Clergy serving in the local church fulfill many expectations. We show up to lead worship on Sundays, preach a good sermon, visit the sick, administer the church, provide comfort to the grieving, teach, witness, make disciples, and engage in social justice.
Read MoreNot in your lifetime or mine, but in our history, our Methodist ancestors faced issues that caused conflict and divided the Wesleyan movement. This year has been one of stress in our churches, for our pastors, bishops and denominational leaders. The tension that grew out of close votes during a General Conference Special Session in February concerning LGBTQ inclusion in the church remain with us and grow as we look to more decisions in 2020.
Read Moret happens every year like clockwork. Appointments are made, annual conference ends, and the MOVES begin. This year there will be close to 65 clergy moves as appointments take effect over the summer.
Read MorePREPARATION is the first step in the role of being a Lay Member to Annual Conference. Whether this is your first or 31st time as an Annual Conference member, PREPARATION for the conference gathering is key.
Read MoreThe far-reaching impact of the decisions made at the 2019 Special Session in February has heightened our awareness of the role delegates play in our United Methodist democratic process.
Read MoreWhen we turned the calendar to 2019, last month, there was a reality check for many United Methodists. In United Methodist circles, we have been talking about 2019 for several years now. In anticipation. In dread. In bewilderment. With hope. Now that 2019 is here, we wait, as if we were in Advent, anticipating, marching toward the denominational special session in St. Louis at the end of February wondering who we will be March 1st.
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