Dialogue session descriptions
and June 8 schedule
Extended sessions
3:15 to 6 p.m.
Human Sexuality and the Witness of the
Church—moderated by the Rev. Bob Huie.
The issues surrounding our human sexuality and the witness of the church have touched every congregation. In this session, we hope to witness to information, experience and God’s presence. It will begin with a panel discussion titled “Stories of Faith, Stories of Hope in the Midst of Controversy,” arranged by the Rev. Bob Parsons and Expanding the Circle. After a brief presentation and Q & A to panel members, we will have a panel presentation incorporating the following: Dr. Gerald DeSobe, executive director of the Krist Samaritan Center in Houston, speaking on “Psychological Perspectives”; the Rev. James Bankston, senior pastor of St. Paul’s UMC, Houston, speaking “From a Senior Pastor’s Perspective”; the Rev. Robin Lovin, professor of ethics at Southern Methodist University and former Dean of Perkins School of Theology, speaking on “Ethical and Theological Perspectives”; and the Rev. Gina Campbell, Center for Family Process in Chevy Chase, Md., speaking on “Family Values, Sexuality and the Witness of the Church.” There will be a brief Q and A at the end with this panel.
Letting Justice Roll Down—the Rev. Karen
Boehk and a 5-member panel.
Members of the “Amos Commission” and the “Up with Hope, Down with Dope” project will discuss practical ideas from establishing a clinic for the uninsured/underinsured to fighting against the dealing of illegal drugs in the city.
Mission Matters—Board of Global Ministries
Missionary support, United Methodist work in Russia, the growing movement of Volunteers in Mission, efforts toward reconciliation and shalom in our communities—these are topics of vital interest to all congregations and all individual United Methodists. Join members of the Conference Board of Global Ministries to discuss and explore each of these topics in depth….because mission matters.
Repeat Sessions
at 3:15 & 4:45 p.m.
Bioethics at the Beginning of Life—the
Rev. Dr. Amy Hall
Stem cells, cloning and other complex biomedical issues are now a part of everyday ordinary life. How can today’s moral dilemmas be viewed in relation to the beginning of human life?
Medical Ethics—Palliative Medical Care—
Dr. Dan Stultz and Judge Ben Woodard
A part of life is caring for those whose medical and aging conditions are not responsive to curative treatment. Palliative care aims at improving quality of life for patient and family. We will discuss the issues surrounding the medical, legal and spiritual care for patients and caregivers.
Ministry With Poor and Marginalized Persons—
the Rev. John Flowers and the Travis Park UMC Team
It makes no difference if your church is large or small, conservative or liberal in theology or politics, white-collar or blue, urban or rural—ministry with (not “to”) the poor and marginalized provides the best chance to become a full, vibrant and healthy congregation, to seek out and be in community with those whom our society has pushed to the margins. They will actually strengthen your local church, not to mention being much closer to the biblical model of koinonia. We will challenge the notion of church growth through homogeneity. We will dialogue about “Who are the marginalized in and around our local church?” We will learn about personal and congregational transformation through the offering of dignity and respect for all persons in the name of Jesus Christ.
Resources for the Small Membership
Church—the Rev. David King
Discover what resources are available from the General Conference, annual conference and district level to help small churches be more effective in ministry. Join with other leaders from small membership churches in a time of prayer for our churches.
Evangelism Buffet—Rev. Jean Ann Karm
Come feast with us. Let’s celebrate what’s happening in our churches and how we are offering Christ to all.
Council on Children’s Ministries—the Rev. Judi Mayne
This will be an opportunity to dialogue with others in our conference about what works in local church children’s ministries, to raise issues and concerns for our children today, and to discuss ways your conference council can assist you as you minister to children. More of a guided group conversation than a presentation!
How Shall They Hear?
This session, sponsored by the Commission on Communications, is to be a two-way dialogue about two key topics: (1) how we witness to our faith now and (2) what the conference needs to do to empower ministries that help offer Christ to all. We’ll examine our assumptions about what offering Christ means, the role of communication in that process and what the conference should be doing. We’ll briefly discuss what we have done and are doing. We’ll brainstorm about what we could do on the conference, district and local levels. We’ll gather ideas about how we might implement and pay for different ways of communicating and offering Christ.
What’s Your Future . . . Maintenance or Mission?
Nell Martin and Futures Committee
In an attempt to encourage revitalization within congregations, the Futures Committee is providing models of existing service/outreach ministries across the Southwest Texas Conference. These ministries have proved to be an effective method for re-energizing those persons involved as well as entire congregations. By establishing ministries that serve those outside the church, members are discovering new and exciting ways to revitalize what is going on inside the church walls. Come hear some exciting stories and dream of a possible future within your own congregation.
Citizenship and Advocacy Projects for
Congregations—Bee Morehead of Texas Impact
Faithful participation in democracy isn’t about “hot-buttons” or extremism. It’s about recognizing that every person’s voice matters and that making sure every person has the information and skills he/she needs to make his/her voice heard. This will be a dialogue about how individuals and faith communities can get involved in the basics of citizenship. Presented by the Board of Church and Society.
Does Your Soul Stop Learning in the
12th Grade? Adult Ministries Council
This will be an exciting dialogue session on issues of adult ministry in the local church. New and innovative ideas concerning adult Sunday school, small group ministry, energizing adults into ministry, online classes, e-mailing lessons, resources, and more will be some of the topics discussed. Come with questions, ideas and a willingness to share during the dialogue session.
Beyond Worship Wars—the Revs. Linda and
John Elford, Worship Committee
Decisions about worship style trigger strong emotions in us. Why do we respond to various worship practices the way we do? What qualities make worship both meaningful and appropriately Christian?
Listening to One Another: The Church
in a Multicultural World—the Rev.
Georgia Stone, Ilda Vasquez, the Rev. Robert Glenn
This video presentation is of seven churches with radically and culturally diverse congregations working in various ways to encourage and nurture diversity and learning to value the special contributions each culture brings to the church family and the worship experience. There will be an opportunity for congregations to share what they are doing and for others to get ideas for their own use. Other resources will be available. Presented by Commission on Religion and Race.
1 session only—3:15 p.m.
Lending a Helping Hand—Ethnic Local Church
The Ethnic Local Church Committee is available to assist all congregations. We have limited resources that can offer assistance based on your needs. We focus on evangelism outreach, social outreach, facility support and salary support.
Hear Our Cry? Young Adult/Higher
Education and Campus Ministry
About 8 million twentysomethings alive today in the United States were active in church as teenagers but will no longer be active in a church by age 30. EIGHT MILLION! Join us for an engaging “fish bowl” dialogue with discussion groups to explore some of the issues of young adults and the Church. We’ll look at resources for local church ministries to young adults, how to connect with college students and how to encourage young people with the call to vocational ministry. www.grace2live.org.
What Does Faith Have to Do with
the Environment? Bill Carter & the Rev. Tina Carter
We will explore the faith foundations for our own responsibility to the air, water and soil of God’s world. Bill Carter is the project manager for one of the largest composting projects in the United States and the author of The Green Guide to Lawncare, and so in addition to talking theology, we’ll also learn some practical hints about what our churches can do to act as stewards of God’s planet. The Rev. Tina Carter has done extensive theological work on environmental issues and holds a Ph.D. in applied and environmental chemistry. She worked for a decade on some of the most contaminated sites in the United States.
A “SOULfiesta!” Conference
Spiritual Formation Committee
An open forum. Ask any questions about spiritual renewal and transformation in the life of the individual or spiritual revitalization in the life of the local church. Share with others what’s working to spiritually deepen your life and to enrich and broaden your church’s life and ministry. Information about spiritual renewal resources will be available. This session will be of particular interest to SOULfiesta participants.
Starting New Churches—
Lessons Learned and Hopeful Visions
Hear five pastors involved in training for new church planting share the ways new ministries and new churches are being developed and new ways in which we are hoping to prepare team ministries of clergy and laity as we plant new faith communities.
1 session only—4:45 p.m.
Ministry with Older Adults—
Wilma Williams, Evelyn Burleson, Jim Lovett
Why is an Older Adult Ministry Council needed at the conference level? This will be a discussion of the role of the annual conference and the local church in Older Adult Ministries. A video, New Beginnings, the Gifts of Aging, will be shown.
Beginning and Energizing Local Church
Youth Ministry—the Revs. Rusty Freeman and Ryan Barnett
This short course on effective tools for beginning and energizing local church youth ministry will provide conference resources available to local youth groups. The second half of the session will feature a dialogue between youths, youth ministry professionals and youth ministry volunteers. The conversation will encourage and equip youth leaders and problem solve common obstacles to successful youth ministry.
Family Ministries in the
Local Church—Nancy McDougall
This workshop will share resources that will help to create family-friendly church atmospheres, help families identify their unique mission as part of the household of God, enrich family life so that families are safe, caring, healing places, and strengthen the commitment to marriage, as well as honor those who are single. Come learn how you can help families in your congregation become centers of faith formation as they lead others to Christ.
Becoming a Better Witness in “Offering Christ to All”—Christian Formation Committee
The questions to be addressed include: What does “Becoming a Better Witness in ‘Offering Christ to All" mean to us? What role does Christian education play in helping us become better witnesses in Offering Christ to all? How has Christian education in the local church helped or hindered making us better witnesses? What more does Christian education in the local church need to do to produce better witnesses in Offering Christ to all?
Revitalization Efforts—New Visions and New Ministries Just for You!
Transforming existing congregations is an important part of the efforts of the New Church Development Commission and the work of the director of congregational growth. While the Commission on Small Congregations and the Commission on Ethnic Minority Churches have a role, our commission will share efforts of our director in congregational consulting. We will also share the exciting work in the McAllen District to involve all the churches in revitalization.
