Starting New Congregations in the United Methodist Church

The following is from Bishop Scott Jones blog and he addresses starting New Churches for the future growth of the church. Path 1 is a United Methodist Group who plans to revive the tradition of starting a new church every day of the year. They make a great and convincing argument.  http://www.path1.org/

Ronnie

Bishop Scott Jones Blog Site http://www.kswestumc.org/bishop_blog_recent.asp

The case for new congregations

Published: 8/4/2008

I am at the School of Congregational Development helping lead the Annual Conference leaders track. Dr. Lovett Weems, formerly President of St. Paul School of Theology and now with the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary, presented yesterday.

It was a compelling case for starting new churches. He gave statistics showing that as the age of a congregation increases, the proportion of churches in that age bracket experiencing growth declines. Existing churches cannot be expected to match the population growth in a given geographical area.

This means we have done well in Kansas to give emphasis to starting new congregations. We must continue to strengthen our existing ones and help them to prove the statistics wrong. But our existing congregations can do three things. First, they can consider being supportive if a new congregation is being planted in their area. Second, they can pay their “Bridges to the Future” campaign pledge in full. Third, they can pray for the new congregations being started in the Fort Riley area and in northwest Johnson County.

For many years, Methodism was starting one new church every day. Weems said that in 1906 there were 57,087 Methodist churches, and one-half of them were less than 25 years old. We were growing! We need more new churches today!

It’s a Boy! It’s a Boy! It’s a Boy!

Blessed with children — 41 times

ADEL, Ga. (BP)–Often, a picture in the mail was all it took. Word had gotten out about the couple willing to take in children, no matter if they were minorities or a sibling group or had special needs. Drew and Nancy McDowell — married as teens and childless their first five years — made room. Some came alone, but six times they came in groups of three or more. Today the McDowells count 41 children, all but one of them adopted.

CLICK HERE to Read Entire Article http://www.baptistpress.com

http://www.baptistpress.com/BPnews.asp?ID=29571

Anger and Frustration Feed Misbehavior…Reminders Fuel Both

Dear Ronnie,

This time of year can be stressful on everyone, especially parents. From money issues to the kids being home from school, it can be difficult to remember the basics of Love and Logic. This week, Dr. Charles Fay reminds us it is better to stay calm when enforcing limits instead of getting mad and lecturing.

Have a safe and happy holiday season from all of us at Love and Logic!

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Anger and Frustration Feed Misbehavior…Reminders Fuel Both Some kids are like solar panels. Instead of collecting their energy from sunlight, they gather theirs from the heat radiating off of our red faces. When we get frustrated and angry, they think, “Wow! How exciting! Let’s try that one again!”

I struggle with this, too! Without thought, I start giving too many little reminders or warnings. Instead of simply enforcing limits when I’m still calm and collected, I let my lips flap until I’m nice and hot.

Bad idea!

When I remember to follow through without too many words, my kids behave better and so do I. For example, in our home we don’t allow food outside of the kitchen or dining area. Since our two-year-old already knows this, there’s no need for me to tell him again. When he breaks the rule, all I need to do is say, “Oh, how sad,” and take the snack away. End of story.

When our 15-year-old doesn’t do his chores, there’s no need for discourse. All that’s required is action. I can do his chores for him…AND let him find out that I drive kids where they want to go when I’m not worn out from doing their chores.

In our new CD, “Keeping Cool When Parenting Heats Up,” you’ll hear more ideas for parenting in a way that makes you proud.

Thanks for reading!
Dr. Charles Fay

Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado

“I am going to risk something here. It’s dangerous to sum up grand truths in one statement, but I’m going to try. If a sentence or two could capture God’s desire for each of us, it might read like this”:

“God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”

Max Lucado in Just Like Jesus

Baby Collins @ Week 19

Your pregnancy: 19 weeks

 

See the big picture

How your baby’s growing:

Your baby’s sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don’t be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.
www.babycenter.com