Influencing the United Methodist Church

Last week one of my colleagues asked, Are you comfortable with the influence that The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has on the United Methodist Church?

Yes, I am comfortable with the influence that Resurrection has on the denomination. I think that Resurrection seeks to represent the extreme center in the United Methodist Church and within the religious dialogue in the United States. I think that this is a voice that is desperately needed within the denomination and a voice is able to speak in meaningful ways to those outside the denomination - both non religious persons and those of other denominations. I believe that Resurrection is thoroughly Christian, Methodist and Wesleyan and I feel great about those influences shaping the denomination.

However, I also recognize that there are many churches and leaders across the world that are working for renewal within The United Methodist Church and within local churches. I think that Resurrection has a lot to learn from others as well. I think that the denomination is healthier with many congregations and leaders actively seeking and working toward renewal.

Every day that I am at church I pray for spiritual revival in Kansas, renewal within The United Methodist Church, wisdom and endurance for delegates to General Conference and Resurrection’s purpose, vision and journey. I believe that all of these can be and are influenced by the others and I hope to be a part of God’s work in this place and time.

• What do you think about all this?
• Do you think that Resurrection has an influence on the denomination? If so, is it an appropriate level?
• What congregations do believe have significant influence on The United Methodist Church?
• What individuals do believe have significant influence on The United Methodist Church?
• What other topics did I leave out of this conversation which need to be addressed?

How to Give an Offering Invitation

I had a conversation yesterday evening with Ben about different ways of giving an offering invitation as a part of a worship service. I want to think first about what means to give financially to the church. I have ranked these in order of priority / importance.

Giving financially to a local community of faith is:

1. An act of worship
2. An act of discipleship
3. Participating in God’s mission in and to the world
4. A part of the life of the community (inclusive of the first three on this list)
5. Supporting of the staff and structure of the local church.
6. Supporting of the staff and structure of the denomination.

An invitation to offering should include:

1. A focus on giving as an act of worship, discipleship and mission.
2. No distinction for visitors and non-visitors. The most important reasons for giving are an opportunity for members and non-members, first time visitors or long time attenders.
3. Logistic instructions on how one might be able to give.

How you understand the purpose of the offering will shape how it happens. I have experienced worship in which financial gifts are received in plates that are passed among the congregation, one brings financial gifts forward to give after receiving communion, and there is the opportunity to give in a box in the back of the worship space. There are pros and cons to each of these methods.

At Resurrection, we pass plates to receive the offering during the worship service. At some services, there is a distinction made between visitors and attenders. I think that when I have the opportunity to lead this part of the service in the future I will not make that distinction.

What do you think? What have I left of the lists above? What should be removed or reordered?

It is Hard to Care

I had a conversation with a staff member in the hallway this afternoon that was too good not to share. I had been thinking about a conversation that I had just had on the phone and he could tell that I was a bit troubled. He stopped and asked how I was doing. I said that I was doing okay but was a bit troubled by the phone conversation. He responded,

It is just hard to care sometimes.

I started laughing out loud.

• What I heard was - It is hard to care about other people, it is better and easier just not to care.
• What he meant was - At times it is hard to share in the hurt of people’s lives and care for them.

Hearing the first and then realizing the second really made me laugh, which is good.