Anyone else already tired of back-to-school ads? It’s only early August, but every store has transformed into a shrine to three-ring binders and number two pencils. My favorite are the commercials showing perfectly organized children cheerfully packing their backpacks at dawn. Meanwhile, most of us remember or experience the reality—frantically searching for matching socks while […]
Have you ever felt like singing was the last thing you wanted to do? You may have faced a challenge so daunting that praise seemed impossible. As we lift our voices in “Lift Every Voice and Sing” today, we’re reminded of times when raising one’s voice is an act of defiance against despair. The Israelites […]
Day 9 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) started with an early morning prayer for Bishop David Wilson from the Great Plains as he prepared to preach during morning worship. Bishop Wilson’s message emphasized the common ground we share as United Methodists and the importance of making decisions that will positively impact the next seven […]
Day 8 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) was an ecumenical day, with guests from various ecumenical connections worldwide. During morning worship, we recognized full communion with the Moravian church, which is significant in Western North Carolina. Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches, delivered a powerful message during […]
Day 7 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) began with worship led by Bishop Karen Oliveto, who delivered a powerful message. She reminded us that religious leaders sometimes focus on law instead of love and regulations instead of relationships. Bishop Oliveto challenged us to see the image of God in every person, not just those […]
Day 6 of the UMC General Conference 2020(4) was a Sabbath day, offering a much-needed break from the busy schedule of the conference. While taking a true Sabbath can be challenging for me, as I often find comfort in checking tasks off a list during my time off from professional church work, I felt the […]
Day 5 of the UMC General Conference began with a powerful worship service led by Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, whose message resonated deeply with those gathered. His words served as a poignant reminder that there is no room for competition in the kingdom of God. Instead, we should focus on reaching out to those who still […]
Day 4 of the UMC General Conference began with an inspiring worship service led by Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. She emphasized the crucial role of God’s guidance in our conference agenda and reminded us that while we may not always trust each other, we can trust the Lord as we navigate the next seven days […]
Day 3 of the UMC General Conference began with a soul-soothing worship experience for me, which included “The Goodness of God” in Spanish. I arrived early to help save seats for other reserves in our delegation, which allowed me to catch the end of the soundcheck and preview what we would sing together later. Bishop […]
Picture this: the streets of Jerusalem, filled with palpable excitement as Jesus enters the city on a donkey. The crowds wave palm branches, their voices echoing with shouts of “Hosanna!” It’s a scene of celebration and worship that we remember and reenact each Palm Sunday. But a more profound message speaks to our lives today […]
I have come to understand that the planning and execution of a pastoral transition can make a significant difference in the fruitfulness of both a pastor and congregation in the months ahead. There are a number of resources that I have used to develop tools which I have used in transition. You can find these […]
I have come to understand that the planning and execution of a pastoral transition can make a significant difference in the fruitfulness of both a pastor and congregation in the months ahead. There are a number of resources that I have used to develop tools which I have used in transition. You can find these […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 