Categories
ministry

Blessings of Ministry – Mission (2 of 3)

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 […]

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annual conference leadership

Mission and Vision: Local Church + Annual Conference + Denomination = ? (3 of 3)

  It is important for organizations to have mission and vision statements to guide the future of the organization. I currently am serving as part of an organization that has three different mission statements. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection where I am currently serving has as a mission (or purpose) statement: Building a Christian […]

Categories
annual conference leadership

Mission and Vision: Annual Conference and Denomination (2 of 3)

Like a local church, an annual conference and denomination with a mission (Why do we exist?) and a vision (Where are we going?) are more likely to contain vital congregations. The clarity of purpose and direction helps shape the life of the community in both subtle and significant ways. The United Methodist Church has a […]

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church leadership

Mission and Vision: Local Church (1 of 3)

A local church with a mission (Why do we exist?) and a vision (Where are we going?) is more likely to be a vital congregation. The clarity of purpose and direction helps shape the life of the congregation in both subtle and significant ways. With the lack of a clear statement that people can remember […]

Categories
communications leadership ministry

Vision Questions for Resurrection Online

I have recently been asking those who regularly worship with Resurrection Online questions about vision. Here they are: What is Resurrection Online? Why does it matter to people? Where do you think it is going now? Where do you think it should be going? I have received some interesting and insightful responses. How might these […]

Categories
ministry

Institute: What’s the Point? (5 of 5)

I spent last week at a youth camp, Institute 2010: God’s All Stars, which is a ministry of the Conference Council on Youth Ministry of the Kansas East Annual Conference. This post is part of a series reflecting on the week and making applications for the local church. I am unable to deny that there are […]

Categories
changing lives renewing the church

2010 Resurrection Online Micro Church Leader Training

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 […]

Categories
church ministry renewing the church

Gospel according to BRGR

How’s this for an “About Us” page on church website? First United Methodist Church (First UMC) brings you a fresh adaptation of the most classic faith concept around. The gospel of Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and bred across the world as a way of reconciling people to God, but it’s grown up a […]

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changing lives ministry united methodist church

Zimbabwe: Mission Centres (3 of 8)

In several of the districts that we visited in Zimbabwe there was a mission centre that in many cases was founded over 100 years ago. These were locations that started to be places of ministry when missionaries from the United States came to what was then Southern Rhodesia. These sites often had a hospital, school, […]

Categories
annual conference ministry

Back in the United States

I made it back safely from Zimbabwe last week with the team from the Kansas West Annual Conference. I had an amazing time hearing stories and meeting the people of Zimbabwe. I am working on sorting through the photos and stories. I hope to be able to share them with you in a few days. […]

Categories
church kansas ministry renewing the church

Kansas West Delegation to Zimbabwe

Next week, Nicole and I will travel to the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference as part of a delegation from the Kansas West Annual Conference. This trip was first announced in this article from the Kansas West website – Local churches invited to support Zimbabwe partnerships. On the trip, I hope to build relationships with the […]

Categories
changing lives ministry transforming the community

2009 RezLife Gulf Coast Mission Trip

I had a great time with some amazing youth last week. 48 students and 12 adults traveled from Resurrection to Lake Charles, Louisiana on Wednesday, July 8 and arrived back in town on Tuesday, July 14. I had the privilege of building relationships with both students and adult leaders. Out of the many things that […]