News
March 06, 2019
I Don't Know Cotton
I wrote this column two weeks before the special session of General Conference started. If you’re reading the printed version of the magazine, the special session has probably been over for a few days. So, I’m going to ...
March 06, 2019
Parting Shot
This light bulb grabbed my attention on a contemplative walk as I mulled over how to provide pastoral leadership following an incident which sent shock waves throughout the community. My thoughts were swept into ...
March 06, 2019
Pure
A combination of journalistic style, cultural commentary, and memoir, PURE: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free by Linda Kay Klein is a look at the Evangelical ...
March 06, 2019
Thoughts on General Conference 2019
At the end of the month, The United Methodist Church will gather in St. Louis for the Special Session of the General Conference to discern a “way forward” beyond our division related to human sexuality, interpretation of...
March 06, 2019
Up Tempo
Do you think about tempo when making song selections? Though this may not be an obvious initial consideration for church musicians, I propose that it should be. We’re all suckers for a good melody. Think about it. You’...
March 06, 2019
Working Towards the Goal
Last fall the Missouri Conference kicked-off an action plan for tackling three big goals in the areas of New Places for New People, Missional Leaders and Pathway Out of Poverty. On January 29 Conference leaders ...
March 04, 2019
A Pastoral Letter to the United Methodist Church from the President of the Council of Bishops
+Where possible you are asked to read this brief letter in your morning worship service. Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They ...
February 23, 2019
Praying Our Way Forward Arrives at Special Session
The United Methodist Church believes prayer changes things. Soon after the Special Session of General Conference was scheduled in 2016, a Praying Our Way Forward initiative began. Phase 1 involved 84 members of the ...
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February 23, 2019
Spiritual Direction Prayer at GC2019
Len Delony had cancer at age 13. In a few months’ time he lost half of his body weight, dropping from 150 pounds to 75. In this emaciated state he couldn’t go to school, or practically anywhere else besides doctor and ...
February 19, 2019
Jon Thompson to be next Ozarks District Superintendent
Rev. Jon Thompson will be appointed as the Ozarks District Superintendent this June. He will replace Rev. Lynn Dyke, who is retiring. Thompson was born in Geneva, Illinois. At age six he moved to a family farm near ...
February 19, 2019
Robin Roderick Bell to be next Gateway Central District Superintendent
Rev. Robin Roderick Bell will be appointed to be the next Gateway Central District Superintendent in June. She will replace Rev. Londia Granger Wright, who is retiring. Bell was born near Chicago but soon her family ...
February 19, 2019
United Methodists Meet in St. Louis for Worldwide Conference
St. Louis, Mo.: Delegates and observers from around the world will gather at the Dome at America’s Center, February 24-26, 2019, for the Special Session of the United Methodist General Conference. The General Conference ...
February 10, 2019
Now Accepting Award Nominations
Robert and Martha Marble Mission Award criteria Each year the Robert and Martha Marble Mission Award is given to an individual in the Missouri Annual Conference who exhibits outstanding commitment to mission. This award...
January 30, 2019
UMCOM Christmas Tour Wraps up in KC
The Brookside Brass Quintet played holiday tunes to welcome visitors when the True Meaning of Christmas Tour pulled into its final stop in Kansas City on December 17. Set up outside Charlecote Antiques at the Crestwood ...
January 24, 2019
Addressing Atheism
At a time when many United Methodists are struggling with the question of whether they can understand each other and get along, Rev. Greg Weeks has set his focus on reconciling two broader groups – atheist and ...
January 24, 2019
Calendar of Events
Rural Ministry Now Saturday, February 9 at 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM Location: Emerson Fields, 35932 US Hwy 63, Excello, MO 65247 Contact: John Pinkston, (816) 520-7841, johnpinkstonii@gmail.com Rural churches are vital to ...
January 24, 2019
Lead So You Can Be Followed
Are you leading music in a way that can be followed? As we all know, the goal of leading song in a worship service is to engage congregation members to sing along. One challenge that the modern church faces is a lack of ...
January 24, 2019
Parting Shot
In Confessions, Augustine wrote: “[People] go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty waves of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, yet pass over the ...
January 24, 2019
Ways to Read the Missouri Methodists
Individual Mailed Subscription This magazine is automatically sent to all clergy and selected church leaders, but is also available to anyone for $20 per year. Send checks payable to the Missouri Conference to Susan ...
January 24, 2019
Working Towards Resolution
By Amy Thompson The General Conference of the worldwide United Methodist Church has called a Special Session. It will take place for a few days at the end of February in St. Louis. Methodists from the Missouri ...
January 23, 2019
Blessings Flow: C2FM Gains Momentum
The Clergy and Church Financial Ministry – C2FM – is providing a new level of educational and financial resources in support of Missouri’s pastors and congregations. Two recent developments affirm the progress and value ...
January 23, 2019
Four Ways to Fit Yoga Into Your Day
#1 Breathe When we slow down our breath, we help signal to our bodies that all is well. This can decrease our stress response, lower our blood pressure and calm our minds. Take a moment wherever you are to notice your ...
January 23, 2019
Leadership Practices for a Healthy & Happy New Year
By Cody Collier There is a true crisis concerning the physical, mental and spiritual health of leaders serving the church today. Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell and Jason Byassee’s timely book, Faithful and Fractured, believes...
January 23, 2019
Let Us Hold Fast to Hope
By Brian Hammons As a lay delegate to General Conference, I’ve been reading a lot to prepare for the upcoming special session on February 24-26. Scripture has been a big part of that, seeking God’s guidance in grace and...
January 23, 2019
Meeting God on the Mat
A QA with Jill Wondel, a yoga teacher who specializes in holy yoga as a way to calm the mind and focus on God.
January 23, 2019
Pan-Methodist Emancipation Proclamation Celebration
Missouri Bishop Bob Farr opened his sermon at the Pan-Methodist Emancipation Proclamation Day service with a confession: Prior to his participation in the service his previous year, the concept of celebrating ...
January 23, 2019
Precautionary Measures
Safeguarding your church's finances and taking steps to prevent theft.
January 23, 2019
Twittering Away Your Reputation
A biblical perspective on how to watch what you say on social media.
January 23, 2019
Wesley on Schism
Last month we looked at the question of how Christians should disagree with one another and learned that Wesley believed our controversies should be carried out in a spirit of love and mutual respect. But how should ...
January 16, 2019
Important Year-End Report Information: Vital Signs Simplified for 2019
Vital Signs provides churches and Cabinet members with vital data about the health of our congregations. These revised questions more accurately define vitality in worship. Vital Signs questions have been simplified for ...
January 07, 2019
40 Days of Doubt: Devotions for the Skeptic
Have you ever questioned whether everything you believe in as a Christian is false? 40 Days of Doubt explores questions readers may be asking about their faith in 41 (with bonus day) devotions. Why would God care what I...
January 07, 2019
A Big Year for Old McKendree
Missouri’s only Heritage Landmark of the United Methodist Church is celebrating its 200th birthday
January 07, 2019
Background and Harmony Vocals
In the last few installments, we’ve discussed the practical role of instruments in the contemporary worship ensemble. So far we’ve discussed keyboard, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums. This month ...
January 07, 2019
Beer and Bible
First UMC in Rolla is trying several different approaches to reach out to new people, including small groups that are outside the norm of what many people expect at church. The Beer and Bible small group meets at 6 p.m. ...
January 07, 2019
Check
Last June Rev. Sheila Bouie-Sledge left Annual Conference Session inspired by the urging of Conference leaders for local churches to partner with neighboring schools. She was newly appointed to North Park United ...
January 07, 2019
Congregational Excellence Provides Funds to Kick Start New Places
To encourage and support innovative ways to create New Places for New People, the Office of Congregational Excellence is offering grant opportunities to all Missouri churches. Grants are available for each of the five ...
January 07, 2019
Divisions in Our Denomination: Maintaining Unity and Theological Integrity
By Hal Knight We are approaching a called General Conference in February to address deep divisions in our denomination. There is disagreement over the best way to maintain our unity and theological integrity. It is only...
January 07, 2019
Foundation Scholarships
Growing Resources for Missouri Students Ah, the new year … spring is just around the corner, and a young student’s thoughts turn to … SCHOLARSHIPS! For many students and parents, the search for scholarships is a ...
January 07, 2019
Missouri Deaconesses Participate in National Gathering
They’ve been around in the Methodist Church for quite a while, these women called Deaconess. With roots traced to Phoebe in Romans 16:1, in our Methodist tradition the office of Deaconess was officially recognized as an ...
January 07, 2019
MOAC Announces Staffing Change
The Office of Mission, Service and Justice has named Rev. Lucas Endicott as Senior Mission Strategist. In this redefined role, Endicott will provide daily management for the Mozambique Initiative, Global Connect ...
January 07, 2019
Parting Shot
By Eric Mattson The joy of serving others witnessed by this person’s face captured my attention. The joy of the Holy Spirit alive within produces a glowing radiance in you and me. In Philippians 4:13, the apostle Paul ...
January 07, 2019
Reaching Others In The New Year
By Fred Koenig “I’m not sure how I feel about the Christmas Experience tour...” So opined one of my fellow coworkers here at the Conference office, and I didn’t disagree – I too had mixed feelings about it. For the...
January 07, 2019
The Chaplaincy Connection
How one pastor’s chaplaincy united the church and community around giving back to those who protect them
January 07, 2019
Trying Something New
First UMC in Rolla has accepted that if they want to involve new people in the church, they are going to have to try doing something new. They’re approaching that in several different ways, including a new mid-week ...
January 07, 2019
We Need a GPS Reroute
By Bishop Farr Last fall I heard Australian evangelist Christine Caine speak at the New Room Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Caine is a popular international speaker. She and her husband, Nick, founded a global ...
January 07, 2019
Witnessing in Our Daily Life
By Amy Thompson A couple of months ago I was serving in the Welcome Center at my church on a Sunday morning. I entered into a conversation with a church friend. She mentioned that she would like to read something about ...
January 03, 2019
New Year’s Message from the Moderators of the Commission on a Way Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As we turn to the new year and the approaching February meeting of the called Special Session of General Conference, the moderators would like to encourage delegates to the General Conference, as well...
December 11, 2018
Delivering Christmas invitations and cheer by the truckload
National Christmas tour coming to Kansas City on December 17
November 30, 2018
Applying Advent
By Fred Koenig One came and said to him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” And he said, “You know, the commandments and all of that. Do those. Say, did you know that my mom was ...
November 30, 2018
C2FM
Making a Difference for Missouri Clergy & Churches Since 2016, Missouri’s United Methodist clergy have benefitted from a new resource called C2FM the Clergy & Church Financial Ministry administered by the Missouri United...