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 …
Pathways to Transformation: Creating Wholeness and Fruitfulness
The church as a living, dynamic spiritual body is constantly evolving and seeking to adapt to the changing needs of its members and society. Recent upheavals in our world have accelerated changes in our churches that were already underway, thrusting …
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 …
EPA’s North-West Region plans 2024 Korea pilgrimage
The Eastern PA Conference’s North-West Region will explore Korean Methodism’s roots during a 10-day pilgrimage to Incheon and Seoul, South Korea, June 17-27, 2024. The Rev. Hun Ju Lee, North District Superintendent, is inviting clergy, laity and youth members on …
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 …
Reclaim, Revive, Renew: Korean United Methodists meet in Chicago
Chicago, IL – Nestled between the historic walls of the First Korean UMC of Chicago and the modern facilities of the Crowne Plaza Chicago Northbrook, the power of unity and a shared vision echoed. Approximately 300 Korean American United Methodist …
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 …
All the World Needs Our Witness: Celebrating Laity Sunday with Children
Celebrating Laity Sunday 2023 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” —Matthew 19:14 My husband and I have a small handful of parenting …
All youth invited to Latino Commission’s Youth Force event, Nov. 11
EPA’s Latino Commission invites all youth to its bilingual Unleashed! Youth Force event on Saturday, November 11, at 2 to 8 p.m., hosted by Casa del Pueblo at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Warrington. “Come meet new young people, …
Color of Compromise book study to explore church’s ‘complicity in racism’
Some Eastern PA Conference members and others, perhaps from Greater New Jersey and elsewhere, will embark this month on a challenging literary expedition through Jemar Tisby’s acclaimed 2019 book The Color of Compromise: The Truth About American Church’s Complicity in …