| July 23, 2010
Volume 157, Number 12
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| Mission trip turns into Disaster Response
FUMC Houston brings help to flood victims in Mexico while in Del Rio
 Many groups came together to help flood victims in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico the week of July 5th 2010, including FUMC Houston with a trailer in the background, and Crossroads Ministry which took a load of bananas across the border.
Director of Communications
Mission teams from First United Methodist Church Houston have been coming to stay and do mission work in Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico for the past ten years. The mission teams from FUMC Houston stay at FUMC Del Rio while working on local houses in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. For the last two years however because of border concerns, they have worked on homes in Del Rio. This year when the mission team arrived on Monday July 5th, they were greeted with the rising waters from the Rio Grande. Rev. Steve Wende, senior pastor at FUMC Houston, who was a part of the mission team, said they wanted to do something to help “It is paradoxical, but one of the biggest needs during a flood is potable water. Water is everywhere, but not fit for drinking.” Rev. Wende put a call back to FUMC Houston with a request for help. Within a day, a truck filled with water and food was on the way to Del Rio. The assistance was not limited to just FUMC Houston, FUMC Del Rio and Principe de Paz UMC, it became an ecumenical effort; with the help of First Baptist church of Del Rio, Christian Alliance for Humanitarian Aid Incorporated and Crossroads Ministry, they unloaded the trucks and trailers and transported the supplies over the border to people in immediate need. Rev. Wende was impressed by the quick response by all involved, “So, it was a joy to help get a truck load of supplies to the people of Acuna. The real inspiration, though, was the way Christians from all backgrounds and of all ages and from both sides of the border worked together to make it happen. It was a witness to the community and a blessing to the heart of every person involved. There is nothing like the privilege of getting to make a difference for Christ!”
 Water from Houston First Methodist is being loaded on to a van from El Buen Pastor from Acuna, Mexico in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church of Del Rio. Pictured are Conice Boenicke (Youth Director), youth Matt Campbell, Richard Green and Bryan Staffen and Pastor Tim Brewer.
Newly appointed to FUMC Del Rio, Rev. Tim Brewer said that the experience has helped him get a jump start on meeting people in the area “It’s a great way to start a new ministry. It’s a great way to get to know all the people in your community on both sides of the border. That’s especially true since I’ve just been here in Del Rio one month.”
The needs are still great across the border and the mission work continues. For more information contact Rev. Tim Brewer at FUMC Del Rio (830) 775-1541 or fumc-pastor@biztx.rr.com
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| Christian Educators Tend Congregations’ “Petri Dishes”
Someone’s been asking questions on a national level about whether it makes a difference to a congregation’s ministry of making disciples if there is someone on staff who focuses on Christian education. How do you know/how can you tell?
The answer is a resounding YES! It very definitely makes a difference. The congregation’s culture of growth is impacted by the continuity, consistency, and follow-through of a Christian educator. This is someone who keeps the big picture in view while helping make sure all the pieces hold together.
One significant clue (how can you tell?) is the level of chaos, haphazardness, lack of coordination or planning experienced when no one person is “at the helm.” Even when the church has a team of talented and dedicated volunteers, there is not the same level of focus and cohesion.
 Darla Williams, Helen Hanna (foreground Left and Right) and PCE participants having fun in a Bible learning activity.
Photos from recent PCE sessions reveal this culture and indicate the valuable & lasting connection established among participants.
The (PCE) School is a three-year, quality education experience for local church Christian education personnel, volunteer and salaried. Parish Christian Educator School is sponsored by the SWTC Board of Discipleship’s Christian Education & Formation Committee. Over the three years, each January & June, six courses are taught by faculty from SWTX Conference and General Board of Discipleship, Nashville. Although PCE School is not an accredited degree program from which one “graduates,” persons who complete all six sessions are commissioned through the SWTX Leadership Development Office. The PCE School is a leadership development model that’s been successfully replicated by other annual conferences across United Methodism.
The six courses are: Christian Education Theory, The Bible and Christian Education, Administration of Christian Education Programs, Doctrine and Theology, Worship, and Faith Development. January 2011’s course will be CE & Worship led by the Rev. John Wright. For more info, contact PCE Dean Chrys Baier cbaier@ucumctx.org, or Rev. Carole Lahti dlahti@sbcglobal.net or log on to www.umcswtx.org/christian-formation-education.html.
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| Emergency Appeal from Bishop James E. Dorff
On behalf of Bishop Raul Garcia de Ochoa re: flooding in Eastern Conference Methodist Church of Mexico including the Rio Grande Valley. This is an emergency request for assistance. Items are needed immediately. The last collection date will be Tuesday, July 27. Another appeal may be necessary in order to meet the needs on the U.S. side of the border.
Cash gifts are most urgently needed and should be given through the SWTX Conference Disaster Response – Conference Advance #2050. Please designate “Mexico Disaster Response” on the memo line with the Advance #.
SPECIFIC items requested:
Water (bottles)
Beans (2 lb bags)
Rice (2 lb bags)
Cereal (Varieties of Cheerios/Chex)
Canned Goods (Tuna/Corn/Tomatoes)
Fideo (pasta)
Disposable Diapers
IMPORTANT NOTE: Expiration date on any item must not be less than 3 months, preferably 6 months.
No clothes, PLEASE.
Drop points for items in each District:
Kerrville District: First UMC, Johnson City
Contact Person: George Barnette – george@bnpr.com
Corpus Christi District: Corpus Christi District Office
Contact Persons: John Alsbrooks – j.alsbrooks@att.net
Mickey Viar - mviarwelder@gmail.com
San Angelo District: First UMC, Del Rio or First UMC, San Angelo
Contact Persons: Cheri Brewster – cheri@firstmethodist.net
Sherrie Walker – sherrie@firstmethodist.net
San Antonio District: SWTX Conference Office
Contact Person: Tom Warner – twarner1@earthlink.net
Austin District: Austin District Office
Contact Person: Emmett Eary - emmett.eary@sbcglobal.net
McAllen District: First UMC, Laredo and First UMC, McAllen
Contact Person: Susan Hellums – shellums@mcfirst.com
Victoria District: First UMC, Victoria
Contact Person: Ron Langford – brlangfor@aol.com
Items will be transported to Mexico and given through the Methodist Church of Mexico to those in need. Many families along the border have been evacuated from their homes and communities but in other areas such as Monterrey there has been major flooding and deaths that have occurred, as well.
Any questions, please contact Susan Hellums, Border Area Mission Coordinator
(956) 648-8509 or shellums@mcfirst.com
THANK YOU!
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| Disaster Response needs flood buckets to aid in clean up
Southwest Texas Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Eugene Hileman took the last of the conference’s supply of flood buckets to Del Rio and Laredo the weekend of July 17th & 18th. There is still quite a bit of flooding and the water has just started to receed so that flood buckets can be used. Flood buckets are five gallon buckets filled with cleaning supplies. They are distributed to families to assist them as they clean their home following a flood. Individuals and churches are encouraged to assemble flood buckets and contact Eugene Hileman when you have them ready (210) 557-8698 or aehileman@umcswtx.org
Here is a complete list of what goes into each flood bucket and instructions for assembly:
• 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
• Bleach (two 1-quart or one 82 oz. bottle
• 5 scouring pads
• 7 Sponges
• 1 scrub brush
• 18 cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
• Liquid laundry detergent (two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottle)
• 1 household cleaner, 12-16 oz. bottle
• Disinfectant dish soap, 16-28 oz. bottle
• 50 clothes pins
• Clothes line (two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.)
• 5 dust masks
• 2 pair latex gloves
• 1 pair work gloves
• 24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon
(remove roll from box before placing in bucket)
• 1 Insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. can
(If aerosol, cans must have protective caps. See Special Requirements below.)
• 1 Air freshener, 8 or 9 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps.
Note: if the requested item size is not available, go down to the next available size.
If nothing is available in the requested or smaller size, put masking tape on the outside of the bucket saying, “This bucket contains no _________”
Important Kit Assembly Information
• All items included in kits must be NEW items.
• All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items-nothing more.
• Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits.
These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment. All cleaning agents must be liquid and in plastic bottles. No powders. Pack them inside a bucket or strong outer box.
You can view an insturctional video on how to make a flood bucket on the conference website at www.umcswtx.org/clean-up-kits.html
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| Communications welcomes newest staff member
We are very pleased to announce the birth of Hosea Jude Toalson, son to Managing Editor of the Witness, Rachel Toalson.
Hose was born July 8, 2010 weighing in at 7 lbs 6 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.
Hosea joins his brothers Jaden and Asa with father Ben. Everybody’s healthy and recovering well.
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| Corpus Christi District news
July 11, will always be a special day for me. On that day, Bishop James Dorff came to First UMC to celebrate my appointment as district superintendent. The Reverend Greg Hackett, his staff, and congregation, several choir members from across the district, musicians, brother and sister clergy from the district (and some from other districts!), and family members made the day very special. Bishop Dorff spoke very kindly about my appointment and the confidence he has in me for being a Cabinet member and extension of his office. I in turn, thanked him for his confidence and especially for his vision of having a Culture of Growth in our annual conference. I shared in my sermon how his vision resonated with that of Bishop Scott Jones, who spoke at the welcome to Bishops Week in Mount Sequoyah with a word about his vision that God is about to do a great thing in the life of the people called United Methodists. Though he was chided by one of his close friends for saying that, I heard and received that. And that formed the core of my sermon. I shared three things I know will be the building blocks on which God can build. The first I shared with all church families. The number one for all church people to do is to believe in the power of prayer. Prayer is a gift, but it is not a given. I am guilty as are many, of taking prayer for granted. God desires to hear our prayers and to be blessed by the words that form a good relationship. I heard a UM bishop share how she wished her annual conference pastors would spend at least five minutes in prayer. What a sad indictment on the pastoral ranks if they’re known for not even praying five minutes a day. I shared how a study leave that I took some years ago revealed that at the time, the fastest growing churches in our denomination were those churches who took seriously the ministry of prayer and asked God to bless them. All three churches that I visited had dedicated rooms for prayer and a dedicated team of prayer that would serve and support the church with their prayers.The first church I visited had twelve prayer stations that asked each member of the prayer team to pray at least five minutes at each. At the end of the prayer time, the team member would have spent one hour in prayer, not to mention answering the question, “How can I possibly pray for an hour? I don’t know what to say?” If we would but pray daily for our churches and how God could best use us, we would see an almost immediate blessing to the work that God would have us do. The second thing I shared with my church pastors and those who preach in our churches and that is to have passion in the pulpit. Those who know and love Jesus give passionate sermons about how Christ has changed and blessed them and how he can do the same for our churches. It’s interesting to note that many of original church ideas and practices have been “borrowed” by the secular business world. For example, the NY Times of July 11th had an article about Dan Rosensweig, the CEO of Chegg, an online book textbook rental service, who is quoted as saying, “One of the blessings I’ve had is working with founders of companies, whether it was Ziff-Davis or Yahoo. What I love about that culture is the energy, enthusiasm and unbridled passion for what’s possible, as opposed to spending a whole lot of time trying to figure out the obstacles.” That applies to the church as well. We are the people of God, who made all things, and who will have the last word in all things, including the future of God’s church. As we stand in our pulpits let that energy, enthusiasm, and unbridled passion be ours. Let our preaching reflect that! And the third thing I shared with all church members and friends of our churches and that is to have a sense of purpose in the pew. I believe that God would have us put away the old attitudes towards worship, especially the selfish and self-centered priorities we put on all things and begin to be those who seek a purpose by praying for our pastors, loving our pastors, praying and loving our pastoral families and being open to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit in our midst. One district superintendent at Bishops Week in a small group I was in, asked, “How can we be asked to make disciples when we don’t know what they look like?” I was very tempted to ask, “Does your bathroom not have a mirror?” Do the examples of the old Holy Club from Oxford not have a mirrored image which we can copy of those whose methodical way of serving God caused them to be called United Methodist? How can we not believe that Jesus was serious with his words about our caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the prisoner and the stranger? With that we will begin to see the beginnings of this great thing that God is about to do in the people called United Methodists!
District happenings
Linda Morrow
Ministries Director
Are we getting ready for the Great Things that God is preparing to do through us as United Methodists? Following the Installation of our new District Superintendant, Rev. Eradio Valverde, Jr. and his words on Creating a Culture of Growth, I began considering this question. Quietly considering this question I began to see that we like the first disciples must continually seek to live and learn the ways of our master. There is a true difference between followers of Christ and disciples of Christ. Followers just tag along, but disciples listen, learn, and are actively involved actually representing Christ in the world in every area of their lives. The early disciples walked daily with Jesus learning his ways, experiencing his love, and finding out how to minister and become leaders.
I believe that we like the early disciples need to walk with Jesus, speak to Him, experience His love, and be trained to live as faithful disciples.
The Leadership Development Team has been praying and asking God to help us see how to help our churches train, encourage, and develop disciples who will serve in leadership in the churches throughout the district. The team is seeking a long term plan and is putting together both Spiritual and Educational events for the upcoming year.
You may want to mark your calendar for these opportunities:
Lay Speaker Training – September 25 at First UMC, Portland 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (both Basic and Advance) – go to the website for registration www.ccdistrictumc.org
Spiritual Retreat – October 1&2 at Mustang Island Retreat Center
Registration also on Website.
We invite you to pray with us and to help us understand what may be helpful for you and your church. You may email me at ccprogram@bizstx.rr.com with what you discern.
Finally I pray that each of us will be open to the Holy Spirit and join in God’s work, for I believe that the Great things are already beginning. Let us keep our eyes open, and let us lean into where God leads.
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| Kerrville District news
What Vision of Worship Moves You?
Robert Molder,
Kerrville District Lay Leader
Vital worship is part of the flow of people gathering to celebrate the good news and then scattering to live the good news in everyday relationships. When worship is not vital, that flow becomes constricted like a plugged pipe. When music is lifeless or preaching is irrelevant to people’s yearnings and struggles, the risen Christ seems less with us. When baptism and Communion are mere ceremonies instead of powerful moments of connection with the living Lord and with one another, worship wilts.
You may be wondering, “Is lively, flowing worship about hand clapping and shouting “Alleluia’? is it stained glass, silence, and pipe organs?” The style and technologies used can be varied, depending on the setting. The basic structure of worship (gathering, Word, Communion and sending forth – see the Hymnal p. 2) accommodates our human diversity. As you lead in the search for vital worship in your setting, you will discover the uniqueness of how your congregation tells and celebrates the Christian story.
Lord, I believe, but gloomy fears
Sometimes will cloud my sight;
I look to You with prayers and tears,
And cry for strength and light. – Wreford
Faith is God’s antidote for fear.
Welcome New District Clergy!
We would like to say “Welcome” to the new clergy who are joining the Kerrville District family:
Bill Henderson – Kerrville District Office
Ken Dahlberg – Bandera UMC
Lynne Lockett – Castroville: Medina Valley UMC
Danielle Knapp – Fredericksburg UMC, Associate
Bob Allen – FUMC Kerrville
Clifton Stringer – Lakehills UMC
Jeana Martin – FUMC Marble Falls, Associate
Leighanne Brechin – FUMC Sabinal
Debby Lake – FUMC San Saba
Camp Scholarship
There are still several scholarships available for Junior/Senior High Camps. Please contact the District Office if you have a youth who is in need for assistance.
District Committee on Ordained Ministry
The Kerrville DCOM will meet on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at FUMC Kerrville. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM and is expected to conclude by 1:30 PM. If you have any questions please contact Rev. George Lumpkin, Chair – 512-556-5513.
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| District happenings
Devine UMC
Fourteen members of the SEW-SEW circle of the UMW of Devine Methodist Church took on a Mission Project in January to make forty quilts for “Casa Hogar Vision Little De Amor” orphanage in Cuidad Acuna Mexico. These quilts were finished in June. They were blessed at our worship service June 27 by our pastor Mark Brechin and some of our VBS children. Director Irma Juarez and husband Delfino with interpreter Mary Pina were present to receive them and take them back to the orphanage. These quilts represent over 2000 hours of work (selecting material, cutting, ironing, sewing, and quilting) done out of love for these little children of God. During our VBS June 21-25, the children participated in praying for the children who will use these quilts this winter. Members of the group who worked on these quilts are:
Billie Pfeiffer, Linda Cole, Marsha Stroud, Loraine Hagland, Kristy Brand, Sue Bates, Linda Wells, June Steiner, Phylllis Redus, Bernice Wiemers, Ina Stansell, Jim & Margie Hall, and Gladys Spielman.
UMM Fish Fry
The UMM of Mills county, San Saba county, and Lampasas county gathered on June 11, with their friends and family. We fried a great deal of fish and ate a lot of fish. We had about 130 or so people in attendance. We had a great time, and initiated our newest pastor to the Tri-county area (Debbie Lake in San Saba) to the UMM tri-county tradition.
The money we raised goes into the Bend UMCs youth fund, which supports local youth activities and organizations, and also our sponsored child, through Compassion International. His name is Parrison Baptiste, and he lives in Haiti. After the earthquake, it took some time, but he was found.
Bend Revival
They will gather together under the tabernacle by the river for the 152nd time. The Rev. Charlie Parker will be the evangelist, and we expect a revival. Beth Williams of Mason will provide music for us. Beginning on the evening of August 12, we will gather at the tabernacle for a service of the Word. On the morning of August 15th, we will gather at the tabernacle at 11 am for a service of the Word, followed immediately by a wonderful dinner on the grounds. Everyone is welcome each night, every night, or as many times as they can make it. For more information, I can be reached via email (pastorcelia@gmail.com) or by phone (512-564-0686).
Lakehills UMC
Wesley Nurse, Kathy Bates will host a “Celebrate Your Life” program July 26th from 6 - 8 pm in the fellowship hall. This program will provide information on nutritional, cultural foods with a focus on diabetes. This, like all Wesley Nurse programs is free to all in the community. For more information, you can call Kathy at 830-751-2121.
San Angelo District news
The heart of Revival, are you willing?
I am very blessed to be in this place in this time. God has us in the middle of revival. I have heard about it but never experienced it in a church until now. Revival comes when a group of God’s people humble themselves, repent and open themselves to doing the will of God. Revival is not easy because it tosses us out of our comfort zones and reminds us that we aren’t in control, God is. The beauty of revival is that when our hearts are opened to God in faith and we trust God with our lives, those things don’t matter anymore.
Spiritual revival is reflected in the world in several ways. One is the joy in the hearts of the people. The burdens of life are lightened because Jesus is helping us carry them. We were never meant to carry them alone. Another way we see revival is that God’s people begin doing tangible things for the Kingdom, like starting new ministries or creating new spaces for ministry to be done. Those all come from hearts that have been stirred by the Holy Spirit. To work with the Holy Spirit in prolonging this revival we have to do three things.
The first thing we need to do is stay in an attitude of prayer. A humble prayer is never about me. It is always about God. Asking God to show us his will with the intent of doing his will is praying humbly. Asking God to remove barriers that are holding the church back from being all that it can be is praying humbly. When we humble ourselves, revival begins.
The second thing we need to do to stay in revival is continue to focus on God things. In revival it isn’t about what I want or what we want. It is about what God wants. As we seek God’s Kingdom and not our own our hearts bow to the authority of God. We recognize God’s provisions for our lives and trust him more and more. In the trusting comes continued revival.
Finally, revival is all about God moving our hearts in God’s timing. All we are asked to do is wait. Waiting isn’t easy because we have worked so hard at getting everything instantly. My daughter and son-in-law spoke by satellite almost every day he was in Iraq. They didn’t have to wait for the letter to make its way to the other. Cell phones: instant communication. Microwaves: instant meals. TV: instant entertainment. And the list goes on . . . When we have to wait on the repairman our strength is not renewed. When we wait on a package to arrive, we don’t feel stronger. When we are waiting for a big event to happen, we don’t feel energized. It is no wonder we don’t want to wait upon the Lord. But when we do wait upon the Lord in devotionals, Bible studies and prayer we come away from those waiting periods refreshed and renewed. When we allow God to work in his time and not ours, we can enjoy the days before God brings about His will. In the waiting comes a strengthening of revival.
One caution. Don’t get so wrapped up in the activities and events that revival causes that you loose sight of the Spirit that brings revival. Let’s continue to focus on the Spirit of God in each and every one of us and see what other things God is getting ready to do through us.
District happenings
In June 2008, the First UMC, Eldorado began a summer-long Vacation Bible School program. Jerre Holley, our Worship Chairperson recognized a need to give children of our church and the community an activity that lasted more than the traditional one or two week VBS program. It was named Wonderful Wednesday. The children went on a Journey Back to Faith with Prince Caspian, part of the Narnia Series. There was an average of 14 children participating for one hour with songs, crafts and snacks each week.
This program was met with such success that it was decided to expand it in 2009 to include the whole community of Eldorado. Once again our Worship Committee stepped up and decided to offer a free lunch instead of only a snack. Also they extended the time to 2 hours. This required a team to prepare the hot lunch each week and many more adult and teen volunteers. Trish Rowe was the Director of the program and it focused on unusual or different kinds of Bible Stories. The children learned about animals in the Bible; the ark that didn’t float; miracles of the Bible; and, even a story about a wrestler in the Bible. They also played games. About 80 different children attended with an average of 40 each week. At the close of summer, there was a Celebration with parents and neighbors invited and a lunch provided for all. The children sang the songs and recited bible verses they had learned each week. They were also invited to attend Church the next Sunday to perform their songs for the congregation. They were each awarded with a certificate and a stuffed animal to keep as a memento of their summer.
When planning began for the summer of 2010, the program was expanded again. Each week the children of Eldorado are coming for a program lasting 2½ hours, participating in worship, singing, games, crafts, and a video presentation. The theme for this year is Route 254. This curriculum is based on Psalm 25:4 “Show me your ways O Lord; teach me your paths.” The children are taking an imaginary Road Trip across the United States, learning about eight different cities, from Washington, DC to Knott’s Berry Farm and everything in between. They are discovering places that Jesus is leading them, like: worship, thankfulness, love, praise, belief and obedience. They are also recognizing choices are offered to them in life. So far it is a huge success and the town of Eldorado is enjoying a summer long program of fun.
When asked about the successfulness of the program, Trish Rowe recalled an instance when all the hard work and time required to put together a summer-long program like this was “paid in full”. She substitutes in the Middle School during the school year and in December last year, a very timid young lady came to her and said, “I know you! You were at Wonderful Wednesday last summer!” Trish responded, “Yes, I remember you too. You got an award for learning a Memory Verse!” The little girl ran off to her locker, and brought out that ribboned medal she had received the summer before. She had been keeping it in her locker as a prized possession since school had begun in August. Giving a child something to be proud of and sharing the Word…That’s what it’s all about!
McAllen District news
A Seed of Faith
How much faith does it take to be saved? Just believing that God exists is not faith. Even the demons know God is real, but they do not believe in Him. They do not follow Him. The word faith connotes a relationship of trust. If some tells you that they believe in you they are expressing more than your existence. They trust you. They have faith in you. Is this your faith in God?
So how much faith do you need? Well all you can acquire I believe is the correct answer. I want to totally believe and trust in God, but I have my times of doubts and can be as Jesus said, “O ye of little faith.” Even though we should strive for great faith I do believe we can start with a little faith about the size of a mustard seed. Jesus compares the faith of a mustard seed to the Kingdom of Heaven in Mark 4:30-32. Faith is like a seed and when it is planted in the heart and mind of a person it has the potential to grow into a mighty tree.
For a seed to grow and take root it must have the correct amount of sunlight, water and food. For our faith to grow we need exposure to the Son, the showers of prayers, and the nutrients of the Word. Faith the size of a mustard seed is were it can all begin. Jesus did not say a seed the size of an avocado but the smallest of seeds. Mustard seeds in the Middle East are the size of one speck of pepper and yet it grows into one of the hardiest trees.
If you have a little faith do not be ashamed, but nurture it and allow your faith to grow. Allow your relationship to God to mean more than His mere existence, but trust in Him and Follow Him.
Call to Action Research Indicates Opportunities and Challenges
Nashville, Tenn.: The Call to Action Steering Team has released the findings of independent research commissioned by the committee regarding congregational vitality and an operational assessment of the connectional church, and invites others to review the research and provide comments and ideas.
The steering team reviewed the two reports at their June meeting, and will be further examining the implications of the data as they work toward formulating recommendations to be presented to the Council of Bishops and Connectional Table in November. “We will be using that information to fashion and forward recommendations about how The United Methodist Church should organize, the role of its leaders, and the kinds of processes we should use to fulfill our mission,” said Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, steering team chair. Comprehensive research was conducted on data from various sources in order to gain information about the factors that lead to congregations being more vital as evidenced by attendance, growth and engagement. The process included interviews with stakeholders across The United Methodist Church, group meetings, and surveys targeted at different stakeholder groups. In addition, data on attendance, growth, and engagement from over 32,000 churches in North America was analyzed.
The highly reliable statistical findings indicate that high vitality churches come in all sizes, ethnic representations, church settings, and geographies, but they consistently share some common factors that work together to influence congregational vitality. Dynamic churches tend to have inspirational preaching, lots of small groups and programs including programs for children and youth, and a mix of both traditional and contemporary worship services including contemporary music and multi-media in contemporary services. Other factors include effective lay leaders, rotating lay leadership, more topical preaching in traditional services, pastors who work at developing and mentoring lay leaders, and length of pastoral appointment.
An essential finding of the research was that it’s the combination of factors that contribute to vitality, rather than any one or two. “The most exciting thing about these findings is that they show that what is working for these churches can work for many churches, and we can deliver resources and support that lead to vitality for many more congregations,” said Bishop Palmer.
The four key drivers of vitality indicators were consistent regardless of church size, predominant ethnicity, and jurisdiction. However, in addition to these vitality indicators, some nuances by church size and jurisdiction were noted. For large churches, being representative of the community and having pastors who spend more time on preaching, planning and leading worship had a strong relationship with vitality. In the South Central and Southeast jurisdictions, the length of tenure of the clergy as pastors had a relationship with vitality, while in the Northeast, pastors spending more time on personal devotion and worship had a strong relationship. In the Western jurisdiction, churches that are representative of the community and have pastor that leads in the context of the community have a higher association with vitality.
The second body of research was a system-wide operational assessment of the connectional church which looked at how the denomination is currently using people, money and processes at the district, annual conference and general church levels.
The report concludes that the church is “confronting a ‘creeping crisis of relevancy’ of both internal and external origin” and “although the crisis is being influenced by financial duress, it is not foremost a financial crisis.” The study indicated some key areas where improvement is needed including:
• More clarity and understanding about the denomination’s mission, culture and values
• Less perceived organizational “distance” between and among the foundational units of the church
• Better defined leadership roles, responsibilities, and accountability; and improvements in trust
• More standardized management processes and reporting systems
• Utilizing opportunities for improved affordability and effectiveness
“It’s important that we align our culture, structures and processes in ways that support vitality in congregations,” said Palmer. “The findings confirmed that there are key areas that need improvement. The steering team and many others share a commitment to address these elements as we enter the next phases of our work.” Both of the full reports are available for review at www.umc.org/ctaresearch, and readers can share observations and suggestions through the website.
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