Newsletter Archives

The Discipleship Diamond
First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL, understands that "Christianity is a social religion." They have developed an integrated system of small groups that work together to help seekers grow into mature disciples of Jesus Christ. A good example of this system is "The Discipleship Diamond."
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Worship for All God's People
Fulton Seimers Memorial/Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf in Baltimore, Maryland, knows how to include all participants in worship.
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A Musical Vision and Goal
It is easy for church music ministries to be self-perpetuating, to go from week to week, season to season, year to year, recruiting, rehearsing, and singing. Many churches do this with excellence and success. Emory UMC in Washington, D.C. has taken a different path. < Download PDF>

That All May Worship
We can do all sorts of things to welcome people; however, if our church facilities are not free of physical barriers, our actions of hospitality may be negated. First United Methodist Church in Moorestown, NJ, has taken this seriously and gone to the next level of hospitality by being certified by the National Organization on Disabilities as an "Accessible Congregation." < Download PDF>

The Power of Camping
One dimension of faith formation echoed over and over again in the Romans 12 research is the role of camp experiences. A change of place and pace that allows people time apart from their normal responsibilities, to grow closer to God, and to practice the faith in an intentional community experience is a powerful avenue for growth in faith and discipleship. < Download PDF>

Is Anything Too Difficult for Me?
Trust is what it's all about at Centennial Memorial UMC in Frederick, MD. Several years ago the pastor discerned this message from God: "Is anything too difficult for me?" That profound experience led to a congregational commitment to ministry with the marginalized of the community.
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Faith, Fellowship, and Fly Fishing
Troy First UMC is located in the heart of the northern suburbs of greater Detroit, and is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Michigan. One of its unique ministries is a fly fishing fellowship. Anyone who fishes knows that the sport is not only about fishing but about friendships. Those who participate experience life-giving connections.
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What Do the New People Say?
The following description of Harvest UMC in Bradenton, FL comes from someone who has been a member less than one year.
"HUMC is viewed as a progressive church in the community. It is an open and welcoming congregation. It lives and practices the lessons of the Bible and the example of Christ. HUMC is noted for its charitable and community service in the local and regional community . . ."
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Extending a Welcome
Asbury UMC in Madison, AL, intentionally prepares to welcome people who may have little or no church experience. One of the first items you see on their website is a box labeled "Welcome Visitors." < Download PDF>

Balanced Discipleship
John Wesley taught that balance is essential when it comes to all things, especially discipleship. For example, he believed that discipleship involves a balance between works of piety and works of mercy. < Download PDF>

From Beneficiary to Benefactor
The Korean congregation of First United Methodist Church in Flushing, New York, exemplifies connectional relationships that facilitate God's mission of local and global transformation. < Download PDF>

We Worship God
When asked by a colleague a few weeks ago what programs Broadway United Methodist Church offers, Mike Mather, its pastor, answered "None." The inquirer was obviously flummoxed and asked again. The Rev. Mather said, "We don't 'do' programs at Broadway. We worship God." What may seem a strange answer is actually a succinct description of the vision and the ministries of the people who gather at Broadway's near downtown Indianapolis campus. < Download PDF>

Everyone Is an Advocate for Children
John Wesley United Methodist Church in Baltimore, MD, is situated in an economically depressed part of Baltimore City, with one of the highest crime rates in the US. The church is vitally engaged in the community, particularly focusing on the Christian education and formation of the church and neighborhood children and youth. The members at John Wesley are committed to ensuring that anyone whose lives they touch have every opportunity to grow into faithful, responsible, productive disciples. A hallmark of their ministry is the several-tiered approach to learning and Christian formation. As one member said, "Everyone here is an advocate for children." < Download PDF>

In Plain View
When you enter St. Luke "Community" UMC in Dallas, Texas, the mission and vision are always in plain view -- in the narthex, sanctuary, fellowship hall, and even in the bathrooms. The mission and vision statements are used each week during worship as a call and response following the opening hymn. < Download PDF>

Be What You Are Trying to Teach Me
First UMC in Hyattsville, MD is a little "United Nations" with a membership hailing from the US, Africa, Latin America, and elsewhere. With a multicultural community, Hyattsville recognizes the great value of nurturing disciples in small groups. The pastor expands the membership vows to make clear that worship and study are expected. In addition, they focus on the practice of spiritual disciplines -- prayer, meditation, fasting, study -- in small groups. < Download PDF>

And a Child Shall Lead Them
Congregations that are intentional about developing connectional relationships that facilitate participation in God's mission of global transformation include children in their plans. < Download PDF>

The First Place of Welcome
One of the Romans 12 criteria is consistent concern for inviting people into relationship with Jesus Christ. For many people the first invitation they receive is through the congregation's web site. Of those Romans 12 congregations that completed surveys, 58% of the small membership churches, 83% of the medium sized churches, and 100% of the large membership churches have web sites. < Download PDF>

Not Just For Information
Christian education and formation at Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City, MD, is the hinge between growing and serving, knowledge and service, Bible information and living a faith that's fit for life, and discovering spiritualgifts and using them for God's purposes. The spiritual discipline of Bible study is the cohesive center. All the means of grace, in the words of one of the pastors, are not just for information but for living out faith and for growth. Glen Mar's mission statement is "Praise God, grow disciples, serve the world." < Download PDF>

A Christian Never Graduates
The mission of Towson United Methodist Church in Towson, MD is "to proclaim the word of God and to make disciples of Jesus Christ." Their long-range ministry plan states, "We are blessed to have a substantial and committed congregation diverse in age, theological orientation, ethnicity, gender, geography, and life history. We honor this diversity and consider it a strength, enabling us to minister to and with a broad spectrum of people. The spiritual gifts of all are needed to fulfill our mission. Faithful discipleship includes celebration, connection, development, service, and sharing." < Download PDF>

Food for Thought
An interesting observation from the Romans 12 surveys is how often food is mentioned. When asked to indicate how important the ministries listed in Matthew 25 (feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, visiting prisoners) were to the congregation, the response that was ranked as very important by the most people was "feeding the hungry." < Download PDF>

Opening Doors
Romans 12 congregations demonstrate by words and actions that they have clarity about how they live out the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in their congregations. Lake Adirondack Community Church in New York illustrates this by proclaiming on their web site "a United Methodist Church in denomination, a community church in spirit." Further investigation shows how the congregation lives out their mission.< Download PDF>

Looking for Shiny Eyes
One of the trends that emerged from the Romans 12 site visits is that these congregations are constantly on the look-out for new leaders to nurture, using both formal and informal gifts assessment processes. As one pastor reported, "I look for people with shiny eyes. . . ." < Download PDF>

Twitter, Facebook, and the Psalms
As they seek to integrate worship and study in an intentional faith forming process, Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, is experimenting with combining social networking technology and a summer Bible study of the Psalms. < Download PDF>

It's All About Relationships
One of the major trends identified among Romans 12 congregations is that they are very intentional about developing and sustaining relationships. This is true not just of adults but throughout the congregational lifespan. < Download PDF>

Nurturing Faith in the Middle Adult Years
How can congregations nurture hard-working middle adults as disciples of Jesus Christ? How do we provide mutual support and accountability? One of the primary ways is through small groups. < Download PDF>

Connections Across the World
St. Luke's "Community" UMC in Dallas, Texas understands itself as a church that is always "reaching up to God and out into the community." Its ongoing relationship with Africa University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, has helped members to have an expanded vision of what community means. Over 150 members of the congregation have visited Africa University with many working as short-term Volunteers in Mission on the campus and the adjacent Hartzell School. < Download PDF>

Worship -- The Work of the People
One of the nominating criteria for Romans 12 was to model clergy and laity in partnership. Dynamic, passionate worship happens when worship is planned, led, and enacted by the whole body, not just the "experts" or the "folks up front." Here are a few examples from congregations where these things are happening and the result is dynamic, passionate worship. < Download PDF>

Building Faith Memories
Romans 12 churches that list children's ministries as one of their strengths frequently follow up by commenting that they attract married couples with children, single parents with children, and families with children to their church community. < Download PDF>

Tough Times--Hard Decisions--New Opportunities
At the beginning of the year Saint John's Downtown found itself in a cash flow situation and had to reduce staff. There was no other place to cut in this congregation that is known for creating effective ministry to the homeless population in Houston as well as having one of the most dynamic outreach programs in the country.... < Download PDF>

Living the Faith
Romans 12 congregations were nominated because someone noticed the way people who are part of the congregation live their faith. Together and individually, people in these congregations make a witness to the world through their daily habits and lifestyles. Here are some reports... <Download PDF>

A Praying Church
One of the nominating criteria for Romans 12 congregations was the practice of spiritual disciplines, both corporately and individually. The spiritual discipline that appears to be the most intentional among these congregations is prayer. As one respondent said when asked what spiritual disciplines are a regular part of his congregation’s life, “prayer, prayer, and more prayer.”<Download PDF>

What Are You Known For?
One of the questions asked in the Romans 12 survey was “what are you known for in your community?” While answers varied from church to church, in all but a very few cases people in the congregation mentioned that the church was known for its involvement in the community. Here are a few responses that typify Romans 12 congregations... <Download PDF>

Radical Hospitality For All
In reviewing the reports of congregations that participated in the Romans 12 survey, the practice of radical hospitality stands out as a common characteristic. When asked about their congregations’ greatest strengths, more than 20% of those responding used the words welcome or welcoming in describing their congregation... <Download PDF>

Summary
In 2007 church leaders throughout The United Methodist Church in the U.S. were invited to identify churches that demonstrated the vision of discipleship described in the twelfth chapter of Romans. These churches were marked by the following characteristics... <Download PDF>

For more information contact Deb Smith at dsmith@gbod.org