I am on a strategic project team at Resurrection that is looking for three small churches, currently led by lay speakers, local pastors, or student local pastors, who would be interested in testing a new model for ministry – these churches would, for one year, become a part of a multi-point circuit with Resurrection. The […]
Category: united methodist church
At times, I wonder about ambition as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. On one hand, I am appointed and sent to serve at a local church by the bishop. It can be unhealthy to always “live in the next appointment” – looking forward to what might be. On the other hand, God has […]
Today I officially begin my sixth year under appointment as a pastor in The United Methodist Church. I have served in two roles as an associate pastor at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. 2006 – The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection July 1, 2006 – Pastor of Congregational Care: Caring for those […]
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 […]
Summary I recently received a copy of Generation Rising: A Future with Hope for the United Methodist Church from Abingdon Press to review. I finished reading it yesterday on my day off after Easter Sunday. The book consists of 12 chapters written by different authors, who are all members of Generation X and The United Methodist […]
The conversation around the Call to Action: Reordering the Life of the UMC and the subsequent UMC Leadership Summit, as well as the conversation in Kansas and Nebraska about Great Plans for the Great Plains: A Vision (PDF Link), I have been reflecting on the time that I spent on the spring senior staff retreat at […]
This week, I put together some roles for serving with Resurrection Online. I am excited about the potential here. Find out more at Resurrection Online Mission + Service. Here is the text from the site: Resurrection Online is looking for people to be part of building a Christian community online where non religious and nominally […]
The Book of Discipline provides for both paternity and maternity leave for pastors. To initiate the leave a letter from to the Staff Parish Committee is necessary. I have included the text of my letter, in case any one out there is looking to take some time away for the birth of your child. You […]
A few weeks ago, I visited a church where this sign was displayed during communion. The method of serving was passing a tray through the aisle and taking a piece of bread and a small cup of juice, so it would not have been obvious if one chose not to partake. United Methodists practice open […]
I have been inspired by Kevin Watson’s series of posts about the Methodist Class Meeting. It was part of what made the Methodist movement powerful. I have hoped to use the following series of posts as a guide for leading class meetings when I am the lead pastor at a church one day. The Methodist […]
You do not have to agree with all of the beliefs and positions of The United Methodist Church to be a United Methodist. However, you do need to agree upon some of the central issues of Christian faith. The founder of Methodist movement, John Wesley, preached a sermon titled, Catholic Spirit, in which he addresses this […]
I believe remembering who we are as United Methodists is a key to revival within the denomination. I enjoy teaching and I particularly enjoy teaching Methodism 101 – What does it mean to be a United Methodist and what difference does that make in my life? Last month, I had the great opportunity to teach […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 