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

Volume 7, Issue 7 July 2014

Cumberland District Staff  Rev. Scott Aleridge, District 3 Reactions to Church Decline Superintendent MAY 14, 2014 BY THOM SCHULTZ  Ms. Carolyn Bullock, District Secretary The American church is in trouble. (But don’t tell anybody.)  Scott Hilgadiack, Editor Cumberland District That’s one way to “manage” the Review compounding news that the church Inside this issue: as we know it is shrinking and losing First Annual Conference; First 3 its impact. Since releasing our Rainbow Stole book Why Nobody Wants to Go to A Way Forward for a United 6 Church Anymore I’ve noticed three Methodist Church general reactions to the current Making Disciples Top United 9 state of the church. Methodists’ Priorities

TN Conference Adult/Older Adult 10 Ministries Events 1. DENIAL. Some people refuse to believe or accept the trends. Or they attempt

Music Professor James Story 11 to deceive their people. For example, the pastor of a small, struggling, Honored by GRAMMY Foundation traditional church wrote this in his church’s newsletter this month: “Traditional

Preparing to Receive a New Pastor 12 churches have not suffered major declines in attendance.” That statement is breathtaking in its untruthfulness, especially knowing that this pastor wrote that Ben Alford’s Half-Century Journal 13 now in Hardback line inside a church that has seen its attendance drop by 90 percent over the years. The facts of church decline have been well reported in research, Aldersgate Renewal Ministries 14 Upcoming and Sponsored Events articles and books–not to mention the observable evidence all around us.

Local Church Events 16 2. PARALYSIS. Many church leaders and members recognize the problem. They Job Announcement—Church Pianist 16 often realize numerous things they could try to improve their situations. But Lebanon UMC Celebrates 17 they choose to do nothing. Some wallow in grief and sadness, unable or Commissioning unwilling to deal with their losses and disappointments. Some are bewildered by Lebanon UMC Pleased to Announce 17 the Confirmation Class of 2014 their choices. Some hope against hope that circumstances will magically turn

Prayer Request 18 around on their own. Some fear change of any kind. Some fret that any change will cause someone to get upset and leave, or trim their tithe. Some just sit still, praying that they can ride out the deterioration until they retire.

PAGE 2 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

3. CHANGE. Some actually see the problem, own it, and step forward to fix it. They embrace change, even though it often makes them uncomfortable. Rather than desperately trying to defend the past, they tend to look forward. The successful change agents are not changing God’s message, but they’re exploring different methods to spread the message, to be more effective stewards with the gifts God has given.

Fortunately, fewer people lurk in the DENIAL camp these days. But you can still find them everywhere–in dying churches as well as growing ones. Some fear that acknowledging overall church decline might implicate them, that they or their cherished methods may be responsible for some of the decline. And that’s too unsettling to accept. So, they often use their bully pulpits in an attempt to anesthetize their people into ignoring the obvious. They seem to think that if they can convince their people that no problem exists, or that someone else is to blame, maybe the folks in the pews won’t give up. The trouble is, the trends are so obvious and well-documented, that leaders who preach “everything is fine” tend to lose all credibility. And credibility is something any effective leader cannot afford to lose. Nowadays, I find most church leaders and members sitting in the PARALYSIS camp. They’re plagued with fear, indecisiveness and lethargy. Even if they find a way to bring new vitality to their ministry, they typically study it to death, brood over it, sink it into a committee coma, and delay it until sometime next year, or the year after that.

As much as those first two groups drain my hopes for the future of the church, I find great hope in the CHANGE people. They are ordinary people who believe that God will do extraordinary things through them. They pray fervently, and they rely on the One who makes all things new. They’re open to God’s leading. They listen to God’s command to “fear not.” Even though they realize they don’t have all the answers, they’re willing to step out–one step at a time into a future that isn’t perfectly clear. They’re willing to experiment. And they’re wise enough to explain their sense of faithful adventure to their people, in order to bring them along on the journey. They embrace the prospect of failure, knowing that some ideas will inevitably fall short. But they know they’ll learn from their failures, which will help advance them toward their next ministry success.

Overall, I’m actually encouraged by these challenging times. Yes, we’re living through the end of an era. But I know God will not abandon his church. And I believe he’s up to something new–that we can be a vital part of –if we don’t deny reality or sink into paralysis. It’s time to welcome some needed change, and walk boldly into a new day.

PAGE 3 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 First Annual Conference; First Rainbow Stole by Brett Isernhagen

“Young man, I have to ask you. I’ve been trying to figure it out all day. What does that rainbow scarf mean?”

This is how the majority of the conversations I had at North Georgia’s Annual Conference started, as they pointed to the rainbow stole hanging around my neck. In a way, this question can sum up my whole experience over those three glorious, trying days in Athens as I was asked that question of others and prompted by the Spirit as I asked that question of myself.

This conference was in many ways a pilgrimage for me. For one, it was my first annual conference ever and without a working watch, an agenda, and voting privileges I often felt as a foreigner, unsure of where to be when and what to do once (if) I got there. Adding to this tension is the fact that until Bishop Watson read my name in the last half hour on Thursday I was still a member of the South Georgia Conference. Outside of a few friends from school, I knew no one. The only familiar face was my DS, and he was retiring. I knew none of the stories and characters that seemed to bind everyone together. I didn’t even know where 70% of the towns were that the people I did get to talk to came from. Most meaningful of all, however, was the pilgrimage I made as I walked through the halls and the town with a rainbow stole hanging from my neck.

I journeyed into a sacred space, far removed from my own experiences. Even though I had silently supported full inclusion of all people into the life, worship, and ministry of the United Methodist Church, the exact opinions and qualifications I harbored as recently as a little over a year ago would embarrass me and hurt many if I had ever made them publically. For instance, even when I learned about Reconciling Ministries Network I hesitated in joining, lest anyone had room to mistake me as a homosexual, as if it were something shameful to be thought of as. Having now come to full acceptance and rejoicing with all of God’s children I felt comfortable enough to wear it on my sleeve, or more precisely my neck. Even then, God was not finished. My pilgrimage was just beginning.

What I noticed first encouraged me: there were a really great number of people publicly proclaiming that all expressions of God’s creation were of true sacred worth. I was surprised by the incredible range of my new friends and allies: the stoles were worn by everyone from the youngest youth delegates to the some of the most senior ministers I saw. This was far from a young person’s struggle. This was a struggle for the whole Kingdom of God. So many people responded positively and were so encouraging when I answered their questions about the stole, what RMN was and what it did. It was so encouraging in fact that for a while I didn’t notice the other reaction, which was equally shocking. I soon realized that not all people were so enthused. Some refused to talk to me, to return even a simply “hello.” I could see it out of the corner of my PAGE 4 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

eye. I could see it in their eyes. They would look first at my stole, then to the ground as if colorful fabric defined me as a person and as one who would soon minister in their midst. I cannot imagine the courage and the pain my LGTBQ sisters and brothers have to have when they are judged on one part of their identity, judged just for being honest with their created selves and the world around them. This was a movement not just for marriage, not just for ordination. It soon became clear to me that this was a movement about love, the love so many of us have no idea that our brothers and sisters are being denied by our church.

This pilgrimage only continued as I had time to meet and have fellowship with the others who came to the RMN events at the conference. I heard their stories, I saw the love around the room, the hope in God’s mighty acts of salvation that bound us together, and I saw a love. I saw a love that I then realized was so powerful because it was being filtered and rejected in so many places. This only grew in my attention as Thursday’s session saw debate on several important resolutions, one being a day for the church to address and remember as one body the suffering and violence experienced by our transgender friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. As the author, Giselle Lawn, shared her testimony of the conference accepting her and affirming her every step of the way as she lived out who she was created to be she was met by those speaking out of ignorance as well as anger. What broke my heart more were those who lamented having to discuss it any further at all, for fear that doing God’s work might make them stay an extra hour. Their time was more precious than those suffering so deeply among us.

Even before the debates started, I prayed that God would take away the pain and anger that was sure to be felt. As the votes came in against the resolution anger swelled within me and I found it so hard to mind our founder when he said not to say anything negative about someone, even if it is true. Equally heavy were the words of Christ as he instructed us to avoid cursing and insulting our fellow humans, likening it to murder. In my anger, and the anger of those with me I began to see solidarity soften the furrows brows. It was as if the impossibility of this work of God was reason enough to continue on, as if this evident imperfection were calling us all on to perfection and reminding us that if we plan to get there by ourselves we will never make it.

This new challenge to social holiness enlivened me, as I believe it did to my new friends and colleagues. This is what the stole meant. This is what Reconciling Ministries Network means to me. There are those in pain, suffering and oppressed because they are at peace with the fearfulness and wonder of their creation. There are those who do not know this pain exists, or why. There are those that just don’t know what to do, or that they can do anything. There are also those who see this pain as necessary, that expression is a chief sin. Even so, we are called together to presently live into the heavily reality of Christ’s present victory over sin, death, VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW PAGE 5 and destruction. Resolutions could pass tomorrow affecting the very Discipline itself, and the work of RMN would not be close to finished. That is what inspires me, and I thank God for the three days in Athens it took me to ask myself what the rainbow cloth around my neck really meant.

Brett Isernhagen is from St. Marys, Georgia and his currently a second year M. Div student at Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he serves on the executive board of the Pan-Methodist Council. He is pastor of Campbellton UMC in Fairburn, GA.

Deen Thompson via Southeastern Jurisdiction Reconciling Ministries Network

An Explanation of the Reconciling Stole – Tennessee Annual Conference Church & Society, Clergy For Inclusion, & Nashville Area Reconciling Ministries.

The stoles you see draped around the necks of many in this Annual Conference are signs of God’s covenantal love. They are reminders of the bow that God set in the clouds as “a sign of the covenant between (God) and every living creature . . .” (Genesis 9:14). They are reminders of the “yoke” of Christ, of our calling to obedience and service in the name of the one who is Love.

And these stoles a way of reminding us that we as a church sometimes mistake diversity for divisiveness, and unity with uniformity.

These stoles are a witness like that of Paul after the Holy Spirit converted the Gentiles. We bear witness to you our Sisters and Brothers that we have seen God at work in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. We stand in solidarity with them and in opposition to our official church position that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” (2009 Book of Discipline, 161 G).

With these stoles we would like to keep before the conference the question of Peter to the church in Jerusalem, “If then God gave them the same gift that God gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who (are we) that (we) could hinder God?” After all, it is an important question to ask in a room full of Gentile Christians.

If you would like more information about the stoles, please ask someone wearing one. If you would like more information about working for full inclusion of all of God’s children please check out our website narmministries.org. PAGE 6 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

From https://awayforward.net/#/home webpage:

The ongoing debate over homosexuality continues to divide the United Methodist Church. We believe that most of the denomination’s pastors and laity do not want to divide over this issue. The signers of this proposal offer it as one possible way forward, focusing on what United Methodists share in common, and then offering a way to allow us to live with our differences over how we interpret scripture regarding homosexuality, and how we will be a church in ministry with gay and lesbian people. It is a conversation starter, not a perfected conclusion. Join us by endorsing this document. Add your name, title, church, city, and state by visiting https://awayforward.net/#/home . A Way Forward for a United Methodist Church - We stand at a crossroads in the United Methodist Church. The ongoing debate over homosexuality continues to divide us. One side believes that the prac- tice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. The other side believes that scriptures re- lated to homosexuality are like scriptures related to the subordination of women, violence or the ac- ceptance and regulation of slavery, reflecting the values of the times in which the scriptures were written more than the timeless will of God. Every four years United Methodists meet for General Conference, devoting much time and energy to the debate over homosexuality. We leave General Conference more divided than ever. Some, believing the current policies of our denomination regarding homosexuals are unjust and do not reflect God’s will, call for a reversal of the language in the Book of Discipline restricting the rights of gay and lesbian people to marry or be ordained. Others suggest that if this were ever to happen, they would have no choice but to leave the denomination. Some, in frustration with the current impasse, are now violating the Discipline and officiating at weddings for homosexuals. Others, frustrated that the Discipline is being flouted, are now calling for the formal di- vision of the United Methodist Church into two denominations: one that holds that homosexuality is in- compatible with Christian teaching, and which forbids the marriage of homosexual people and the ordi- nation of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals. The other, presumably, would embrace homosexual mar- riage and ordination. We, the undersigned, believe the division of the United Methodist Church over this issue would be short- sighted, costly, detrimental to all of our churches, and not in keeping with God’s will. While some on either side of this issue see only two sides in the debate, a vast majority of our churches are divided on this issue. United Methodists have gay and lesbian children, friends, co-workers and neigh- bors. A large number of our churches have gay and lesbian members. Our members, like the broader soci- ety, are not of one mind on the issue of ordination or marriage for gay and lesbian people, and many find them- selves confused about bisexuality and those who are transgender. Most of our churches, regardless of the dominant view of the issue in their congregation, stand to lose members if The United Methodist Church divides into two churches over homosexuality. PAGE 7 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

We believe the decision to divide the church over homosexuality would be shortsighted. Views on this issue in our society are rapidly changing, yet are far from settled. The February 2014 Pew Research Center poll found that 54% of Americans now favor the right of gay and lesbian people to marry, up from 31% just ten years ago. Among young adults, support for gay marriage is now at 66%.[1] The church does not determine Christian ethics by looking at poll numbers. But, the poll numbers tell us that the people we are trying to reach, and the people in our pews, are divided and shifting on this issue. To form a new denomination primarily based upon opposition to homosexuality would nega- tively impact that Church’s ministry with 54% of the population, and two-thirds of young adults. Fur- ther, a significant majority of young clergy in the United Methodist Church hold a more progressive view on homosexuality. A denomination formed largely due to its opposition to homosexuality may find its ministry to younger adults increasingly difficult in the decades ahead. We believe that the question of homosexuality is virtually irresolvable at General Conference. Main- taining our current position will force progressives to continue to violate the Discipline as a matter of conscience. Reversing the position at General Conference would force hundreds of thousands of our conservative members to leave the denomination as a matter of conscience, with devastating conse- quences to many of our churches, and in turn, to our shared mission and ministry together. We be- lieve there is a better way forward than the current impasse or the division of the United Methodist Church. Paragraphs 201-204 of The Book of Discipline note that the local church is the “most significant arena through which disciple making occurs.” It is “primarily at the level of the local charge…that the church encounters the world,” and “the local church is a strategic base from which Christians move out to the structures of society.” Further, it states that, “Each local church shall have a definite evangelistic, nurture and witness responsibility for its members and the surrounding area…it shall be responsible for ministering to all its members.” In recent years the General Conference, through the Discipline, has given increasing permission for local churches to organize in ways that are most helpful to the congregation. Further, local churches already determine their own strategies and plans for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transfor- mation of the world. This leads us to the following suggestion for how we move forward as a denomi- nation: We propose that the United Methodist Church entrust to each local church the authority to deter- mine how they will be in ministry with gay and lesbian people including whether they will, or will not, allow for homosexual marriages or unions. Under this plan the current position of the Discipline would become the position of each local church, but a local congregation, at the request of the senior pastor and with a supermajority vote of the members of the congregation and only after a process of prayer, study and discernment, could deter- mine their own position. Churches could vote to adopt a more inclusive policy allowing for homosexu- als to be married in their churches and welcoming gay and lesbian clergy. Conversely, they might take the position that their members are “not of one mind” on this issue and therefore postpone any deci- sion until they gained greater clarity on the issue. Doing nothing would mean that they affirm the cur- rent disciplinary language. Traditionalist churches around the world would retain the current lan- guage in their local congregations. Strongly progressive churches could adopt more inclusive language and practices. PAGE 8 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

Regarding ordination, in keeping with the current provisions in the Book of Discipline empowering Boards of Ordained Ministry to review candidates for ordination, we suggest that annual conferences be permitted to determine whether they will or will not ordain self-avowed, practicing homosexuals while allowing local churches to determine if they would or would not be willing to receive gay and lesbian clergy. In conferences where the ordination of gay and lesbian people was allowed, they would be held to the same standard heterosexual clergy are held to: fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness. This proposal is, at this point, merely conceptual. There are many questions that must be answered and many details to be worked out. A study team will be working on legislation required to implement this policy. But we believe this concept gives us the best opportunity to address one of the most challenging issues the church faces today, and to do so in a way that honors each local church and reduces the harm that will inevitably come from either dividing the United Methodist Church, or continuing to force all churches to conform to one interpretation of scripture regarding the issue of homosexuality. What Unites Us as United Methodists United Methodist congregations already hold different views on how to interpret the scriptures related to homosexuality. They also have different ways of being in ministry with gay and lesbian people. What makes us United Methodists is not our position on homosexuality, but a core set of theological, missional and ministry convictions. To be United Methodist is to believe, follow and serve Jesus Christ. It is to hold together a passionate and personal evangelical gospel and a serious and sacrificial social gospel. It is to hold together a deep and wide understanding of grace and a call to holiness of heart and life. It is to hold together a faith that speaks to the intellect and a faith that warms the heart. To be United Methodist is to be a people who study and seek to live scripture and who read it with the help of tradition, experience and reason. To be United Methodist is to invite the Spirit’s sanctifying work in our lives to the end that we might love God with all that is within us and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. United Methodists believe that God’s grace is available to all, not only a predestined “elect.” We believe that God brings good from evil, but we don’t believe that God causes evil. We believe that it’s okay to ask questions and that we’re not meant to check our brains at the door of the church. We find helpful those guidelines we call the General Rules: Refrain from evil, do all the good you can, and do those things which help you grow in love for God. The Covenant Prayer is for us a powerful reminder of what it means to call Jesus Christ Lord: “I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what you will…” United Methodists have at times been called people of the “radical center” or the “extreme center,” holding together the best of each side of the theological divide. It is this ability to hold together the im- portant insights and perspectives of both the left and the right that is exemplified in a church that allows local congregations to hold varied scriptural interpretations on the issue of homosexuality. We believe the world needs a vital United Methodist Church now more than ever. In an increasingly sec- ular age, the world needs churches that can make an intellectually sound case for the gospel, proclaim a faith that touches the heart, and call Christians to action seeking to help our world look more like the kingdom of God. A vital United Methodism will remember its heritage and mission. It will be deeply de- voted to Jesus Christ, and serious about its role as his body – in the world. If it will have a future, it must help gifted young adults to answer God’s call to full time Christian service. And it must focus on both starting new congregations and working to revitalize existing congregations. By moving the decision-making regarding homosexuality to the local church, we hope to end the rancor, PAGE 9 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

animosity and endless debate that divide our denomination every four years at General Conference. What we propose would allow conservative, centrist and progressive churches to come to their own conclusions regarding this important issue and to focus on how best to minister in their own communi- ties. We will be bound together by what we share in common, rather than posturing to impose our will upon one another in areas where we are so deeply divided. United Methodists have an approach to the gospel that 21st century people can and will respond to. Our hope is that United Methodists might be united around our common heritage and our theological and missional convictions, so that we might be used by God to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the trans- formation of the world.

Poll: Making disciples tops United Methodists’ priorities; sexuality ranks low June 4,

2014 By UMReporter Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—A new poll of United Methodists in the United States shows that issues related to human sexuality rank significantly lower than other concerns, and members want the church to engage on this issue and bring a positive perspective to the discussion.

Creating disciples of Christ, spiritual growth and youth involvement are among the top priorities for U.S. church members, according to the survey, commissioned by United Methodist Communications. The research is based on a May 30-June 1 survey of United Methodist members in the United States. The research was conducted by Corporate Research of Greensboro, N.C., and Research Now of Dallas. It had a 4.4 percent margin of error.

“We found that regardless of a person’s position on homosexuality, members felt strongly that the church could offer a positive and different voice to the broader conversation occurring in society today,” said John Deuterman, president of Corporate Research. “They overwhelmingly reject the idea that the disagreements over this issue were justification for splitting the church.” Seventy-six percent of members said the church “should engage and bring positive perspective” to society’s discussion of issues related to sexuality.

More than 90 percent of respondents said The United Methodist Church should not split over issues related to human sexuality. Sixty- three percent said the issue of sexual orientation and same-gender marriage is “diverting the church from more important things.” They ranked it 8th in importance among issues facing the church today.

The most important issues, according to members, are creating disciples of Christ (39 percent of respondents ranked it as first or second in importance); youth involvement (27 percent); members’ spiritual growth (24 percent); decline in membership (19 percent); poverty (17 percent); children at risk (17 percent); and social injustice (16 percent). Sexual orientation and same-gender marriage drew 11 percent.

“This poll shows what really matters to the members of The United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, general secretary of United Methodist Communications. “It also clarifies that the people in the pews are more concerned about faithful living and changing lives for Christ than they are about some of the other issues that we hear so much about.”

The poll is helpful as The United Methodist Church looks ahead to its legislative assembly in 2016, Hollon said. “As the church wrestles with issues related to human sexuality leading up to 2016, this is a hopeful reminder that our connection is strong and that people in the pews are neither ignoring this discussion nor letting it distract from our effort to answer Christ’s call.” PAGE 10 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 TENNESSEE CONFERENCE ADULTS/OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES 2014 EVENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shirley Vaughn, Cumberland District Adult/Older Adult Representative PAGE 11 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 Music Professor James Story Honored by GRAMMY Foundation

James Story, professor and Performing and Visual Arts chair at Volunteer State Community College, is one of 222 quarterfinalists in the nation for the Music Educator Award™ presented by The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation®. Story was selected from more than 7,000 initial nominations. According to the GRAMMY Foundation, “the Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.”

“Just being in the quarterfinals is overwhelming. It really humbles me,” said Story. “It reminds me of the awesome responsibility I have as a teacher. To be recognized on this level is great for our program.”

Story has taught music at Vol State for 17 years. He began his teaching career as band and choir director at White House High School in 1977, and continued teaching at Gallatin High School from 1981 to 1997. He is also Music Director at Gallatin First United Methodist Church.

The semifinalists will be announced in September. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the GRAMMY Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium.

For more information about Music education at Vol State visit www.volstate.edu/music.

Used with permission from Volunteer State Community College Public Relations. PAGE 12 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 Preparing to Receive a New Pastor by Bob Crossman

Welcoming a new pastor in genuine and effective ways lays the groundwork for a healthy and vital relationship and for the development of stable, long- term ministries together. The following suggestions from 50 Ways to Welcome Your New Pastor or Associate Pastor will help your congregation receive a new pastor with a spirit of openness and hospitality. Open your hearts and decide that you are going to love your new pastor. Pray daily for the new pastor and family, even as you continue to pray for your departing pastor and family. Invite church members to send cards of welcome and encouragement to the incoming pastor.

Plan for the transition. Important welcoming gestures may be missed with everyone thinking someone else is handling these details. Appoint a liaison person to whom the pastor can go for help and information during the transition.

Say goodbye to your current pastor in a healthy way. Showing love, regard, and even grief for your departing pastor is one of the best things you can do for the new pastor. Acknowledge the change in public ways. Especially in the case of a much-beloved pastor, this allows the congregation better to let go and receive the new pastor.

Consider giving the outgoing pastor the last two weeks off. This helps that pastor enter a new situation rested and gives an emotional buffer between one pastor’s last Sunday and another pastor’s first Sunday.

Welcome the new pastor on moving day. Have a small group greet the new pastor and family when they arrive and help as needed. Stock the parsonage refrigerator and pantry with some staples. Include kid- friendly foods and snacks if children are arriving.

Introduce your new pastor to the neighborhood. Provide a map with directions to local dry cleaners, grocery store, drug store, veterinarian, etc., and information on local options for internet and cable television providers. Give gift certificates to several favorite restaurants in the community.

Wear name tags. Even if name tags are not a tradition, the congregation can wear them for a few weeks to help the pastor learn names.

Bob Crossman is a New Church Strategist with Path One, General Board of Discipleship, United Methodist Church. Download a free copy of 50 Ways to Welcome Your New Pastor or Associate Pastor at http://www.churchleadership.com/50ways/NewPastor.html.

Printed with permission from www.churchleadership.com.

PAGE 13 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2014

For more information, contact:

Grant Vosburgh, director of communications Martin Methodist College [email protected]

931-363-9815 (office) / 931-638-6159 (cell)

Ben Alford’s half-century journal now in hardback A companion publication of hiss sermons and essays has also been printed

PULASKI, Tenn. – The Fall 2013 issue of The Columns, the magazine of Martin Methodist College, featured a story on the remarkable journal that 1956 alumnus Ben Alford had kept for a half-century. The journal is now in print through Martin Methodist College Press.

Entitled “Naming a Love,” the publication is a series of observations, musings, opinions and reflections – recorded nearly every day over 50 years – by one of MMC’s most cherished favorite sons, right up until his death in 2008. During that time, he served his alma mater as chaplain, professor, administrator and trustee, as well as serving as a United Methodist minister for several churches in the Tennessee Conference.

Dr. Alford’s journal is now in hardback format, along with a companion book, “The Dance of the Holy Nobodies,” which features his sermons, articles, essays and other writings. Both books are available for purchase at http://www.mmcbookstore.com/MerchList.aspx?ID=8622 or at the college’s bookstore at 622 West Flower Street in Pulaski.

Martin Methodist College, founded in 1870, is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church with a student enrollment of 1,140 students. Martin Methodist offers baccalaureate degrees in 39 programs of study, ranging from English, religious studies, music and dramatic arts, mathematics and natural sciences to business, social sciences, education, criminal justice and nursing. PAGE 14 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Upcoming and Sponsored Events Located at 121 East Avenue, Goodlettsville TN 37072 | 877-857-9372 | aldersgaterenewal.org | [email protected]

PAGE 15 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

PAGE 16 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

Local Church Events

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

July Event

Our Vacation Bible School will be for 3 nights, July 21st thru 23rd. The theme for this year will be “The Ten Commandments.” We are looking forward to having a lot of fun.

VBS Registration is Monday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Then VBS sessions are Monday thru Wednesday, July 21-23 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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

July 6, 1:30 pm, Mr. Lincoln portrayed by Dennis Boggs, sanctuary New Pastor Sunday, June 22 we say a sad good-bye to our pastor, Tommie Martin and his wife Charlotte. A Fellowship Dinner in their honor will follow the morning worship service. The last Sunday in June we will welcome our new pastor , John Arnold from Gallatin First Methodist Church. Following the morning worship service we will have a welcome Fellowship Dinner for Pastor John.

Job Announcement: Church Pianist Needed, Forest Grove UMC

Forest Grove UMC at 7982 Whites Creek Pike in Joelton is looking for a church pianist to play the church’s Clavinova electric piano for the Sunday worship service and the church choir. This is a paid position. Call Beverly Garrett, chairperson of SPR Committee, at 615-430-8395, if interested. PAGE 17 THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

Lebanon United Methodist Church—Celebrates Commissioning Lebanon First United Methodist celebrates with Sommer Rose Worley and her family upon her graduation from Asbury Seminary and her commissioning in the Tennessee Conference. Sommer is married to John Dee Worley II and they have two sons: Gabe and Cutler, and they are expecting a daughter in August. We also rejoice in her appointment as Associate Pastor at Crossville First, even though we will really miss her and her ministry here. Sommer has been active working with our youth and teaching the New Society class, which is a class for young adults ages 18-25. She has been so faithful to be here every Sunday even though many are away at college and sometimes her classroom is empty. She has also been very proactive to engage them on-line, so that they are in conversation with their church even when away at college. Sommer has also preached for us and help lead worship, and we can confidently say that Crossville will find her to be a blessing in their midst. God go with you Sommer!

Lebanon First UMC is pleased to announce the Confirmation Class of 2014. The group of 18 participated in the Credo Confirmation series that incorporated at weekend retreat to Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. The confirmation class included two sets of twins and a set of cousins. They enjoyed guest speakers that included two retired ministers, two deacons, a published author, newly appointed minister, and an Appalachian Trail Through – hiker. The confirmands will complete their journey on June 1, 2014 as they are presented and received by the congregation. CUMBERLAND DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST CHU RCH Check out our updated web page: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 477 http://cumberlanddistrictumc.org/. If you have Hendersonville, TN 37077 any suggestions or corrections please email District Office Location: Scott Hilgadiack at [email protected] . 525 New Shackle Island Rd Hendersonville, TN 37075 (Inside Good Sheppard UMC)

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

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.

Prayer Request: Our friends in the Clarksville District ask us to please be in prayer for Reverend Jacqueline Martin and family in the death of her mother, Mrs. Jewel Pitt. Mrs. Pitt passed away today, June 4, 2014, in Memphis after an extended illness. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Jacqueline is the pastor of the Bumpus Mills UMC in the Clarksville District.

Condolences may be sent to: Reverend Jacqueline Martin 5794 Highway 147 Stewart, TN 37175-7011