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An Edition of the United Methodist Reporter THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW an edition of the United Methodist Reporter Leading congregations to lead people to actively follow Jesus Christ History Rebuilding Harvested l Joplin is beginning 024000 Volume 158 Award given Garden provides Number 16 l August 19, 2011 for preserving to build back. 5A for community. memories. 3A 6A Two Sections, Section A Signed Fifth and sixth graders at Lee’s Summit UMC took part in a week of service this summer. This billboard is one of 117 being put up in Missouri One of their projects involved digging nearly 600 pounds of potatoes from the church spon- to promote Serve2011, a weekened of community sored garden. They were donated to local families in need. mission projects that Missouri Conference churches are taking part in on September 10-11. The bill- boards were desinged, placed and funded by United Methodist Communications in Nashville. For more Growing in Missouri on Serve2011, go to www.serve2011.org. Large congregations in Missouri top list of fastest growing churches Average attendance numbers only about 12 years old. Of the “We have an incredible staff aren’t an exact science, but last 25 churches on the list, 18 were and amazing members, and they year the two largest churches in founded in the last 60 years, and are doing awesome work,” he said. the Missouri Conference logged eight of those are less than 20 The growth in the church has an average weekly attendance that years old. been steady, but not necessarily was exactly the same: 1,943. The Lee’s Summit UMC was every year. churches were Morning Star UMC founded in 1867. “We might hit a plateau or even in O’Fallon and La Croix UMC in Most churches with Lee’s fall back a little in a year, but then Cape Girardeau. Coming in third Summit’s history have elderly peo- we’ll step back and focus on our was Lee’s Summit UMC, with ple in the pews who can remem- purpose and get back on track,” an average attendance of 1,396. ber the glory days of the church he said. “We realize that this is a These three churches have some- when it was twice as big. Not so at journey.” thing in common: all three made Lee’s Summit. Lee’s Summit UMC is built a list of the 25 fastest growing “We’ve never been bigger than around three ideas: large congregations in the United we are right now,” said Rev. Jim Vibrant, exciting worship. Methodist Church. In fact, they Preisig, who’s been pastor at Lee’s Spiritual development and for- were all in the top 15. Summit for nine years. “God’s mation Only one Conference, Florida, doing amazing things here and it’s Commitment to missional had more churches on the list, exciting to be a part of it. Things engagement. Ron Beaton says goodbye to members of Missouri UMC with five. The Texas Conference take a lot longer than you expect, The church has many mission after his last sermon there. tied Missouri, with three churches but then when you look back opportunities available through- on the list. you’re amazed at everything that out the year. This month 37 La Croix UMC has been a new has happened.” people from the church went to Interns complete church start success story since Preisig credits the historic Nicaragua to build homes. The it was founded about 23 years church’s uncharacteristic growth church has also been offering ago. The same could certainly be to the people at the church who smaller, weekend mission trips for summer of ministry said of Morning Star, which is make things happen. See Growing, pg. 4A Jacob Schneider didn’t know Conference this summer, he what he was signing up for. When was looking to get a break from The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profi t, Dallas, TX 75247-3919. Periodicals he applied and was accepted to be seminary and get some real-world, Postage Paid at Dallas. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. a ministry intern in the Missouri See Interns, pg. 6A 2A Opinions and Insights August 19, 2011 Don’t let worry win I wrote the following commen- door to the Spirit’s wisdom. As you lead in your church as tary a couple years ago, but since Perhaps that is why so many pastor or layperson, this season the topic fits today’s headlines, I’ve scriptural passages repeat a com- requires of you a special steadiness decided to repeat it. I’m sure we mon refrain, “Do not be afraid.” of hand. How you respond shapes could easily fill our time sharing The angel said this to Mary at your congregation’s response. ideas about who is to blame for the annunciation; the heralds If a congregation makes its big- our current crisis—Congress, the proclaimed this to the shepherds gest mistakes when it’s driven by President, Republicans, Democrats, in the fields; Jesus reminded his fear rather than faith, then it falls banks, corporations, our interna- disciples of this on the stormy sea, to us to keep the focus where it tional trade partners, etc, etc. And and the risen Christ whispered belongs—on the ministry of Jesus who voted these people into office this to the women at the tomb. Christ. sunk? Appeal to peoples’ highest of the calling to be generous. The anyway, and who expects ever The disciples, huddled together First, don’t rush to make per- motives, not their fears. Foster ministries that our congregations increasing public services, secu- in fear after the death of Jesus, manent decisions based on tem- generosity without feeding anxiety. support---relief and assistance rity, schools, and infrastructure at had trouble hearing this message. porary setbacks. We don’t know We’re followers of the Christ who ministries, women’s shelters, feed- increasingly lower costs? Oh, that “Have no fear,” to me, does not how long and how deep this trou- calmed the seas and walked for- ing and homebuilding ministries, would be most of us! Blaming, mean we avoid legitimate concern bling time may last. We will know ward amidst the tempests of the ministries that help children and scape-goating, denying, and ignor- and engagement. It means, Don’t much more in the next couple time. He invites us into his way, the poor, scholarships---are seeing ing are seldom useful exercises in let worry win. When worry wins, months. Make prudent decisions promising to be with us at every their expenses increase even as the the teeth of the storm. Here are a we lose. When worry wins, the rather than panicked ones. When step. need for their services intensifies. few words for church leaders who purpose and ministry of Christ gripped by fear, sometimes we A radio story reminded parents They need us more now than ever. are anxious about finances. gets hijacked, derailed, ignored, feel we must act, that we must to be careful about the language Generosity is not seasonal, tempo- When serving as a pastor, I and avoided. Don’t let worry win. do something. Doing something they use to describe their own rary, or only for smooth and easy learned that I usually make my Like everyone, I’ve cringed each gives us a sense of control. This family finances because children times. Rather, generosity is our biggest mistakes when I’m tired. time I’ve listened to the news to has caused countless people to take things literally. If Mom and way of being as followers of Christ When I don’t attend to patterns hear of the downward spiral of the sell stocks at incredible losses, Dad say in exaggerated exaspera- because it’s the way God works in of rest, sleep, exercise, and time financial markets. I think of peo- abandoning investments that will tion, “we’re going broke, we’re los- the world. As Paul writes of the away, and just keep grinding away ple losing jobs, closing businesses, eventually rebound. This same ing everything,” then children stay church of Macedonia, “for during at work day after day, I become anxious about their houses, fearful fear causes churches impulsively awake all night thinking about the a severe ordeal of affliction, their more likely to say things I wish I for the retirements, wondering to reduce budgets, eliminate fruit- homeless life to come! Picture a abundant joy and their extreme could take back, make decisions about their college savings funds. I ful ministries, and cut staff. These congregation as concentric circles poverty have overflowed in a that aren’t constructive, and foster think of the churches we serve and might be prudent steps in some moving out from the center. If the wealth of generosity on their part. an atmosphere that isn’t conducive their fall pledge campaigns, their cases. But check the motivation… leaders at the center use language For, as I can testify, they voluntari- to anyone’s best attitude and fruit- budgeting for next year, the mis- fear or faith? Reactive, or purpose- carelessly and with unrestrained ly gave according to their means, fulness. sions they support, the ministries driven? Impulsive, or deliberately hyperbole, those further out from and even beyond their means, In a similar fashion, organiza- they offer, the building projects and prayerfully considered? the center take it literally since begging us earnestly for the privi- tions make their biggest mistakes that are underway. I think of the Second, organizations take they don’t know the details the leges of sharing in this ministry.” when they make decisions based funds and ministries we oversee their cue from the attitudes and way the leaders do.
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