If nothing seems to change in your congregation despite your best efforts and great strategies, chances are a “stay-the-course” mentality or an unhealthy culture is to blame. While usually taken for granted and often misunderstood, the culture of a local …
The Secret to Thankfulness
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” —Philippians 4:11-12 As Thanksgiving approaches each year, it can be hard to feel thankful if we don’t have an abundance of positive things occurring in our life. …
EPA, seminaries explore cultivating a Culture of Call
The number of young elders in The United Methodist Church reached a record low number in 2023, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary, reported in October. (The center also published in May, “Who will be God’s …
Entre Nos: Hispanic clergy gather to focus on fellowship, wellbeing, ministry
Hispanic/Latino clergy of The United Methodist Church met to explore facets of their wellbeing in life and ministry together, October 30 to November 1, in Phoenix, Arizona. EPA&GNJ clergy attended the national gathering, titled “Entre Nos” (Among Us) and coordinated …
2024 EPA Local Pastor Licensing School dates and dean announced
Local Pastor Licensing School registration will be from December 1 to January 15.Click here to register. Eastern PA’s fully online 2024 Local Pastor Licensing School will begin in February, led by its new Dean, the Rev. John Bletsch. Registration will …
Learning poignant lessons of Native American culture, history
Drew seminary student connects with Native American Ministries In the summer of 2022, Drew Theological School led students on a trip to the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. I had just completed my first year as a Masters of Divinity …
Breakthrough creative worship resources impact churches near and far
Breakthrough, the increasingly popular worship resource, is breaking through our over-reliance on ordinary worship themes and patterns, as many churches now enjoy its extraordinary approaches to preaching, teaching, learning and celebrating our faith. The easy-to-use, time-saving worship resources include liturgies, sermon …
Vision + Teamwork = Success
“Be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” (I Corinthians 1:10b NRSV) A compelling vision, paired with a competent and committed team, can accomplish extraordinary feats of mission. The president of my graduate school alma mater recently shared …
Clergy find soul-care at ‘Reset’ spiritual retreat
Over 70 clergy serving in the Eastern PA Conference—including several from Greater New Jersey—found much-needed soul-support during a free, daylong retreat for spiritual renewal Sept. 20, at the Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Chester County. The monastery was an ideal setting—both …
$1.2 Million Grant to The United Methodists of EPA&GNJ
News Release: $1.2 Million Grant to The United Methodists of Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New JerseyThe United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey (GNJ) has received a grant $1,249,980 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to further develop the Leadership Academy through a …