Volume LXI AUGUST 2017 No. 8 Equipping GNJ Laity for Leadership By Josh Kinney Rosa Williams, “When laity intention- [email protected] ally become equipped to model the life of Christ, the church will soar to new NEPTUNE – Designed specifi cally heights.” and exclusively for GNJ laity, the annual Churches are encouraged to send a Laity Leadership Academy which will be team of lay leaders who work together held on Sept. 9 at the Mission and Re- at the Academy in developing an action source Center in Neptune is a “not to be plan to take back to their church for actual missed event” according to Trey Wince, implementation and improvement. Certi- Director of New Disciples. fi ed Lay Servants who successfully com- Wince will be leading one of six inspir- plete the Laity Leadership Academy and ing tracks at the day-long event to pro- implement their action plan will receive vide the tools and skills required for lay re-certifi cation recognition for Certifi ed leaders, in concert with clergy leaders, Lay Servant. to empower their churches for the chal- We know that a pastor cannot do lenges of the 21st century. Specifi cally, ministry alone, reported GNJ Lay Leader the Academy will provide expert assis- Rosa Williams, “When laity intention- tance and guidance in aiding lay leaders ally become equipped to model the life in the critical areas of inspiring worship of Christ, the church will soar to new experiences, an evangelism church, so- heights.” cial media ministry, older adult ministry, Below, read about the tracks avail- Empowering church for the 21st century, The Laity Leadership Academy will website development and liturgical praise able at the Laity Leadership Academy take place on Sept. 9 at the Mission and Resource Center. Photo by Josh Kinney dance ministry. and register by August 15 at gnjumc. “We know that a pastor cannot do org. Registration is $50 per person and ministry alone,” reported GNJ Lay Leader space is limited. TRACK 4: Building an effective church social media strategy TRACK 1: Facilitator: Debbie Bruce & George Lagos I’m with the band: A day-long worship clinic This track provides an overview of the social media channels including Facebook, Facilitator: Eric Drew, Director of Worship Twitter, Instagram and seven “must haves” to ensure time spent on social media Worship musicians and leaders will go deeper in their understanding of worship, provides engagement with both existing and new church members leading worship and musicianship on the worship team. Feel free to bring your TRACK 5: instruments. Keyboards, amps and drums will be provided Vital ministries with older adults TRACK 2: Facilitator: Helen Hunter & Arthur Harrell The E Word: Connecting with your community in not-so-scary ways This track provides an overview of the aging process, including physical, mental, Facilitator: Trey Wince, Director of New Disciples and social changes. Learn strategies to engage in the support for elderly parishio- Just as bridges and cities go together, churches and communities are linked. Con- ners and families gregations are in a unique place to transform people’s lives as God’s people con- TRACK 6: nect to their communities Expressive liturgical and praise dance TRACK 3: Facilitator: Pamela D. Gordy Creating your website Liturgical/Praise dance has a purpose of deepening and focusing the worship expe- Facilitator: Eric Valosin rience. This track will discuss the history and importance of dance, symbols to look This track is designed to help your church self-promote programs and attract a for in choreography and how to prepare for a dance ministry. Come prepared to targeted web community which will build your overall online presence demonstrate your moves Leanor Ortega Till Mission and Resource Ready to IGNITE Youth Center Receives 2017 By Jason Worrell [email protected] “Good Neighbor Award” By Josh Kinney WILDWOOD - “I believe [email protected] life has seasons. In my fi rst season I was a planter of NEPTUNE – Cre- seeds, ministering to those ating jobs, serving who didn’t know Christ the community, and along with those who were architectural appeal new to the faith. Now I feel earned The United called to be a watering can Methodist Church for Christ, helping those of Greater New Jer- who are already walking sey’s Mission and with Him and showing Resource Center them the Scripture in a (MRC) in Neptune, new way.” It is that call from the 2017 “Good God that leads Leanor Neighbor Award” Ortega Till, more popu- from The New Jersey larly known by the fans of Business and Indus- Five Iron Frenzy as “Jeff Christian ska band Five Iron Frenzy’s own Leanor try Association and Pictured left to right, Jack Green of Jack Green Construction, the Girl,” to speak at the Ortega Till, better known as “Jeff The Girl” will be New Jersey Busi- Bishop John Schol, Stephen J. Carlidge of Shore Point IGNITE Youth Conference taking the stage at IGNITE 2017. Photo provided ness Magazine. Architecture, and Michele Siekerka, President & CEO of this fall in Wildwood. “It is more than NJBIA. Photo provided by NJBIA Since 1995 Till, the saxophonist for Till is also the lead vocalist for a side merely offi ce space,” reads the article in Schol, who along with church leaders, Five Iron Frenzy, along with the seven project called “The Fast Feeling” an 80s the July edition of New Jersey Business envision the facility to serve as more other band members, have gained na- style synth-pop band that just released Magazine. “It is a place of inspiration than just offi ce space “Our focus is to tional recognition as a Christian ska/ their fi rst album Pulses. The lyrics of the and learning for spiritual and community equip transformational leaders to make punk band. Their ability to combine silly band continue to inspire a life of intro- leaders throughout the state, region and vital congregations. Our capacity to and fun lyrics along with deeply spiritual spection and eternal perspective. world, and will enable the church to serve resource our leaders has never been songs, all set to fast-paced tunes has Till’s introduction to music started an even greater audience.” greater.” He continued, “The Mission and made them wildly popular among both young when she received a pawn shop “We intentionally named this facil- Resource Center is a place of inspiration Christian and secular audiences. They alto sax at nine-years-old. Coming from ity the Mission and Resource Center and learning for spiritual and community have recorded a total of six studio albums a musical family, she recalls jamming because this building is all about how leaders throughout the state, region and plus two live albums and a dozen other out to Motown with her father in a room we support the work of the church out the world.” EPs, singles, and collaborations. Continued on page 8 in the community,” said Bishop John Continued on page 4 2 UNITED METHODIST RELAY AUGUST 2017 innovation, but reaching new disciples, engaging disciples in community mis- A Message from the Bishop sion and growing disciples and the church. It helps people understand why God and the times are urging change. 3. Pursue the right thing. Healthy leaders pursue the right thing, not their interests Honor, Disrupt, Align - or what makes them or the congregation most comfortable, but the right thing The actions of a for the congregation and community. 4. Create clarity. Disruptive change creates confusion and sometimes chaos. transformational leader Creating more clarity about the mission, the values, beliefs and what the church is doing are essential for creating support for the change. Have you ever been to church and a young 5. Over communicate. Leaders cannot communicate enough how the past has child becomes disruptive? Maybe he or she is been important, why the church is changing and how the church will achieve crying, or playing under the pews, or running up God’s calling. and down the aisle. I served a congregation that 6. Work with a team. Leaders who identify, create and move the change by them- didn’t want disruption and printed on their bulletin selves are headed for failure. Working with a team ensures there are one or cover, “enter the sanctuary quietly, meditate and two people who are willing to ask the hard questions. prepare for worship in silence.” 7. Shrink the change and shape the path for change. Help people see the change The church overall has discouraged disruption. We have leaned heavily on tradi- is manageable and share the steps that will be taken to carry out the change. tion and the enemy of tradition is disruption. The irony is that all traditions owe their People are much more willing to try something if it is not overwhelming and start to disruption. No tradition has ever started without someone being disruptive by there is a clear path with steps for the change. doing something different and starting a new tradition – just like the child engaging in Every leader who helps the church live up to its full potential and pursue a God-sized a new way challenges the congregation to engage children differently. vision will create disruption. Healthy leaders lead the congregation in and through Today, change and disruption is no longer an option for the church; it is required to the change by creating disruption. They manage the change and disruption through make new generations of disciples and to be engaged in meaningful mission in the seven leadership principles. As the leaders of Calvary Korean Church teach us, even community. The change needed is not surface or cosmetic change, but deep change in the best of times, leaders need to be changing.