Sermon – Short September always feels like January’s overachieving sibling, doesn’t it? New school supplies smell better than any candle, and we convince ourselves that color-coding our schedules will somehow create more hours in the day. Is that just me? Here in McPherson, as harvest season approaches and school activities ramp up, we pack our […]
Late February brings the first whispers of spring approaching. With temperatures warming and ice beginning to melt, we feel a subtle shift in the air – a promise of renewal. Yet in this season of transition, many of us still carry winter’s restlessness. The novelty of New Year’s resolutions has worn off, and we might […]
Late January finds us living in the wake of change. Just days ago, our nation witnessed the inauguration of a new president – a moment stirring hope in some hearts and deep concern in others. These national transitions remind us how change, even when democratic and orderly, may leave us feeling uncertain about what lies […]
By mid-January, most New Year’s resolutions have either taken root or fallen away. Our ambitious declarations about transformation often fade as routine settles back in. Many of us know what it’s like to stand up and boldly announce a change, only to face skepticism – sometimes from others, sometimes from ourselves. Whether it’s a commitment […]
Have you ever watched someone carefully assemble a quilt? Each piece of fabric, worn with love or vibrantly new, tells its own story. Carefully chosen and positioned, they form a beautiful whole. In the aftermath of our recent elections, amidst the beautiful quilts and sewing projects we see today, perhaps you feel like scattered pieces […]
I have been using Lift as a tool to help restart this blog and I thought I would share with you some of that process. One of the steps is identifying an ideal target person – someone for whom this blog is written. So, here goes: The ideal target person for this blog is Methodist […]
Last week, someone shared with me an insight that they had gained serving as a volunteer at Resurrection. You can’t lead beyond the leader. If you are not ultimately responsible for a ministry area, worship service, congregation, or nearly any other grouping of people there is always some limit on what you can implement. The […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The annual conference season has begun in The United Methodist Church. This week I will be attending the Kansas West Annual Conference in Salina, Kansas. I hope to post each day this week about annual conference. According the the 2008 Book of Discipline ¶601, “The purpose of the annual conference is to make disciples of […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 