News

Leading the small membership church
Small-membership churches have a history of making do without a lot of leadership from persons outside. Many were started by laypersons gathered in homes, sometimes in response to some traveling evangelist's preaching, but often by their own initiative.

Through the years, most small-membership churches have been subject to frequent turnover of clergy leadership. Is it any wonder that many of them develop a spirit of robust self-reliance? Any wonder that they are cautious at best and suspicious at worst when the new preacher comes to town?

Learn more at www.churchleadership.com/leadingideas/leaddocs/2009/090527_article.html.

'Is health-care reform civil rights issue of our time?'
Imagine that one morning you’re rushing down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairway, you see a young woman lying on the floor, bleeding and with a broken arm. As she sits up, you ask where her doctor’s office is located so you can help her there.

She timidly answers, “No, I can’t go to a doctor. I don’t have health insurance.”

Even if you are insured, you could still be affected by the uninsured crisis. More than a third of Americans will not have health-care coverage at some point in their lives.

Read more www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5208215&ct=7056803.

Stull UMC opens new faith center
Stull United Methodist Church is turning 150 this year. As part of a yearlong anniversary celebration, church members dedicated a new Faith and Friendship Center May 17.

The original 1867 church building, a pile of rubble for many years, has been the source of urban legend.

Read more about the church’s interesting history at www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/may/16/gateway-150-long-subject-urban-legend-stull-church.

New Ikenberry update
A new newsletter from Tony Ikenberry, missionary in Bangladesh, has been posted in the newsletter archive on the conference website at www.kansaseast.org/newsletter_find.asp.

Featured events

Self-care workshop, June 27
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is sponsoring a free workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27 at First UMC in Lawrence for clergy, their spouses, and church staff.

Find out more and register at www.healthfund.org/selfcare.php or call Judy Johnston at 316-293-1861.

‘SOULfeast,’ July 12-16
The 2009 “SOULfeast” will be July 12-16 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. The event is open to clergy and laity and their families. SOULfeast is a spiritual feast for all God’s people who are in search of rest, renewal and an authentic experience rooted in the great traditions of the church and the emerging fresh new Christian voices.

Plenary leaders will be author and pastor Trevor Hudson, deputy general secretary for the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship Vance Ross, Presbyterian minister and retreat leader Marjorie Thompson and co-chairperson of the Division of Young People’s Ministries for the Southeastern Jurisdiction Jasmine Smother.

For more information and online registration, go to www.upperroom.org/soulfeast.

Leadership Institute, Oct. 8-9
The Leadership Institute at Church of the Resurrection is a conference designed to share practical, translatable principles that have been keys to the growth of the church.

This year’s speakers include:

Mike Slaughter, chief dreamer of Ginghamsburg Church, a catalyst for change in the worldwide church. His dynamic teaching, heart for the lost and innovative approach to ministry has led Ginghamsburg Church to outgrow all paradigms for a church in a cornfield. Mike’s call to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted will challenge attendees to wrestle with God and their God-destinies.

Nancy Beach (Pre-Institute only), speaker, author, visionary leader and champion for the power of the arts and artists in the local church. She served for more than 20 years as the programming director for Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, a congregation known around the world for creating culturally relevant, biblically based services that make full use of the arts.

Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the Church of the Resurrection. He is the author of ten books including “Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White and Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity.”

Get more information at www.cor.org/catalyst/leadership-institute.