The Current Reality
Lovett H. Weems, Jr. | UMC Realities
In March 2011 United Methodist bishops and representatives from conferences in the U.S. gathered in Fort Worth for the Financial Leadership Forum at which issues of denominational sustainability were addressed. In the opening session this presentation was made by Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
UMC Realities
This video was first shown at the 2011 Financial Leadership Forum, a joint event of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits at the General Council on Finance and Administration.
First Ever Denominational Research
Extensive research analyzed the factors that made our churches vital and vibrant. The biggest concern? There are so few vital churches.
Steering Team Report
Possibility
We see a new church, a church that is clear about its mission and confident about its future, a church that is relevant, reaching out, inviting, alive, agile, and resilient. We see a church that is hopeful, passionate, nimble, called by God, outward-focused, courageous.
Comments from Bishop Robert Schnase
From his blog – FivePractices.org
Irecently spoke with some Bishops and members of the Interim Operations Team who are giving direction to the Call to Action. Often I return from meetings with a low-grade depression, the discussions confirming the intransigence of the church and the hopelessness of reversing the downward trends that challenge our mission. Not so with this meeting!
As I listened to some of our most creative leaders, I felt a more profound hope than I have in a long time. There’s a growing consensus of vision and future that I find compelling.
We see a new church, a church that is clear about its mission and confident about its future, a church that is relevant, reaching out, inviting, alive, agile, and resilient. We see a church that is hopeful, passionate, nimble, called of God, outward-focused, courageous… Full Article