8/26/2009
We spent $28K on Youth Ministry Architects, hired two new staff, and made youth a priority. Revamped the whole process – had 150 youth in SS last Sunday. Click below to view a video from Youtube about their vision... Dr. Jim Higgins, Senior Pastor McEachern Memorial UMC
8/19/2009
Non-Profit Status at the US Post Office article provided by Flo McDaniel, secretary at Crossroads UMC. If your Church is not under non-profit status at the United States Postal Service, then you need to check into this. You need to obtain a letter from the IRS with your current information and stating that you are a non-profit organization. Then go to your local USPS, speak to the Bulk Mail Department, and ask for the non-profit form. Fill out the form, and attach the letter from the IRS, and...
8/5/2009
The following are summary conclusions from a study of young people not active in church and practices likely to help churches reach emerging generations. Young adults are trying to connect and will make a lasting connection wherever they can find belonging. Churches that are effective at reaching and developing young adults place a high value on community and are using small groups to build that community. Young adults want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and are looking to ...
7/24/2009
Thoughts shared by Tom Compton, Pastor of Wesley Chapel UMC, Eatonton ReThink Church has a good number of free resources not the least of which is "Back to Church Sunday." "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." Colossians 4:5 I just wanted to tell you about something exciting! Did you know that there is a Special Sunday in September called "Back to Church Sunday"? I know, some of you will say-hey, EVERY Sunday is back to church Sunday...and it ...
7/24/2009
Northside UMC's Awesome Youth Outreach Project - M.A.P. (Metro Atlanta Project)! STATS & info 10 years...94 roofs...900+ youth volunteers...25 participating churches & organizations...64.4 miles of shingles laid...4,253 lbs roofing nails. Youth Pic YouTube Video
7/22/2009
The idea for this particular celebration of All Saints Sunday was Phil Schroeder's, which he demonstrated at our Northwest District clergy retreat. You could use a different scripture, but I chose Job 1:13-22, 2:11-13. I spoke about what rending one's clothes meant, and how Job's friends joined him in this expression of grief. I noted that in the biblical account of their response, words were neither available nor necessary at that particular moment to communicate their empathy, or to offer ...
7/14/2009
Matthew 14:13-21 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘...
7/1/2009
A recent study by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership attempts to track the aging of the membership of the United Methodist Church in the United States. By comparing the death rates between the membership of the church and the larger U.S. population they concluded that the North Georgia Conference is one of the "areas of relative youthfulness." The North Georgia Conference has a death rate 40 percent lower than the U.S. population, suggesting a fairly young membership. The California-Pacific...
6/25/2009
"I see tremendous potential here in Georgia for the facing of these days. ... I’ve heard Georgia referred to as a “kingdom,” not an “area.” It would be almost impossible to find a section of the nation or world with more of what it takes to demonstrate intelligently and effectively the church at work. Opportunities for interesting confrontations ... abound .... It’s our time. Our society is starved to death for Christian guidance, and there is so much of the indispensable that will never be ...
6/20/2009
The most important lesson of all? "Tell 'em story" says the little boy, Nullah, whose voice becomes the narrator of Australia. Great Lines: Just because it is, doesn't mean it should be. One thing I know, why we tell story is the most important thing of all. That's how you keep them people belonging always. Random thought: A film about Australia reminds me of Matthew 10:36, as quoted in Breaker Morant, a classic film.