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. Use a steady (II Corinthians 8: 2-5) on fear. Leaders gripped by fear at the conference level—insurance responses of their leaders. If the hand. Practice faith rather than These early Christians did not lose focus and forget purpose. issues; pension funds; new church pastor and lay leadership push the fear. let worry win. May we learn from Community becomes brittle, starts; the recruitment, education panic button, everyone else will Finally, focus on the purpose them in our following of Christ. tempers intensify, and we move and training of pastors; youth and respond accordingly. Letters and of the church, even and especially Grace and peace, into a reactive mode rather than a camping ministries. I think of communications that report con- during stressful times. Challenging thoughtful and intentional form of my own family—our own pen- scientious concern, report hon- times do not relieve us of the joy- deliberation. When people of faith sion fund, our college expenses, est trends, and invite continued ful obligation of worshipping God react in fear, the decisions focus investments that will one day help prayerful support generate a far with glad and generous hearts; on short-term outcomes. Fear sti- purchase a home at retirement. It’s more positive response from our of serving others with compas- fles creativity, and when people of hard to keep all these in our hearts members than notices that imply sion, mercy, and justice; of study- Robert Schnase, Bishop prayer and spiritual depth respond without feeling a little jittery. It that the church is facing catas- ing God’s word and teaching the MO Conference of the UMC in reactive ways, they limit alter- takes work not to let worry win. trophe, calamity, and crisis. Who children; and of inviting others natives and possibilities that they It’s hard to feed faith, but it’s easy will prayerfully support a church into Christ. Challenging times do might ordinarily consider in less to succumb to fear’s power and that is described by its leaders not relieve congregations, or the stressful times. Fear closes the seduction. as dead, dying, busted, broke, or individuals who comprise them,

THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW Clergy/Clergy Spouse Deaths Robert Schnase Toll Free: (877) 736-1806 Bishop, Missouri Area Columbia: (573) 441-1770 Maxine Diehl of Ozark died Monticello House in Jackson. She Sherry Habben Fax: (573) 441-1780 August 6. She was the surviving was 99 years old and a member of Director of Connectional Ministries Subscription rate is $15 per year. Make checks spouse of the late Rev. Kenneth the New Salem United Methodist Contact information payable to the Missouri Conference. Diehl. Church. 3601 Amron Court Fred Koenig, Editor Columbia, Missouri 65202 Lorraine Sanders, Circulation Addie Henley, surviving spouse The Rev. Marilyn Smith E-mail for news submission: Circulation e-mail: [email protected] of the late Rev. Melvin Henley, (retired) of Villa Ridge died fk [email protected] Next Deadline: August 19 Next Issue: September 2 died Sunday, August 7, at the August 3. Vision: Growing, fruitful, vibrant congregations changing lives through Jesus Christ. August 19, 2011 Missouri Conference News 3A Gooch receives Ministry of High-Tech Chat Memory award Dr. John O. Gooch, retired Methodist pastor, received the Facebook vs. Websites prestigious national Ministry of Memory Award at the From United Methodist There are no limitations. International Convocation of Communications You can present and organize your Methodist Archives and History Facebook is ruling the online information any way you like on held in July 2011 in Oklahoma world for three reasons: your website. To put it simply, City, Oklahoma. The Ministry of 1. Users want to engage your website is where all your Memory Award recognizes a per- actively, not read passively. content lives. Facebook is where son who has achieved “excellence 2. Facebook’s functionality is you promote, discuss and share in archival and historical work in rent editor of Toward the Setting Gooch is an alumni of Central ever improving. the crème de la crème. the local church, annual confer- Sun, the Missouri Methodist Methodist University in Fayette, 3. Most of your audience is ence, jurisdictional or central con- historical journal which began in Missouri and Garrett-Evangelical already on Facebook, so it’s Online marketing is a big ference.” Dr. Gooch was nomi- 1983. He is also the author of 12 Theological Seminary in less work connecting there. funnel. nated by the Missouri Conference books about Methodist history Evanston, Illinois. He received his This doesn’t mean you should Social sites may be at the top, but Commission on Archives and and has written numerous lessons Ph.D. in Historical Theology from abandon your church’s website. It they are meant to work with des- History because of his dedica- for the Methodist church. Since St. Louis University. Currently just means it will now share space tination websites. They’re like the tion to the preservation of the 1976 he has been a member of he and his wife, Beth Hammond with many other social venues. free samples at the grocery store. Methodist tradition in this state. the Missouri Conference Archives Gooch, live in Liberty, Missouri. Church websites are much If a user likes your little 140-char- Dr. Gooch is founding and cur- and History Commission. Dr. better than Facebook for some acter bite, then they will look for things. a blog or a website to get a larger Websites create unique experi- portion. ences – especially if you know the BMCR plans annual worship service goals of your site, embrace prin- Your blog can be a bridge to ciples of excellent Web functional- the website. By Dr. Doris Harrington the theme, “Africa University and ity and understand your audience. Don’t give seekers the whole meal The Missouri Black Methodists BMCR”. The ability to have a media center, at once. You may want to send for Church Renewal Caucus Dr. Salley has the responsibility promote your ministries, offer a them to your blog for more digest- recently announced that its for spearheading efforts to renew section for youth and much more ible portions. Maybe they’ll sub- Annual Worship Service will be funding for Africa University at are all reasons not to rely solely on scribe to an RSS feed or go to your held on Sunday, September 25, the General Conference of the Facebook or any other single com- website to discover your main call 2011 at Union Memorial United United Methodist Church and munications channel. to action. Ideally, they will make it Methodist Church in St. Louis. beyond. Under his advancement Many of your members may out of the online funnel and into Pre-service music will be provided leadership, Africa University has not be on Facebook, especially your church, where real human at 2:30 p.m. and the worship ser- grown from 40 students in reno- those in the older demographics. interaction takes place. vice will begin at 3:00 p.m. Rev. vated farm buildings to 1300 stu- When a seeker wants to learn Kevin Kosh is senior pastor at dents with more than 3,000 gradu- about your church, it’s still second Promote the right URL for James Salley Union Memorial. ates, 35 modern buildings with no nature to go to yourchurchwebsite. each campaign. The BMCR Caucus is privi- debt. He has conducted successful the NAACP. He is a member of com. If your campaign is designed leged to have as its featured speak- fund-raising activities in Europe, the Edisto Fork United Methodist Facebook can make changes to take advantage of the “social er Dr. James. H. Salley, Associate Asia, Africa and the United States. Church, and has served the with which you may not want graph,” then promote the Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Dr. Salley has been the fea- church as Lay Leader, president of to be associated, such as abrupt Facebook page. However if you Advancement for Africa tured speaker/preacher at the the United Methodist Men, and as changes to privacy policies. send people there without a pur- University. The university is Zimbabwe Annual Conference, as a certified lay speaker. Strange or unappealing adver- pose, the results will not be very located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. well as more than fifteen Annual For more information, Robert tisements may appear on your effective. In most cases, you want Dr. Salley operates out of the Conferences in our country. He Williams, president of the MO Facebook profile. to have a specific landing page Africa University Development is a lifetime member of the Black BMCR Caucus, may be contacted Facebook is too blue and only on your website where people Office in Nashville. During the Methodists for Church Renewal of at [email protected]. 520 pixels wide. can learn exactly what they need worship service, he will address the United Methodist Church and The personality and diversity that to know and share that page on websites bring to the table will social networks. always be their major strength. So don’t fret; your website is still very crucial and the anchor point for your entire online mar- keting program. Anyone can receive the Missouri Conference Review for free via e-mail by signing up at www.moumethodist.org/stayconnected. If you would like to cancel you paper subscription, e-mail [email protected]. 4A Missouri Conference News August 19, 2011

Vandals repeatedly hit McCurdy School McCurdy School, a General Coriz, McCurdy first grade Board of Global Ministries related teacher. Valley View member, mission school in New Mexico, Amy Miller, who organized the has experienced several incidents fund-raiser says, “We are work- of building vandalism on the 100 ing to erase this black mark and The Summit’s praise band plays during worship. year old Espanola campus in May, color it in with the bright colors It helps to have a June and July resulting in over of God’s love and we invite all continued from page 1A growing neighbor $75,000 in damage. United Methodist Churches to Growing “The problem began with join us in the coloring in God’s In a comment on the blog graffiti in May and escalated into love at McCurdy!” people who are not able to com- Len Wilson, author of the about the 25 fastest growing broken windows and a fire in the Loomis shares, “Enrollment mit to a longer mission experi- top 25 list, is the senior leader- large congregations, a reader first grade classroom caused by a is up over a year ago and plans ence. ship editor at Abingdon Press, took the same data but looked Molotov cocktail in June. Then for the 2011-12 school year are The church is currently located the main imprint of the United at 2007-2009 instead of going in July all the windows of Pringle in final stages. At McCurdy we on three acres. Methodist Publishing House. The back to 2006. In this list, Wood’s Student Center including the caf- accomplish miracles with the “The studies say you can’t list looks at the most recent com- Chapel UMC ranked 23 on the eteria were broken. As a result funds given to our school. We grow in a location like this, but plete four years of average weekly list. That’s Wood’s Chapel in Lee’s we will have to make repairs, have had a zero percent dropout we’ve been doing it,” Preisig said. worship attendance data (2006- Summit, only about six miles hire security guards and explore rate for many years while the The church has purchased 43 2009). A congregation had to from Lee’s Summit UMC. a surveillance system which will public school dropout rate is over acres, and will be relocating to a have at least 1000 in weekly wor- “Wood’s Chapel does amazing result in additional out of pocket 50% and our thirty 2011 gradu- major north/south thoroughfare ship in 2009 to qualify for the list. work, and that’s only good for expenses for the school,” says ates going on to college received when it sells its current property. Ron Watts, pastor of La Croix us,” said Rev. Jim Preisig. “Jeremy Rev. Diana Loomis, director of $417,000 in scholarships. Any Even during the recession, giving UMC, is also part of the Missouri Vickers at Grace and Brent development and church relations help United Methodist Churches at Lee’s Summit has been increas- Conference Congregational Mustoe at Aldersgate round out at McCurdy School and former give us to pay the more than ing at a rate of about 5 percent Development Team, so he has the concentration of four vibrant, Missouri Conference pastor. The $57,720 in expenses to rebuild per year. an informed perspective on the growing United Methodist school is working with the dif- the damaged classroom and halls, Most of the new people com- top three churches, as well as churches in Lee’s Summit. I think ferent companies that insure the purchase new contents that are ing to Lee’s Summit have had a other growing churches in the the spirit of effectiveness can be contents and the buildings. The not covered by insurance and pay previous negative experience in Conference. contagious.” deductible for contents is $10,000 the $3,360 cost per week for secu- church, and have been away from “Each of these three congrega- Last year Morning Star in for each occurrence and the rity guards while we are research- church for several years. tions attempts to engage the cul- O’Fallon grew by 408 people, by deductible to repair the buildings ing the purchase of a surveillance “They come here because ture that they live in with fresh, far the largest attendance growth is $100,000. system will be a blessing. Most someone invites them, they new methods,” Watts said. “They in the Missouri Conference. “We host many Volunteer in importantly, we ask that you pray begin to experience and explore each have lively, vibrant worship Second was SunRise UMC, Mission groups from Missouri for those damaging the school worship, become engaged and experiences that are compelling which grew by 168. That’s and many return to the school because we believe they are act- involved in activities, and hearts with their music and spoken SunRise UMC in O’Fallon, the year after year. In addition, there ing out because of their personal change,” he said. word.” church that started Morning Star. have been several missionar- pain.” Churches interested in The two churches are about three ies assigned to the school from helping the school recover from miles apart. Missouri and now I am serving these unexpected and unbud- as the Director of Development/ geted expenses that will total over Church Relations after just retir- $57,720 are invited to contact ing from the Missouri Conference Rev. Diana Loomis, director of this June. The support for development/church relations, at Reap what you sow: Conference in Sept. McCurdy in our conference runs 505-753-7221, ext. 352 or e-mail deep and we are very appreciative her at [email protected]. On September 16 - 17, gather which is affiliated with the Conference, and Dr. Will of that support. We are hoping Donations marked “fire recov- seeds for sowing at REAP, a con- General Board of Discipleship. Reed from the Misión Milby that Missouri United Methodists ery” may also be mailed to the ference to be held at Memorial Guest speakers include Dr. Community in Houston. will come through for us again!” school at 261 S. McCurdy Road, Drive United Methodist Church John Holbert from Perkins Registration is open to all Several congregations across the Espanola, NM 87532. in Houston. School of Theology, Mary pastors and laity who serve in connection have come to the For more info contact: Rev. REAP, “Renewing, Equipping, Jane Pierce Norton from the children, youth, adults, and spir- aid of the school,” says Loomis. Diana Loomis, director of devel- Affirming, Preparing”, is a General Board of Discipleship, itual formation ministries. Valley View UMC in Espanola opment/church relations, 505- regional event sponsored by the Dr. Gladys Childs from Texas For more information or to held an event raising over $3,000 753-7221, ext. 352 or dloomis@ Christian Educators Fellowship Wesleyan University, Rev. register online, go to www. to replenish a lifetime of educa- mccurdy.org. of the Texas Annual Conference Greg Davis of the Louisiana ghles.org. tional supplies lost by Berniece August 19, 2011 Missouri Conference News Updates 5A

Follow-up on stories from West Plains By Rev. Mark Mildren West Plains UMC The West Plains Christian Clinic has been in operation one year, as of July 8. The clinic, staffed completely by volun- teers, is open only two evenings per month, for two hours each evening. Since the clinic has opened it has seen 492 patients. These patients must qualify to be seen by a physician by not having Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, private insurance or if they exceed 125% of poverty guidelines. Many of the patients are working poor, who are employed full time in low wage jobs and who cannot afford health insur- ance. The clinic has probably saved the lives of several patients who were unaware of how seri- ous their illness was when they District Superintendent Sandra Nenadal looks through the wrecked district office two days after the tornado struck Joplin came to the clinic. Though the clinic is ecumenical the bulk of the leadership and volun- Joplin progresses on recovery after tornado teers come from First United Methodist Church. There are By Sandra Nenadal cleaner, if more empty landscape. losses the city of New York had Creative Ministries, from trained twenty physicians who are help- In Joplin we recently marked There are still moments that sustained. He said they would Emergency Response teams from ing to staff the clinic and care two months since a devastating startle as they did Friday evening be more than we could bear and United Methodist churches like for patients. As in any beginning tornado destroyed one third of when we turned down a street I so it seemed in those early days Liberty, Schweitzer, Church of there are unexpected problems, our town. As Superintendent of did not recognize. My husband after that tragedy. While the scale the Resurrection, Woods Chapel new challenges, etc, but now the the Southwest District, it is also reminded me we used to drive was different, that’s how I felt on and more. The churches in Joplin clinic and its volunteers are run- my home. So last week in the eve- on it often to avoid traffic when May 22. As the reports of schools, began receiving offers of help, ning smoothly and is a blessing ning, my husband, daughter and I leaving the Walgreens on 20th and homes, countless businesses, fire supplies, and people who showed to both volunteers and our com- went for a drive to look for signs Main Street. The old homes and stations and churches destroyed up to help as they themselves munity. of progress, and despite the hor- trees on Virginia Street were all came in with the news of a rising began to organize and offer Seven years ago First UMC rific destruction two months ago, gone and I barely knew the place. death toll, it seemed more than we assistance to those in their neigh- of West Plains decided that it found them. Still, all around there are signs of would be able to bear. borhoods. We were not alone. could make improvements in its Some new homes are going up hope, possibility and new life. And Yet even Sunday evening, as Instead, we were carried by the VBS program. With prayer and off of 26th Street near Saint Paul’s I am so thankful for them. families searched for loved ones love and support of so many. I, dedicated leadership the VBS UMC. While Saint Paul’s wor- I thought back to how it felt and neighbors dug through the like the other residents of Joplin, program has grown from 25 to ship center had to be torn down, late in the evening on May 22, rubble to help each other, help experienced the blessing of having 313 children over the seven year the fellowship hall is now under sitting in our home using a camp began pouring into our commu- others bear our burdens, fulfill- period. Since the decision to repair so that the members will be lantern, listening to the battery nity: police officers, fire crews, ing the law of Christ to love your improve quality the church has able to return in the fall for wor- operated radio, as the reporters emergency rescue personnel, neighbor as yourself. Whether by seen a numerical increase from ship. The members of St. James brought back continual updates crews to repair the power lines your prayers, your gifts of supplies the previous year every year. UMC are meeting at Christ’s of the destruction. Since we lived and more from our four states or money, or by your presence By exceeding the 300 mark Community UMC and starting south of the damaged area, we area and through out the state on one of the hundreds of volun- this summer the church has actu- to discuss plans for the future. could only imagine the extent of of Missouri. It still moves me teer teams that have poured into ally run out of space, chairs and The construction of a new district the devastation. I lay awake for to think of the officers I saw on Joplin, you helped us bear our tables for the number of kids office has begun on 20th Street. a long time that Sunday evening street corners Monday morning burdens, I offer you my heartfelt who attend, forcing the church to Wal-Mart, Walgreens and trying to pray and wondering how from Kansas City and St. Louis; thanks. We have not been alone. evaluate where it goes from here. Chick-Fil-A are all under con- our community could survive the rescue vehicles from the Through your visible expressions One lesson to be learned is that struction on Rangeline Road. such a catastrophic storm. As I Native American communities in of love, we have felt the care and with motivation, prayer, good Many businesses have relocated prayed, I remembered something Oklahoma who had come to assist love of God and we have been leadership and the support of the and are opening their doors again. Rudy Giuliani said on the evening our town in its hour of great need. blessed. Thank you. church daring new ministries can Most of all, the mounds of debris of the September 11 terrorist By Monday, we were receiv- succeed. Seven years ago the VBS are being hauled away leaving a attacks, when asked about the ing help from our office of at FUMC received scant commu- nity notice. Now FUMC’s VBS is the place to be in town, and is by far and away, the largest such www.moumethodist.org program. 6A Missouri Conference News August 19, 2011

SBC 21 leaders encouraged by transformational learning model

Strengthening the Black Church Coaching & Consultation upcoming training. “We must be with the intent to nurture Partner Church for the 21st Century and Dr. Rodney Smothers, Lead more intentional about helping Congregations via covenant rela- launched its Collaborative Coach for Coachmin: A Ministry our partner congregations experi- tionships and coaching. A Mentor Coaching Network (CCN) with Training Resource Team, intro- ence vitality in ministry not just Coach will be carefully selected more than 40 of the most effec- duced about 33 CCN Coaches to through teaching, but through and matched with a PC who has tive pastoral and lay leaders in the collaborative coaching sys- demonstration, modeling and met the SBC21 application crite- the African-American Church. tem which will more effectively coaching, Dotson said. A list of ria. The PC must be accepted into The CCN is charged by the SBC resource the partner congregation all the 2011 SBC21 training events the CCN program. The Mentor 21 Coordinating Committee to Churches. “We have to ask our- is available at sbc21.org. Coaches will serve as a subject nurture partner congregations via selves- what will success look like “From this training we will expert and assist their PC team (s) covenant relationships and coach- as a result of our Collaborative assemble a team of coaches who in areas such as worship, leader- ing. Coaching Network presence?” are innovative, thorough and ship administration, outreach and Summer squash and “Our main purpose and focus Smothers said. Will churches be effective in leadership and out- Christian education that will allow cucumbers are harvested in designing and launching this healthy, relevant and innovative reach, said Rose Booker-Jones, them to achieve measurable suc- for the local food pantry by Collaborative Coaching Network in their approach to meeting the Chair of the Program Committee cess. Harrisonville UMC members. is to increase the number of highly spiritual needs in their communi- for SBC21. “These Coaches are vital congregations within the ties,” he asked. charged with engaging, connect- About SBC21 SBC21 scope,” said Fred Allen, Participants were introduced ing and leading Pastors to help set National Executive Director of and trained on new resources clear vision and desired outcomes Strengthening the Black Gardens SBC21. “This has been an unwav- using technology as well as was that can be measured for success. Church for the 21st Century is a ering mission of ours and we informed on the overall Call to “This type of accountability will transformational learning model supply have made tremendous progress Action and what it means for the make the relationships with the that enables one congregation to towards that goal. We often hear local churches. The remaining SBC21 coach and the PC more share its gift with other churches community that our training events are pro- training events for 2011 will be the meaningful,” Booker-Jones added. that are seeking growth, vitality ductive and informative, but the first groups to participate in this and transformation and wanting produce disconnect is often the follow-up. new model. About the Collaborative to expand their gifts of mission So introducing this method of Senior Pastor Junius Dotson, Coaching Network and ministry, in the process, to Harrisonville United follow-up with Mentor Coaches whose church will host a CRC revitalize Black congregations and Methodist church reaches out will help close the gap,” he said. Training event in September, The primary task of the The United Methodist Church. to the community by providing The 2-day training, led by Dr. says that this method will bode Collaborative Coaching Network food for the local food pantry. Sherry Daniels, CEO of OnPoint well for the effectiveness of his is a relationship-based program The need is great as approxi- mately 330 families are cur- rently being served. The church continued from page 1A is working four garden plots Interns throughout the season to provide hands-on local church experience. in Joplin was Salvage Yard and at a Wednesday Beaton also directed a camp, fresh produce each week. There He was going to get to experience a wake up night youth meeting. accompanied the youth on a were 200 hills of cucumbers, average church life as a temporary call. Ronald Beaton’s summer had mission trip to Tennessee, was 250 hills of summer squash, 470 associate pastor during the summer “Being a less dramatic start, but was just involved in Vacation Bible School, peppers, 64 pounds of onions, slow-down. But as he was driving thrown into as fulfilling of an experience. The and on August 7 he preached all 1200 feet of green beans and 288 from Asbury Seminary in Kentucky a situation seminarian from Duke served as a three sermons at the church. The tomatoes planted in the spring. to Missouri, the deadliest tornado where I could ministry intern at Missouri UMC following Saturday he married Twenty gallons of onions were to hit the country in years was tear- see a local in Columbia. Kasey Tobin, a fellow seminary harvested earlier this summer ing apart the town, and the very church that Beaton’s passion is worship, student at Duke. and given out at the pantry. As church, where he was headed. does things Jacob and he got to be an active partici- “I’m happy to say that we’ll the gardens continue to grow, Schneider learned about the very well in a Schneider pant in wor- both be coming to the Missouri volunteers headed by Cecil Law, tornado in Joplin from a phone time of crisis, ship through Conference for our ministry after meet every Mon & Thurs morn- call from his mother while he that has a real heart for mission the summer, we graduate,” Beaton told the con- ing during the summer months was driving. He checked in with and for growing the kingdom, often reading gregation at Missouri. to travel to the gardens to weed Pastors Aaron Brown and Mark really expanded my faith in the scripture, and Both of the interns were or harvest the crop. Statler in the next couple days to local church overall,” he said. “I’m helping with recruited by Director of Pastoral make sure he could still come. different now. I think and feel dif- communion Excellence Karen Hayden. Then he arrived, three days after ferently than I did before I had and baptisms. “I think this program gave the the tornado hit. this experience.” Beaton also interns a look into ministry and “Those first few weeks, I Schneider is grateful that the had the oppor- Ronald Beaton Missouri that they may have not www. experienced about everything a people at Saint Paul were willing tunity to preach otherwise known,” Hayden said. pastor does, including grief coun- to make a place for him in their a four-week sermon series on “Even greater, congregations were moumethodist. seling and funeral preparation,” time of crisis. Genesis for Missouri’s 8 a.m. service. given permission to be mentors Schneider said. “I also spent a lot “Even though Mark Statler had “I’ve preached before on several and teachers of the seminarians. It org of time getting my hands dirty, so much on his plate, he was very occasions, but this was the first was a great opportunity to expand working on things that may not be intentional about including me in opportunity I’ve had to preach on our ‘Culture of Call’.” glorious, but were essential.” things so that my time there was consecutive Sundays,” Beaton said. The two internships were funded Schneider said he was becom- fruitful,” Schneider said. “I really learned through that pro- by the Center for Pastoral Excellence ing a bit cynical at seminary, and Schneider preached three cess how God keeps showing up with a grant from the Missouri his experience at Saint Paul’s UMC times, at Oronogo UMC, the whenever you need him.” United Methodist Foundation. Advertising space is available in the Missouri Conference Review. Rates start at $150. For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 573-777-1205. August 19, 2011 Opportunities 7A Conference Calendar Date Event Location Phone/E-Mail Contact Job 8/12/2011 UMM Annual Retreat Blue Mountain [email protected] David Bailey Postings

8/13/2011 UMW Finance & Program Committee Conference Center [email protected] Paula Ackerson Director of Children’s Ministries - Platte 8/13/2011 VIM Team Leader Training Conference Center [email protected] Audrey Phelps Woods UMC

8/19/2011 Holy Ghost Party Camp Clover Point (573) 291-9122 Bev Boehmer Platte Woods UMC is seeking a full-time Director of Children’s Ministries with a passion for 8/20/2011 One God, One Day, One Love Saint Paul School of Theology [email protected] Dr. Claire Smith building relationships with chil- dren and families, and leading them into a growing relation- 8/25/2011 Mid-State PAUMCS Summer Study Group Conference Center [email protected] Dora Thackery ship with Christ. Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree (preferred degree in Christian 9/8/2011 Mid-State PAUMCS Summer Study Group Conference Center [email protected] Dora Thackery Education and / or Childhood Development); a demonstrated history in successfully lead- 9/10/2011 Camp Jo-Ota Youth Rally 2011 Camp Jo-Ota [email protected] Mike Leonard ing and growing a Children’s Ministry. For a complete job 9/10/201 Serve2011 Statewide [email protected] Audrey Phelps description or to find out more about Platte Woods UMC visit 9/10/2011 Social Justice Team Meeting Conference Center [email protected] Margie Briggs www.plattewoodschurch.org/ careers. E-mail resume, referenc- es and salary history to careers@ 9/12/2011 CONVERGE Celebration Center - Sedalia [email protected] Jim Downing plattewoodschurch.org

9/13/2011 Northern Glow Seniors Retreat Camp Jo-Ota [email protected] Mike Leonard Director of Children’s Ministries – Saint 9/17/2011 Mission, Service & Justice Ministry Teams Conference Center (573) 474-7155 Max Marble Andrew UMC

A United Methodist Church is 9/17/2011 Lay Speaking Basic Christ's Community-Joplin 417-782-3271 Rick Stiles seeking a Director of Children’s Ministries. The Director would 9/23/2011 UMW Annual Meeting Blue Springs UMC [email protected] Paula Ackerson coordinate all Sunday and special event nursery staff. The Director 9/24/2011 Boundaries Training Conference Center [email protected] Yolanda Villa will act as the staff resource per- son for the Children’s Ministries 10/1/2011 Fall Lay Speaking Classes Camp Jo-Ota [email protected] Tom Bannon Team, The Children’s Center (pre-school), children’s worship programs, and Sunday morning children Christian education. Saint Luke’s UMC welcomes new neighbor The Director will coordinate spe- By Rev. Ann Mowery dynamic and deeply committed I’ll know more (like what part of our ministries needed financial cial events and activities and will St. Luke’s UMC to the Lord, and will be a great “South County” and timing and support too. But God’s vision for St. enlist and oversee adult servant When I read the e-mail that addition to our district. When things) after I’ve heard from him. Luke’s and Elevation was bigger than leader volunteer participation Daniel Taylor was doing a new we hear there is a new United We need to pray for this ministry mine. My laity want to do more for to insure safe effective children’s church in South County called Methodist Church coming to our and Daniel and his family, and we Elevation Church. ministry programming. Send Elevation, I, a pastor appointed area we need to see God at work, need to think about how we can So Daniel came in June to resume or contact Rick Roberts, just last summer to St. Luke’s, an and know that this is good for all help this new church start be as preach, the Men’s club pancake [email protected] , Chair older church in South County, churches in the area. We do NOT successful as the one that started in breakfast that day gave their pro- of the Staff-Parish Relations felt just a moment’s angst that this compete with other churches (UM South County 70 years ago. ceeds to Elevation Church, and Committee, or Pastor Monica young dynamic pastor starting or otherwise), we compete with The result was great. When I we took up a special collection Jefferson 314-837 4233,mjeffer- a church in my area might be a football and the couch and late got to the executive team meet- that day for Elevation Church [email protected] St. Andrew threat to the growth of my church. nights and everything that keeps ing, they wanted to know how we ($1,310.50), the golf tournament United Methodist Church, 3975 Just a moment. Then I sent an people from worshipping God. If could help the church. I told them in the fall will share its proceeds N. US Highway 67, Florissant, email to Daniel welcoming him Daniel is effectively spreading the to pray for the church, to think of with Elevation church as well as MO 63034. St. Andrew UMC is to the area and offering any help I Gospel in our area the kingdom of people in the area of the proposed another ministry, and we’re talk- a 450+ member multi-cultural could give, and shot off an e-mail God is blessed, and so are we. new church to refer. They weren’t ing about having a budget item congregation, multi-genera- to my executive team, saying: That being said, it will take clar- satisfied with that. “They’re going in 2012’s budget for Elevation tional congregation located in Exec team – read below. (the ity of purpose on the part of the to need ongoing financial support. Church. A member of Saint Luke’s Florissant, Missouri (Northern e-mail announcement I’d seen) leadership of the church to keep the Can we plan to give them money, gave Daniel 20 tickets to join the St. Louis County). We offer a Daniel Taylor is a young man I St. Luke’s congregation from see- real money that would help them Saint Luke’s congregation at a competitive salary commensurate knew in Southeast Missouri, he ing this as a threat, as something get started?” Cardinal’s game. with experience was on staff at La Croix, the big negative. I’ve e-mailed Daniel to I have to admit, I was a bit taken I think God’s plans for both St. contemporary church in Cape welcome him, and invite him to aback. We ended 2010 with a defi- Luke’s and Elevation Church are Girardeau, and he was ordained come talk to me about how I can cit, and though things were improv- better than mine, so we’re going Elder last year. He’s bright and be supportive of his new ministry. ing, I felt another moment of angst, with His. 8A Office of Creative Ministries News August 19, 2011

Volunteers work on Haitian playground

In May this year, the Office sand to form a 4-foot base upon of Creative Ministry sponsored which concrete will be poured. a team of Volunteers in Mission The school at Puits Blain is to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during one of many schools supported their rainy season. The team of by the Methodist Church of the nine led by Rev. Sharon Kichline, Caribbean. There is no public worked along-side Haitian school system in Haiti, and all laborers to prepare a field for a education is provided through new playground at the College faith-based organizations. The Methodiste de Puits Blain, serving children seemed thrilled to spend children K-8th grade. The team their recess times with mem- used buckets, wheelbarrows, and bers of the team, learning to fly their hands to move mounds of Frisbees, draw chalk portraits, chase bubbles, and practice their soccer skills with gifts brought to the school. Last year, the people of Haiti suffered a massive earthquake that (according to Haitian news reports) left 300,000 dead, and 1.3 million people displaced. During Thousands of people in Haiti still live in tent cities like this one, waiting for permanent their visit on the Caribbean island, housing to be built. the team saw tent cities where some 700,000 people still dwell by building new homes for the education. and first aid supplies. They also in extreme poverty. The newly displaced, giving people access to While there, the team also distributed flip-flop sandals to the elected president, Michel Martelly, loans so they can work their lands, assembled and stocked a new children. grapefruit-sized rock, gravel, and has promised to expedite relief and providing free public school infirmary for the school with a cot Ludhiana Christian Medical College and Hospital embodies diversity by Casey Andrews the names of their ill loved ones school, occasionally says ya’ll, & reality from the religious wars and family A Christian family in Punjabi so that they may be prayed for. eats meat and potatoes at virtu- I learned about in history class members, and outfits sits on a bench in the hos- The women, Americans included, ally every meal, I hardly stand and the news headlines that only bedside com- pital hallway. A Muslim woman cover their heads with their out in the Ozarks. It’s easy to be highlight the voices of the reli- munion is and her daughter stand near the scarves as a sign of humbleness a Christian and feel like I have a gious intolerant. CMC proved also available. window. A Sikh man, wearing before God, and a chaplain begins solid understanding of the Gospel to me that it is possible to have a Like any the turban of his religion, looks a prayer. Christians, Muslims, and truth when I am surrounded Christian institution that is sup- other church, up as the seven Christian chap- Sikhs, Hindus, and even some by a lack of demographic and portive of an inter-faith commu- the depart- lains arrive for the daily prayers, non-believers join together in the religious diversity. But being a nity of healing. ment hosts accompanied by American power of prayer that transcends good Methodist, I agree whole- The members of the Fellowship regular cha- Casey Andrews visitors. This is routine; each religious differences to lift up their heartedly with John Wesley when Department, the religious hub of pel services day, the leaders of the Fellowship loved ones to God, the “Great he said that the world is our par- the college and hospital, see them- and offers the medical students Department of the Ludhiana Physician.” ish—and the world is full of diver- selves as vital spiritual assistants to opportunities to plan creative Christian Medical College visit I have spent the majority of my sity. As a mission ambassador to the “Great Physician.” They serve celebrations for Christmas and the waiting rooms of the hospital life living in the Bible belt & bread the Ludhiana Christian Medical out their mission in a variety of other special services such as to pray with the family members basket of America. College of Punjab, India, I got a ways. Throughout the hospital World Leprosy Day. The different of patients. Immediately, the As a young, white woman who little taste of the wonderful diver- facility are many intercoms, and student batches (classes) of each families rise to tell the chaplains passes fields of cows every day to sity of India—and a great deal of each morning, the department college are even offered special the taste of curry. leads a radio broadcast of scrip- retreats to study the ethical values The scenario I described above ture and prayer for all to hear. and mission of CMC. was an account of one of the Each Sunday, the members of We were told that CMC is most transformative moments I the Fellowship Department visit located on the “bad” side of town had while in India as we followed hospital wards & lead worship ser- where there is more poverty. One the chaplains of the Fellowship vices where the message explains day, as our team ventured into Department on their rounds how Jesus Christ can provide Ludhiana for a little shopping, about the hospital. Never before hope during times of suffering. we crossed the train tracks and had I seen such interaction from New Testaments are provided to almost instantly the buildings followers of different faiths, but patients to take home after their seemed nicer and the people something innate about human- hospital stay. Christian pamphlets healthier. It gave me a real sense ity’s need for healing and belief in fill literature racks throughout the that Jesus, through the hands and a higher being brought together hospital and are used so frequently feet of CMC, was truly hanging a collection of diverse individu- that they need to be refilled every out with the least of these on the als under the universal power of two days. By request, chaplains “wrong side of the tracks.” prayer. This was a very different pray with and counsel patients umportal org

Award winner Going multicultural Wesleyan Wisdom Section B African mental health Reaching out effectively So much brokenness has been her focus | 2B challenges churches | 3B and so much grace | 7B August 19, 2011 Q&A: Jim Winkler on Capitol sit-in, arrest Jim Winkler has been top execu- tive of the UMC’s General Board of Church and Society, its public policy and social justice agency, since No- vember 2000. He has been in the news often through the years, and he made headlines again when he and 10 other religious leaders (including the Rev. Bob Edgar, a United Methodist elder and president of Common Cause) held a sit-in prayer session under the ro- tunda of the U.S. Capitol. The protest, prompted by Congress’ debt-ceiling and budget negotiations, led to their arrest. Mr. Winkler an- swered questions about that episode from managing editor Sam Hodges.

Why did you join the July 28 protest at the Capitol? I am and was frustrated at the in- ability of our nation’s leaders to pro- tect programs that assist the needy and most vulnerable people in the U.S. and around the world from bear- ing the brunt of budget cuts. The voice of people of faith on behalf of the last, the least, and the lost must be heard in the halls of power.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BLADE The Rev. Cheri Holdridge is pastor of The Village Church in Toledo, Ohio, one of a handful of innovative United Methodist church plants What’s your view of the debt-ceiling  that are ministering in urban environments. See ‘Capitol’ page 2B Urban church planters rely on innovation, mission

service involves some act on behalf of handful of United Methodist church reaching people who might not other- B Y M ARY JACOBS Staff Writer others, like preparing food for the plants that are gaining traction in wise set foot in a church. They’re homeless. places where many once-stalwart adept at networking and community Nothing about the Rev. Jerry Her- As Mr. Herships likes to say, “Mak- United Methodist churches are fail- organizing and nimble enough to ships’ church plant in Denver, Colo., ing peanut butter and jelly sand- ing—cities. Church plants like the thrive on shoestring budgets. Unfet- says “church.” wiches is our call to worship.” Urban Village Church in Chicago, The tered by building overhead, they First, there’s the name: AfterHours At least three times a week, After- Village Church in Toledo, Ohio, and gather people in theaters, bars, store- Denver. Then there’s the fact that wor- Hours participants make sandwiches Embrace Church in Lexington, Ky., are fronts, or in one case, the auditorium ship takes place in the basement of a to pass out at a city park, where they experimenting with a variety of un- of a Jewish museum. bar called The Irish Snug. (Beer coast- also share communion with whoever conventional ways to “do church” in These urban plants represent only ers advertise the gatherings with the turns up hungry: homeless people urban environments, and they’re a small niche within the denomina- slogan, “More Love, More Laughs, Less and, occasionally, drug dealers or making inroads with that most elusive tion’s efforts to start 650 new congre- Judgment.”) Then there’s the way that prostitutes. of demographic groups, young adults. gations by 2012. While they’re Jim Winkler virtually every AfterHours worship AfterHours Denver is one of a These innovative ministries are  See ‘Urban’ page 4B 2B FAITH focus FAITH WATCH  CAPITOL Continued from page 1B deal arrived at by Congress and same reasons. about the Capitol protest, and how Historic cut likely President Obama? does it break down as far as for UMC budget While the agreement does head off In the Capitol protest, did you feel support and opposition? The UMC’s General Council a potentially catastrophic debt default, you were representing yourself or I have been gratified to discover on Finance and Administra- it does so by putting in place a down- the UMC? If the latter, did you the feedback has been overwhelm- tion (GCFA) recently final- ward spiral on programs such as Head consult with the Board of Church ingly positive from United Methodists ized the quadrennial budget Start, aid to developing nations, law and Society board about whether to across the church. to be presented to the 2012 enforcement, heating assistance for join in? General Conference, April the poor, education and juvenile jus- I only represented myself, but I What’s your response to United 24-May 4 in Tampa, Fla. It tice. consulted with the president of our Methodists who are concerned recommends apportioning board before making my final deci- about the extent of the federal debt $603 million for 2013- Do you think the Capitol protest, sion. and think reduced spending on 2016, a reduction of 6 per- combined with earlier advocacy Medicare and Medicaid might just cent from the budget work by you and like-minded What exactly are you charged with, be part of what’s needed to approved in 2008. It’s the religious leaders, made a and where do things stand with guarantee those programs long- first time a smaller budget difference, and in what ways? your case? term, as well as the overall financial will go before General Con- Not to the extent I hoped and “Unlawful conduct” is the charge. stability of the country? UMNS PHOTO BY JEWEL DEGUZMAN ference for approval. prayed for. We have a Sept. 7 court date. Trillions of dollars have been Jim Winkler, top executive of Birth control provision wasted over the past decade on wars the United Methodist General irks Catholic hospitals Did you go in knowing that arrest Who pays your fine and legal fees in in Iraq and Afghanistan and on tax Board of Church and Society, Catholic hospitals are con- was likely? a situation like this? cuts for the wealthy. Elimination of was among 11 faith leaders cerned that federal health Ye s . I pay them. such wasteful spending will ensure arrested July 28 for refusing to care reform may require the financial stability of the country. stop public prayers in the U.S. them to cover birth control You’ve been arrested before in Anything particularly memorable Capitol Rotunda. free of charge to their em- protests. How do you decide about the time you were in custody? The United Methodist Building is ployees. The new law ex- whether a particular issue merits Jail is always uncomfortable, but I right there on Capitol Hill, and it’s United Methodists in local churches pands preventive health civil disobedience? am grateful the U.S. Capitol Police home to lobbying offices of various understood how great a sense of ap- care benefits for women, My arrests have been against the were polite and professional. Addi- religious groups. This summer the preciation exists and is expressed reg- and that includes birth con- nuclear arms race, the invasion of tionally, each time I have been ar- building has been a center of ularly to us by people of other trol with no copays, the Iraq, and cutting assistance for poor rested it has been an honor to be with interfaith activism related to the denominations and faiths for the pres- Obama administration said and needy people. I have prayed for impressive, committed people of faith. debt and budget decisions. What ence of the United Methodist Building recently. There’s a proposed guidance and joined these actions does that mean to you as a leader of in such a strategic location. “conscience exemption,” but when I have felt Jesus would have How much feedback have you United Methodists? the Catholic Health Associa- been willing to risk arrest for the gotten from United Methodists It’s like this all the time. I wish [email protected] tion complained that it’s so narrowly written that it would only apply to houses of worship. World Methodist honor goes to mental health pioneer reflected on my strong Irish Roman Nigeria. She encountered many with munity-based outreach to children Gallup: U.S. Muslims STAFF AND W IRE R EPORTS feel loyal, hopeful Catholic mother who taught me so mental health problems and became with learning disabilities; a commu- Rosalind Colwill, a champion of much, but never imparted any conflict increasingly aware of the number of nity mental health program active in A new Gallup Poll showed that 93 percent of Muslim mental health care in Nigeria, is the resolution skills to me which has impoverished people with mental ill- five Nigerian states; and a mental Americans feel loyal to 2011 recipient of the World Methodist dogged me my whole adult life; and nesses and learning disabilities where health awareness program. America. Muslim Americans Peace Award. She was at the World thirdly, upon further reflection, I feel she worked. She gathered support lo- The World Methodist Peace Award also had high confidence in Methodist Conference in Durban, the emotion of great joy and grati- cally and internationally and in 1990 is presented annually to an individual U.S. elections and were South Africa, on Aug. 5 to receive her tude.” developed a pioneer project in a small or group who works for peace, justice more hopeful over their lives award from John Barrett, chair of the Ms. Colwill, who these days works village in the Southeast of Nigeria. and reconciliation in their lives and in than other religious groups World Methodist Council. in spite of limitations from a stroke, Ms. Colwill developed a holistic their ministries. Ms. Colwill joins the surveyed. But 48 percent re- “When it was intimated to me serves as a mission partner from the and community-based approach to ranks of peace ambassadors such as ported experiencing racial about this award, I felt three very dis- British Methodist Church on assign- care. The project known as Amaudo former South African President Nel- or religious discrimination, tinct emotions,” Ms. Colwill said in ac- ment with the Methodist Church in Itumbauzo has over son Mandela, Anglican Archbishop far more than other groups. cepting the award. Nigeria. the years become Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and former President Obama enjoys 80 “Firstly, unworthiness in the light A trained social worker, she ini- known internation- President Jimmy Carter. percent support among of the former recipients; secondly, I tially worked with leprosy sufferers in ally for pioneering Other recipients are the late former Muslims, the survey showed. mental health care in president of Macedonia, Boris Traj- THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER (USPS954-500) is published the region. kovski, the community of Sant’Egidio Hiring female pastor weekly by UMR Communications Inc., 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, Texas The project has in Rome, and the Grandmothers of the gets church ousted 75247-3919. 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Criteria for the award are with a broad spectrum of information and viewpoints consistent with tion, training and awareness and in so courage, creativity and consistency in Surry Baptist Association the diversity of Christians. voted overwhelmingly to All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted by UMR doing, reducing stigma and ultimately work and witness to peace. Communications Inc. unless otherwise noted. Reprint of material from preventing destitution and homeless- The 20th World Methodist Confer- “disfellowship” the church Sam Hodges, Managing Editor this newspaper must be authorized in advance by the Editor, and fees two weeks after the Rev. Bai- are assessed in some cases. To request reprints, e-mail ness. ence took place for the first time in ley Edwards Nelson began Bill Fentum, Associate Editor [email protected], or fax a request to (214) 630-0079. Telephone Currently, the organization has six South Africa on Aug. 4-8, at the Inter- work. Those who voted to requests are not accepted. major projects, including Amaudo national Convention Centre Durban Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer Send Correspondence and Address Changes (in- remove the church believe clude mailing label) To: P.O. Box 660275, Dallas, TX Okopedi, a center for the rehabilitation (ICC) in Durban. the Bible restricts the role of Cherrie Graham, Advertising Manager 75266-0275 Telephone: (214) 630-6495. Subscriptions are of mentally ill adults; a long stay vil- This assembly convenes every five $26 for 52 issues per year. Click on “subscriptions” at Please recycle. pastor to males, Associated www.umportal.org, e-mail [email protected] or send We do! lage for former Amaud Okopedi resi- years to bring together members of Baptist Press reported. 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AUGUST 19, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER FAITH focus 3B UM CONNECTIONS Developing multicultural congregations Common English Bible reaches third printing B Y M ELISSA H INNEN The Common English Bible, Special Contributor supported by the United DALLAS—Using the story of Peter Methodist Publishing House and four other mainline and Cornelius in Acts 10 as an illus- Protestant denomination tration of crossing boundaries in publishers, has gone into its ministry, the Revs. Doug Cunningham third printing, with 500,000 and Dionisio Salazar led a diverse copies in print. The new group of church leaders through three translation drew on 120 sessions at the 2011 United Methodist scholars from a range of School of Congregational Develop- denominations, but also in- ment about how to build a multicul- volved “readability” experts tural congregation. and focus groups, in order Participants at the July 27-31 event to reach a broader audi- included representation from clergy, ence. The New Testament laity, conferences, local churches, portion debuted last year. agencies and district levels of the de- The full Bible came out this nomination who were interested in summer, first in digital form, sharing ideas and learning meaning- then in print. ful ways to build multicultural com- University of Memphis munity in their churches. leases Lambuth site Mr. Cunningham, the founding pastor of New Day United Methodist The University of Memphis Church in New York City, started the will have control of the Lambuth University campus, church as a way to connect people under a lease agreement with God by crossing boundaries— GBGM PHOTO BY CASSANDRA ZAMPINI approved by a federal race, sexual orientation, class and Clergy and lay leaders participate in a workshop at the recent School of Congregational Development bankruptcy judge. Lambuth, age—and to confront the injustice in in Dallas, Texas. a United Methodist-affili- those boundaries. ated school in Jackson, Pointing out that United Tenn., closed after the Methodist demographics do not re- that will fit every situation, and open munity, it is time for a leap of faith— Mr. Salazar reminded the group spring term due to long- flect the demographics in the U.S., Mr. and honest dialogue is the only way to with the understanding that it will not that when weaving in the Wesleyan standing financial and ac- Cunningham said that boundaries are fully understand the realities and be done perfectly. heritage in a new multicultural com- creditation woes. The lease socially constructed realities designed needs in a particular mission field. The Rev. Cecil Stone, one of the munity, the language and style of the lasts one year, and the Uni- to keep people in or out of different Mr. Salazar also said that investing participants, agreed, saying, “Where traditional United Methodist liturgy versity of Memphis plans to areas. To be truly reflective of the in children and youth ministry opens there is no vision, there is no creativ- and hymns might be foreign to the use just seven of 22 campus Kingdom, it is necessary to stretch be- numerous opportunities. Providing a ity, and when there is no creativity, congregation. “Be intentional with buildings. But it will main- yond being inclusive—which implies safe space for young people often there is death. We are sometimes shaping the Methodist traditions in a tain the others. The Univer- accommodation—and to become in- meets a critical need in communities; afraid of failure because we are part of way that is meaningful to the people sity of Memphis will offer tentional and courageous about build- the children can grow in God’s love a system that grades us. We can forget you are trying to reach,” he advised. classes on the Lambuth ing the body of Christ. and be nurtured by the community. that it is God we are to please.” Changes in an existing structure campus beginning Aug. 27 The group discussed challenges Looking at boundary crossing will be necessary to become a truly and has agreed to admit Children’s programs provide the par- they are facing in their congregations. ents with an entryway to the church. through the experience of Pentecost, multicultural community. The shifts all Lambuth students in One pastor explained that while some Mr. Cunningham said, “It is the nature may include leadership, music and good academic and social Because most of the children speak see a “black” church when they look at of the Spirit to cross boundaries and language. It may include embracing standing. English, they can serve as interpreters his congregation, the reality is that his move people to action. Of everything someone whose gifts are not apparent if their parents don’t speak English. church is multicultural, with people the Spirit could have done at Pente- to the pastor—but could very well be New program leader After discerning what God is al- for Hinton Center from Africa, the Caribbean, and dif- cost, it caused the people to speak in the connector for someone who walks The Rev. Amy Spivey is the ferent economic backgrounds, as well into the church for the first time. new director of program as African Americans. There is a rich- ‘We are sometimes afraid of failure Leadership in the church must be ministries for the Hinton ness of experience, but also a need to multiethnic, and when a primary lan- Rural Life Center, a mission understand the dynamics at work because we are part of a system that guage is used, worship can be supple- agency of the Southeastern among the different cultures and the mented with translation, multilingual Jurisdictional Conference, heritage they each bring that blend readings and different traditions of located in the Blue Ridge into a fullness of worship. grades us. We can forget that it is music. Mountains of Western North Another pastor said that her Mr. Cunningham concluded, “To Carolina, two miles from mostly Anglo church provides out- God we are to please.’ build a multicultural congregation is the Georgia line. The center reach to the Spanish-speaking com- —Cecil Stone to overcome our own fears of crossing offers vacation and retreat munity but does not have an boundaries and trust the Spirit in rentals, meeting space for intentional way to welcome them in ready doing, connecting with key every language.” He asked, “Is it possi- building a community of people who local groups, mission volun- the congregation. leaders and identifying resources in ble to do Spirit-filled ministry without listen to one another, aren’t afraid to teer opportunities and an Mr. Salazar, who leads the Office of the community, the heart, head and crossing boundaries?” make mistakes, and are willing to affordable housing pro- Hispanic/Latino Ministries at the hand can come together and learn Looking at the Scripture, he stand up for each other.” gram. Ms. Spivey is a grad- United Methodist General Board of through doing. While the focus is on pointed out “they were all together in The School of Congregational De- uate of Greensboro College Global Ministries (GBGM), offered the local community and ministry, one place in preparation.” When open- velopment is an annual event spon- and Duke Divinity School, helpful suggestions for crossing churches should understand and uti- ing a church to the community, there sored by the GBGM, the General and was ordained an elder boundaries in a way that is inviting to lize the resources of the conference needs to be a commitment from all Board of Discipleship and Path 1. by the Western North Car- Hispanic communities. He pointed and of United Methodist agencies. Mr. who are involved that each person will olina Conference. Ms. Hinnen is the information out that most importantly conversa- Salazar and Mr. Cunningham advised shift as needed to allow for the Spirit officer for the United Methodist —Compiled by Sam Hodges tion must happen with those in the that once all the leaders are in place to move in a way that incorporates the General Board of Global community. There is no one model through the connection and the com- gifts of all God’s children. Ministries.

U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | AUGUST 19, 2011  URBAN Continued from page 1B growing, none are yet financially self-sustaining, nor are they turning out large numbers of newly minted United Methodists who will fill the pews every Sunday and tithe regularly. They’re creating something much more fluid and harder to quan- tify—but, leaders would say, much more excit- ing. “We’re not building a church as defined in the 1940s or ’50s,” said Mr. Herships. “We’re much more interested in building disciples.” People before property Church growth experts say these new congre- gations thrive precisely because they are church plants, rather than established churches. “When a church is planted fresh, it’s planted after looking around and saying, ‘Who’s here and how are we going to design what we’re doing with them?’” says Paul Nixon, new church strategist for Path 1, the denomination’s church planting resource team. That’s how the Urban Village Church in Chicago got started: with a vision dreamed up by two United Methodist elders, the Rev. Christian Coon and the Rev. Trey Hall, friends who at- tended a two-year training course in church planting in the Northern Illinois Conference. PHOTO BY ANDREA BROWN Before launching regular worship, the pair de- The Rev. Jerry Herships, left, leads AfterHours Denver’s weekly worship at the Irish Snug, a local pub. voted almost a year to building relationships in the community. They networked in the down- little if any church experience. Embrace started with a small group of people Urban Village were given seed money by the con- town Chicago area and hosted informal gather- “We don’t use church language,” she says. “We meeting in the one-bedroom apartment of the ference but say they expect to become financially ings. They used social media and Meetup.com to don’t say ‘bulletin,’ we call it a program. We don’t Rev. Rosario Picardo, Embrace’s lead pastor. sustainable in another year or two, as planned. start small groups. When they launched regular use words like ‘Pentecost’ without explaining Today, about 300 people attend weekly worship at This year, they were able to get pledges from worship services on Palm Sunday 2010, a cam- what they mean.” two locations: the historic Kentucky Theatre in members for at least $200,000 of the church’s an- paign of ads in city trains and train stations pro- That approach worked for Rock Hoffman, downtown Lexington, and at Embrace’s Epworth nual $300,000 budget, with the remaining moted the gatherings with taglines like: “Bored now a member of The Village. When she moved campus in another low-income neighborhood of $100,000 coming from the conference. The Vil- or burned by religion in the past? We’re doing from Seattle to Toledo last October, Ms. Hoffman Lexington. lage in Toledo partnered with the United Church church differently.” found herself at a low point. She had struggled “Not everybody looks the same,” said Mr. Pi- of Christ to get the startup funding to launch. Today, about 175 people worship each week at with addiction for years. She didn’t know anyone cardo. “That helps with outreach.” With unemployment hovering between 12-14 one of two Urban Village sites: a downtown loca- in the area other than her son and his family. She An urban location, too, is a plus for attracting percent in Toledo, Ms. Holdridge says that long- tion, in the theater of The Spertus Institute for visited one church in the community, where she young people who are often more interested in term financial viability remains a challenge. Jewish Studies, and in rented space in a Lutheran was ignored. outreach and service projects than in Bible study, “We have to be able to welcome people who church in the Wicker Park neighborhood. A third When she came to The Village, however, she according to Mr. Picardo. With homeless people are hurting and living on the edge, and be pre- is slated to open in October in the Andersonville liked the informal worship services, held in a for- right in the neighborhood, that’s actually appeal- pared to deal with their brokenness,” she said. neighborhood. mer restaurant in an otherwise empty strip mall. ing to young adults who, he says, are “tired of While she’d like for The Village to be financially “People before property” is an Urban Village The worship space looks more like a jazz club playing church and wanting to actually roll up self-sufficient, it’s difficult given that many at her catchphrase, and the pastors say they’re following than a church. The bar is still there, but now their sleeves.” church are struggling to make ends meet with in the footsteps of Methodist circuit riders. The serves coffee. their low-to-moderate income. Urban Village doesn’t own a building—or have A church member called Ms. Hoffman on Financially sustainable? Finances may prove to be another realm in any plans to buy one. Monday morning after her first visit. Ms. While they’re generating a lot of attention, the which urban church plants need to revise the “I haven’t spent one day waiting for a plumber Holdridge soon buttonholed her to discuss ways four urban church plants haven’t shown they can conventional model, Mr. Herships says. Currently, or praying over a boiler,” Mr. Hall said. “We are she could serve the church, and discovered she stand on their own financially. Leaders of the the Rocky Mountain Conference pays his salary, freed because we own nothing.” was good with repairs. And that freedom keeps the Urban Village “The more involved I got in the church, the nimble and flexible. more my life started changing for the better,” Ms. “We go where the people are,” Mr. Coon said. Hoffman said. “Now I have lots of friends. I have “People in the city are more likely to worship in someone to talk to. I’m doing all kinds of service their own neighborhood. We’re embracing differ- work at the church.” ent neighborhoods.” Worship at each site has its “I don’t think I can ever tell anyone how much own flavor, he added, tweaked to fit the folks who this church means to me. I’m alive and doing live in the area. life,” she said. “My son is 34, and he says, for the first time in his life, he has a mother.” Church for the unchurched Ms. Holdridge points to Ms. Hoffman’s story All four church plants strive to connect with as one of the most rewarding aspects of planting folks who would not otherwise find church ap- an urban church—the chance to minister to the pealing, like Luke Haim, a 23-year-old graduate wide diversity of people that live in the city. student in Denver. While he’s a faithful attendee “At our gatherings, you’ll find a county prose- at AfterHours, he calls himself an agnostic. cutor sitting across from someone who’s been in “There’s no BS,” he says. “There is no one jail,” she said. “We have people who are Ph.D. telling people how to do the right thing. It’s just, therapists next to people with long-term mental have a beer, and make a sandwich, and it’s going health issues who are just trying to hold their to feed someone tomorrow. You don’t need an lives together.” M.Div. to do that.” Embrace Church, a church plant in downtown Similarly, the Rev. Cheri Holdridge, pastor of Lexington, Ky., also attracts a diverse crowd, in- PHOTO BY DEBI TIPTON The Village Church in Toledo, says that she’s care- cluding young professionals, college students, Participants in AfterHours Denver visit a city park three times a week to minister to the ful to make worship accessible to those who have young couples, empty-nesters and the homeless. homeless.

4 B | AUGUST 19, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER PHOTO BY HELENA HAU Downtown urban ministries, like Embrace Church, often include homeless folks among their ranks of worshippers. and he raises the rest to meet his budget. He like to color outside of the box. They love God, doesn’t expect to collect enough from offerings. they really love people, and they do not fit into But he finds that local businesses, with no reli- church culture.” Mr. Nixon adds that successful gious agenda, are often willing to support his church planters are also indefatigable network- ministry to the homeless, as are some suburban ers. They know how to meet new people and church members who have donated to After- make connections. Hours. “Church planters have to be extroverted and Another monetary challenge: The young you have to know how to network,” said Ms. adults who attend these urban church plants Holdridge. “I network like other people breathe haven’t proven to be reliable sources of funding. oxygen.” Some are transient. Most have entry level jobs Similarly, Mr. Herships’ email signature iden- and can only donate small amounts. Some will tifies him with two titles: “Chief Love Monger” participate regularly and enthusiastically for a and “Lead Spiritual Entrepreneur.” few months, and then disappear. Mr. Nixon says that, in whatever locale they’re “Being patient is key,” said Mr. Coon. “The ministering, United Methodist churches can prodigal son is a huge story for us.” glean lessons from the experiences of these urban ministries. Spiritual entrepreneurs “Every church has to keep looking outside at

It takes a certain breed to lead urban church its community,” he said. “They remind us to keep PHOTO BY HELENA HAU plants successfully, according to Mr. Nixon, who looking outside of the walls of our churches, and ABOVE: Urban church plants like Embrace Church, led by Rev. Rosario Picardo coaches the pastors of The Village, Urban Village be aware of other people who matter as well.” (right), are making inroads in reaching young adults. BELOW: Embrace Church and AfterHours. holds one of its Sunday morning worship services at the historic Kentucky Theatre in “They are all entrepreneurs,” he said. “They [email protected] downtown Lexington, Ky.

PHOTO BY DEBI TIPTON A homeless man takes communion, offered along with sandwiches at a city park in Denver by AfterHours Denver, a United Methodist church plant. PHOTO BY JOSEPH REY AU

U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | AUGUST 19, 2011 | 5B 6B FAITH forum AGING WELL New places for new people, Older adult ministries: a goal for church planters

B Y G ARY SHOCKLEY Truths to keep in mind Special Contributor Approaching 10,000 feet, the plane shuddered and banked right as the about the senior years pilot worked to compensate for the turbulence. The young, recent college that growing old somehow gives us a graduate sitting next to me instinc- B Y M ISSY BUCHANAN free pass on sin. It doesn’t. Even in old tively grabbed my arm and let out a UMR Columnist age we are accountable for what we squeal. There are certain truths about say and do. “I am so sorry about that!” she aging that are important for churches The truth is, not every older adult said. “I hate flying!” and individuals to remember. Some is wise. Wisdom comes when we walk “You don’t fly very often?” I asked. truths make us squirm. Others bring closely with Christ, even as we con- “Well, yes, I do. But I’ll never get comfort. All should make us think. tinue to age. Growing old is not a li- used to it. I guess I’m just afraid of 1. There’s no line in the sand. cense to grumble and complain. It is dying!” Think about it. When do you become an opportunity to confess and draw Now, you don’t let a comment like old? Is it the day you discover that closer to the One who understands that go by no matter how weary you McDonalds gave you a senior discount our frustrations and fears. are from traveling, so I asked her and you didn’t even ask for it? Is it about her fear of death. For the next when you get an invitation to join 45 minutes, she told me her life AARP? Or when you receive your first ‘God designed story—all 22 years of it. Social Security check? Bethany had been raised in, what The thing is, there’s no definitive the aging she described as, a legalistic and line in the sand that you cross and are somewhat abusive religious family. suddenly old. Aging is a gradual process, so there Every experience she had of church as process that begins at birth and con- a child confirmed for her that God UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE FILE PHOTO BY NEILL CALDWELL tinues over a lifetime. That’s what is purpose in the was angry with her because she was Almost half of new United Methodist churches are planted in makes talking about aging a tricky never good enough. She wasn’t keep- racial/ethnic communities, notes the Rev. Gary Shockley, who leads thing. In a culture that honors youth, journey.’ ing all the rules. She could never do the denomination’s Path 1 movement for the General Board of we tend to talk about aging as if it be- enough to earn God’s favor. Discipleship. gins when a person is in their 50s or 4. There are joys in aging. Ask an She turned to me at one point, 60s. We forget that older adult about the perks of growing took a deep breath, and said with a We, United Methodists, have some re- While the staff of Path 1 has expe- young men and old and you will likely get funny re- long sigh, “Honestly, I guess I gave up ally good news to share with the rience and expertise in church plant- women in their 20s sponses about senior discounts and on church and religion because I got Bethanys of the world. Path 1, New ing, we don’t claim any of these and 30s are aging, sleeping late. Others say that as they tired of hearing how horrible I was as Church Starts, was birthed out of our successes as our own because we un- too. God designed have aged, they care less about the ex- a person. I just wanted to hear some last General Conference to help us do derstand that Path 1 is a movement the aging process, so pectations of others or about material good news. Now I’m afraid if I die I that. larger than the national staff. It en- there is purpose in things. They also speak of the bless- will go to hell.” The Path 1 movement has a man- compasses bishops, district superin- the journey. ings of family celebrations and watch- She looked down at her hands date to reach more people, more tendents, congregational developers, 2. Growing old ing children, grandchildren and tightly folded together in her lap. young people, more diverse people as annual conference leaders, pastors, is not easy. It’s true Missy great-grandchildren grow up. “Bethany, can I tell you some really disciples of Jesus Christ for the trans- planters, lay leaders and people like what they say about Buchanan For many, the greatest blessing of good news?” I asked. formation of the world by creating Bethany who are looking to find and growing old not growing old is looking back over the She nodded yes, and new places for new people, like share good news with others. being for sissies. Physical or mental years and recognizing how God has for the remainder of Bethany! Our short-term quadrennial When our flight landed in decline will come if you live long been faithful through every obstacle the flight I shared goal is to find and train 1,000 church Phoenix, Bethany thanked me for the enough. Aging also brings loss, includ- and hardship. the Good News of planters to start 650 new churches in conversation and then added, “Oh, I ing the loss of independence and the 5. Your story is not yet finished. God’s grace with her the United States by the end of 2012. forgot to ask you what you do for a loss of loved ones through death. Life is not over just because you cele- and then, gently an- Our long-term, big-hairy-audacious living.” I smiled at her and said, “I get Though we desperately want to be like brated another milestone birthday, so swered each ques- goal is to resource a movement that to work with great people all across Betty White, living into our 90s in a why close the book? Many people see tion posed. seeks to start at least one new church the country that are working hard to good state of health and mind, it is not the golden years as a time to sit back Right now, we’re Gary each day. (Visit www.path1.org for create new churches for people just the reality for most people. in the recliner and savor the fruit of investing a tremen- Shockley more information, including our defi- like you!” Aging is a state of mind, but it is their spiritual labor. Somehow they dous amount of nition of what constitutes a new Some days, this work of helping to also a state of physical body. We fail to see their biblical calling to keep time, energy and financial resources church.) lead a movement within an institu- should care for our bodies, but we serving until their last breath. to transform our existing churches To date, with 85 percent of our an- tion is extremely frustrating. On days must also recognize that bodies will The church has a role in helping and plant new ones. That’s a good nual conferences reporting, 451 new like that, especially, I close my eyes for eventually wear out. When we try to older adults find new ministry oppor- thing, as long as we remember why churches have been planted in the just a moment and picture the stand in the orthopedic shoes of older tunities. At the same time, older adults we are doing it. Is it for the sake of in- U.S. since January 2008 with a closure Bethanys I have met in my travels and adults, we can better understand their should turn the page to a new chapter stitutional survival? Is it to ensure rate of 9 percent. Compare that to 256 remind myself it is for them that I do frustrations and fears. The church has and remember that people are always that those of us who are already in- new churches planted during the pre- this. I say a quick prayer for each of an important role in encouraging and watching and learning from them. side the church have the institutions vious quadrennium, where the clo- them and get back to work. They are nurturing those who face physical de- we need to care for our varied needs? sure rate was 27 percent. The most worth my best efforts! cline. We must never forget that for Ms. Buchanan, a member of FUMC Is it to make sure that what has al- exciting bit of news in all of this is many older adults, this is the toughest Rockwall, Texas, is the author of ways been always will be? that nearly half of our current new several books, including Don’t The Rev. Shockley is executive season of their lives. Write My Obituary Just Yet: Gosh, I hope not! church starts are racial-ethnic plants. director of Path 1 New Church 3. You don’t outgrow sinful na- Inspiring Faith Stories for Older “I just want to hear some good We are sharing good news with the Starts for the United Methodist ture as you age. We’d like to think Adults (Upper Room Books.) news!” is a plea echoing all around us. Bethanys of our world. General Board of Discipleship.

AUGUST 19, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER FAITH forum 7B WESLEYAN WISDOM Grace: ‘Connecting the dots’ in a broken world or grandparents describe family life son of the most high God—stamped these kinds of tracts is “‘All have the big surprise of grace-filled love B Y D ONALD W. H AYNES when their bright and beautiful indelibly with a “made by the Lord sinned and come short of the glory of when he gets home! The “prodigal UMR Columnist daughter or son was on drugs or alco- God Almighty” imprimatur. We have God.’ (Romans 8:23) You are a sinner son” did not appreciate grace until he Within the subculture of drug and hol, I hear them say, “Our family was seen a distorted version of who we and you deserve to go to hell.” felt his father’s tears wetting his feet as alcoholic addiction, there is an “evan- in a very dark place.” Parents who are are. With God’s grace we see our real But this is most certainly not Point the waiting, loving daddy put sandals gelistic” spirit. Non-users are prom- medical doctors or high school princi- face—forgiven, replanted, restored. #1. on his boy. ised ecstasy and freedom from all the pals or guidance counselors speak of Recently, I went to visit a man in Point #1 is, “God is LOVE. Salva- In Rembrandt’s 1642 painting “Re- ways they feel they are not measuring their feelings of helplessness and prison whose name is Jerry. I met his tion is rooted in the character of God, turn of the Prodigal Son,” each of his up. Like hypnotists, the hawkers draw hopelessness. Late teens and college daughter as a table server in our local not in my character and certainly not father’s hands is portrayed differ- young people and adults alike to take age adults begin to stand one by one rural restaurant. She comes to church in my behavior or attitude.” Grace the- ently—a male hand of encourage- a baby step down a slippery slope that and say, “I have lived in the far coun- every Sunday and is filling a pew with ology begins with Adam’s creation, not ment and a female hand of comfort quickly turns into a snake pit from try. I could not win in my struggle others, but she wanted me to see her his fall. The fall is deep and real and and assurance. which they cannot escape. with my demons.” daddy in prison. the chasm is wide. Our sin is real and “Softly and tenderly Jesus is call- The same process is true of so From these many years of min- After some pleasantries in getting cannot be glossed over, but the fall ing, calling to you and to me, ‘Come many forms of brokenness, alienation istry, I take many sad stories like these acquainted, my first words to him and our sin is secondary. The Image of home. . . . You who are weary, come and estrangement—in marital infi- into my study as I prepare a new ser- were, “Jerry, do you really believe in God is primary. home.’” How many people in your net- delity, in gambling, in abusive or ma- mon every week. I remember Dr. your heart that God loves you?” He re- Here I am, an old Methodist work would like to “connect the dots” nipulative behavior. What, indeed, George Washington Carver in his little sponded, “Don’t you know why I am in preacher, now on the leeward side of in their life back to God’s love and see- does it mean to be created in God’s laboratory in south Alabama in the here?” I said that I did know, but we 76, hearing from 30-year-old college ing themselves as a daughter or son of own image when we evolve from damnable days of systemic racism, needed to go beneath what he did to graduates who tell me that grace the- the most High God? being “in control” to being “out of con- which was manifesting itself as mal- who he was. God is love and God loves ology is enabling them to “connect the We must “flesh out” our grace the- trol”? What has happened when our nutrition. Tired and sleepy, he worked us, warts and all! We become God’s dots.” Yes, love quickens one’s con- ology and explain to God’s children self-portrait sounds like St. Paul: “The deep into the dark summer nights children at birth, not with straight A science! As Newton wrote in the who have lost their way and cannot good that I want to do, I don’t do; the poring over his notes and squinting behavior. That is prevenient grace, the world’s favorite hymn, “Twas grace get home alone that before we seek evil I don’t want to do, I am doing” his eyes into his microscope, search- “grace that will not let us go.” Society that taught my heart to fear.” But don’t God, God is seeking us. We will be the (Romans 7:19)? Like Paul, we Chris- ing for the nutritional potential in a was right in making him spend time stop there. The rest of the sentence is “loving heart that wakens with kind- tians often admit, “I delight in the law peanut. One night he put an ordinary in the penitentiary for his crime, but “and grace my fears relieved.” Then, ness,” reaching out and touching the of God in my inmost self, but I see in peanut in his hand, walked into the God never stopped loving him when “How precious did that grace appear weary, the wounded, the lost, and the my members another law at war with starlit night, opened his uplifted hand the jail door clanged shut. the hour I first believed.” lonely—even those that are entangled the law of my mind, making me cap- and asked, “Mr. Creator, show me what in the thickets of “dangers, toils, and tive to the law of sin that dwells in you had in mind when you made this Our fears relieved When we get home snares.” me.” peanut.” He went on to discover the Fanny Crosby, a Methodist, wrote Like the prodigal son in the pigsty, Oh yes, and as a by-product, your I remember talking with a woman amazing nutrition in something that in 1867, “Down in the human heart, we “come to ourselves.” We say, “I am church will grow because no commu- whom I had known since she was the poorest family could grow in a crushed by the tempter, feelings lie more than a shuck-feeder in a pig sty. nity surrounding any church is short valedictorian of her high school class. garden. buried that grace can restore. Touched I am my father’s son. I will go home of “the lost.” That was long ago. Now she was in I have asked of God, “O Holy Cre- by a loving heart, wakened by kind- and work on his farm as a hired deep trouble, having betrayed her fa- ator, what did you have in mind when ness, chords that were broken can vi- hand.” So it often is as one’s con- Dr. Haynes is a retired member ther’s trust as she you made us mortals in your own brate once more.” science is first quickened, as one’s soul of the Western North Carolina Conference. He is the author of had power of attor- image?” In a tract I am having printed on is first awakened. But he had only a On the Threshold of Grace: ney once he was in a “God’s Way of Salvation,” I number the glimmer of restoration from his van- Methodist Fundamentals. Email: nursing home. Her Grace is with us “points.” The first “point” on most of tage point in the pig pen. 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U NITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER | AUGUST 19, 2011 8B FAITH focus Churches hope to break Kenyan poverty cycle It differs from traditional orphan- B Y J.A. BUCHHOLZ Special Contributor age models because the children con- tinue to live together in their own First UMC of Winter Park, Fla., households and become part of a and United Methodist churches in larger network of other children who Naivasha, Kenya, established Panua are also the heads of their households. Partners in Hope to serve orphans “This method works in keeping and other children in Naivasha. The siblings together and children within partnership started nine months ago. extended families and communities, Panua is Swahili for “expand” and allowing them to grow with the sup- that’s what members of the Winter port of a family environment,” ac- Park church hope these children will cording to the program model as do—expand the possibilities for their described at www.panua.org. futures by participating in this part- The village elders or community nership. leaders identify children for the pro- The Rev. Bob Bushong, senior pas- gram, which currently is serving 400 tor at First UMC, said he was always children divided into 90 households. hopeful that a chance encounter at Each household joins with others to the 2004 General Conference of the form “Partner Groups,” with 14 United Methodist Church in Pitts- households per group. burgh, Pa., would grow into some- The program model calls for the thing meaningful. group members to elect a leader and It was during a meal at a Pitts- choose a community mentor, whose burgh sandwich shop that Dr. role is to help guide the children. As a PHOTOS COURTESY FIRST UMC WINTER PARK Bushong, along with a small group group, the children support one an- Volunteers from First United Methodist Church in Winter Park, Fla., pose with Kenyan UMC officials and from the Florida Conference, offered a other with concerns such as food and recipients of a house built with Panua Partners in Hope funds. The program works with orphans and seat to the Rev. Paul Matheri, a dele- housing, spiritual development, edu- other needy Kenyan children. gate from the Naivasha District of cation and vocational training, busi- Kenya in the East Africa Conference. ness ownership, HIV/AIDS education, away,” Ms. Gobel said. “I have seen spite the overwhelmingly great need, others on the path out of poverty be- After the meal, the men exchanged legal issues and health care. God’s hands in this the entire time we were making a difference in cause they know what it’s like. That’s business cards and email addresses and I know that with God, yes we can.” Naivasha. And our lives were also the beauty of the program; they will and promised to keep in touch. ‘Scary leap’ Seeing the children face-to-face transformed by seeing God at work, teach others how to fish.” They did, and a friendship that Jensie Gobel, mission and out- made the partnership tangible, she doing ‘immeasurably more than all In Naivasha, related ongoing min- transcends culture and continents reach coordinator at FUMC Winter said. A recent mission trip also pro- we ask or imagine according to His istries of First United Methodist blossomed, helping begin Panua Part- Park, said the start of the partnership vided an opportunity to see the pro- power that is at work within us.’” Church, Winter Park, include pastors ners in Hope. Dr. Bushong said he is for her was “a scary leap of faith” be- gram in action, as well as to talk with training; site development of the thrilled about the partnership. cause of the potential impact on the participants who were curious about A way out Trinity UMC in Naivasha; develop- “I was hopeful, even after that lives of Naivasha children. why people had traveled so far to visit Susie Rush, chairwoman of the ment of a fresh water supply for the very first meeting, that something Ms. Gobel, Dr. Bushong and sev- with them. Panua Mission Agenda, believes that community on the Trinity UMC cam- like this would happen,” he said. “We eral others from their church make “I told them it was primarily to the program will be successful in the pus; and Panua Expanding Hope, a are excited about what’s happening.” up the Winter Park team that locally see ‘habari’—Swahili for ‘How are years to come because at the heart of micro-finance ministry for small His excitement stems from the spearheads the partnership. Four you?’” Ms. Gobel said. “We wanted to the partnership is empowerment. business owners. For information, partnership’s three-year program, teams from the church have visited meet the youth in the program, “These children now have a way visit www.panua.org. which is designed to empower chil- Naivasha. deepen relationships with Panua out of poverty,” Ms. Rush said. “Once dren to break the cycle of poverty and “It just seemed so huge and I won- Partners in Hope staff and board these children have transitioned into This article first appeared in the achieve long-term sustainability. dered if we could do it from so far members and together assess the adulthood, they will in turn assist Florida Conference Connection. program thus far and determine fu- ture direction.” Tasks included working sessions SUPPORT CHURCH GROWTH AND EARN INTEREST with Panua staff and board members, 1-Year Term 2.0% United Methodist individuals, churches, and two house blessings, informational agencies can invest in UMDF for as little as 2-Year Term 3.0% sessions for Naivasha business and $100. The Fund’s sole purpose is to promote government leaders, and a commis- 3-Year Term 3.25% the mission of The United Methodist Church by sioning of a borehole at Trinity UMC 4-Year Term 3.5% providing first-mortgage loans to churches. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy in Naivasha, led by East Africa Confer- Flex Demand 1.5% our securities. We will only offer and sell our ence Bishop Daniel Wandabula. Also, IRAs 3.5% securities in states where authorized. All offerings Dr. Bushong, Mr. Matheri and the Rev. Flex Demand and IRAs are made by the Offering Circular. The Offering Jeff Stiggins, executive director of may not be available Circular contains a list of risk factors that you Florida Conference Congregational in certain states. should consider prior to an investment decision. Excellence, held a pastors’ conference. Meeting people face-to-face was THE UNITED METHODIST important, Ms. Gobel said. “There was no replacing actually DEVELOPMENT FUND walking through the streets of the Notes of The Fund are not For an Offering Circular or more neighborhoods, meeting the wonder- insured by the Federal Deposit information, call or write to us at: ful mentors, seeing the businesses the Insurance Corporation (FDIC), 475 Riverside Drive, Room 310 Securities Investor Protection New York, NY 10115 youth had begun through the pro- Corporation (SIPC), or any gram and talking with the amazing other federally or state- For an Offering Circular and application: Panua Partners in Hope helps young Kenyans break the cycle of youth whose lives had been trans- regulated institution. Telephone: 1-800-862-8633 poverty, including through small businesses. Mary Nyarobi Ngotho formed,” she added. Email: [email protected] works at her hair salon, grooming FUMC Winter Park team “Seeing the program in action left Website: www.gbgm-umc.org/umdf member Jensie Gobel. us with a sense of great hope that de-

AUGUST 19, 2011 | UNITED M ETHODIST R EPORTER