“Very early in my ministry, I realized that the challenges of ministry were too great and the stakes too high to try to ‘go it alone.’” — The Rev. Robert Greene on the importance of clergy mentors.
Who guides the pastors?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist pastors are often those to whom we turn for spiritual guidance, but who leads them? For Pastor Appreciation Month, Joe Iovino of umc.org asked several pastors to talk about the people who shaped their lives.
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Focusing on children’s ministries
LADY LAKE, Fla. (UMNS) — They’re entrusted with tending the cradle of the church’s youngest disciples, but who looks out for the spiritual health and professional growth of children’s ministry leaders? Mary Ann DeSantis of the Florida Conference has a two-part series on children’s ministry.
Committee to focus on children's ministries
Kids’ ministries boosted by intergenerational interaction
Layman named distinguished evangelist
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (UMNS) — The Foundation for Evangelism has named Harry J. Lyness, a member of Dearborn Hills United Methodist Church near Lawrenceburg, as the 2015 Distinguished Evangelist of The United Methodist Church. A 40-year veteran in the mission field, Lyness has led mission teams in 14 states and six countries.
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Church has heart for special-needs adults
CANTON, Texas (UMNS) — Special-needs adults represent an often overlooked mission field, but not at First United Methodist Church in Canton. The church’s Followers Class for such adults has 30 active members and recently got financial help from the broader Canton community to attend a camp at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center. The Texas Conference reports.
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Commentary: Why not start a Deaf ministry?
FREDERICK, Md. (UMNS) — The Rev. Leo Yates Jr. asks churches to consider adding a Deaf ministry that is welcoming and includes Deaf, hard-of-hearing, late-deafened and Deaf-blind individuals in the life of the church. Yates is a deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Laity Sunday— United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers suggested Scripture, prayers and hymns for this day of celebrating discipleship. This year's theme is "Disciples Called to Action: Creating Unity in Ministry." Resources.
Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Nov. 6
Online course "Life Together in the United Methodist Tradition" for lay servants from BeADisciple.com — Why does The United Methodist Church do things the way it does? What are the rules and why are there rules? And what does this have to do with the kingdom of God? This course will help new United Methodists get their bearings and longtime members consider the specific structural challenges the church faces in the 21st century. This course has been approved by United Methodist Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in lay servant ministries and is the “polity” class required for lay speaker certification. Therefore, the course provides 1 CEU for clergy and CLMs also are available. $65. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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