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Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit

When I speak to groups of lay leaders about their role in the church, I tell them to remember two words: “Mission” is one (discussed in the last article). The other is “Pastor”. “What?” they say. “Aren’t we talking about our role as lay leaders? Why is ‘Pastor’ so important to fruitfulness in lay ministry?”

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit.

After “Jesus”, leaders in the church must have a clear focus upon the ”Mission” if they want to be successful, or fruitful, in ministry. That’s the second of our ten words.

Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit.

Have you ever noticed the tendency for leaders to simplify things in communicating? Complex, multi-dimensional ideas are simplified into a few key words. This helps in memory retention, and also helps focus upon the essential idea undergirding the message

Two simple, yet powerful words: “So That”.

Lately I’ve been drawn to these simple words as a way to get to the purpose, the intended results of actions. Or, in the nomenclature of leadership principles, to align our actions with our mission.

It’s been a few weeks now since we met in Springfield for Annual Conference. Once again, it was an inspiring time of conferencing, connecting, and committing.

Devastation. That’s a word used many times to describe the destruction left behind by the tornado that hit Joplin.

Bishop Robert Schnase shares a few words of encouragement and appeals to the churches in Missouri and across our country.  Click here to watch his visit to Joplin, his Joplin Relief fund appeal as well as his appeal for the UMCOR Spring Storms fund. You are encouraged to download and share these videos in your churches and congregations.

“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Those are the words Isaiah reported hearing from the Lord, calling him to prophetic ministry (Isaiah 6:8). The same words apply to us now, as we prepare for Annual Conference together.

57. That’s the average age of United Methodist members. It’s been going up for many years. The average age. And that’s actually lower than the average for many congregations in Missouri.

The past few weeks have provided many opportunities for me to interact with leaders of the United Methodist Church at virtually all levels – local congregation, conference, and denomination.

Imagine reducing the number of district superintendants in southern Mozambique from 16 to 6. Imagine connecting in a country were only about 12% of the population has electricity.

The sun rose and emitted its first rays very early on Sunday, November 28, 2010.  Around 7 am people were already burning hot.  Hundreds started showing up at Bispo Escrivão Zunguze UMC in Zimpeto, about 50 minutes from center-city Maputo.  God again revealed God’s miracle – from tree cover chapel, through a chapel of local materials to a wonderful concrete facility – a magnificent house of the Lord, green and yellow, calling whoever hears or passes through the area to worship Christ as a church member!   Tears came from Rev. Jeff Brinkman’s face as he arrived in Mozambique.