THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW an edition of the United Methodist Reporter Leading congregations to lead people to actively follow Jesus Christ Easter Growing Cuba l The big prepares 024000 Volume 158 Images of Easter Opportunities to help Number 52 l April 27, 2012 worship from around to get bigger. 6A growing churches in Missouri. 4A Cuba. 8A Two Sections, Section A Easter celebrations fill churches across the Conference Churches across the Conference were packed on a beautiful spring morning on April 8. The three largest churches in the Missouri Conference had more than 10,000 people in wor- ship on Easter Sunday. Morning Star in O’Fallon had 3,794, Manchester had 3,734, and La Croix in Cape Girardeau had 3,325. The combined attendance of the ten largest churches exceed- ed 26,000, with Lee’s Summit at 3,200, Woods Chapel in Lee’s Summit at 2,974, Church of the Shepherd in St. Charles at 2,200, Wesley in Springfield at 2,048, St. Paul in Joplin at 1,932, Platte Maplewood UMC in St. Louis releases balloons on Easter. Woods at 1,777, and Schweitzer in destroyed in last year’s tornado. compressed down to 50 minutes Springfield at 1,750. The church handled worship in to make this possible. They cre- The 1,900 plus people worship- its family life center by adding atively campaigned within the ping at St. Paul’s in Joplin didn’t an additional service to the usual church for their faithful members have an official sanctuary. It is three-service Sunday morning to please consider attending the under construction after being schedule. Worship times were See Easter, pg. 6A Surge encourages college ministry Purpose, place and passion was the theme of Surge 2012, the A worker at Bridge Bread removes bread from the oven. second annual retreat and train- Photo by Tracey Byrd. ing for people involved in college- age ministry. Bridge Bread provides Brent Levy, worship leader for RISE in Harrisonburg, Virginia (www.riseharrisonburg.com) was work opportunity the keynote speaker at the event Let Fred Domke know that as a church that is engaged in its on April 14. Rise is a United you’re a fellow United Methodist community and in mission, but Methodist Faith Community when you ask him how Bridge the people of the church were try- that was started in 2010, born Bread came about, and he might ing to think creatively about how out of a Wesley Foundation that Brett Cheek of the Ignite college ministry at La Croix UMC share with you what he calls the they could do more than offer was closed and relaunched. RISE in Cape Girardeau leads a time of devotion at Surge. “slightly mystical” version of the food, social services and employ- seeks to connect young adults story. ment counseling. and the young at heart with the “It came to me one night in a One weekend Domke’s wife pain and hope of the community dream,” he said. was out of town, and on a lark he and the world. Levy shared the That dream was primed with made a loaf of bread from scratch story of how the community a lot of conscious-level thinking, for the first time in his life. It was developed from its inception, and though. Domke is a member of pretty good. That night, he had continues to evolve. Lafayette Park UMC, and was tak- the dream. Missouri Bishop Robert ing part in a book study on being “In the dream I saw people Schnase addressed the group an externally focused church. from the Bridge working together, regarding how the Five Practices Lafayette Park is already known See Bread, pg. 5A See Surge, pg. 3A Rev. Karen Hayden Bishop Robert Schnase The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profi t, Dallas, TX 75247-3919. Periodicals Postage Paid at Dallas. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter, PO Box 660275, Dallas, TX 75266-0275. 2A Opinions and Insights April 27, 2012 The Most Significant Arena Methodism began as a way he could have a conference; he congregations help people discern of life. Wesley organized people established a conference to support the calling of God to ministries of into societies, classes, and bands the work of Christ through faith service, mission, and justice. They in order to provide a disciplined communities. provide avenues for life-changing, accountability to sustain growth in Throughout the history of sacrificial service that transforms Christ and growth in service. Early Methodism, the primary means by the world. Congregations draw Wesleyans were chided for their which we have brought people into people into the body of Christ, “methodical” adherence to prac- this way of life has been through and through congregations God tices that included worship, the sac- faith communities. Congregations changes the world. and teachers who have encour- and culture and language, God raments, daily prayers, Bible study, offer the invitation and embrace Consider the impact of congre- aged and embraced you in the works through faith communities classes, giving to the poor, visiting of Christ. They offer worship that gations on your own life. Suppose faith. Extract from your soul all to change lives. the sick and imprisoned. Every connects people to God and that we could extract from your life all the work projects, the meetings, The Call to Action invites the organizational innovation fostered stimulates the change of heart that the influences that God has had the soup kitchens, mission proj- leaders of The United Methodist that way of life. Circuits were cre- transforms lives so that people on you through congregations. ects, hospital visits and support Church to redirect the flow of ated as a means of providing the see the world through God’s eyes. Imagine we could pull out of your from others you have experienced. attention, energy, and resources to sacraments and for deploying lead- Congregations provide the means mind and heart all the thousands Remove all the volunteer hours, an intense concentration on fos- ers. Class tickets were given and to grow in faith through small of sermons you have heard, the stewardship campaigns, mission tering and sustaining an increase giving records were maintained, groups, Bible studies, support tens of thousands of hymns you fairs, camp experiences, and youth in the number of vital congrega- not merely to provide an account- groups, and the care of souls. have sung, the pastoral prayers ministries. tions effective in making disciples ing for the aggregate totals, but to People cooperate with the Holy and personal devotions that have If someone removed from your of Jesus Christ for the transforma- hold each person accountable for Spirit in their own sanctification, formed you. Remove from your life all the influences congrega- tion of the world. The focus on growth in Christ. Wesley did not growing in grace and in the knowl- life all the pastors, friends, col- tions have ever had on you, you’d congregations is not about insti- establish faith communities so that edge and love of God. And fruitful leagues, laypersons, youth leaders, be someone totally different. tutional survival, an obsession on The congrega- numbers, or a fear of failure. It is tions you have about returning to the basics. In belonged to the first sentence that immediately have changed follows our mission statement in and shaped you. the Book of Discipline, we say, Congregations “Local churches provide the most are a primary significant arena through which means by which disciple-making occurs” (¶120, God reaches italics added). into our lives Imagine if we really allowed to work on our this priority on Christ’s mission behalf to cre- through congregations to direct ate us anew, us in our alignment of resources, to claim us as personnel, and energy in every God’s own, and district, conference, and general to call us to agency of the church. Imagine God’s service. bishops and superintendents and It is through conference staff and lay leaders congregations and pastors viewing Christ’s mis- that God’s Spirit sion through congregations as job shapes how one. Imagine if reaching the poor, we understand the vulnerable, the hurting, and ourselves, how the lonely with ministries driven we relate to our by the grace of God focused our families, how energies. Imagine fostering con- we view com- gregational leadership and spiri- munity, and tual depth and invitational culture how we par- and courageous witness in every ticipate in the community of faith. Imagine how world. God could use our churches all Jesus intentionally formed his the more to change lives, foster THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW followers into a community of communities in Christ, and relieve Robert Schnase Columbia: (573) 441-1770 disciples to fulfill this mission. suffering if we really behaved as Bishop, Missouri Area Fax: (573) 441-1780 United Methodist congregations if local churches provide the most Sherry Habben Subscription rate is available upon request. Email exist today for the same mission significant arena through which Director of Connectional Ministries Lorraine Sanders, Circulation, at for which Jesus gathered his disci- we make disciples of Jesus Christ Contact information [email protected] ples and for which the Holy Spirit for the transformation of the 3601 Amron Court Subscribe for the free e-mail version of the unified those who gathered on world. Imagine! Columbia, Missouri 65202 Missouri Conference Review at the day of Pentecost. The United Yours in Christ, E-mail for news submission: www.moumethodist.org/stayconnected Methodist Church makes disciples fk [email protected] Next Deadline: April 27 Next Issue: May 11 of Jesus Christ for the transforma- Toll Free: (877) 736-1806 tion of the world by repeating over Vision: Growing, fruitful, vibrant congregations and over again what has happened in your life and mine.