I am a fan of technology. Technology can be used in a variety of ways that vary from mundane, productive, entertaining and more. I have recently started using an app that has made a tangible difference in my behavior in the real world. An app that is helping me make progress on things that I care about […]
It has been 649 days since my last blog post. Much has changed since then. Our children are 3 and 2, respectively. I switched from WordPress.com to a WordPress installation, thereby starting over on traffic and links. I am beginning my third year as the pastor appointed to serve First UMC of El Dorado, KS. […]
I am part of a team from First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, KS attending Leadership Institute 2012. I collected Twitter updates tagged with #li2012. Then I used Wordle to create word clouds with the text of updates during the conference. I edited out Twitter usernames, RT and #li2012 to get a better view of the conversation. […]
As a leader there is value in spending time both: On the balcony – getting a big picture perspective removed from day to day responsibilities and On the dance floor – accomplishing day to day tasks to make progress as an organization. Spending time in either location can be productive, however you cannot spend your […]
There are at least three different possibilities for the life of a congregation: Vital – A vital congregation that is one that is creating places for new people to love God and love neighbor. The ministry and impact of the congregation is expanding. Viable – A viable congregation is one that continues to exist at […]
I have had the opportunity to engage with the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) in the Leadership and Faith: Transforming Communities program over the past year. I wanted to share some of the learnings that I have gathered from my interactions with the KLC. If you can be competent in four things – you will make […]
Categories
Back to Blogging
I have started my third month serving as the pastor at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Kansas. It has been fantastically busy, fun, exciting and full of opportunities and challenges to have a baby, move to a new home and start serving as the lead pastor at a new congregation in the past […]
One month from today, I will begin serving as pastor at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with some of the key leaders and staff from the church. I shared a document with everyone that I met outlined some of my personal priorities as well […]
As a follow up to the The #gc2012 Twitter Word Cloud Project, I completed a similar project for the Kansas West Annual Conference. I collected Twitter updates from May 22 to 27 that were tagged with #kwc12, #ksw12 and #kswumc. Then I used Wordle to create a word cloud with the text of all the updates for […]
I have been appointed to serve First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Kansas beginning July 1, 2012. Will you please help me in this transition? Share your thoughts, feelings and opinions about ministry in the local church by using this link http://j.mp/MVELdL Helpful – What have you found to be most helpful for ministry […]
In response to one of the questions from the #dreamUMC conversation on Twitter, I shared this update. Q3: Reread Wesley's Sermons and share the teaching contained therein with the congregation where I serve. #dreamUMC — Andrew Conard (@andrewconard) May 15, 2012 My Twitter friend and fellow UMCer Matt Lipan (@mattlipan and check out his blog here.) responded. […]
Today was my first time to speak on the floor of annual conference. While it was not exactly what came out, this is what I prepared: My name is Andrew Conard. I am a clergy member of the annual conference. I am currently serving at Church of the Resurrection in the Kansas City area and will […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 