Thoughts of Resurrection

Thoughts on faith, life and ministry…

Happy Birthday USA

leave a comment »

I hope that you have an excellent, celebratory and safe Fourth of July!

Written by Andrew Conard

July 4, 2009 at 6:30 am

Posted in fun

Tagged with , , , ,

New Appointive Year

with one comment

As of July 1, 2009 I have completed three years under appointment as a United Methodist pastor. At this point my appointment history is pretty simple:

As I begin my fourth year of appointment, I am looking forward to ordination in 2010 in the Kansas West Annual Conference. I hope to continue to serve God as a United Methodist pastor for many years to come.

Written by Andrew Conard

July 3, 2009 at 6:30 am

#6qumc – Data (5 of 5)

leave a comment »

6 Questions for The United Methodist Church is an open project and I have been encouraged by the response.

If you are interested in data of participation from the project check it out at http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=r06wd0oDSanzEZ3I9gWArVQ&output=html

Data for the day should be added in the morning. Feel free to use the data how you want.

By September 30, I believe that it is possible to see 10,000 people submit 2,500 questions and cast 75,000 votes.

What do you think?

To participate visit: http://bit.ly/6qumc

To read more, visit: http://www.umcyoungclergy.com/6qumc

Written by Andrew Conard

July 2, 2009 at 6:30 am

#6qumc – Where is it leading? (4 of 5)

with 4 comments

Another question that has been asked of 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church,

“Where is it leading?”

Ultimately, I pray that this project is leading where God wills.

The stated purposes of the project are:

  • Raise important questions for next steps in the life of the denomination.
  • Provide guidance for future face to face gatherings.
  • Shape the discourse across the denomination.

In addition, I hope that 6qumc will raise conversations that lead to the fruit of God’s kingdom being produced in the lives of people across the denomination – both inside and outside the church.

After September 30, 2009 the top six questions in each topic will be compiled and made available, possibly through print publication, but certainly via the web.

I believe that next steps will become clear over the course of the project. In the meantime, I believe that the conversation may be more fruitful than the results. It is hard for me to say for certain.

What do you suggest?

To participate visit: http://bit.ly/6qumc

To read more, visit: http://www.umcyoungclergy.com/6qumc

#6qumc – Who can participate? (3 of 5)

leave a comment »

Within the first day of 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church, someone asked,

Is this only for young clergy?

The answer is a resounding no. While 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church is hosted by www.umcyoungclergy.com it is open to all people of The United Methodist Church.

The project becomes better with each person that votes or submits a question. I trust the witness of the Spirit active in many people.

To participate visit: http://bit.ly/6qumc

To read more, visit: http://www.umcyoungclergy.com/6qumc

Written by Andrew Conard

June 30, 2009 at 6:30 am

The First Offical #6qumc Tuesday

leave a comment »

Today is the first official #6qumc Tuesday.

What is #6qumc Tuesday?

Thanks for asking.

#6qumc Tuesday is a part of 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church. As a part of #6qumc Tuesday:

  1. Invite others to take part in 6qumc by posting the link, http://bit.ly/6qumc, on Facebook and Twitter with #6qumc (a Twitter hashtag – What’s this?).
  2. Include a question which you have added to 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church in your update.
  3. Use http://search.twitter.com/ to search for #6qumc and see what others are posting.

#6qumc Tuesday – Every Tuesday from today until September 30, 2009

Written by Andrew Conard

June 30, 2009 at 2:00 am

#6qumc – Your Invitation (2 of 5)

leave a comment »

I am excited and encouraged by 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church.

The purpose of this project is to:

  • Raise important questions for next steps in the life of the denomination.
  • Provide guidance for future face to face gatherings.
  • Shape the discourse across the denomination.

6 Questions is for all the people of The United Methodist Church. Some strategies of the project include:

  • Publish an article about 6qumc in every conference newsletter.
  • Invite each District Superintendent to take part and bring the project to a district meeting.
  • Gather small groups in local churches to discuss the project
  • Add topics as suggested every two weeks
I invite you to:
  1. Visit http://bit.ly/6qumc to participate
  2. Become a fan on Facebook.
  3. Spread the word with suggestions at http://www.umcyoungclergy.com/6qumc

Written by Andrew Conard

June 29, 2009 at 6:30 am

6qumc – What’s Different? (1 of 5)

leave a comment »

6 Questions for The United Methodist Church (which you can read about here) is a new kind of project within the denomination.

This project is distinct in that it:

  • seeks to shape a conversation, not produce immediate action steps.
  • offers the opportunity for any question to be received on the same playing field.
  • does not give preferential treatment to any person’s vote.
  • becomes better with more participants.
  • provides a simple way to gather input from across annual conferences.

To participate visit: http://bit.ly/6qumc

To read more, visit: http://www.umcyoungclergy.com/6qumc

Is this a new kind of project? What do you think?

6 Questions for The United Methodist Church

with 2 comments

The UMC has:
  • 1 Mission
  • 3 simple rules
  • 4 areas of focus
  • 5 practices

Now…

“Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.”

— Lovett Weems

Purpose of 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church (6qumc)

  • Raise important questions for next steps in the life of the denomination.
  • Provide guidance for future face to face gatherings.
  • Shape the discourse across the denomination in the USA.

You are invited to:

Written by Andrew Conard

June 25, 2009 at 6:30 am

Wrath: My Sermon

with 3 comments

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to preach at 5 services at Resurrection’s Central Campus. It was a lot of fun. You can check out the manuscript at http://bit.ly/195vZu and see if I stuck to it in the video below. Enjoy!

Written by Andrew Conard

June 24, 2009 at 7:00 am