The Rev. Gordon Hendrickson has found a new, willing and able partner in his crusade to get more lay people to: 1) pray one-on-one with others; 2) anoint others with oil; 3) serve Communion wherever and whenever people need it; …
Laity learn to share gift of Holy Spirit through sacraments
Ironically, while two groups in the Eastern PA Conference were considering The United Methodist Church’s future—and the work of its Way Forward Commission—on Jan. 27, another group was trying to recover some of its past—namely, sacramental practices of early Methodists …
Four Stations of the Holy Spirit begin with prayer
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,” …