One of the jewels of the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation system is the Lake Shawnee Trail. Nearly every time I go for a run, I use it in some way. At times, a short loop around Tinman Circle and others around the entire lake with an extension down Berryton Road to reach my target […]
Since being appointed to serve within the Topeka District of the Great Plains Annual Conference, I have had the opportunity to serve as the lead for the Topeka District Strategy Team. I have been learning as I go, seeking to get to know congregations and leaders of the area. Here are some of my current […]
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 […]
One of the Kansas Leadership Center’s Civic Leadership Principles is: Our own defaults, how we would usually or unconsciously react or intervene in a situation, can be significant barriers to making progress on the issues we care about. There is a lot to be said for this principle as well as the others in the […]
I have continued to pitch micro churches as a way of finding renewal within The United Methodist Church and building Christian communities where non religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. I am currently working on training leaders to launch these faith communities. I hope that by the end of August there […]
I have enjoyed being involved in #SMCKC, the Social Media Club of Kansas City. I have learned a lot from others, particularly over the past few months in presentations on social media efforts from various local companies. In addition, conversations have proven to be fruitful. So why not #smcumc? A Social Media Club for The […]
Effective Churches – a good start from William Willimon I appreciate the perspective at micromanaging vs paying attention at Do the Details A great story of resurrection from one who was deeply involved at The Church That Was Born Again. Good advice and modeling on goal setting in different arenas – Get back in the box – […]
I have several hopes for the new year. If you want to understand them as New Year’s resolutions, I think that would be fine. Journey through the year in photographs with Project 365. Keep a one sentence diary each day in 2009. Be healthier on December 31, 2009 than I am today, including weighing 185 […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 