker (now called lay the pastors I have had and the training I from the pews. servant) and then became a certified lay have received from the conference, I have minister in 2012.” developed sermon-writing skills for both TWO KINDS OF LEADERS the lectionary and fitting a message into a Congregational leaders in The United strictly specified series and theme.” Methodist Church can be both ordained Louisiana Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey prays with Wilson now has a certified lay minis- and licensed clergy and laity. Though their young adults considering God’s call to ordained ministry during Exploration 2013 in Denver. ter assignment as the designated pulpit roles differ, both kinds are necessary to supply for his district. Nearer to home, meet the needs of a world of people who he leads worship one Sunday every other need God. month for a retirement complex. In the Wesleyan tradition, both laity Wilson is an outstanding example of and clergy have always been encouraged the young adults The United Methodist to take responsibility for leading minis- Church is working to develop as Christian try. Laity do the work of Christ alongside leaders. clergy. “Clergy are leaders, of course, but when FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS we talk about church leaders, we certainly In 2008, the General Conference are not only talking about clergy,” said the adopted what are termed the Four Rev. Steve Manskar, director of Wesleyan Areas of Focus. The goal was to sharpen leadership for Discipleship Ministries.

GBHEM/VICKI BROWN the mission of The United Methodist “More important is the formation of lay

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter leadership. These lay leaders are a very also wants to see a passion for The United Academy (HYLA),” he said. “After HYLA, important part of the Wesleyan tradition.” Methodist Church. they go back to their local churches and Jodi Cataldo, the agency’s director of The Rev. Trip Lowery, the agency’s help. Then, the next year, they go back to laity in leadership, agrees. “If we look back director of young adult ministry discern- HYLA and report on how their year went. at the history of when the church was at its ment and enlistment, encourages young It’s great leadership training for them.” best, it was when the laity people who feel God may be calling them It is important to help these young was mostly in charge. into professional ministry to experience leaders to understand where God is calling “Even in Acts 2, the doing ministry in their local church. them, Martinez said. laity again was instru- “A local church can do things different “Some will go into the ordained minis- mental,” she said. “The than what the big church can do,” he said. try,” he said, “but others, like nurses, will partnership between “The big church can offer conferences take their professions and do ministry in the clergy and the laity DISCPLESHIP MINISTRIES showing broad sweeps that context.” Jodi Cataldo is essential. When we as a of what ministry is. That The Rev. Kim Cape, Higher Education church handed the responsibilities of seems to help clarify and and Ministry general secretary, sees hope ministry over to the professionals, we focus, but it doesn’t take in the new breed of paid them to do what we should have the place of sitting down young leaders. been doing. When you look at our Wes- (for) one-on-one conver- “As I interact leyan heritage, you see our time of most sations with someone on with young clergy vibrancy and growth ... (was) when we PHOTO COURTESY what their specific call leaders, I have a had the strongest lay leadership. When we The Rev. Trip might mean.” renewed hope for Lowery stopped being a church of lay leaders, we Lowery said he is UMNS/MIKE DUBOSE our church,” she began to decline.” seeing a trend of people moving outside The Rev. Kim Cape said. “The energy the local church for professional ministry. and passion young clergy bring to their YOUNG LEADERS IN THE CHURCH “It’s more reframing what church is,” he call to reach their generation for Christ is The inclusion of laity in church work said. “For so long, it’s been people going to a powerful witness. God is still moving in requires leadership training outside of the church for ministry. Now we are seeing and through United Methodism. traditional seminary education. Church more people moving outside the build- “While many people my age are ‘done,’ leaders who recognize young people who ing into the world for ministry. People our young clergy confront their own 27 show leadership potential and a passion are realizing ministry is more than just challenge of being faithful, fruitful leaders. for serving others can direct them to ap- preaching.” We must recognize and address the road- propriate training. The Rev. David Martinez, the board’s blocks in their way and provide the tools The Rev. Myron Wingfield, associate director of specialized theological educa- and education they need to achieve what general secretary of Higher Education and tion, works in Mexico, Latin America and God calls them to do in their mission field. Ministry’s division of ordained ministry, the United States. Part of his job is seeking With Simeon, I can truly say, ‘Mine eyes is encouraged to see the potential in young out young Latino adults who are con- have seen the salvation of the Lord.’” people as they discern a call sidering going into ordained or licensed The United Methodist Church is inten- to professional ministry. ministry. tional about finding and being disciples to “It’s exciting to see “I search for the passion of ministry these young leaders and future servants. these young adults going they have in their hearts,” he said. “I look The Rev. Carol Bruse, director of the into ministry with a new for the Spirit of God that generates their Center for Clergy Excellence in the Texas and different frame of callings. I like to talk with them to hear Annual Conference, said annual confer- reference than I had,” he them articulate their calls and encour- ences must teach local churches how to said. “They see ministry age them. I look for the intensity and the emphasize call. GBHEM in a much broader light. The Rev. Myron authenticity of the call. I look at their eyes “Most of the future clergy of The I believe the Holy Spirit is Wingfield and see the fire.” United Methodist Church are sitting in the providing us a new genera- Like Lowery, Martinez pews today,” she said. “If we don’t teach tion of leadership.” encourages young adults to congregations how to encourage them, we Wingfield looks for certain things get involved in their local won’t have them.” when he talks with young people who churches. That is where are determining if God is calling them to they will begin to under- Polly House is a freelance writer and editor ordained or licensed ministry. First, he stand how the church based in Nashville, Tenn. wants them to articulate a clear call. He functions.

wants to see emotional intelligence. He “We also encour- GBHEM looks for the desire and ability to grow age them to attend the The Rev. David and a passion for lifelong learning. He Hispanic Youth Leadership Martinez

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 Leaders are VITAL CONGREGATION first disciples A LIGHT AND LIFE CHURCH HOPES eaders who make a positive impact are more than just visionaries, organizers and risk takers. They TO RISE FROM TYPHOON Lare people of principle and integrity. he congregation of Light and in the world but the hope of Jesus. For Christian leaders, it also demands a deep spiri- Life United Methodist Church He is the only Savior!” one post tual walk with Christ. T in Tacloban City, Philippines, reads. “To put it succinctly, being a principled leader in offers witness that two typhoons The Rev. Joseph Cornito, the the Wesleyan tradition means to be a faithful disciple within less than a year can batter church’s current pastor, said the of Jesus Christ,” said the Rev. Steve Manskar, director buildings, but not spirits. congregation participated in an of Wesleyan leadership for Discipleship Ministries. After Typhoon Haiyan wiped ecumenical worship service on the “Clergy are leaders, of course, but when we talk out the city a year ago, Light and anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan on about Christian leaders in the Wesleyan tradition, we Life Church moved into a corrugat- Nov. 8, 2014. Hundreds of Taclobon certainly are not only talking about clergy,” Manskar ed metal building. Then Typhoon City residents attended. said. “More important is the formation of lay leader- Hagupit — also known as Ruby — hit. Before Typhoon Hagupit struck, ship. These lay leaders are a very important part of As of Dec. 7, 2014, the church was the United Methodist Committee on the Wesleyan tradition. When we talk about Christian under water; bunkhouses in which Relief had begun building 218 houses leadership, we are talking about those involved in the some members displaced in 2013 in Calogcog. Sixteen were completed, formation and equipping of laity for ministry.” were living had been destroyed. and 24 were in progress. Cornito and Manskar said the Rev. Randy Maddox, William Still, the Rev. Iris Picardal the Light and Life church had also Kellon Quick professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Terana, a Christian educator at the worked with projects on the Pacao studies at Duke University, gave a good explanation church who was serving as pastor and Hinyangan islands. 28 of Wesleyan leadership in a document The United when the 2013 storm struck, contin- Yet, Tacloban City was still a long Methodist Way: ues to count blessings. way from recovery. In their local »» Wesleyan leadership provides the teaching, disci- “We have felt our global (United) dialect, residents use the word ta- pline and spirit people need to grow in holiness of Methodist connection. We realized bangunon to describe Tacloban City, heart (loving God) and life (loving those whom God how God loves us when we were which means, “It needs help.” loves). It fosters a culture of holiness that equips reached out to by others whom we Nevertheless, Cornito said he Christians to join Jesus Christ and his mission for did not even know,” she said. has faith that God will continue to the world. A quick look at the church’s provide help. »» Wesleyan leadership is missional. It is centered Facebook page shows a thriving in the life and mission of Jesus Christ who is congregation. “We are the church Gladys Mangiduyos is a deaconess preparing the world for the coming reign of God. of God who proclaims the gospel,” it in the United Methodist Philippines Wesleyan leadership keeps the church focused on says. Images reveal people of all ages Central Conference and a professor at Christ and God’s mission in the world. who are grateful for opportunities to Wesleyan University-Philippines in »» Wesleyan leadership is relational. Disciples are share God’s love. “There is no hope Cabanatuan City. made when Christians care enough about their neighbors to introduce them to Jesus Christ and Light and Life United Methodist Church, Tacloban City, Philippines model his way of life that leads to holiness of heart and life. »» Wesleyan leadership is incarnational. “The Word became flesh and made his home among us” (John 1:14, CEB). Wesleyan leadership forms a culture in the church that is centered in Jesus Christ and his mission for the world he loves (holiness of heart and life).

Polly House UMNS/IRIS TERANA AND GERALDINE AYOSTE STATE OF THE CHURCH Developing PRINCIPLED CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN 2015

ere are some of the plans for de- »» Involve 1,000 people in new spiritual practices UNITED METHODIST COMMUNICATIONS veloping and supporting leaders in because of Youth 2015. »» Expand Information and Communications 2015 submitted to the Connectional CHURCH AND SOCIETY Technologies for Development (ICT4D). H »» Equip church leaders in Asia and Europe Table by general agencies and some other »» Use training, partnerships and new organizers groups receiving apportioned funds. to build capacity to engage in transformative with communication skills for creating vital congregations. HIGHER EDUCATION AND MINISTRY justice ministries. »» Strengthen the seminar program. »» Create a new family values initiative for »» Evaluate the progress of Young Clergy »» Develop new internships and expand access families with young children. Initiative grant recipients. to internships. »» Increase the number of young people UNITED METHODIST MEN pursuing the call to ordained ministry through GLOBAL MINISTRIES »» Recruit and train 100 Men’s Ministry events, the Journey to Ordained Ministry »» Increase attention to the physical and Specialists. and Hispanic, Asian and Native American professional needs of missionaries. »» Provide mentors for youth through (HANA) program; work with annual conference »» Involve more young adults in mission service. partnerships with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, vocational discernment coordinators. »» Increase mission pastor/lay leader training Cub Scouts, Camp Fire, 4-H, Big Brothers/Big »» Increase campus ministers and chaplains’ through Bible schools and collaboration Sisters. participation in training. among new and existing congregations, »» Resource local congregations to disciple men. »» Train at least 10 United Methodist Student seminaries and ecumenical partnerships. ASIAN AMERICAN LANGUAGE MINISTRY/ Movement field organizers. PACIFIC ISLANDER MINISTRIES’ PLAN »» Increase the number and dollar amount of ARCHIVES AND HISTORY »» Train chairs of conference commissions on »» Train lay leadership in all areas of ministry. scholarships and loans. archives and history, historians and archivists. 29 »» Guide United Methodist clergy through NATIONAL PLAN FOR HISPANIC/ »» Staff and seek financial support for the certification, licensing and ordination; train LATINO MINISTRY African American Methodist Heritage Center. coaches. »» Accompany annual conferences in the »» Support the collection of oral histories in »» Implement the e-reader program at 22 development of 10 strategies for Hispanic/ the Latino community and the Oklahoma central conference theological schools (in Latino ministry. Indian Missionary Conference, an archive at collaboration with Discipleship Ministries). »» Invest $1.3 million to fund grants for Africa University and the Evangelical United »» Award grants to develop theological conference strategies, youth development, Brethren Heritage Center.. education in Africa, Europe and the Hispanic/Latino Training Centers and Social Philippines. RELIGION AND RACE Justice Centers. »» Expand the multilingual UMC Cyber Campus »» Increase the number and effectiveness of »» Conduct the third National Consultation on offerings. interculturally competent leaders in the Hispanic/Latino Ministry. »» Help United Methodist higher education United States and the central conferences. KOREAN MINISTRY PLAN institutions engage in more international work. »» Increase the number of healthy cross-racial/ »» Provide the United Methodist Korean- »» Administer the Black College and Africa cross-cultural appointments and ministries. American Information and Mentoring Session. University funds. STATUS AND ROLE OF WOMEN »» Provide the Academy for Spiritual Formation DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES »» Translate the “Women Called to Ministry” in Korean. »» Expand the Route 122 congregational Bible study in French and Portuguese. NATIVE AMERICAN transformation network. »» Launch the Clergy Family Resources website. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN »» Feature at least 40 vital congregations in the »» Complete the “God of the Bible” expansive »» Offer a Native American Lay Servant School. Romans 12 newsletter. language Bible study. »» Support leaders within Native American »» Test Korean Vital Congregations Training. »» Report the Pipeline Study on where gaps churches, fellowships and ministries, »» Have district superintendents reflect on their occur early in clergywomen’s careers. conferences and general agencies. role as missional strategist. »» Provide the “Do No Harm” summit in October »» Host the Black Church Think Tank on and develop resources for laity on healthy STRENGTHENING THE BLACK extending hospitality to young adults. boundaries. CHURCH FOR THE 21ST CENTURY »» Increase effective congregational leadership »» Develop resources for campus ministers to »» Provide rising clergy with experiences through webinars, face-to-face training, respond to sexual assaults on campus (with and skills to develop and maintain a vital networks and events. GBHEM). congregation. »» Increase the effective leaders in ministry with »» Develop certification in African-American youth and young adults. Church Leadership.

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 30 O Methodist Church in Evansville, Ind. Methodist ChurchinEvansville,Ind. for membersofOldNorthUnited musical ministryopportunities The ChancelChoirisoneofmany church’s philosophy, hesaid, congregation’s worship. The and incorporates theminto the worship andmusicmaterials He frequentlyIndiana. creates at theUniversity ofSouthern is also aprofessor ofmusic director ofmusicministries, & Song. The Faith We Singand The United Methodist Hymnal, nals inthechurch’s pew racks: regular use ofthethree hym- aesthetic surroundings and space, excellent acousticand church’s renovated worship al worship andsong are the importance ofcongregation- other instruments. nied by pipeorgan, drumsand a cappella andwell-accompa- of congregational singing,both worship enhancedby itslove congregation withaheartfor EMBRACES, SHARES MUSIC COLLEGE-TOWN CHURCH AT A GLANCE Daniel Craig, thechurch’s Feeding thevitality and ville, Ind., is a midsized ville, Ind.,isamidsized odist Church inEvans- ld North United Meth-

Indiana Conference Pastor: TheRev. MichaelMonahan|Attendance: 174| [email protected] |www.oldnorthumc.com | Road, Evansville,IN47711|812-423-2483 | Old NorthUnitedMethodistChurch|4201Stringtown Worship A

COURTESY DANIEL CRAIG Nashville, Tenn. Discipleship Ministries, best-practices-romans-12, leadership-resources/ newsletter, www.gbod.org/ Adapted from Romans 12 service duringLent. and hosted acommunity Taizé church hasalso coordinated pastor andcongregation. The volved alocal Native American newly composed musicandin- Nations Servicethat included the church hosted alarge First lenging present. For example, of theclassic pastandthechal- featuring majormusical works to worship andto concerts and community contribute munity. Thechurch, college to reach outto thewidercom- connections to thelocal college good facilities andpeoplewith bines itspassion for music, in thechurch sanctuary. in music,worship andconcert bring thecommunity together lege provides opportunitiesto serving thechurch andthecol- mental piece.” dualrole Craig’s style ofanthem, solo orinstru- best giftto Godnomatter what has always been“to give our choir of Old choir ofOld Listen asthe Blessing.” Church singsan“Irish North United Methodist The congregation com- VITAL CONGREGATION JANUARY

• FEBRUARY 2015

F COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMUNITY OUTREACH MISSOURI CHURCH BOOSTS “manna packs.” volunteers to pack375,000 Epidemic andrecruited 1,500 raised $83,000 for Hope throughout thecommunity. volves 80groups volunteering and businesses, theevent in- Sponsored by area churches outward church,” says Aycock. us from aninward to an dles for children inHaiti. projects andpackingfood bun- of volunteers inlocal mission near Easter involves thousands attendance,” explains Aycock. peak opportunitiesfor church 150 baptisms. to membership andmore than had around 300peoplecommit in worship. Since2012,we’ve 2014, we average around 600 tisms ornew memberships. In in worship withfew to nobap- “we were averaging around 250 Aycock, executive pastor. inward to outward,” says Brad culture ofadyingchurch from munity events “to change the members began offering com- Methodist Communications, Church grant from United gregation received aRethink congregation’s outreach. wide events to strengthen the ally hosted three community United Methodist Interpreter AT A GLANCE In 2014, First Church “Hope Epidemicchanged A three-day Hope Epidemic “We focus onthethree “In 2010,” hecontinues, After the147-year-old con- Sikeston, Mo., hasannu- Methodist Church in or four years, First United

Posegate |Average Attendance:619|MissouriConference www.thefunchurch.org |Leadpastor:The Rev. Geoff MO 63801|[email protected] | First UnitedMethodistChurch|1307N.MainSt.,Sikeston, - Glasgow, Ky. freelance journalistlivingin Heather Peck Travis isa and lotsoflove.” gifts, groceries, shoes, Bibles Afterward, we distribute the inspiration from theshow. the event,” hesaid. “They get the voucher two weeks before concerts at First Church. to attend four Christian music members received vouchers children and1,600 community service to something more.” converted ourChristmas Eve mas, says Aycock, “we have ter startto theschool year.” under-resourced kidsfor abet- Aycock. “invest inrelationships,” says time withchurch members to screenings andone-on-one haircuts, dental andvision ceive new backpacks, supplies, 800 needychildren whore- of theschool year, helpssome Sikeston, Mo. Sikeston, Mo. at FirstUnitedMethodistChurch, T-shirts andsmilesduringHopeFest Young participantswearmatching “Those inneedregister for In 2013, Aycock said, 1,000 Through Radical Christ- “HopeFest prepares local HopeFest, at thebeginning

COURTESY FIRST UMC, SIKESTON, MO. STATE OF THE CHURCH

NEW PLACES FOR NEW PEOPLE ENERGIZE WORSHIP,

BY TOM GILLEM

STARTING NEW PLACES 32 FOR NEW PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO’S HISPANIC/LATINO COMMUNITIES IS A PERSONAL MISSION FOR THE REV. LOURDES CALDERON. In the past year, Calderon, the New Mexico Annual Conference’s first Hispan- ic female pastor, has merged two Anglo churches into a new bilingual, multicul- tural church in Albuquerque and opened a school to train Spanish-speaking lay ministers to start new faith communities. “I think right now I am in a very good place to make a difference,” said Calderon, the daughter of a second-career United Methodist pastor in the Texas Rio Confer- ence. She hopes to be ordained an elder in June. Her new, revitalized church, Corner- stone United Methodist, officially started in December 2014 and is the merger of two churches Calderon served. As with many mergers, those churches joined because of dwindling membership and high costs to UMTV The Rev. Jerry Herships (left) is founder of AfterHours Denver. The congregation maintain two facilities. meets in a bar – and serves sandwiches and offers Communion daily in a park that Calderon is coordinator of Hispanic/ is home to part of Denver’s homeless population. Latino ministries for the conference, but

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter she started Escuela de Liderazgo (School the connection start Northwest Conference, Valley & Moun- of Leadership) on her own. The school, 684 churches in the tain is dedicated to building community, which her conference supports, uses some United States. In advancing social justice and empowering modules from Path 1’s Lay Missionary its latest statistical people to develop authentic and deep spir- Planting Network (LMPN). It has received update on Feb. itual lives (Read more on page 25.) other assistance from Discipleship Minis- 19, 2013, Path 1 As in New Mexico, other annual tries (General Board of Discipleship). said data from the conferences are looking at readiness for The planting network provides a General Council revitalization and determining which

10-session training program, in English on Finance and PHOTO COURTESY churches are ready to start making and Spanish, designed to equip lay people Administration The Rev. Candace Lewis changes, said the Rev. Betsey Heavner, to start new communities of faith, said showed 59 of those director of leadership for congregational Samuel Rodriguez, director of Hispanic, 684 churches had closed, for a close rate renewal at Discipleship Ministries. More Latino and multiethnic new church starts of 8.6 percent. For the years 2004-07, the and more are adding congregational at Discipleship Ministries. new-church close rate was 26 percent, or redevelopment staff and becoming “LMPN’s primary goal is to start house 72 of 278 church starts. strategic about how they use money and churches to reach new people – people To collect additional information people for renewal. who aren’t attending church,” Rodriguez about new church starts, a new database is Congregations arrive at the end of their said. scheduled to go online next spring. “Right life cycle for various reasons: population Most who go to Calderon’s school are now, we only have information when they shifts, financial problems or large, aging Spanish-speaking laity who attended the started, the racial-ethnic group and the church buildings in need of expensive Methodist Church in Mexico before arriv- strategy that they are going to utilize,” maintenance. For many, the urge to hold ing in the United States. They learn about Lewis said. “With the new database, on to what they have always done, rather United Methodist doctrine and church (churches) can report worship attendance, than connecting with things God is doing history, John Wesley and the Book of Dis- small-group ministry, testimonies or is a major challenge to their revitalization, cipline. Since the school began a year ago, praise reports – what’s happening in the Heavner said. 24 people have completed the study and church – so we can actually have a sense of “Sometimes people just have a hard most have started house churches to serve what lives are being touched.” time giving up the old ways of doing things others in the Hispanic/Latino community, Path 1 set an ambitious goal to plant or the old roles that they’ve had,” she said. Calderon said. 1,000 new churches during the current “People who have been in the church a quadrennium; 116 started in 2012 and long, long time have to develop a real open- 33 CONFERENCES TAKE LEAD 145 in 2013. “It’s a goal designed really to ness to put what God wants them to do “I don’t want to say I’m producing motivate us to see the opportunity and ahead of what they have always done.” pastors because that’s not true. I’m just keep moving toward it,” Lewis said. “Even producing lay leaders,” she said. “Some of though the numbers are trending similarly, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE them might want to be pastors. Some of we haven’t had the big spike that we want Heavner said change has been part of them may be lay ministers.” to see. But we believe that we can continue churches, from the time of the Reforma- The work of starting churches rests to work at building a system that’s going to tion and the Methodist roots in the Wes- within annual conferences. In all jurisdic- help be a catalyst to doing more work.” leyan movement. “John Wesley realized tions in the United States, conferences are that many people were not in the Church working to create new places for new peo- PLANTING STRATEGIES VARY of England, so he went out and preached in ple, said the Rev. Candace Lewis, associate In various settings across the U.S., both general secretary for New Church Starts/ clergy and lay planters are establishing Worshippers at Easter fill revitalized Grace Path 1 at Discipleship Ministries. The em- new places for worship. Planting strate- Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, where attendance has been on a steady rise. phasis on developing new congregations gies include traditional starts by annual and revitalizing existing ones is among the conferences, partner church projects, vital denomination’s four areas of focus. mergers and church-within-a-church, Path 1 collaborates with annual as well as house churches and new faith conferences through training, consulting, communities in nontraditional locations, resourcing and coaching. A Path 1 staff such as bars and prisons. member, deployed to each jurisdiction, One creative and highly relational works with conference developers and on faith community in Seattle, called Valley the district level with church planters. & Mountain, meets on Sunday afternoons “One of the most effective ways we for “celebrations” in the Hillman City have for reaching new people is starting Collaboratory. The community co- new churches,” Lewis said. founded and sponsors the social change Path 1 was organized in 2009. During incubator and community center. Led

the 2009-12 quadrennium, Path 1 helped by the Rev. John Helmiere of the Pacific UMNS FILE PHOTO/JOSEPH MCBRAYER

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 Mission Initiatives birth Developing, new faith communities ith the help of Mission Initia- we actually have churches,” Howard tives, a ministry of the General said. “There are other places where WBoard of Global Ministries, they’re in houses and other places new faith communities are emerg- where they’re outdoors.” ing throughout the world, including Vietnam has more than 270 pastors in countries where governments do and 14 local elders in mission with COURTESY VALLEY & MOUNTAIN VALLEY COURTESY Congregants from Valley & Mountain, a United not recognize The United Methodist 15,000 people participating in house Methodist faith community in Seattle, gather for Church. churches. their annual Waffles and White Elephant party George Howard, who heads Mission during Advent. Initiatives, said the new faith com- munities range from congregations to the fields or met the miners as they were Bible study or prayer groups that meet coming out of the coal mines. That whole regularly. pattern is who we are,” she said. “The people that I encounter in Church revitalization has more to do these initiatives, and frankly, in many with the heart of the people in a congre- central conferences across the world,

gation than things like worship style, understand that God has performed WEST OHIO CONFERENCE COURTESY music or the leader’s age. “Churches that yet again another miracle in their life,” Since the Revs. Ut and Karen Vo-To became are revitalized are really connecting with Howard said. “And every time they take missionaries in 2002, the Vietnam Mission their communities and ... the people who a step forward, they give thanks for the Initiative has grown to include more than 300 churches. live there by offering the presence of God presence of God in their life.” according to the context and neighborhood During 2009-12, Mission Initiatives Russia is now a full annual con- where they are,” she said. helped start 574 faith communities, ference within The United Methodist For example, the Rev. Judy Cramer surpassing a goal of 400. The goal for Church. Lithuania and Latvia are part 34 found a discouraged and struggling com- the current quadrennium is 600, and of annual conferences. All three coun- munity when she arrived two years ago to 275 faith communities launched in 2013 tries will transition out of Mission serve Magnetic Springs United Methodist and 2014. Initiatives. Church, located in a rural central Ohio vil- Mission Initiatives is present in In the past few years, Cameroon lage. Population had dwindled to 300 from 12 countries and regions: Cambodia, added six new faith communities. about 3,000 in Magnetic Springs’ heyday a Cameroon, Central Asia, Honduras, “These are small, fledgling bands of century ago. Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Christians in a very Muslim context,” Cramer saw children walking the Russia/Eurasia, Senegal, Thailand and Howard said. “These are pioneers who streets, teasing, bullying and fighting each Vietnam. are birthing a new Wesleyan move- other because they had nothing else to In Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, ment.” do. As a major part of its revitalization, former refugees introduced to the Howard said three factors determine the church began a place for children and church in the United States returned as sustainability of the faith communities: youth to gather with activities and recre- United Methodist missionaries to plant »» Are they continuing to replicate? Do ation. Soon the children came on Sunday faith communities. they naturally, as part of their DNA, mornings, and the adults followed. United Methodists, Korean Meth- reach out to birth new faith commu- Heavner said she believes The United odists and Singapore Methodists are nities? Methodist Church is at a tipping point. “I collaborating to birth an autonomous »» Is there self-determination? Do local think more and more churches are starting Methodist Church in Cambodia. people set strategies, priorities and to do new things and see new possibilities In Vietnam and Laos, the the course and live into it? Are they than say, 10 years ago. I feel hopeful government has not registered The looking for new leaders constantly? about revitalization in North America in United Methodist Church. Still, »» Are they financially self-sufficient? particular,” she said. missionaries and local leaders manage How do they operate so all resources to reach new people. More than 300 are not automatically coming from Tom Gillem is a freelance writer and faith communities are in Vietnam and outside the community photojournalist based in Brentwood, Tenn. more than 60 in Laos. “In both of those countries, there are Tom Gillem places where the local government – the local leaders – have said, ‘Go ahead,’ so

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter Developing, RENEWING CONGREGATIONS IN 2015 Following are some of the UNITED METHODIST VITAL CONGREGATION plans for 2015 submitted to the COMMUNICATIONS A Connectional Table by groups »» Expand Find-A-Church to receiving apportioned funds.. include information on con- PEOPLE ‘LIVE OUT THEIR PASSION’ gregations in Africa, Europe DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES and the Philippines. AT COLORADO CHURCH »» Have at least 10 new partic- »» Continue intense use of n order to become a member ipants in the Large Impact social media to reach and en- of Tri-Lakes United Meth- Church Planting Residency gage seekers and to connect Iodist Church in Monument, Program. members with resources to Colo., you first must participate »» Equip 1,600 church planters enhance advertising efforts. in a 10-week discipleship class. through training events in »» Encourage local churches Called “Blueprint for Disci- partnership with the annual to get involved with their pleship,” the course covers the conferences. communities. basics of United Methodist and »» Add staff to resource Christian beliefs. COURTESY TRI-LAKES UMC COURTESY Asian-American church NATIVE AMERICAN The classes are the first Volunteers from Tri-Lakes United planting in the United States. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN step in building disciples rath- Methodist Church in Monument, »» Develop five new publishing »» Produce culturally appropri- er than building a church. Colo., pass out preparedness teams in Africa, Eastern Eu- ate books and other written “We want to grab them information during a community FireWise fair. rope and the Philippines. resources through a Native right away,” said the Rev. Bob »» Encourage use of The God We American Writers Gathering Kaylor, lead pastor since 2010. Communion at every oppor- Can Know study to support for Young Persons. “We have lifelong members tunity, and that’s what we’ve vital congregations. »» Gather and train clergy and who don’t know much about done for the past two years.” laity from new Native Ameri- their own theological DNA, Vibrancy goes beyond GLOBAL MINISTRIES can fellowships, church starts and new Christians and seek- numbers, Kaylor said. “If you »» Develop 600 new faith com- and ministries and Native and ers attend.” build a church, you rarely build 35 munities during the qua- non-Native leadership and Kaylor said the classes disciples. If you build disciples, drennium through Mission congregational development have been instrumental in the you always get the church.” Initiatives. staff working toward new church’s vitality and growth. Kaylor takes delight when »» Move toward self-sufficiency Native American churches. He has noticed that new people at Tri-Lakes live out in the Mission Initiatives. »» Support people in ministry members are assimilated more their passion through out- with new Native American quickly, build relationships reach. He points to an emer- CHURCH AND SOCIETY faith communities and revi- faster and join small groups gency-preparedness ministry »» Integrate faith-rooted orga- talizing existing churches. more frequently. that sprang from wildfires nizing as a tool for congre- The church started in around the area in the past two gational development and ASIAN AMERICAN LANGUAGE 1991 as a church plant in an years. community transformation. MINISTRY AND PACIFIC abandoned truck stop. In 2000, This ministry, he said, »» Nurture relationships and ISLANDER MINISTRIES PLAN the congregation purchased which now involves 30 people, partnerships with new com- »» Cooperate with annual con- 40 acres. Six years later, it held came out of the passion of two munities of people directly ferences and general agencies its first worship service in new church members. “I, as a pas- affected by broken systems to start new faith communi- facilities. Today, the congre- tor, had nothing to do with it such as immigration and ties for immigrants needing gation has 600 members with other than to create the condi- mass incarceration. specific language ministries. about 350 attending its three tions for people to live out their »» Build strong relationships »» Assist with development worship services. passion. That’s pretty cool.” with churches and societies of language resources and Each worship service in- wherever a United Methodist literature. cludes Holy Communion. The Rev. Erik Alsgaard is presence exists. “It’s a means of grace,” Kay- managing editor, Baltimore- KOREAN MINISTRY PLAN lor said. “My preaching isn’t Washington Annual Conference. STATUS AND ROLE OF WOMEN »» Conduct Conflict Transfor- enough. Wesley said to take »» Develop a resource to prepare mation Workshop. congregations for their first »» Train small group ministry AT A GLANCE Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church | 20256 Hunting Downs woman or cross-cultural leaders at the School for Way, Monument, CO 80132 | [email protected] | www.trilakesumc.org | Pastor: The Rev. Robert Kaylor | appointment. Congregational Development. Average Attendance: 346 | Rocky Mountain Conference

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 STATE OF THE CHURCH Interpreter invited a number of people across The United Methodist Church to submit brief essays describing a unified United Methodist Church. These are the responses received. For more thoughts on this VISIONS OF topic, see page12. Unity YOKED TO ONE ANOTHER identity. When I ask their parents why Bible coupled with our doctrine and Social Being a unified church they would do this, they tell me it’s because Principles. has to do with being yoked their faith does not condone this. Being a worldwide church, we have to one another in our A unified church is united in our different cultures and backgrounds, but mission of being disciples, mission of “making disciples of Jesus it is the fundamental things that keep us making disciples and Christ for the transformation of the unified (1 Corinthians 1:10). The United COUNCIL OF BISHOPS transformational activity. Bishop Warner world.” This transformation cannot and Methodist Church respects diversity of We seek to be people who H. Brown Jr. must not occur on the backs of the most opinions held by conscientious persons are demonstrating God’s goodness to ev- vulnerable. A unified United Methodist of faith. John Wesley once said, “As to all eryone in the name of Jesus Christ. Unity Church that seeks to opinions which do not strike at the root of 36 makes our witness stronger and our mes- preserve the institution Christianity, we think and let think.” sage more believable. That’s at the heart of but sacrifices its children is A unified United Methodist Church who we are called to be. In Acts 2, the early not truly united, nor even is one that does not succumb to pressure church, full of the Holy Spirit, huddled to- church. Raised in rural to conform to the world. Instead, it must gether trying to figure out, “Well, what do Ohio, I’ve ministered in focus on the fundamentals (Romans 12:2). we do now?” And they began to treat one Zimbabwe and am serving Betty Katiyo, former lay COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY another respectfully and share what they in Chicago. I know The The Rev. leader, Zimbabwe West had, discover their gifts and engage people United Methodist Church Gregory Gross Annual Conference around them in ministries of love and must be a large umbrella that allows us to hope and watching as change occurred. fully serve all in the contexts to which we BELIEVERS ARE ONE Where we see brokenness in commu- are appointed. A unified United Meth- nity, the church can play a transformative The Rev. Gregory D. Gross, community odist Church is an entity COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY role. When we are unified in our spiritual health manager, The Night Ministry, Mazvita that belongs to one body, and social witness we can help those in and family ministries coordinator, Berry Machinga united in belief (in) Christ need and give them a reason to hope. United Methodist Church, Chicago, Ill. as the head. In a unified United Methodist There are endless opportunities, and we’re Church, all believers are one, engulfed and called to be the people who bring that BUILT AROUND THE WORD OF GOD united by Christ’s love in salvation, service witness in a way that’s relevant. As the body of Jesus Christ, the word and in making disciples for Christ. For as Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., San Francisco of God is our initial point such that all we many as they are and in their differences, Area; president, Council of Bishops do is built around it. In a changing world, they are equal, but unique and joined to- our God remains unchanged yesterday, to- gether in spreading God’s message of hope, UNITED IN MISSION day and tomorrow, salvation and in making disciples for Christ. I work daily with young people who just like the word of Each individual, as part of the body, func- are living on the streets of Chicago. They God, the Holy Bible. tions for the good of the whole and in honor are there, oftentimes, because their fam- The (United of Christ and the church. Each believer in ilies have kicked them out of their homes Methodist) Chris- this unified United Methodist Church has

due to their parents’ disapproval of their JEFFREY UMNS/PAUL tian operational a God-given ability that strengthens the perceived sexual orientation and gender Betty Katiyo manual is the Holy whole body through rendering different

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter services such as serving the poor, the hun- just community and boldly confronts SCRIPTURE PRIMARY gry, the stranger and the prisoner. A unified the “*isms” within the church itself. A unified United Methodist Church United Methodist Church strives to listen »» A diverse church overcomes our reflects oneness in its nature, mission, to Christ the head as they mutually care for restrictive polity by honoring unity in and vision as it seeks to make disciples one another and live their faith. diversity, engaging our varied mission of Jesus Christ for the Mazvita Machinga, fields in contextual, accountable ways transformation of the world. psychotherapist, Zimbabwe through a more adaptive polity. It must accept Scripture »» A kenotic “self-emptying” church pri- as the primary source of WELCOMING ALL THE GIFTS oritizes missional needs over institu- theological reflection in a United Methodists tional maintenance. world that is degenerated

today are defined, in That’ll do it. Oh, one more: if we truly PHOTO COURTESY by sin and unable to redeem large measure, by our live out our baptismal affirmation “you are The Rev. itself. Indeed, a unified willingness to share the a beloved child of God” that was said to George Wilson United Methodist Church gospel across boundaries my daughter — and all your daughters and is that church that respects and abides by of class, race, culture sons — then God will be glorified indeed. the dictates of the United Methodist Book and nationality. We pray, COUNCIL OF BISHOPS The Rev. Jeremy Smith, minister of of Discipline. A unified United Methodist Bishop Joel preach and sing the Good Martinez discipleship, First United Methodist Church is authentically global in nature News story across our Church, Portland, Ore. and practice insofar as it accepts all as neighborhoods, and across the earth. equal in the sight of God: black, white, What we have often neglected to do, RECOGNIZE, RESPECT UNIQUENESS African, Asian, etc. A truly unified United however, is to welcome fully all the gifts, One of the pieces that Methodist Church opens its doors wide experiences and insights that these new stands out about The enough so that all will have a comfortable communities of (United) Methodists have United Methodist Church space, a space that is welcoming and ac- to offer the church. Until we are willing, is the fact that we are a commodating enough, where God’s people in humility, to value the abundant gifts, diverse group of Christian can feel the love of Jesus Christ who died wisdom and spirituality of those who are women and men who have for sinners so that they can be reconciled COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY unlike us, we will never learn to appreciate chosen this denomination The Rev. with the God of compassion and justice. the gift of unity for which Christ prayed. to live out our faith. Our David Wilson The Rev. George D. Wilson Jr., We can increasingly distance ourselves faith is lived out through our worship and director of connectional ministries, from any who hold differing views about service to God to the world. Our worship Liberia Episcopal Area 37 the mission, direction and organization of and service of Creator God is lived out in The United Methodist Church. Or, we can diverse ways, and we are not required to all LOVE UNITES journey into a new season of Pentecost think and believe and act the same. It has been said that any entity with the where all the voices are heard and all the Our task is to make disciples for Jesus word “united” in its title, isn’t. gifts are welcomed because the Holy Spirit Christ for the transformation of the world. “In this new life, it doesn’t matter if has baptized all, filled all and sent all. Our task is to respect and recognize the you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised We need every United Methodist’s gift, unique ways that we all arrive at this com- or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, experience and insight if we are to live into mon goal. One is not superior to the other, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and the latter vision of our future. Come Holy but each actually complements one an- he lives in all of us.” (Colos- Spirit. Ven Espiritu Santo. other. We all have a contribution to make sians 3:11, NLT) Bishop Joel Martinez (Retired), San Antonio and we bring our contributions together We do not have the to make it work. Native American folks same theology. We do not HOLY, JUST, DIVERSE, have understood that for years. One of my have the same opinions. KENOTIC favorite quotes, attributed to Chief Seat- We do not look the same. As I look at my tod- tle, the great Suquamish leader, in 1854 We do not love the same. COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY dler daughter and wonder sums up what it means to be in unity. Heather Wilson We do not speak the same what kind of church could Humankind has not woven the web of life. language. We do not worship possibly be unified enough We are but one thread within it. the same. We do not pray the same. We are COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY for her to inherit someday, The Rev. Whatever we do to the web, we do to not the same. I believe a holy, just, diverse Jeremy Smith ourselves. But God loves you. God loves me. God and kenotic church might be our best All things are bound together. loves US. So I love you and you love me. hope. All things connect. This is the same. This unites us. So we »» A holy church perpetually seeks The Rev. David Wilson, conference walk together, unique but not apart. personal and social holiness in the superintendent, Oklahoma Indian Heather Wilson, Volunteer In Mission Wesleyan tradition. Missionary Conference coordinator, Western Jurisdiction »» A just church funnels that holy discon- tent to transform society into a more

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 STATE OF THE CHURCH Watch as United Watch as a catering Methodists in company in Tampa, Fla., Hungary welcome fights homelessness one the Roma people (commonly box lunch at a time. known as Gypsies) who have faced discrimination for centuries. Celebrating ALL GOD'S CHILDREN

BY BARBARA DUNLAP-BERG

READING FROM THE PROPHET ISAIAH, JESUS SAID, “THE 38 SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE THE LORD HAS ANOINTED ME. HE HAS SENT ME TO PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR, TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE PRISONERS AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO LIBERATE THE OPPRESSED” (LUKE 4:18, CEB).

Across the United States and around the world, United Methodists “preach good news to the poor” through a variety of ministries. Ministry with the Poor is one of the denomination’s four priority areas of focus, and the General Board of Church and Soci- ety and the General Board of Global Ministries are leading the way. United Methodists from 16 conferences in 12 states gathered in May 2014 at the Church for All People in Columbus, Ohio, to participate in “Cross- ing Boundaries: A Conference for the Poor and Those Who Work Alongside Them.” “Crossing Boundaries” grew out of two roundta- bles with practitioners and conference staff hosted by Bishop Michael McKee in Dallas and Bishop Sally Dyck in Chicago. The goal was to strengthen and expand the network of practitioners engaged in ministry with the poor, learn from each other and COURTESY CENTRAL UMC COURTESY Through the Saranam ministry at Central United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, N.M., identify additional Ministry with the Poor trainers children meet new friends in a new community. and training sites.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter CENTRAL, ALBUQUERQUE “Everything we do is related to conver- The Rev. Greg Henneman, associ- sation, relationship building and getting to ate pastor of Central United Methodist know one another.” Learning Church, Albuquerque, N.M., attended Today, Central offers a full spectrum of opportunities the Dallas roundtable in November 2013, ministries with the poor and the homeless. sponsored by Church and Society and “We have engaged the local elementary n September 2014, Global Ministries funded Global Ministries. Funding from his school — a very poor school — and have a a planning session in Little Rock, Ark., for church and the New Mexico Annual Con- daily running program with the students Ministry with the Poor practitioners from Ifive locations to design regional experiential ference allowed him to take a team to the called Mighty Milers, and a monthly trainings to host in 2015 at their locations. May 2014 “Crossing Boundaries” training mobile food pantry that feeds about 300 The preliminary list of regional training sites in Columbus. people,” Sharp said. “We have a four-day- includes Columbus, Detroit, Houston, Little Central is located across the street a-week ministry called Helping Hands Rock and San Francisco. from the University of New Mexico. Its that offers sack lunches, bus passes, coffee An October 2014 Summit on the Black 1,000 members are primarily middle- to and conversation.” Saranam, a two-year Church, hosted by the South Carolina Confer- upper-middle class. However, said the Rev. residential and educational program for ence and attended by about 200 people, was devoted to equipping and resourcing congre- Scott Sharp, senior pastor, “Our location homeless families, is 11 years old. gations to engage in ministry with, rather than affords us contact with many transient, “Too often,” Sharp said, “we have a to, the poor. poor and homeless persons. On a Sunday limited view of what the church can do, “That conference,” said Mary Ellen Kris of Celebrating morning in the fall, there are people in and fear about ‘scarce’ resources often Global Ministries, “has made a commitment to surfaces. Several years ago, as our ministry children and poverty, with a particular focus on with the poor was really starting to ramp stamping out childhood illiteracy.” The starting up, we heard some complaints about ‘those point is Bishop Jonathan L. Holston’s Million Book Campaign, an entry point for churches people’ in the church, but that has gone to form relationships with severely under-re- away. sourced schools and children living in poverty. “Central’s ministry with the poor has In addition, the Greenville District of South become one of the things that we are Carolina has a begun a Ministry with the Poor really known for in the community,” Sharp [initiative] that encourages all of the churches in the district to form a relationship with at said. “We put a lot of energy into it, and least one low-income family in the district.” that energy requires financial and human During 2014, Global Ministries also recruit- resources that are limited.” 39 ed 25 practitioners to attend a 60-hour certi- The general church and the annual fication program to become coaches teaching conference have provided financial assis- others to develop multiclass, multicultural tance. congregations. They will complete their training “Ultimately,” Sharp said, “the rich and be certified in January 2015.

UMNS/SAM HODGES and the poor have to worship together, be Coral Romero, youth band member and guitar together, learn together and be shaped in teacher at Christ’s Foundry United Methodist discipleship together.” Church, helps Guitars with Grace student Kevin church outreach, saying simply, “They are Landlin with his fingering. CHRIST’S FOUNDRY, DALLAS one and the same.” fur coats and people carrying all of their “Our congregation is of the poor and He participated in the Dallas roundta- belongings on their backs in our worship for the poor,” said the Rev. Owen K. Ross, ble and brought a team from his church to services.” pastor/missionary at Christ’s Foundry “Crossing Boundaries,” thanks to funding When Henneman joined the staff in United Methodist Mission. from the North Texas Conference. In 2009, the mission ministry began to evolve The congregation’s more than 200 Columbus, Ross led a workshop on “Evan- from a catch-as-catch-can effort to com- members represent the urban poor, His- gelism and Ministry with the Poor,” the prehensive outreach. The first program panics and young immigrant families who subject of his doctoral dissertation. was an outdoor worship ministry for are involved in a gamut of ministries for all “Ministry with the poor is discipleship homeless people. age levels. for those serving and a means of making “We began to talk about it with the “Most of our churches are willing to go new disciples through service,” he said. congregation,” Sharp said. “We recruited to, rather than invite the poor to be a part The new paradigm aligns social services volunteers. In February 2011, we launched of the full lives of their congregations,” with discipleship ministries. what became Community of Hope. That Ross said. They are “comfortable in inter- Funds received through the United ministry now is a worship service and acting with the poor in a soup kitchen but Methodist connection have aided Christ’s meal every Sunday afternoon on the south not necessarily in their children’s Sunday Foundry Mission. “We have received lawn of our church.” school class.” grants throughout our 12-year history for But it’s not just ministry to the poor, he Ross does not draw a distinction our work with leadership development,” noted. between ministry with the poor and other Ross said.

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 STATE OF THE CHURCH

CHURCH FOR ALL PEOPLE, A breakfast ministry — Feeding by COLUMBUS, OHIO Faith — began in 2002. One man had a The United Methodist Church for All vision of reaching out to homeless individ- People on the south side of Columbus, uals in downtown Columbus by offering Ohio, seems the perfect training site for hearty food. People from the church made ministry with the poor. A third of the and delivered breakfast sandwiches to households live below the federal poverty locations by the river. Their goal, Cook level. Unemployment is nearly 20 percent. said, was “to make contact with homeless One-third of the community is younger folks.” than 18. When the response was disappointing, “Our flagship direct service, the Free a church staff member suggested the crew Store, launched in 1999 and has served bring food to the Free Store, where there more than 150,000 since its inception,” was always a crowd on Saturday mornings. said the Rev. Karen Cook, associate pastor. It was an instant success. Four teams of From that, other ministries emerged, volunteers now rotate duties, serving an including affordable housing, youth devel- average of 150 meals each week. opment, health and wellness, Bikes for All “Our lived theology in this regard is COURTESY THE CHURCH FOR ALL PEOPLE COURTESY People and community gardens. fully Wesleyan,” she said, “as we encourage Margaret Madison measures a child during vacation Bible school at Church for All People.

individuals to experience the fullness of God’s grace in their lives, moving through the Wesleyan progression of prevenient grace leading to justifying grace and ultimately unfolding in sanctifying grace, 40 where folks embrace the call to follow in Christ’s steps as servant leaders.” Engaging Four-days-a-week worship experienc- es, Cook said, represent the “many chan- IN MINISTRY WITH THE POOR IN 2015 nels we use to invite people to become full participants and, ultimately, professing Following are the plans for 2015 submitted to the Connectional members. Two-thirds of the members of Table by general agencies and some other groups receiving appor- our growing congregation are low-income tioned funds. persons who have come to know the love of Christ through our community devel- GENERAL BOARD OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY opment ministries.” Worship attendance »» Increase faith-rooted organizing efforts to help United Meth- averages 280 people a week. odists shift from transactional models of ministry “to” into The Church for All People sees every relational ministries “with” those struggling in poverty. individual as an asset. The challenge, Cook said, is to help others see “all people” with GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES worth, value, assets and gifts. »» Draw closer links between Ministry with the Poor and global “Embracing the assets of all people migration. continues to make a positive impact on »» Facilitate coaching in local/regional ministries with the poor. our community,” she continued. “The »» Foster relations with annual conferences and congregations in two essential and universal assets in any the development of multi-class ministries. endeavor are the people in the community and the dynamic presence of God’s Spirit.” NATIVE AMERICAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN »» Most of the ministry that will be conducted within the 2013-16 Barbara Dunlap-Berg is associate editor, quadrennial plan relates to this focus area. Demographics for Interpreter, and general church content Native Americans in the United States indicate the majority editor, United Methodist Communications. live at or below the poverty line.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter AVITAL CONGREGATION DANISH UNITED METHODIST ‘TUTTI’ GATHERS YOUNG ADULTS CHURCH VALUES GLOBAL TIES IN THE EAST VILLAGE n Denmark, where only 2 well as central mission and n a cold evening in New lot more. Before the service, percent of the population local outreach,” Birch says. York’s East Village, more she slices apples while the Rev. Iregularly attends church, Jerusalemskirken hosts Othan two dozen young Paul Moon slices pomegran- every United Methodist con- soup kitchens and halfway people share conversation, ates – all the while engaging gregation must be “vital.” houses, and offers personal soup, worship and sweet pas- in lively conversation with the counseling. It also has active tries at Tutti, a Sunday night young people drifting into the small groups and an En- gathering at the BrokenBuild- community center. glish-speaking worship service ers United Methodist Church, The Tutti worship service for asylum-seeking refugees, a predominantly Korean features small-group sharing, mainly from West Africa. congregation. praise hymn singing and a ser- He also credits the global “I feel peaceful in my heart mon from community member church connection for the pop- here,” says Dylan Yiyang Qiu, a Pastor Joshua Cheng from ularity of African-American New York University graduate Queens, N.Y. gospel music in Denmark. student. “All my family is on “A man from my congre- the other half of the world. I COURTESY OLE BIRCH COURTESY Although only a small percentage of gation spent six months in the had to find a home.” Danes are regular churchgoers, the United States and became a Qiu is not the only one pews at Jerusalemskirken United huge fan of gospel music. He looking to build community. Methodist are often full. brought it back to Denmark Gookhi Min, 20, a finance 41 The general Danish popula- and started a popular move- student at Baruch College, tion is secular, despite belong- ment,” Birch says. Jerusalem- came to the diverse gathering MARY BETH COUDAL MARY ing to the Lutheran State skirken has three gospel choirs that is Tutti (Italian for “all” Music enriches worship at Broken- Church. and there are probably 100 or “together”) at a friend’s Builders United Methodist Church, “People go [to church] to choirs in the city. Flekkefjord invitation. She then trained New York. get their children baptized, United Methodist in Norway to become one of the church’s There is a new Broken- have weddings and funerals has African-British staff mem- first community developers, Builders congregation in the there, maybe go to Christmas bers who lead gospel choirs. learning “how to interact with Korean community in Queens service, but that’s it. It’s disen- Birch says the church in new people.” and another is planned near gaging and doesn’t require any- Central Europe also embraces Joyce Lee, a lawyer and Harlem. “We’re still witnessing thing of you in return,” says the mission work. Centralkirken in associate pastor of Broken- how this is going to unfold,” Rev. Ole Birch, a member of the Oslo, Norway, has a strong heart Builders, says the communi- says Lee. Connectional Table and pastor for African mission. New Begin- ty-developer program started Moon said that the name of Jerusalemskirken United nings in Estonia and Riga First with seven students. Church BrokenBuilders is based on Methodist, the oldest church in Latvia successfully reach leaders realized local congre- the reality, “We are all broken. in Copenhagen. It has around out to young people. Six new gations were not reaching “the Even in our brokenness, we 450 members. He also serves churches have been planted in sea of college students in this can rebuild the kingdom.” as district superintendent in the Nordic and Baltic countries. area.” In response, they started the annual conference with 10 “The state church is na- Tutti in 2014. Mary Beth Coudal is a churches and 200 members. tional in reach and isolated,” During worship, Lee leads journalist and a blogger. She However, Birch says United Birch says, “but we’re influ- the singing and plays key- blogs about faith and happiness Methodism’s global connection enced far beyond our own boards. And she does a whole at mbcoudal.com. is a huge help. size and reach because of the “Thanks to the connection, global connection.” AT A GLANCE BrokenBuilders United Methodist Church | 48 St. Marks we’ve been able to introduce Place, Room 4B, New York, NY 10003 | [email protected] | http://b3m.org | Pastor: The Rev. Paul Moon | the concept of Sunday school Joey Butler is multimedia editor Attendance: 81 | New York Conference and various music styles, as for Interpreter.

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 STATE OF THE CHURCH Watch this quick overview of the Imagine No Malaria initiative. MOVING TOWARD A HEALTHIER

WorldBY CINDY SOLOMON IN 2008, STAMPING OUT THE KILLER DISEASES OF POVERTY consistent messages about prevention, WAS AFFIRMED AS ONE OF THE FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE early identification and treatment. If we communicate clearly and effectively, using UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE GLOBAL new technologies as well as traditional HEALTH INITIATIVE IS TO ELIMINATE WORLDWIDE UNNECESSARY ways of communicating, lives are saved.” SUFFERING FROM DISEASES OF POVERTY, INCLUDING MALARIA, HIV/AIDS AND TUBERCULOSIS. WHILE MUCH REMAINS TO BE HEALTH BOARDS IMPACT EBOLA FIGHT 42 DONE, PROGRESS HAS COME DURING THE PAST SIX YEARS. UMCOR is working with United Methodist health boards in West Africa ONCE ONLY IMAGINED, NOW nets and education to prevent malaria, in a three-pronged approach to confront BECOMING REALITY training health care workers and health the spread of the Ebola virus. “Community Launched in April 2010, Imagine No boards and improving existing hospitals education about the disease, health worker Malaria’s fundraising goal of $75 million and clinics. protection and psychosocial counseling for is now 85 percent complete. “It has been While the fight against malaria con- affected people and their families are the amazing to witness the contagious appeal tinues, United Methodist health work- strategy’s three prongs,” said Dr. Olusimbo of this ministry with United Methodists ers equipped by Imagine No Malaria’s Ige, senior program manager for Imagine all over the world,” says the Rev. Gary infrastructure are also battling the Ebola No Malaria for UMCOR. Henderson, executive director of the outbreak that continues in West Africa, With a shortage of local health net- Global Health Initiative for the denomina- especially Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia works and medical personnel in affected tion. “People learn about the need, and the and Nigeria. “It’s a blessing and a gift,” countries and people’s distrust of their suffering and death caused by malaria, and says Henderson referring to health boards government and health systems, annual they instinctively give.” and other new infrastructure. “No one conference health board structures in Money from the $65 million raised dreamed that the church would be called has already been used to fight malaria in upon in this way.” sub-Saharan Africa where the death rate, When dealing with diseases such as especially among pregnant women and malaria and Ebola, a clear message saves To Learn More children under 5, has been halved. Grant lives. “Communication precedes preven- Imagine No Malaria, www.imaginenomalaria.org money from Imagine No Malaria has pro- tion and treatment,” says the Rev. Larry The Church Responds to Ebola (special vided staff and resources for United Meth- Hollon, general secretary for United Meth- coverage), www.umc.org/news-and-media/the- odist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)-led odist Communications. “The diseases of church-responds-to-ebola. efforts in environmental cleanup (remov- poverty are intertwined. The contagion UMC Health Ministry Network (information ing stagnant water and trash), providing of Ebola is affecting the ability of health about congregational health ministries), basic sanitation (latrines and clean water), care workers to identify and treat victims http://www.gbophb.org/cfh/umchmn. diagnosing and treating individuals with of malaria and other diseases. Preventing United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, malaria, providing insecticide-treated bed and controlling these diseases requires www.umglobalaidsfund.com.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter countries such as Sierra Leone and Libe- ria play a vital role. Currently there are “This reflection and data evaluation will help us 13 health boards in 16 countries. Originally trained to address malar- set the Global Health Initiative special goals and ia-related issues, health board members are responsible for identifying and objectives in a meaningful way.” designing programs to address varied health needs, mobilizing resources at home or in the hospital. While they Conference, the Global AIDS Fund is through grant application, overseeing do not provide direct patient care, faith governed by an inter-agency committee project implementation and reporting to community nurses regularly coordinate that oversees grant-making and sponsors donors. In Sierra Leone and Liberia, Ebo- and participate in health and wellness educational and advocacy opportunities la-related grants are being used for com- outreach programs, health screenings and for United Methodists. munity education, health worker training, community health fairs. “Just Save One,” a current emphasis of medical supplies and protective equip- “The greatest benefit of [faith commu- the fund, focuses on education and testing ment, food support to families, and setting nity] nursing is the ability of the nurse ... to prevent the transmission of HIV from up Ebola case holding centers — transition to provide educational principles, along AIDS-infected mothers to their newborns. places for suspected Ebola patients before with spiritual care and nurturing, during The campaign is already impacting wom- they are diagnosed or transported to a times of need,” said Patricia Magyar, ex- en in Uganda’s Kibaale District. Through a treatment center. ecutive secretary of U.S. Health for Global $10,000 grant from the Global AIDS Fund, Ministries. “This is a role that no other in pregnant women are being tested for HIV. FAITH COMMUNITY NURSES the church is able to provide, bringing... Health care workers are better equipped World ADDRESS HEALTH ISSUES together health and healing of the mind to provide medications for HIV-infected Across the United States, more than and body through spiritual care.” pregnant women prior to their delivery. 1,500 United Methodist faith community Approximately $10 provides the medica- nurses are addressing health care issues HIV/AIDS FIGHT CONTINUES tion for an HIV-infected mom and new- at the grassroots. While these nurses are Since the first cases of HIV and AIDS born to prevent the baby from acquiring members of a church staff — some paid were reported in 1981, the disease has the HIV virus. and some volunteer, some part time and claimed the lives of more than 39 million “Our hope is for United Methodists to others full time — all must be registered people worldwide. More than 33 million step up to the plate to support efforts to nurses licensed in their state of residence people are currently living with HIV, and eradicate the spread of HIV to newborns. 43 and follow the American Nurses Associa- one in six of those is unaware that he or We’ve seen it happen in the United States; tion and the Health Ministry Association’s she has the disease. let’s make it a reality around the globe,” “Scope and Standards of Faith Community HIV and AIDS are still a problem, and says Linda Bales Todd, co-chair of the Nursing Practice.” work to eradicate the disease is ongoing. Global AIDS Fund. Since 2004, more than Some faith community nurses work United Methodists contribute through $3 million has been distributed to 200 in local health and human service orga- the work of the United Methodist Global projects in 38 countries. nizations; others visit church members AIDS Fund. Created by the 2004 General WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE GLOBAL Sergia Daulney (left) helps Sierra Leonian volunteer Mohamed Huseni (right) tie up a bundle of mosquito HEALTH INITIATIVE? nets for families in her village during a June 2014 distribution by the Imagine No Malaria campaign in Global Ministries is evaluating pro- the Gbo Chiefdom outside Bo, Sierra Leone. grammatic gains and lessons learned from the Imagine No Malaria campaign and the Africa conference health boards and using input from partners around the world to develop a robust global health platform. UMNS/MIKE DUBOSE Thomas Kemper, general secretary of Global Ministries, says, “We are learning from the past and engaging in reflective conversations as well as data gathering and analysis in order for us to perform at our best moving forward.”

Cindy Solomon is a marketing consultant and content writer living in Franklin, Tenn.

In the midst of the Ebola crisis, Watch this powerful “Poem for the Living.”

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 STATE OF THE CHURCH

VITAL CONGREGATION StampingOUT THE A KILLER DISEASES OF POVERTY IN HOPEGATEWAY BUILDS A FAITH COMMUNITY IN MAINE opeGateWay is a newly formed the residents learn English, find jobs, 2015 faith community springing get legal services and acclimate to Following are the plans for 2015 submitted to Hfrom the roots of the former American culture. the Connectional Table by general agencies. Chestnut Street United Methodist A resident from Burundi says of Church in Portland, Maine. the church: “Pastor Allen and Sara GENERAL BOARD OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY The Revs. Allen and Sarah Ew- are like parents. They make me free »» Commit dedicated staff to support Imagine No ing-Merrill, co-pastors of HopeGate- to feel like home. If I’m at HopeGate- Malaria. Way, A United Methodist Commu- Way, I’m home.” »» Offer new regionally specific pastor education nity, moved to the area in 2007 with The church’s story was fea- resources on the health of women and children a dream of forming a new ministry. tured in We Refused to Lead a Dying to support an emphasis on a holistic approach The church sprang from a small Church! (Pilgrim Press) by the Rev. to community-based health. group that met in their home. »» Provide additional funding, to offset reduced “We call it a faith community grant funding, in support of the Healthy Fami- rather than a church because I think lies, Healthy Planet program aimed at increas- ‘church’ is a loaded word for people ing worldwide maternal and child survival. who carry some baggage (about reli- gion),” says Allen Ewing-Merrill. 44 GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES Now, the church has two worship »» Celebrate the achievements of Imagine No locations in Portland and runs Hope Malaria. Acts, a separate outreach program. »» Plan and implement the work of Global Hope Acts was created in response Ministries’ new unit on Global Health, which to growing ministries with people in will relate to the African conference health recovery from addiction and newly PANOVEC INTERPRETER/KAY The Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill (left) speaks boards and to more than 300 United Methodist arrived immigrants seeking asylum. with Emile Uwimana, a resident of Hope hospitals and clinics. Hope Acts hosts a growing recovery House who fled his home in Burundi and is program that offers traditional Alco- seeking asylum in the United States. UNITED METHODIST COMMUNICATIONS holics Anonymous meetings as well »» Continue a crisis communications strategy in as classes that use yoga, meditation Paul Nixon, mission developer and West Africa, in collaboration with the African and drum circles to help those strug- church strategist with Path 1 of Dis- bishops, aimed at controlling the Ebola out- gling with dependency. cipleship Ministries. break, saving lives and providing hope. Hope House is a housing program “I think that churches need »» Continue commitment to ending death and for asylum seekers – primarily those to pay attention to who’s in the suffering from malaria through Imagine No fleeing Burundi, Angola, Rwanda and neighborhood, who’s walking to the Malaria, strengthening health systems, train- Democratic Republic of Congo. Thir- doors and what the needs are — not ing health providers and providing more than teen residents share five two- and us-and-them kind of ministry,” says 2 million bed nets, saving millions of lives. three-bedroom apartments. They Allen Ewing-Merrill. will stay at least as long as the 150 Watch Emile Uwimana, a refugee days it takes to get permits allowing Joey Butler is multimedia editor for from Burundi, talks about life at them to work. In addition to provid- Interpreter. Hope House. ing a place to live, Hope House helps Watch Emile discusses his feelings about coming to America. AT A GLANCE HopeGateWay United Methodist Church | 185 High St., Portland, ME 04101 | [email protected] | www.hopegateway.com | Pastors: The Revs. Allen and Sara Ewing-Merrill | Average Attendance: Watch recovery and wellness 91 | New England Conference program coordinator Liz L. discuss the origins of HopeGateWay's yoga recovery ministry.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter ZIMBABWE PASTOR: ‘I HAVE TRAVELED FAR, AND SO HAS THE CHURCH’

n Zimbabwe 40 years ago, a bicycle was der to start my visitations on Wednes- MUNGOMEZ UMNS/RAY the only way to travel from one United day. Thursdays were a day for home visits The Rev. Jairios Mafondokoto (left) and the Rev. Kelvin Mwandira are interviewed by Eveline IMethodist congregation to another. and station administration duties.” He Chikwanah in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Rev. Jairos Mafondokoto and his reserved Fridays for various meetings. fellow graduates each received a bicycle Sunday was for preaching and church convened every three months where the when they completed studies at United committees. He rested on Monday before 12 stations under my charge would gather Theological College, Harare. setting out for the next station. Mafon- and contribute finances to a common pool. “The annual conference gave each dokoto usually spent three weeks away The budget was written on a blackboard, pastor a bicycle, and we had to pay for it from his family, relying on the congrega- and the first item on the list was my tuso in installments,” he said. “Years later, we tions to provide accommodations. (compensation).” were given motorbikes, which we also had The Rev. Kelvin Mwandira also faced Today, The United Methodist Church to pay for.” many challenges during his early years in in Zimbabwe is thriving. His first appointment was to the Zimun- ministry. “We have witnessed tremendous ya Circuit and was comprised of 12 stations “I was one of the first pastors of Bul- growth,” Mafondokoto said. “Pastors today – now referred to as local churches. awayo West Circuit, and when I arrived have fixed salaries and fixed paydays. Cir- “The furthest distance I traveled on with my family, we discovered there was cuits have good accommodation and new that bicycle was from Munyarari to Rimiti no parsonage,” Mwandira recalled. motor vehicles for pastors to use. and Himalaya stations, about 28 kilome- After the family lived in two class- “I have traveled far, and so has the ters (17.36 miles). At times, I walked or rooms for a year, the church leased a four- church.” used buses, depending on my mission,” room house with an outdoor toilet. Mafondokoto said. “We were not paid salaries,” Mafon- Eveline Chikwanah is a communicator for “I would leave home on Tuesday in or- dokoto said. “Quarterly conferences were the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference.

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United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 STATE OF THE CHURCH MAKING

‘worldwide’MORE THAN GEOGRAPHY BY KATHY NOBLE A BOOK OF DISCIPLINE FOCUSING ON THE ESSENTIALS OF UNITED But there are also essentials for a world- METHODISM AND WHAT CONNECTS CHURCH MEMBERS AROUND wide connection in Church Membership and The Ministry of the Ordained. THE WORLD COULD BE IN THE DENOMINATION’S FUTURE. A challenge will be balancing essentials Bishop Patrick Streiff leads the Central Streiff anticpates those to include and avoiding repetition and microman- and Southern Europe Area and chairs the a constitutional amendment to change aging. As an example, Streiff cited the denomination’s Standing Committee on the language giving central conferences statement on inclusiveness in Article IV Central Conference Affairs. That group is “adaptation rights” (Para.31.5, “The of The Constitution. “It is part of the DNA working with the United Methodist Com- Constitution,” The Book of Discipline). He of our church,” he said, “but when you look mittee on Faith and Order to respond to a also expects proposing a process to lay the now at the present Book of Discipline, it is mandate from General Conference 2012, groundwork for developing a new gener- repeated over and over in so many places.” 46 which includes determining “which parts al (worldwide) Book of Disicipline and to An essentials-focused Discipline would of the general Book of Discipline are global change the name of the central conferences be shorter and have a longer shelf life than and cannot be adapt- to regional conferences – so they no longer the volume that General Conference now ed by the central carry a name similar to that of the racially revises every four years. “If we find it right conferences.” segregated Central Jurisdiction in the Unit- around the essentials, they should remain That work is ed States that was abolished in 1968. for more than four years,” he says. “If we among major efforts As the two committees began reviewing need to change every four years, they are to have church state- each of the major chapters on “Organiza- not the essentials.” That potentially is a ments and practices tion and Administration” of the Discipline, money-saver, as, after each General Con- more reflective of the Streiff says, “We realized that up to now ference, “the Discipline must be translated worldwide nature of the background and paradigm is that the in a hundred languages to make it accessi- the church. Others United States has developed a Discipline at ble to people in each annual conference.” include consulta- the level of General Conference and then tions on the Social the central conferences can adapt to their GLOBALLY RELEVANT SOCIAL Principles, work situation as needed. It gives the idea that PRINCIPLES

COURTESY COUNCIL OF BISHOPS COURTESY around apportion- the U.S. is the normal situation and model A process is also underway to update Bishop Patrick Streiff ments by the General for the church. the United Methodist Social Principles to Council on Finance and Administration “Asking ‘What binds us as a worldwide be more succinct, theologically founded and the work of a new Commission on Cen- United Methodist connection, what is and globally relevant . tral Conference Theological Education. essential for our mission?’ ... is a different The General Board of Church and The Central Conferences and Faith and mindset. We do not talk about adaptation. Society has conducted seven consultations Order committees have met twice in 2014. Based on the essentials, a region has the in the Philippines, the United States, Dem- The standing committee will meet in Feb- freedom to implement (the Discipline) in ocratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique ruary with the Connectional Table to con- its context.” and the Czech Republic. One planned in sider and adopt legislation to be proposed Already labeled as essential, he says, are Nigeria was delayed by the Ebola crisis. to General Conference 2016. The standing The Constitution, Doctrinal Standards and The consultations will lead to a committee will receive feedback on the Our Theological Task, The Social Princi- recommendation to the 2016 General proposed draft and finalize the proposals in ples and The Ministry of All Christians as Conference to fund public hearings across early summer. distinctive parts of the Book of Discipline. the connection to develop a proposal to

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter the 2020 General Conference to update and organizations affiliated with and the Social Principles. The 2012 General supported by central conferences work in Conference approved establishing a other parts of the world. “We Europeans Fund Raising process to assess the Social Principles. fund these mission boards ourselves, build- 1. 40% PROFIT The Rev. Neal Christie, Church and ing up capacity in each region.” Society’s assistant general secretary for 2. USA KITCHEN ITEMS education and leadership formation, spear- WORLDWIDE THEOLOGICAL 3. EASY SYSTEM headed the events. EDUCATION Streiff is excited by the work of the Com- APPORTIONMENTS FOR CENTRAL mission on Central Conference Theological CONFERENCES Education, chaired by Bishop John Innis of Central conferences contribute to the Liberia. It supports leadership development Episcopal Fund. Work is underway also to in the central conferences by funding pro- make contributions to the General Admin- posals that come through boards of ordained ‘worldwide’ istration Fund worldwide. ministry or theological schools. The General Council on Finance and Representatives from each central con- our Church, Youth Group, Administration, Streiff said, is working on ference episcopal area, the General Board School, Club or Team “proposals as to how we can measure the of Higher Education and Ministry and the Y economic strength of different regions of General Board of Global Ministries serve will work directly with the the world.” The proposal is looking in offi- on the commission that will disburse over manufacturer to make cial, comparable data not only on economic $5 million this quadrennium. “It is more 40% profit. factors (Gross Domestic Product), but also than just disbursing money,” Streiff said, on life quality factors such as infant mor- “it is an excellent place to discuss what is Your supporters receive a tality, life span and malnutrition, he said. going on, what priorities to set and to have tremendous value on remarkable Other apportioned funds support work the most effective work in the long run.” kitchen knives, utensils and that happens mainly in the United States. gift sets (quick mixes, “General agencies do some global work The Rev. Kathy Noble is editor of Interpreter cookbooks, and stoneware too)! outside the U.S. also, and we are very glad,” and Interpreter OnLine, publications of United he says noting that similar mission boards Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn. Rada Cutlery’s reputation for Made in the USA quality is 47 well known. We have made and sold over 142,000,000 knives Ohio since 1948! Northern You deserve a fund raiser that University is EASY for YOU! Ohio Northern University is an independent, comprehensive University that distinctively combines Request your FREE catalog nationally ranked sciences, arts and professional and information packet: programs in its five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy and Law. Established in 1871 1-800-311-9691 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church since or www.RadaCutlery.com 1899, Ohio Northern’s beautiful, 342-acre residential NOTE: Dept A15IMA campus provides a vibrant campus experience and delivers an education with one of the highest returns on Celebrating investment in Ohio. The placement rate for graduates six 67 years of months after graduation have averaged more than 93 remarkable percent for each of the past seven years, a rate higher cutlery, service than the national average. and value! 1948-2015

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United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 AVITAL CONGREGATION OUTREACH BREATHES NEW LIFE MCKENDREE’S HOMELESS INTO CONGREGATION OUTREACH CONNECTS HEARTS “ f something happened and “They have been a blessing “ eing a part of McKend- The Foundry, meals twice a Fletcher’s Chapel had to to our school,” said guidance ree and staying in The week for 350, a clothes closet Iclose, lots of people would counselor Anissa Hicklen. BFoundry has saved my life and a dental clinic. be very sad,” said the Rev. Kris Merrick-Moore is located in a and given me a purpose,” says “The church needs to see Williams, the pastor appointed low-income neighborhood. The Ronnie Milton, a resident and God’s poor as sacred persons to the church in 2013. That was extra attention kindergarten- current manager of the congre- who can broaden our hearts not the case a few years ago. ers receive in learning to read, gation’s shelter ministry. and offer grace, and not as a Finding itself aging and spell and count makes a big McKendree United Meth- mission or service project to be out of touch with its neighbor- difference in their education, odist Church is a multiethnic, completed,” Handy says. hood, the 250-member church Hicklen said. multigenerational and multi- Energetic worship, Life in Durham, N.C., decided cultural congregation in down- Groups and an active chil- to open its doors to area town Nashville, Tenn. “Every dren’s program also drive children and reach out to the Sunday and throughout the McKendree. local elementary school. week,” says the Rev. Stephen Through Missional The church’s outreach to Handy, lead pastor, “diversity is Partnerships, McKendree Merrick-Moore Elementary expected and embraced.” leverages personal and is resonating with the com- Ministry with the homeless financial resources. The most munity, church and school has been part of McKendree recent partner is the General

leaders say. MERRICK-MOORECOURTESY SCHOOL ELEMENTARY Council on Finance and 48 Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Longtime Fletcher’s Church member Robin Sorrell volun- Administration. Bobby Smith, Chapel member Robin Sorrell teers at Merrick-Moore Elementary a Restoration Pointe board said volunteering has the con- School in Durham, N.C. member and GCFA employee, gregation “revved up.” Many invited Michael Daniel, a Home who cannot volunteer at the Fletcher’s Chapel provides Depot executive, to visit The school donate food or money. backpacks filled with snacks Foundry. Daniel liked what Attendance at Fletcher’s that children take home at he saw. In December, Daniel, Chapel is slowly building the end of the week to ensure DEAN GCFA/SHARON A Spotlight: along with Smith and GCFA Pictured (left to right) are Moses and becoming more racially food to eat over the weekend, Kumar, Michael Daniel, Bobby chief executive Moses Kumar, diverse, Williams said. Record adopts a student’s family at Smith and the Rev. Stephen Handy, presented an advance check to numbers are showing up Christmas and has furnished pastor, McKendree United Methodist The Foundry for $5,000. for Wednesday night dinner thousands of books and class- Church, Nashville, Tenn. “Some people in our home- service and festivals, due to the room supplies. less population have a variety church’s outreach. The number Sorrell volunteers in a Mer- for more than 30 years. The of emotional, psychological, of students playing basketball rick-Moore kindergarten class. Foundry provides on-cam- financial and physical challeng- at the church’s outdoor courts “It just lifts my spirits pus transitional housing for es,” Handy says, “but we are and attending youth group has seeing the little children learn eight men, job training and open to God’s creative means tripled. and grow,” she said. “It fulfills placement, financial planning, for connecting our hearts with Eight members of Fletch- something in me.” veterans’ case management, their hearts. We have realized er’s Chapel volunteer at Mer- coaching and weekly spiritual that we need our homeless rick-Moore each week. They Erin Edgemon is a freelance formation. maybe more than they need us.” help teach kindergarten and writer in Montgomery, Ala. In 2013, the church estab- work in the library. lished Restoration Pointe, a Barbara Dunlap-Berg non-profit agency overseeing

AT A GLANCE Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Church | 1919 AT A GLANCE McKendree United Methodist Church | 523 Church St., Fletcher’s Chapel Road, Durham, NC 27703 | fletchers. Nashville, TN 37219 | [email protected] | [email protected] | https://fletcherschapel.nccumc.net www.mckendreetoday.com | Lead Pastor: The Rev. Stephen | Pastor: The Rev. Kristen D. Williams | Attendance: 69 Handy | Tennessee Conference | North Carolina Conference

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter STATE OF THE CHURCH Transforming THE WORLD FOR CHRIST— together UNITED METHODISTS ARE CONNECTED – AND IN THAT IS panied immigrant children and displaced ONE OF OUR BIGGEST STRENGTHS. WHETHER IT IS TWO families searching for help in the United CHURCHES STARTING A FOOD PANTRY, AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE States. Christina Dillabough CHALLENGING EVERY CONGREGATION TO ADOPT A SCHOOL OR A LEARNING AND SHARING WORLDWIDE INITIATIVE AGAINST POVERTY, TOGETHER WE SERVE The Children’s Ministries Network of AND ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN WE COULD ALONE – ALL IN THE Discipleship Ministries uses Facebook to NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. provide continual learning and idea ex- change among 800 annual conference and Read these stories telling of United BEGINNING ‘GREEN’ local church leaders. Webinars also provide Methodists connecting for mission and A grant from the United Methodist training. Report to the Connectional Table 49 ministry. Know that there are thousands Council of Bishops allowed Valley & more to be told. Mountain United Methodist Community BRINGING CAMP TO CHURCH in Seattle to create “Green from the Start.” In North Georgia, 34 youth volunteered SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ALL The resource helps churches incorporate more than 4,200 hours as day camp coun- The Stegall Seminary Scholarship ecologically healthy behaviors. Valley & selors for 630 children at 24 local church- Endowment Foundation allows each full- Mountain UM Community, Seattle es. Sybil Davidson time, on-campus seminary student from the Alabama-West Florida Conference to 1,000 CHILDREN LOVED PAINLESS FUNDRAISING receive a $10,000 scholarship each year. A $10,000 grant from UMCOR let vol- The General Council on Finance and Mary Catherine Phillips unteers from Desert Southwest churches Administration regularly reviews UMC- offer love and hope to over 1,000 unaccom- market.org, an online shopping service FROM CLEAN UP TO REBUILDING After an April 2 tornado ripped Volunteers for Impact Las Vegas 2013 help clean up the Palos Verdes neighborhood near the Las Vegas Strip. Together, more than 3,700 churches have rallied more than 103,000 volunteers to serve 4.2 through Central Arkansas, more than 950 million people through Impact Community events. The events are part of Rethink Church, a program of United Methodists and their friends as- United Methodist Communications. sisted over 200 households with clean up and debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment work, utilities, storage, tempo- rary housing and rebuilding. Amy Forbus UMNS/JOEY BUTLER BREAKFAST’S READY — EVERY DAY Manna House in Baltimore, which started 48 years ago, feeds 200 homeless people breakfast every day – 365 days a year. The Rev. Erik Alsgaard

United Methodist Interpreter JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 50

COURTESY AFRICA UNIVERSITY COURTESY GBHEM EXPANDING CAMPUSMINISTRY SUPPORTING WORKERS DISPLACED nization. to acongregation orchurch-related orga- percentage oftheirtotal purchase donated that allows United Methodists to have a on thedevices. Methodist PublishingHouseprovidedatnocostmanyofthetheologicaltextsandreferencebooksloaded project oftheGeneralBoardHigherEducationandMinistryDiscipleshipMinistries.TheUnited Students atGbarngaSchoolofTheologyinLiberiaexploretheire-readersprovidedthroughacollaborative the Connectional Table east AsiaandthePhilippines. Report to collegiate ministriesinJapan, South- istry, whichalso hasdeveloped new Board ofHigherEducation andMin- training offered in2014 by theGeneral industry thisfall. Carolyn Conover workers whowere laidofffrom thecasino Response Team to helpthe thousands of ists formed theAtlantic City Emergency 20th anniversaryin 2013. graduated fromtheuniversity, whichcelebratedits than 3,000studentsfromthroughout Africahave graduation rehearsalatAfricaUniversity. More Rose OtshiandBettyKayembewait tobegin Students LuziaBandeira,AngelTshindj Musaw, Over 500campus ministers used Greater New Jersey United Method- www.gcfa.org, www.umcmarket.org NEW UNDIES,SOCKSABOUND FILLING TUMMIES SHARING TOGETHER habbed sixhouses since2009. Tamica Smith ‘I HAVE AHOME.’ SHARING LEARNING Habitat for Humanity, have builtorre in theJackson area, Methodist Buildfor ference had “Undie Sunday” to gather ference Sunday” had “Undie Sybil Davidson andtheRev. MichaelRich more than43,000 mealsinsummer2014. with schools andlocal businesses to serve Northern Piedmont Districtcollaborated network inWestern North Carolina’s children. AUnited Methodist mission plus healthy lunchesto 24,390 individual hours insummer2014 to serve 200,000- unteers inNorth Georgia donated 23,000 Festival ofSharing.Fred Koenig local relief agencies duringanannual gleaned potatoes andgrain to deliver to and school kitsandloading45tons of among volunteers assembling 9,269 health teams leadallbutone.LaneGardner Camp is now in16 elementary schools. Church churches for Team Read. Theprogram trained over 100 volunteers from several Church intheMemphis Conference JANUARY Churches intheOregon-Idaho Con- More than2,000 Action Ministriesvol- United Methodists inMissouri were Mississippi United Methodist churches Germantown United Methodist • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter -

COURTESY GBCS DRIVING CHANGE STARTING AMINISTRY Minority Young Adultprogram. eral BoardofChurchandSocietyitsEthnic other subjectswithsummerinternsfromtheGen- clergyman, discussesfaithandpublicpolicy U.S. Rep.EmanuelCleaverII,aUnitedMethodist HAVING VITAL CONVERSATIONS Weaver, www.gbophb.org the church isashareholder. Sondra Long discussions withthecompaniesinwhich table treatment ofallworkers by having global economy requires fair andequi- that asustainable,stableandproductive efits. Thepensionboard actsonitsstance General Board ofPension andHealth Ben- have beenpartlydriven by thework ofthe and treatment oftomato pickers inFlorida Kara Witherow community project to feed the homeless. churches inSavannah are joiningina Speedwell andTrinity United Methodist action. diversity andsystemic equity leadingto vital conversations aboutrace, cultural to increase intercultural competency and tions, seminaries andcentral conferences churches, annualconferences, jurisdic- in grants to fundinitiatives across local and Raceawarded nearly$1.3million Christina Dillabough for 20different agencies. Greg Nelson and Conference collected 43,946 pairs ofsocks Boise, Idaho, area. TheDesert Southwest ference anddistributionto agencies inthe underwear for collectionat annualcon- Improvements inworking conditions In theSouthGeorgia Conference, The General Commission onReligion www.gcorr.org

UMNS/PHIL LAWTON UMNS/MIKE DUBOSE UMNS/PHIL LAWTON UMNS/MIKE DUBOSE CARING FORFAMILIES FORMING FAITH www.gcsrw.org one ofthedrivers ofvitalcongregations. underpin effective pastoral leadership – emphasized that healthy clergy families Clergy Family Care Participants Summit. interagency taskforce that convened the Status andRole ofWomen leads an camps at Glisson. Sybil Davidson the North Georgia Conference’s summer formation inChristiancommunity during experience radical acceptanceandfaith bakery provides job skills training for people with mental disabilities. bakery providesjobskillstrainingforpeoplewithmentaldisabilities. Wen Hui(left)andspecialeducationteacherZhangYun attheAmityBakeryinNanjing,China.The George HowardoftheGeneralBoardGlobalMinistries(right)sharesaphotowithstudentbakerHuang such asthechapel, whichisownedbythePeninsula-Delaware CommissiononArchives andHistory. America. TheGeneralCommission on ArchivesandHistorymaintainsvigilanceheritagelandmarks, Barratt’s Chapel,whichopened in 1780atFrederica,Del.,istheoldestexistingMethodistbuilding in The General Commission onthe More than2,400 children andyouth United Methodist Interpreter GIVING TOTHOSEWHOSERVE OPENING DOORSTOSERVE United Methodist Men and local United Methodist congregations. Commission onUnited Methodist Men Country devotional from theGeneral of theStrength for Serviceto Godand military members have received copies The Rev. MichaelRich soup kitchen andhalfway house. a former prison into ahomeless shelter, in Western North Carolina helpedturn Since 2002,more than400,000 United Methodists from 13churches JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015

UMNS 2013 FILE PHOTO/MIKE DUBOSE CARING FORHOMELESSFAMILIES HAVE BOOKS? ministry. these vignettes ofconnectionalmission and communicators whoprovided many of Interpreter thankstheannualconference homelessness. services to break thecycle ofpoverty and less families for oneweek andprovides Promise. Eachfeeds andhouses home- west Conference committed to Family Women News books. where members can checkoutandreturn The collectiontravels to districtmeetings to books for theUMWReading Program. created adistrictlibrary to increase access State DistrictoftheMissouri Conference Sandy-damaged homes. Jersey tohelprebuildmorethan107Hurricane conferences havetraveledtoGreaterNew 5,000 volunteersfrom37UnitedMethodist Methodist CommitteeonRelief.Morethan It startedwithsupportfromtheUnited program oftheGreaterNewJerseyConference. A FutureWith Hope,along-termrecovery Katie Quigleyservesasasitesupervisorfor Several churches intheDesert South- United Methodist Women oftheMid- Stephanie Greiner, United Methodist Christina Dillabough 51 AVITAL CONGREGATION CROSSROADS CHURCH BRIDGES FRESH, LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE CULTURES IN PHOENIX HELPS CHANGING COMMUNITY ather than focusing on a he ground was prepared. Spanish-language service The soil was tilled, Rthat reaches first-gener- T fertilized and ready for ation immigrants, CrossRoads the planting and harvesting United Methodist Church of 2,000 pounds of tomatoes,

in Phoenix decided to reach beans, leeks, sweet peas, sweet EDEN PRAIRIE UMC COURTESY second-generation children potatoes and other vegetables. Women from Eden Prairie United and adults. It was all so that people in the Methodist Church in Minnesota gath- Pastor of CrossRoads since changing Minneapolis suburb er vegetables from the garden. July, the Rev. Javier Olivares of Eden Prairie could eat. recruited church members to says second-generation im- Eden Prairie has many tend the garden. The space is migrants often speak English large homes with swimming broken into eight plots. A head

as their primary language and CROSSROADS UMC, PHOENIX COURTESY pools, tennis courts and im- gardener recruits volunteers serve as the bridge between the The Rev. Javier Olivares maculate yards. The thought who plant, weed, water and culture of the United States was English, brought them,” that this community also has harvest the vegetables. and the culture of their par- Escobedo-Frank says. “This people who go to bed hungry “Many of the church volun- ents’ homeland. family modeled the idea of was hard to believe until the teers are passionate about gar- “We have forgotten the sec- reaching Hispanics by focusing people of Eden Prairie United dening,” said Schneider-Bryan. 52 ond-generation immigrants,” on children.” Methodist Church looked “We even had the Minnesota says Olivares. “Proof of it is Today, Olivares says, beyond their walls and learned Vikings groundskeeper help that we don’t have many in our CrossRoads has two worship who is in their neighborhood. us by tilling the soil with his United Methodist churches.” services and approximately “It began as a Healthy rototiller.” Before the church delib- 278 diverse members. Most of Church Initiative,” said the The church donates fresh erately reached out to sec- the Hispanic church members Rev. Dan Schneider-Bryan, vegetables to People Reaching ond-generation immigrants, are second generation. It is pastor. Assessing the needs Out to People (PROP), a local CrossRoads had 30 to 60 in considering a third service to of its changing community, agency that also helps those in worship attendance, one wor- reach Spanish-speaking and the congregation realized that need with clothes and financial ship service and mostly white bilingual people. their immigrant neighbors assistance. “We are cultivating and older church members. “It’s empowering to include could not afford fresh produce spirituality in vegetables,” said In July 2005, shortly after other ethnicities and be seated regularly. They decided to get Schneider-Bryan. CrossRoads’ former pastor the together in worship,” he says. their hands dirty for the love The congregation plans to Rev. Dottie Escobedo-Frank Olivares notes that of God and their community. continue the garden as long arrived, the church began a CrossRoads received a Racial Members also donated finan- as the community needs fresh contemporary worship service Ethnic Local Church grant cially to support the garden. produce. Schneider-Bryan to reach second-generation from the General Board of “The church’s 55-feet-by- said members have also helped children and adults in its Global Ministries and an 55-feet plot was a perfect size,” surrounding churches start multicultural, multi-socio- equitable-compensation grant Schneider-Bryan said. Eden their own gardens and have co- economic and multiethnic from the annual conference. Prairie also has members Lois ordinated what each grows to neighborhood. Heather Peck Travis is a and Eric Hyde, who love to ensure a variety of vegetables “We had one Hispanic fam- freelance journalist living in garden but have a small yard. to donate to PROP. ily come because their daugh- Glasgow, Ky. Lois Hyde spearheaded the Christine Kumar ter, whose primary language Healthy Church Initiative and

AT A GLANCE CrossRoads United Methodist Church | 7901 N. Central AT A GLANCE Eden Prairie United Methodist Church | 15050 Scenic Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85020 | [email protected] | Heights Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 | 952-937-8781 | www.crossroadsphx.com | Pastor: The Rev. Javier Olivares [email protected] |www.prairiechurch.org | Pastor: | Attendance: 178 | Desert Southwest Conference The Rev. Daniel Schneider-Bryan | Attendance: 164 | Minnesota Conference

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2015 United Methodist Interpreter