What’s your call story?

One year when I was a district superintendent in East Ohio, I asked all of my churches to have a clergyperson and a layperson talk about their call. Many congregations had never heard their pastor’s call story before that church conference. The many ways that God works in and through our lives to call us into full-time Christian service is amazing! That year the church conferences were incredibly inspiring for us all!

Why I am a United Methodist

I wasn’t raised in The United Methodist church. My family is Mennonite. While growing up, the church was the center of our lives. Through the church, I was given many opportunities for leadership (usually breaking the gender bar along the way) and mission. The church shaped me in many ways.

Bishop pastoral statement on racism and violence

On August 12 a national tragedy occurred (again) when supremacist and neo-Nazi groups went to Charlottesville, VA and gave rise to violence, destruction, and death. We are grieving for the individuals involved but even more so, what these acts of racism and violence say about us as a people.

More than an annual conference

Bishop Dyck letter in response to Judicial Council rulings

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

I urge you as clergy and churches to talk about mental health during the month of May; in a sermon, Bible study, or even mention those who suffer from mental illness in the pastoral prayer. Sometimes just openly talking about it helps people who are suffering from the stigma to know there is someone who cares and that someone might be you. You might be able to help that person find help. Who knows, you might save a life.