In preparation for the postponed 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Communications and the Secretary of the General Conference will co-host an orientation and briefing for delegates to be livestreamed February 29- March 1, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST each day.
The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Kristina Yeatts, Pastor of Elizabeth UMC and Asbury UMC in Smithfield. Anyone can sign up to receive Encouragement emails here.
One of my favorite Bible stories is the story of Mary and Martha found in the Gospel of Luke. I like this story because Jesus’ description of Martha could be a description of each of us: “worried and distracted by many things.”
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
No one needs to tell us that Christmas is a busy season. There are so many things that claim our attention and time. There are presents to be purchased and wrapped, homes to be decorated, worship services to be planned, music to be rehearsed, and food to be prepared. These often are worthwhile, enjoyable, and pleasant activities, as long as we do not lose sight of why we are celebrating and what we celebrate. All our activities and our celebration aim to focus our eyes and hearts on the birth of God’s son, Jesus Christ.
Priorities are what this story is all about. What is important and what is secondary. Martha chooses one way and Mary another. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem when he stops by the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is hard at work preparing for their honored guest. Martha rushes around while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listening. As a result, Martha gets upset and goes to Jesus for support; but Jesus gently rebukes her saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.” (verses 41-42)
“Worry” here means to be torn in two directions; to be pulled apart. That is what happened to Martha. That is what happens to us. What is worrying and distracting you? What needs to be pushed aside, so you can focus only upon the Lord?
Martha’s priorities were mixed up. She missed out on what was important for what was not as important. We do the same as individuals. In this task-oriented culture, we measure everything by busyness–how many meetings we have, how many programs we offer, how many needs are met. All these things may be important, but we make a great mistake when we assume true life in Christ can be measured by such things. True life in Christ is found in the fellowship, friendship, and closeness we share with the one we call Lord and Savior, as Mary did so long ago.
Take Action: Be still, give your full attention to Jesus, and practice the spiritual disciplines.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women
“If the 1950s came back, today, our church would be ready” – Ed Stetzer (2013)
Ed Stetzer made an observation which many of us have found to be a little too true for our local church communities. We are really good at being church for some time period in our past. For your church, it might not be the 1950s, it could be the 1980s, or early 2000s. For some, you may even feel it wasn’t that long ago, and you point to 2019 (pre-pandemic and pre-disaffiliation). If we could simply rewind a few years or a few decades, we would be a thriving church, again.
Institutional scholars observe that mature organizations and institutions, including the church, are actually designed to resist change and preserve the institution. Innovation and change threaten to disrupt the very things institutional systems are designed to maintain.
For many institutions, it is only when a systemic shock is large enough that they become ready for change which they may have resisted for years or even decades.
It is not hard to see where this is going. We have all experienced recent shocks to our systems. Our institutions and churches are being challenged to innovate in otherwise challenging times. Over the past year, some of the churches in the NC Conference have chosen to be Lighthouse Congregations. At first, this was an opportunity to publicly acknowledge a church’s commitment to following Jesus and loving God through continuing in the ways of hospitality, worship, discipleship, mission, sacrament, and pastoral care as practiced in the ways of the United Methodist connection. As committed United Methodist churches, Lighthouse Congregations serve as a beacon of hope to their neighbors, especially those who feel disconnected or displaced due to disaffiliation.
More recently, Lighthouse Congregational leaders have been gathering to share their experiences and innovate together. Since August, pastors and lay leaders have been joining together virtually every month to support one another, dream together, and share best practices of how their local congregations are embracing change to co-create new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ.
This newsletter will share stories of how two of our Lighthouse Congregations are embracing change and experiencing new life in our changing times.
Thank you for your ongoing support and the ways your prayers, financial gifts, and other support make this connection and creativity possible.
The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Eunsoo Kang, Associate Pastor at Wrightsville UMC. Anyone can sign up to receive Encouragement emails here.
November holds a special place in my heart, as it is the month of my birthday. However, last year, my birthday was not a day of joy but rather one steeped in tension and anxiety. I found myself mediating a heated debate among church members seeking disaffiliation in my former church. On a day meant to celebrate my existence and blessings, I felt my very purpose in life being questioned. Feeling discouraged, on the brink of despair, and lacking the strength to walk this calling path, my eyes caught a phrase inscribed on a birthday candle gifted by my cousin:
“For Eunsoo, the strongest person I know.” Me, strong? I doubted it. I felt anything but strong, uncertain about how to face a new day. Yet, in that moment, a scripture verse resonated gently yet powerfully within me.
Read Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (NRSV)
Reflect
In our ministry, we often encounter challenges that can leave us feeling weak and overwhelmed. Ever had one of those moments where you felt like you just didn’t have enough strength, and then, surprisingly, you found this deep, unexpected resilience within you? Think about those times when God’s strength really shines in your life, especially when you’re feeling at your weakest.
Remember, our resilience and strength are not merely products of our abilities; they are a testament to God’s power working within us. God’s strength is not overbearing; it is compassionate, gentle, and imbued with gracious power. On our path of calling, when we stumble and get hurt, God does not rush us to stand and move forward. Instead, God tenderly cares for our wounds, providing support until we are ready to stand firmly again. Our resilience does not stem from our own power but from the enduring strength that God graciously imparts to us. So, if you find yourself stumbling today, it is completely okay. You all are still strong! This is because, in the place where God has called you, God will breathe new life and strength into you.
Take Action
Journaling Exercise: Spend some time writing about a moment when you felt weak but were able to find strength. Reflect on how this strength might have been an embodiment of God’s power and grace in your life.
Community Support: Reach out to a clergy colleague or a member of your community who might be going through a challenging time. Share words of encouragement, much like the message on my birthday candle.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women
“I think it’s an honor for us to have the ability to help perpetuate something that is historic in Spring Hope,” Pete Perniciaro said, describing restoration work he’s directing at Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church on East Branch Street.
On September 19, the Center for Leadership Excellence hosted thirty laity and clergy for a Day of Learning with Daynette Snead Perez. The curriculum, Stranger to Neighbor, was designed to equip congregations to become diverse in a way that honors relationships and true Christian connection. The Stranger to Neighbor activities and the Day of Learning content help UMCs grow to be the open and hospitable churches we claim to be.
At the start of the time together, Daynette invited the group to engage in the ‘five friend challenge,’ asking participants to think of their five closest friends to chart similarities and differences across factors such as race, age, and socio-economic status. Using a scoring tool and charting scores on a number line, a surprising – and yet not surprising – trend emerged. Even among a group that gathered out of a mutual commitment to and desire for diversity, our closest friends are a lot like us.
Throughout the day, participants were encouraged to take concrete steps toward forming more authentic relationships across cultural boundaries and to rethink how we “do church.” As one participant remarked, “I appreciated the guided reflection on where we really are and the hard work needed to be truly more intercultural. I have a better understanding of the steps to take individually and within our ministry areas.”
Knowing that this work is not achievable in one day, the Center for Leadership Excellence is hosting three follow-up coaching conversations with Daynette 30, 60, and 90 days after the event. Intended for accountability, support, and deeper learning, these group coaching sessions are an opportunity for participants to share their challenges and successes as they put their new tools into practice. With the Stranger to Neighbor tools, our churches can build not only our cultural competency but our witness and impact as we seek together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The Center for Leadership Excellence is committed to providing quality opportunities for church leaders to engage and grow. Consider bringing a team from your church for one of our future Days of Learning. On January 30, we are hosting Kenda Creasy Dean for The Good News of Shipwreck: What Does Church Look Like Now?, and on May 21, we are planning a Day of Learning focused on hope and improv with MaryAnn McKibben Dana.
