“What do you think of when you think about stewardship?” This question was posed by Taylor Mills, who helped lead the breakout session ‘Full Life Stewardship’. The answers were varied – time, money, talents, and communications. Four presenters – Taylor Mills, Tyler Williams, LaNella Smith, and Lynn Benson – each led a discussion on the various aspects… Continue Reading→
Community Anti-Racism Intervention Breakout Session
The Rev. Willard Bass of the Institute for Dismantling Racism led the Anti-Racism breakout session. Bass began the workshop by inviting members to introduce themselves and share with the group why they chose to attend the session. Many members expressed a desire to better understand how to break down racial barriers in their home congregations… Continue Reading→
Effective Ministry within God’s Economy of Abundance
Rev. John Edgar, pastor and visionary for Church for All People (Columbus, Ohio), led a breakout session about the “Divine economy of abundance.” Beginning with a “free store” in a marginalized community, the Church for All People has grown into a community development organization and worshiping community that will complete $50 million in housing redevelopment,… Continue Reading→
Courageous Conversations Breakout
Members of the NC Annual Conference joined Scott Hughes of Discipleship Ministries on Friday morning to learn about Courageous Conversations. The Courageous Conversations project is aimed to help us move from skepticism to curiosity and even openness to encounter God’s grace. During the breakout session, Hughes explained the need, tools, and desire that churches should… Continue Reading→
Raising Generous Children Breakout
The breakout session, “Raising Generous Children,” was led by the Mamie Alley and the conference Children’s Ministry team. Teaching generosity to children begins with the example of the “big people,” the membership vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Inviting children to participate in the worship space is a way to teach our children… Continue Reading→
Do You Know My Name? – C4C Breakout Session
“Good morning, Sheanta! What do you have to give thanks for today?” With great enthusiasm she replies, “Miss Elizabeth, I’m graduating from kindergarten today! Will you come?” Miss Elizabeth went to that kindergarten graduation and during the introductions, Sheanta introduced her grandmother and then pointed to Miss Elizabeth and proudly proclaimed, “And this is my… Continue Reading→
Morning Bible Study – The Attitude of Abundance
Friday morning’s Bible Study, led by Dr. John Edgar carried the message of generosity through abundance using the key scripture 2 Corinthians 9.8: “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” Edgar offered the question, “Do… Continue Reading→
Thursday Afternoon Financial Reports
Thursday afternoon was a day of numbers as the conference members heard reports from the various committees in the area of Stewardship. Sheila Ahler, chair of the Conference Council on Finance Administration [CF&A], expressed appreciation for the 91.4% of the apportionments that were paid in 2015. She noted that the NC Conference was one of… Continue Reading→
Thursday Afternoon Business Session
As the strains of “And Are We Yet Alive” swelled in the Greenville Convention Center, the North Carolina Annual Conference began its official work for 2016. The business of doing the work together proceeded quickly as the rules were adopted, with changes made to reflect the shift from a constituency-based Conference Connectional Table to a… Continue Reading→