New Places for New People
UMTV: Bar Church Serves All Pubs provide alternative to traditional church. "Jesus never said, 'If you need me, I'll be in the temple.' He was always out in the world."
May 4 wrap: No restructure in 2012 A day filled with drama over an unexpected ruling on the church's structure plan ended anticlimactically when delegates adjourned without coming to a decision.
Reframing the ‘Call to Action’ Bishop Thomas Bickerton identifies three disconnects with the church that affect its ability to meet its current challenges.
The plan for congregational vitality ‘Seeing the world as our parish, and seeing the individuals in that world as potential disciples,’ says Bishop Thomas Bickerton, ‘is the key to a revitalization.’
Two views on a set-aside bishop Pastor questions “modeling church structure after corporate practices,” while COB president says we currently “demand much of one person.”
GC 2012: Come to the banquet Guest bloggers share perspective about General Conference. Today, the Rev. Francisco Cañas calls the body to remember “God’s priorities.”
Debate grapples with restructuring At a Texas gathering, a lay leader, a district superintendent and an agency executive discuss whether disciples will be the outcome of effort.
Agency Q＆A: Communications Series on church agencies: “United Methodist Communications facilitates the church’s participation in conversations around issues of the day.”
Agency Q＆A: Church and Society Series looks at how agencies work: Through education, witness and action, agency strives to uphold United Methodist Social Principles.
Agency Q＆A: Global Ministries Series looks at how agencies work: ‘Global Ministries is a facilitator of mission — passionate for partnership and open to the visions of others.’
Agency Q＆A: United Methodist Men Series looks at how agencies carry out mission: ‘I believe if our church is to survive and grow, United Methodist Men will play a large role in that effort.’
Agency Q＆A: Board of Discipleship Series looks at how agencies carry out mission: Training and supporting church leaders — ‘I came home energized and on fire with a new attitude.’
New Birth: Why Baptism Matters Ken Carter talks about the “visual symbol of the power of transformation” and “the impulse to shed our skin, to experience a metamorphosis.”
Disaster response is both/and UMCOR’s Tom Hazelwood discusses who should respond when disaster strikes - trained, badged disaster responders or local congregations.
Agency Q＆A: Publishing House UMPH was the first church agency in the U.S. Since 1789 its mission has been “disseminating religious knowledge and useful … information.”
Agency Q＆A: Christian Unity Series look at how agencies carry out mission. Commission keeps United Methodists ‘ecumenically engaged and interreligiously involved.’
Agency Q＆A: Religion and Race Series looks at how agencies carry out mission. “If the commission did not exist, the church would be at risk of losing its racial conscience.”
A love letter to haters Robin Williams shares a letter written to Westboro Baptist Church who planned on picketing the funerals of Harrisburg tornado victims.
Kony 2012? Patrick Scriven offers suggestions for youth leaders on how to address Kony 2012. “It is important that you watch this video.”
Agency Q＆A: Archives and History Series looks at how agencies carry out mission. “Through archival records…balanced accountability of our actions is maintained.”
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