Thoughts of Resurrection » Christianity

You Can’t Lead Beyond the Leader

Andrew Conard — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:42 +0000

Cape Resurrection (Photo credit: DCSL)

Last week, someone shared with me an insight that they had gained serving as a volunteer at Resurrection.

You can’t lead beyond the leader.

If you are not ultimately responsible for a ministry area, worship service, congregation, or nearly any other grouping of people there is always some limit on what you can implement. The leader has to make space for engagement, different perspectives and empower those that are being lead.

As a leader, equipping others is one of the most important things that I do.

As a follower, patience, encouragement and service are valuable in making progress.

Viable or Vital: Which would you choose?

Andrew Conard — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:00:54 +0000

As far as congregations go:

Vital > Viable > Inviable

I would much rather lead and be part of a vital congregation than one that is simply viable.

I would much rather lead and be part of a viable congregation than one that is inviable and has not yet closed.

I believe that one of my roles as a United Methodist clergy person is to help congregations move from one to the next.

Metrics for the UMC: Numbers ≠ Vitality (3 of 3)

Andrew Conard — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:00:13 +0000

At our last district clergy meeting our District Superintendent was speaking about metrics and vital churches and wanted to make one thing clear:

Numbers are not vitality. Numbers are contextual.

This is so true. Numbers give us insight but they are not vitality. I found a similar thought expressed on Twitter recently

Growth ≠ The Mission. Growth is a tactic in service of The Mission. Don't mistake tactics for what you're actually trying to accomplish.—
Joshua Blankenship (@blankenship) September 23, 2011

Metrics for the UMC: A Question of Counting (1 of 3)

Andrew Conard — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:00:59 +0000

Several weeks ago, I wrote a series about Why Numbers Matter in the UMC and I wanted to follow that up with some thoughts that I have been percolating on since then.

Statistically, for metrics to be any good they need to be measuring the same thing across time and among different locations. I don’t have any conclusions today, but just a question:

What is the standard for counting worship attendance? Do you include:

Children?
Infants in the Nursery?
Adults?
Volunteers?
Staff?

What do you count at your church for worship attendance?

Why Numbers Matter in the UMC – Naming Reality (1 of 3) (andrewconard.com)
Why Numbers Matter in the UMC – Learning (2 of 3) (andrewconard.com)
Why Numbers Matter in the UMC – Community (3 of 3) (andrewconard.com)

Blessings of Ministry – Teaching (3 of 3)

Andrew Conard — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:00:30 +0000

There are many blessings of being in ministry serving as a pastor at a local church. One of these is the chance to teach classes about knowing, loving and serving God. This week I finished the second of a six week class in which we are looking at how we respond to God’s love and how our lives might be different as a result. I really enjoying sharing about our faith and the church, answering questions and helping people take the next step on their journey of faith.

What blessings do you find in ministry?

Blessings of Ministry – Mission (2 of 3)

Andrew Conard — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:00:02 +0000

There are many blessings of being in ministry as the pastor of a local church. One of these blessings is the opportunity to lead our congregation in mission to the community. In my role at Resurrection West, I have the opportunity to work with a great team of volunteers on the Mission team that organizes and equips our congregation to serve others and share Christ. I love being able to help people live out God’s call in their life.

What blessings do you find in ministry?

Blessings of Ministry – Babies (1 of 3)

Andrew Conard — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:00:27 +0000

There are many blessings of ministry as a pastor. One of those is to be with families with new babies. In the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to be with two families who welcomed a new member to their family, as well as pray before surgery for an infant. Each one of these are doing great.

What blessings do you find in ministry?

A Year Ago on Thoughts of Resurrection – October 2010

Andrew Conard — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:00:45 +0000

Here are some posts from Thoughts of Resurrection one year ago, that I think you might find interesting. Take a look…

Will.i.am makes me smile – and he still does!
Nothing to Do but Save Souls in the UMC – What else is there?
Groundbreaking at Resurrection West – I had no idea that I would be at Resurrection West.

One Day

Andrew Conard — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:00:27 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10, NIV

This verse reminds me of two things, which happen to be connected together. The first is an experience that I had in college at One Day 2000. Along with others from the college ministry of which I was a part, I traveled to Shelby Farms Park in Memphis Tennessee for One Day. This was one of the Passion Conferences and you can read more about it at this blog post - Remembering OneDay 2000-Sacred. Holy. His. This verse also reminds me of the song Better is One Day by Sonic Flood, who played at the One Day event.

More than these things, this verse brings perspective to my life when I get caught up in the details, tasks and minutiae of life. It helps broaden my perspective. Were you at One Day in 2000? I would love to hear from you in the comments. Also, how do you respond to this verse?

Leadership Institute 2011 #li2011

Andrew Conard — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:00:13 +0000

It is Leadership Institute time again at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. This year there are over 2,000 church leaders from 700 churches, 46 states, Brazil, Scotland and South Africa here for 2-3 days of teaching, inspiration, worship and community.

I love these days. There is something that is powerful when there are hundreds of leaders from across the denomination that at some level are seeking the same thing – new life in their congregation and community. Personally, it is fun to see colleagues and peers who I know from seminary, social media or the annual conference.

If you are at Leadership Institute this year or have been in the past, what did you find to be most helpful about the experience?

Thoughts of Resurrection » Christianity

You Can’t Lead Beyond the Leader

Viable or Vital: Which would you choose?

Metrics for the UMC: Numbers ≠ Vitality (3 of 3)

Metrics for the UMC: A Question of Counting (1 of 3)

Related articles

Blessings of Ministry – Teaching (3 of 3)

Blessings of Ministry – Mission (2 of 3)

Blessings of Ministry – Babies (1 of 3)

A Year Ago on Thoughts of Resurrection – October 2010

One Day

Leadership Institute 2011 #li2011