How do we separate busyness and fruitfulness? Fruitfulness leads to the fruit of the spirit are evidenced among the people. Another way to consider this is to see lives changed, communities transformed and the church renewed. Busyness does not lead to evidence of the fruit of the spirit. Busyness does not lead to changed lives, […]
Tag: God
Another question that I receive as Pastor of Resurrection Online is this: Can I become a member of Resurrection if I worship online? My hope is that Resurrection Online will be a tool for people to become more engaged in their faith and not less engaged. If someone is connected with a local church I […]
One of the questions that people ask about Resurrection Online is this: Is Resurrection Online one of the regional campuses of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection or is it an online extension of Resurrection? In some ways it is both. There are people who are primarily connected at one of Resurrection‘s physical locations […]
I found it fascinating to read about how the new governor understands the situation behind the man who is on trial in front of him, Paul. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about […]
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Wise and Eloquent Preaching
Nearly every class I have taken, seminar attended or and piece of guidance that I have received about preaching has encouraged me to craft a sermon that is well written and smartly crafted. However when Paul reflects on his ministry, he writes: For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not […]
No matter how you refer to this day, it is one on which we remember the pivotal event in human history – Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, suffered and died in a way that was redemptive for all creation. I am looking forward to participating in the Good Friday Prayer Vigil at Resurrection. How will […]
I have heard these words from those who were officiating at Holy Communion, but for some reason had not realized that they were from scripture until recently. They are beautiful and true. “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread […]
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 Resurrection in which […]
One of the passages in the scripture that I find baffling is in Exodus 4:24: “At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Mosest and was about to kill him.” (NIV) This is as Moses was on his way to Egypt after meeting God at the burning bush and being sent to return to Egypt to […]
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Why? Making Sense of God’s Will
This week, I read Why?: Making Sense of God’s Will by Adam Hamilton. In this short book, Hamilton addresses three questions of theodicy, God’s justice in the face of suffering, Why do the innocent suffer? Why do my prayers go unanswered? Why can’t I see God’s will for my life? He concludes with a few words about Why God’s […]
I recently just finished Bearing Fruit: Ministry with Real Results by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. and Tom Berlin. Along with other members of the senior staff, I read this in preparation for our semi-annual retreat today. I have been considering what it fruitful and effective ministry is like, especially in response to Kevin Watson’s post, […]
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt. (Exodus 10:21, NIV) This is serious darkness. Have you ever experienced this or feel as if your church or ministry area has experienced darkness like this? There have been a few times in […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 