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August 2019

August 2019

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Features

Back To School: Ministry Ideas for School-Church Partnerships

July 25, 2019

Back To School: Ministry Ideas for School-Church Partnerships

By Fred Koenig   August Barker UMC participates in a back-to-school fair that provides school supplies. September Wayland UMC provides back-to-school supplies. October Nelson Memorial UMC hosts a pumpkin carving and pizza party at the church. November North Star UMC partners with Rising ...

On Location

July 25, 2019

On Location

By Fred Koenig The Missouri Conference Ignite Mobile Camp program is in the midst of its largest camp season yet. There are 54 camps across Missouri, made possible through partnerships with Eagle Lake, Heartland Camps, and premiering this summer, Missouri’s very own Next Generation ...

Restored: 1901 craftsmanship reigns supreme

July 25, 2019

Restored: 1901 craftsmanship reigns supreme

By Fred Koenig When you see the object of Rev. Jim West’s affection, you may assume it’s her beauty that drew him to her. You would be wrong – it’s what she has inside that means the most to him.  “She plays better than any piano I’ve ever played on,” West said.  The Kranich and Bach ...

Turning the Church Inside Out

July 25, 2019

Turning the Church Inside Out

By Fred Koenig On an appropriately hot first day of July, Beloved Community UMC buzzed. As various groups headed this way and that, Rev. Kevin Kosh walked around beaming. The church was being turned inside out, and that’s just what he had been praying for.  “Here at Beloved we’re working...

News and Updates

The Sharefests Are Coming!

July 31, 2019

The Sharefests Are Coming!

The first Sharefest is in Macon on September 7th, and the last one wraps up in Ferguson on October 19th. More information on the schedule can be found under the Sharefest tab at www.festivalofsharing.org.  This year we have registration forms for each Sharefest that went live July 1. If ...

Calling Our Missouri Bikers

July 25, 2019

Calling Our Missouri Bikers

Hold September 29 to October 1 on your calendar for a ride to support Mozambique! Bishop Farr will be leading motorcycle riders on a loop around the state, and you are invited to join.  Ride for the whole three-day loop, or join in for a segment.  Each day will highlight stops featuring ...

Sidney Owens Named to New Position

July 25, 2019

By Fred Koenig Sidney Owens has a drive to help communities have healthier lives, which led her first to a dual-degree in health science and communications and then to a Masters of Science in Public Health from the University of Missouri-Columbia’s School of Health Related Profession.  “...

Strategies for Discerning God’s Will for Your Church

July 25, 2019

Strategies for Discerning God’s Will for Your Church

By Cody Collier A few years ago, I was invited during the summer to lead a workshop with clergy and laity on a subject that I am very passionate about in my own ministry: communicating the church’s story as spiritual leaders. The purpose of the session was to connect their church’s ...

Laity Voices

Hitting the Mark: Fundraising Goal for Puerto Rico Surpassed

July 25, 2019

Hitting the Mark: Fundraising Goal for Puerto Rico Surpassed

By Marsha Egan Our Conference is responsive when we see needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our Bishop challenged the Missouri Conference in the summer of 2018 to be generous with our time and money. He challenged us to raise $150,000 to support recovery efforts in Puerto Rico ...

Letters from the Editor

Conflict

July 25, 2019

By Fred Koenig Most people have kind of forgotten about the big dust up in St. Louis involving a mainline protestant denomination and the prevalent societal issue of the day. No, I’m not talking about General Conference 2019; I’m going a little farther back.  Rev. Elijah Lovejoy wasn’t a...

Now Read This

The Hedgehog Concept

July 25, 2019

The Hedgehog Concept

By Matt Miofsky Perhaps the number one question I get from church leaders is this: “How do you explain the growth of The Gathering?” My answer usually begins with this: Any rapidly-growing church, ours included, is singularly, relentlessly and unapologetically evangelical. We see ...

Music Matters

Auto-Tune: Technology and Worship

July 25, 2019

Auto-Tune: Technology and Worship

By Ryan McLouth To auto-tune or not to auto-tune, that is the question! If you’re unfamiliar with the term auto-tune, it is a device or technology that can be used to correct errors in pitch or intonation of a vocal performance.  In recording studios, the post-production use of the ...

Wesley in the World Today

The Breath of Our Spiritual Life

July 25, 2019

The Breath of Our Spiritual Life

By Hal Knight Richard Foster, in his book Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home (Harper Collins, 1992), speaks of God longing “for our presence.” God “aches over our distance and preoccupation” and “mourns that we do not draw near to him.” God wants us to return home. God’s “arms are ...

Parting Shot

Parting Shot

July 25, 2019

Parting Shot

By Eric Mattson We lose our spiritual power if we cease to focus on the right thing. In contemplative photography, photo walks seek to see with fresh eyes and receive what God desires for you to see. Ending this walk, I was about to cross the street and resume my workday. My eyes were ...

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