What Annual Big Events Inspire and Encourage You?

12 08 2011

I have been taking part in The Global Leadership Summit from the Willow Creek Association yesterday and today. This is my fourth year in being part of this event. I have picked up some good stuff each year. I find inspiration and encouragement each year.

The only other annual big event that I have experienced that offers inspiration and encouragement is annual conference. It is inspiring and encouraging to spend time with leaders from across the area that are living their faith out as United Methodists.

What annual big events inspire and encourage you?


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Categories : leadership, renewing the church

Mission and Vision: Annual Conference and Denomination (2 of 3)

13 07 2011

Like a local church, an annual conference and denomination with a mission (Why do we exist?) and a vision (Where are we going?) are more likely to contain vital congregations. The clarity of purpose and direction helps shape the life of the community in both subtle and significant ways.

The United Methodist Church has a mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World. The annual conferences where I am currently connected have a mission or vision statement:

  • Kansas East - The Kansas East Conference’s mission is to connect and empower people and churches in living out the Gospel‘s call to invite, nurture, equip and send forth disciples of Jesus Christ.
  • Kansas West – “As we make disciples of Jesus Christ, the Kansas West Conference calls God’s people to invite through radical hospitality, excite for intentional faith-sharing and unite in risk-taking mission for the transformation of the world.” – Kansas West Conference vision adopted May 2008

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Great Plans for the Great Plains – #GPGP or #Kanaska

30 06 2011

I support the formation of a new United Methodist Annual Conference that would cover Kansas and Nebraska. This possibility was put before the annual conference sessions of Nebraska, Kansas East and Kansas West this year as a five finger vote (PDF). This is basically a way to share a level of approval or disapproval without an up or down vote. You can read more about it at Three conferences express support for moving forward as one.

I believe that it was wise to receive this input before the opportunity to vote up or down on this proposal. The team that is working on considering this transition has a great deal of work still ahead. I was most hopeful about the openness of sharing the responses to the vote. You can find all of the open ended responses online here. I read through some but not all of the comments. For me, the willingness to share these responses is a positive sign. I am confident that the transition team, along with those addressing some of the technical changes will be able to move forward in a way that will bring positive change across the area.


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Kansas West Annual Conference – Day 3 #ksw2011

27 05 2011

Day 3 of Annual Conference went well. Here are some of the highlights:

  • We took the 5 finger vote in response to the Great Plan for the Great Plains, in which we are considering the possibility of one annual conference across the states of Kansas and Nebraska
  • We passed resolutions to close seven United Methodist Churches. This is never easy, but it is necessary.
  • The Harry Denman Evangelism Award was awarded to three recipients.
  • The Bridges to the Future capital campaign which was undertaken
  • Sharing a meal with Jeff and Amy to talk about life and parenting, as they are a month away from a new member of their family.
  • Completed election of our general and jurisdictional conference delegation. Laity seem to beat the clergy every year and this is no exception.
Life is good as part of the Kansas West Annual Conference.
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Kansas West Annual Conference – Day 2 #ksw2011

26 05 2011

Mark Conard Receives the KAUMRF Award of Merit

The second full day at the Kansas West Annual Conference gathering in Hutchinson, KS was good. Here are some highlights of the day:

  • I received 4 votes in the very first clergy ballot for General Conference 2012. This was a pleasant surprise. I had not submitted a profile sheet to be considered. I wonder who voted for me, as I didn’t vote for myself… I did not receive any votes on subsequent ballots.
  • I very much appreciate video reporting from various groups. The story is able to be told well and can be used again for various reasons.
  • The Commission on Equitable Compensation report generated a good bit of conversation, which I found to be quite interesting. How does the annual conference best address gender inequity in clergy compensation?
  • I was proud of my Dad, receiving a Certificate of Merit from the Kansas Area United Methodist Rural Fellowship at their annual banquet. Later in the afternoon, he was elected as the first clergy delegate to General Conference 2012. Congratulations!
  • State of the Conference Report is one of my favorite times in Annual Conference. The Lay Leader and the Bishop tell the story of the past year and introduce new initiatives for the year ahead.
  • I am very excited for the release of http://vitalsignsumc.org. This is going to be fantastic! Church metrics and sharing stories can be very good.
It is good to be at the Kansas West Annual Conference.
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Kansas West Annual Conference – Day 1 #ksw2011

25 05 2011
Pronto Pups

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It was a good first full day of Kansas West Annual Conference. Some of my reflections from the day:

  • The Great Plans for the Great Plains conversation about a new annual conference across Kansas and Nebraska continues to be a lively.
  • The Kansas State Fairgrounds has provided an excellent venue for meeting. (Although, I still wish that a Pronto Pup stand was open.)
  • I enjoy being a teller. This involves passing out and picking up ballots, resolutions and other material to the members of the Annual Conference.
  • It is very much a means of grace to gather together in Christian conferencing.
  • It was good to hear from The Reverend Cynthia Fierro Harvey the Deputy General Secretary of The United Methodist Committee on Relief.
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Kansas West Annual Conference – Clergy Session #ksw2011

24 05 2011
Official seal of Hutchinson, Kansas

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Today we are headed to the Kansas West Annual Conference. This year it is being held at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, KS. This will be our son’s first trip to Annual Conference. Perhaps more exciting than that, this is where my parents live, so he will get to spend a good deal of time with grandparents.

This evening conference opens with clergy session. It will be good to be with friends and colleagues.


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Cat-Hawk Challenge – #UMC Campus Ministry

19 08 2010

I believe that campus ministry in Kansas is a critical part of renewal within The United Methodist Church in the state. I am excited to share the Cat-Hawk Challenge with you. From the website:

You are invited to this year’s Cat-Hawk Challenge. The purpose of this challenge is to encourage United Methodists to become Partners- in-Ministry with Wesley KU or K-State Wesley. The Cat-Hawk Challenge offers a fun way to learn about the vital ministries of these two United Methodist campus ministries.

In what ways are campus ministries supported close to where you live?


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Institute: Real Life Outcomes (4 of 5)

29 07 2010

I spent last week at a youth camp, Institute 2010: God’s All Stars, which is a ministry of the Conference Council on Youth Ministry of the Kansas East Annual Conference. This post is part of a series reflecting on the week and making applications for the local church.

I have a tendency, for good and bad, to focus on the outcomes of projects, events or ministry areas to which I commit my time. The outcomes of Institute seem to be a mixed bag for me. This year there were clearly students whose lives were changed by their experience of God at camp. This is an undeniable outcome that is difficult to dispute. If even one life is changed or one student decides to follow Jesus, is not the entire effort worth it? Maybe so… I cannot deny that God is at work through Institute. At the same time, I believe that with changes the week could be more meaningful for a greater number of students with lower anxiety for leaders, student and adult.

What about your local church? What are the outcomes of the projects, events or ministry areas? Is there good as well as bad that is accomplished through the work of the community?


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What to Do with Unhealthy United Methodist Congregations

7 07 2010

I recognize there is debate about how to determine what makes a congregation healthy.

What to do with an unhealthy United Methodist congregation is more difficult to determine than what to do with inffective United Methodist clergy.

Kick them out of the denomination? In some cases, this might allow the congregation to become healthier. It clearly doesn’t help unity in the church.

Appoint a new pastor? This may or may not have results. Understanding the congregation as a family system suggests that this may not have much impact.

Put them on probation? A period of time with focused efforts at renewal may be helpful, however there may not be much of an incentive.

Can you help me out with what to do with unhealthy United Methodist congregations?


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