Blogs

Wisdom from Robin Lindsey on Contemporaneous Worship Services

By: Phil Schroeder on 11/17/2009
 A forum on Contemporaneous Worship as held at Northside UMC. Robin kicked off the conversation with these ideas.

A Vision for Existing Church Development

By: Phil Schroeder on 11/14/2009
Twenty six years ago, the conference decided Gwinnett needed a new church. The Lawrenceville-Suwanee area was chosen. McKendree had just had its 100th anniversary. They had never had more than 50 in worship, usually averaged in the 30’s. The pastors were usually students at Candler who came up on Sunday (no parsonage), they were on a circuit.
McKendree’s leadership said “Why can’t we be the new church?” The conference pointed out their size and rural mindset. Eventually, Mckendree prevailed. On their last Sunday. the Conference sent them Dan Brown, their first full time pastor. They formed a circle after church.

Some lay person said, if we’re going to grow, we need to enlarge our circle and let the new people be the leaders. 
I think the symbol for church growth is a circle with dotted lines where new leaders can be inserted. 

Ed Wadsworth

Pastoral Leadership in Stewardship

By: Phil Schroeder on 11/13/2009

Pastoral Leadership in Stewardship, 
article by Bishop William Willimon 
Bishop Al Gwinn, who is doing some great things in the North Carolina Conference, shared with me a study that was done in the West Ohio Conference related to the impact of pastoral leadership on the fair-share giving (apportionments) of a congregation. I found it interesting: In the late 90’s Dr. Don House of the University of Texas …Read Full Article

Do We Throw His Blessings Away?

By: Phil Schroeder on 11/11/2009
Note from Bill Burch, Sam Jones Memorial UMC-Cartersville
God gives us so many blessings. Sometimes we throw them away.  But God continues to love us.  Watch this video that illustrates this love.

Advent Idea and More

By: Phil Schroeder on 11/11/2009
Topics: Worship Reflections
Check out this advent idea from Dr. Marcia McFee. 
Visit Marcia's Blog. Download her latest newsletter.

The Fun Theory

By: Phil Schroeder on 11/10/2009
The following video is regarding a stairs vs. escalator experiment.  Afterwards, think about this question: where are you making faith fun, living in the joy of the Lord?



HealthFlex Open Enrollment Time

By: Karen Fullerton on 11/8/2009
Open enrollment is November 4-19.

The Church that Helped Bring Down the Berlin Wall

By: Phil Schroeder on 11/6/2009
Monday is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Read an article from USAToday about the church that helped bring down the Berlin Wall.

Souper Bowl of Caring

By: Margaret Freeman on 10/20/2009
Looking for an easy but significant way to raise hunger and poverty awareness? Souper Bowl of Caring will help raise awareness in your congregation AND help out local neighbors in need.

All Are Our Heroes

By: Phil Schroeder on 10/16/2009
Please read this blog about my friend Carlye - she is a real inspiration!

Level Creek's Youth News Board

By: Phil Schroeder on 10/14/2009
Check it out here!

Some Great Church Signs

By: Phil Schroeder on 10/14/2009
Signs can be humorous, welcoming, and informative.  Here are great examples of all three.

HealthMiles Participants: Get in the 'Zone'

By: Karen Fullerton on 10/12/2009
Topics: Benefits

The conference has temporary custody of a portable VHM Health Zone. It is located in the DS Office on the 3rd floor of the United Methodist Center at Simpsonwood. You get 200 HealthMiles for use of a Zone for your monthly bio measurements.  We will have the Zone here at Simpsonwood or about in the conference until about November 10. Anyone at Simpsonwood for a meeting or a visit, come up and get extra miles by taking this month's measurements via the Zone.

Stewardship Vision

By: Phil Schroeder on 10/7/2009
Topics: Stewardship

First, enjoy reading about three stewardship ideas from our local churches.  

Then, feel free to share your stewardship ideas with us.

Appreciation - to add value

By: Phil Schroeder on 10/1/2009
October Appreciation Month

How Do Those Ducks Survive?

By: Jamie Jenkins on 9/20/2009

At unexpected times and in surprising ways God's grace is seen through human kindness.

Some great Stewardship Quotes from a friend in Alabama

By: Phil Schroeder on 9/14/2009
Extravagant Generosity
 
 

What Would Jesus Tweet?

By: Renita Thomas on 9/11/2009
Article from the most recent Interpreter Magazine

Open Doors

By: Phil Schroeder on 9/8/2009
Milton Berle said, “If opportunity isn’t knocking, build a door.”

What doors are you building to your community?

Do You Believe in Angels?

By: Jamie Jenkins on 9/8/2009

You can identify angels by these characteristics.

 

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