The Raleigh District of the UMC

Mike Breen, a pioneering-veteran of the missional movement, in teaching and embodiment offers the following warning to those who believe that joining “The God of Mission” = Missio Dei in mission is only sustainable as we follow Jesus’ call to “make disciples”.

It’s time we start being brutally honest about the missional movement that has . . . → Read More: Why the Missional Church Will Fail???

Neil Cole offers the following in a recent blogpost……

My newest project is called Church Transfusion: Releasing Organic Life into Established Churches. We are offering a two day training, much like our Greenhouse, for those who lead an established church but would like to see more vital health and reproduction from organic church principles. There will also . . . → Read More: Church Transfusion: Releasing Organic Life Into Established Churches

Life Cycle Model – George Bullard 2011 VersionThe following is taken from a blogpost by George Bullard of the Columbia Partnership. The chart of Congregational Lifecycle is Bullard’s creation and recently revised…

So…..What Constitutes the Need for an Extreme Congregational Makeover?

Radical transformation calls for transition and change actions that can be characterized as Extreme Congregational Makeover . . . → Read More: Extreme Congregational Makeover Needed When__________?

Pruning For Sustainable Design Former Dean of Duke Divinity School, Greg Jones observes the following.

In John’s Gospel (15:1-2), Jesus evokes the image of pruning for Christian life, and this practice is crucial for organizations as well. Pruning involves getting rid of those things that are broken, are sinful, have died or no longer advance an institution’s . . . → Read More: Pruning For Sustainable Design?

Every month we send you just 5 ways you can be better equipped to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Here’s this month’s issue!
Help children grow a mature and vital faith. Get a copy of What Every Child Should Experience: A Guide for Teachers and Leaders in United Methodist Congregations. An index of Bible stories and . . . → Read More: Five Ways To Be Better Equipped To Make Disciples

Dear Friends:
Once again our Charge Conferences in the Raleigh District will be celebrated in clusters, utilizing a worshipful work format. Our theme this year will be “See How They Love.” These joint gatherings will incorporate glimpses of your charge’s health and vitality by answering four critical questions (listed below). In fact, each charge in the North Carolina Annual Conference is being asked to answer these four questions openly, honestly, prayerfully and expectantly. Your answers will be submitted in written form along with all the other required reports. However, my hope is that each charge will also create a presentation for the other churches to witness and celebrate which will be woven into the tapestry of our worshipful work. Continue reading 2011 Charge Conference Information

September 10, 2011
Dear Friends,
Someone has rightfully noted that, “a picture paints a thousand words”, but even a picture only tells a tiny part of any story. Such is the case in eastern North Carolina, as communities and individuals begin the long journey of recovery from the damages wrought by Hurricane Irene. We’ve all seen the devastation . . . → Read More: Hurricane Irene: Offering Hope and Help

Among the many issues in hurricane recovery, one of our most pressing needs in Pamlico County is FOOD.
Red Cross and Salvation Army have pulled out their ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles) that had provided hot meals at the Fire Stations.
Here is the way churches can help NOW with FOOD:
*We need churches to collect the following items
. . . → Read More: URGENT: Food Items/Toiletries Needed In Pamlico County

Thanks to George Bullard for these timely questions and considerations…..

It is budget preparation time in many congregations as they anticipate how to allocate their financial resources to operate during their next fiscal year. They are also hoping there may be enough money to engage in high quality, effective programs and ministries plus to engage in missional . . . → Read More: Managing A Museum Or Leading A Congregation?

It\'s Not The Pipes….It\'s The Water

Author, pastor and missional leader, Neil Cole offers some significant pondering-points in his Sept 5 blog, noting:
“I am coming to see that much of what we give attention . . . → Read More: Methods And Methodists: What Is Their True Purpose?