There is little if anything new under the sun, a saying that’s true about the church and discipleship. We constantly go back to the Church of Acts…
Re-envisioning Congregational Development
What is happening in growing new churches and redeveloping existing churches? A lot! I remember when I went to Annual Conference…
New Lifetree Cafés being planted in Eastern PA
The Eastern PA Conference will soon celebrate the planting of a fourth Lifetree Café, this one by St. John’s UMC Ivyland; and the opening night’s video and discussion will focus on a timely topic: “The Church and Gays: One Pastor’s …
Elim: A new Latino faith community birthed in Coatesville
As it celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, Olivet UMC in Coatesville is once again a cradle welcoming a new birth. A small group gathered there on Monday, May 1, to celebrate the advent of what they hope will be …
Denman Evangelism Award Nominations Sought
When you experience God’s love, you want to share it with everyone! The United Methodist Foundation for Evangelism helps annual conferences annually honor extraordinary clergy, youth, and adult laypersons with the Harry Denman Evangelism Award for sharing with everyone God’s message of love through Jesus …
Network! Network! Network!
Remember the old axiom about the three most important considerations for buying real estate? It’s “Location! Location! Location!” As Coordinator of Congregational Development…
Vital Church Mergers event may lead to rebirth for churches
The Rev. Gordon Hendrickson’s job title at the Eastern PA Conference is Coordinator of Congregational Development. But it might as well be Evangelist of Congregational Development, so ardent is his crusade to spread the gospel of a more excellent way …
Seminar plants vision of ‘Church as a Movement’
“Kingdom Building,” and definitely not “Church Building,” was the theme of Hopewell UMC’s 13th annual Planting Seeds for Ministry Growth seminar, Oct. 22. Church visionary Reggie McNeal taught a packed sanctuary that the Kingdom is “life as God intended it,” …
From near-death to life through ‘Vital Merger’
(Jesus) cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” …
Seasons of Prayer & Praise: Winter 2017
As challenging as 2016 has been, 2017 may prove to be even more so, as we embark on new, unpredictable four-year journeys for both our church and our nation. The United Methodist Council of Bishops’ Commission on the Way Forward …