Follow Jesus. Lead the church. Change the world.
United Methodists in Central Pennsylvania will gather June 6-9 for Annual Conference 2007. Our Conference publication, The Link, just published a preview of this year’s Annual Conference (which will have the theme, “Leap of Faith”): Not Your Grandparents’ Annual Conference. Annual Conference will take place at Messiah College in Grantham, PA. We’re looking forward to … Read more
We attended a workshop in our district today on “Organizing for Mission and Ministry.” The 6-hour event was led by Betsey Heavner and Carol Krau, staff persons at the UMC’s General Board of Discipleship. The purpose of the event was to suggest ways that churches might structure themselves more effectively for mission. Churches, especially smaller … Read more
On Monday, our district had its annual "day apart with the Bishop." Bishop Jane Allen Middleton talked about the recent results of a leadership tool that all the pastors in the conference completed last fall (including five "observers" for each of us, three people from our congregations, a colleague, and our district superintendent). I may … Read more
We spent Friday evening and most of the day Saturday at the Renovare conference in Camp Hill, PA. Renovare is the ministry of Richard Foster, best known for his book, Celebration of Discipline, which we both were required to read in seminary in the early 1990s. The word "renovare" comes from the Latin translation of … Read more
Earlier tonight, Joleen and I attended the “How Great is Our God” tour concert at the Bryce Jordan Center on the Penn State campus in State College, PA. Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman (worship leaders) and guest speaker, Louie Giglio, offered an amazing 3-hour worship experience! I enjoy Tomlin and Redman’s worship music, and Louie … Read more
Each year the Conference Council on Youth Ministries sponsors a weekend retreat for youth. This year’s theme was Prayer: The Best Wireless Plan. The two main speakers for the event were Stephen Handy and Quay Hanna. Quay shared of the story of how when he went to college he changed to fit the mold of … Read more