A Call to Prayer for Spiritual Renewal in the Tennessee Annual ConferenceSeptember is a time of turning over a new leaf as many of us seek God's direction for our lives and ministry in the name of Jesus our Hope! It is most appropriate that we the committee members of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation issue a call to Prayer for Spiritual Renewal in our Tennessee Annual Conference. This call for prayer must include our leadership, our corporate structures, our individual churches and each and every person whose lives we are to touch in the name of Jesus Christ. We also invite you to pray for two upcoming renewal events sponsored by our Conference.
Next week, Sept 15-17 the Evangelism Committee sponsors the annual School of Evangelism at Beersheba Springs for clergy and laity for retreat and prayer study. At last report there were a few spots left if you feel God's nudge to attend call the conference office.
On October 6-10, The Spiritual Formation Committee from Memphis and Tennessee Conferences sponsor the Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation at Camp Gardner Creek in Dickson. e-mail Libby Baxter, Retreat Leader for more information and reservations.
libby@calvaryumc.comPlease have your congregations find their unique ways to pray for God's renewal through our Tennessee Annual Conference. As faithful Methodists, may we find new ways to "Watch Over One Another In Love", "Doing No Harm, Doing Good, and Staying in Love with God!"
Cinde Lucas, Chair of Evangelism
cindelucas@hotmail.comSandra M. Griggs, Chair of Spiritual Formation
pastorgriggs@comcast.net
Revival and Workshop on Evangelism, October 3, 4, and 5, 2008, Primera Iglesia Hispana Metodista Unida
“Living Water that Satisfies Our Thirst”
“…those who drink the water I give them will never thirst…”
John 4:14
October 3, 4, and 5, 2008
Revival Services: “The Call to Radical Discipleship”
Friday, October 3 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 4 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 5 at 10:00 AM
Evangelism Workshops
Saturday, October 4, 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
You are invited to participate!
Welcome in the name of Jesus Christ!
Primera Iglesia Hispana Metodista Unida
2621 Nolensville Road
Nashville, TN 37211
Telephone: 615-244-2212
On Sunday after the closing Worship Service you are invited to a meal celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Bring souvenirs from your country of origin to decorate the tables!
CAMPAÑA DE AVIVAMIENTO y Talleres de Evangelismo
“Agua Viva Que Sacia La Sed”
“…mas el que bebiere del agua que yo le daré no tendrá sed jamás…”
San Juan 4:14
3, 4, y 5 de Octubre, 2008Cultos de Avivamiento: “El Llamado a un Discipulado Radical”
Viernes 3 a las 7:00 PM
Sábado 4 a las 7:00 PM
Domingo 5 a las 10:00 AM
Talleres de Evangelismo
Sábado 4 de 8:30 AM a 6:30 PM
¡Usted está invitado a participar!
¡Bienvenido en el nombre de Jesucristo!
Primera Iglesia Hispana Metodista Unida
2621 Nolensville Road
Nashville, TN 37211
Teléfono: 615-244-2212
El domingo después del Culto de Clausura usted está invitado a una comida celebrando El Mes de la Hispanidad.
¡Traiga recuerdos de su país para adornar las mesas!
United Methodists will pledge to ‘witness’
Delegates consider legislation at the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, where the assembly voted to add wording to the liturgy for profession of membership. Henceforth, people joining United Methodist churches will promise to be faithful in “their witness,” as well as in their “prayers, their presence, their gifts and their service.” A UMNS photo by John C. Goodwin.
By Elliott Wright*
FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS)—People who join United Methodist churches henceforth will promise to be faithful in “their witness” as well as in their “prayers, their presence, their gifts and their service.”
The 2008 United Methodist General Conference voted April 30 to add the witness phrase to the liturgy the church uses when a person makes a profession of membership.
The new phrase highlights the mission and evangelistic responsibility of church membership.
The promise to support the church by prayer, presence, gifts and service was not part of the formal baptismal vows of admission to the church, but a pledge used historically in affiliating with a United Methodist congregation.
The Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards, director of worship resources for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, said the phrase had remained the same since 1932.
There was no debate on the assembly floor on the addition of the “witness” phrase. It was reported to the full conference by a legislative committee on a consent calendar. This means there was strong support in committee and the addition was not discussed specifically by the full body of the conference.
Jay Brim, a lay delegate from Southwest Texas, called adoption of the petition to the conference's attention.
The printed rationale for the addition says:
Membership vows of The United Methodist Church do not include witness, an integral part of laity’s role from earliest Methodism, in members’ participation in the church’s life. Because congregations repeat these vows along with new members, a pledge to “witness” will remind members to be witnesses in the community.
*Wright is the public information officer for the Board of Global Ministries.
Cumberland District Lay Witness Mission Team Member Training, May 10, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Hermitage United Methodist ChurchSaturday May 10th, 8:30 am-5:30 p.m.At Hermitage United Methodist Church 205 Belinda Drive, Hermitage, TN 37076
What is the Lay Witness Mission? In the 1960's tens of thousands of laypeople were caught up in the new spiritual excitement of Lay Witness Missions. Lives were changed. Marriages were saved. Families were strengthened. People were called to ordained ministry. Churches were revitalized. For 45+ years now, the Lay Witness Mission has been a proven tool for evangelism, faith sharing, developing small group ministries, deepening prayer life, and church renewal.
A team of 15-20 or more lay witnesses (depending on the size of the church) come to a church for a weekend. They stay in the homes of church members. They share their testimonies with the people of the church in large groups, in small groups, in home groups, in Sunday school classes and in Sunday morning worship. Parallel programs for children and youth are provided. Altar calls are given. Church members' lives are transformed as they are touched by the power of the testimonies.
Lay Witness Missions follow the biblical pattern of Andrew telling his brother or the Samaritan woman at the well telling her village to Come and see, bringing people to Jesus that he might transform their lives.
Who are the witnesses? Not preachers but ordinary lay people who have given their lives to Jesus Christ and can testify of what Jesus has done for them. They are people who want to be used by God to change someone else's life forever.
Who should take this training? Current lay witness team members who would like to update their skills and learn to be better witnesses.
Lay Speakers who would like to be given additional speaking opportunities through Lay Witness Missions.
Lay people who have experienced a Lay Witness Mission in their church and would now like to go out on a team to share their faith with others like they saw modeled at their own church.
Pastors who would like to get a taste of what a LWM is about. Anyone who is wanting to learn how to share their faith on a Lay Witness Mission team. YOU??? More team members are needed to serve on teams all over the country, but especially in Tennessee and surrounding states.
The training is designed for adults and senior high youth.
Churches that have hosted Lay Witness Missions are now seeing the value of hosting a training so they don't just host a mission but send their people out IN mission. Their congregations are enriched as their own people come back testifying of how God used them to touch someone else.
What is involved in the training? The training is an 8:30-5:30 one day event. Participants will receive an overview of a Lay Witness Mission weekend, learn about the dynamics of a team ministry, receive some tips for preparing a good testimony and then have some time to put together a short 5-7 minute testimony. They will share that testimony in a small group setting. The group will learn about small group dynamics and leading small group discussions. They will experience some of the small group sessions of a Lay Witness Mission.
Reflecting on the training experience, a participant commented: "We came as strangers but as a result of the faith sharing in the small groups we grew close." We have been finding that even in the "training" as real faith stories are shared participants are touched by God in a real way. Some have testified that this training was a high point of their spiritual lives.
What is the cost? The cost of the training and the training manual is $20. Lunch is at an additional cost of $6.
How do I register? You can register by contacting the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries office at 615-851-9192 or toll free 1-877-857-9372 and ask for Pam, or email
pdow@AldersgateRenewal.org. The
registration deadline is Monday May 5th.
Korean-American caucus challenged to grow church
United Methodist Bishop Jeremiah J. Park preaches during the annual meeting of the National Association of Korean American United Methodist Churches. UMNS photos by the Rev. David Kwangki Kim.
By the Rev. David Kwangki Kim*
ATLANTA (UMNS)--The new president of the Korean-American caucus of The United Methodist Church has challenged pastors and lay leaders to launch 500 Korean-American churches in five years.
The Rev. James Chongho Kim, elected president by the National Association of Korean American United Methodist Churches, issued the challenge during the national caucus meeting March 30-April 3.
Kim urged caucus members to "take advantage of a paradigm shift with which to see the church as a faith community and pioneer it in various ways."
Currently, 295 Korean American United Methodist churches dot 42 states. The United Methodist Church has 648 Korean clergy with 330 serving Korean congregations--229 in cross-racial appointments and the remainder at agencies and centers.
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park challenged the 254 clergy and lay people attending the caucus assembly to recover their first love for the Lord and to raise a banner of mission for the nations.
"We are called to build a healthy and effective church that brings the message of hope to the world and that serves the world," said Park, who leads the denomination's New York Area.
The Rev. Hoon Kyoung Lee, outgoing president, asked attendees to make the caucus a leader in bringing the hope and the power of the risen Lord to a dark world.
During three evening services, the caucus demonstrated its support for mission with gifts of $10,000 each to Hispanic Ministry New Church Development in the North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference, Korean-American Ministry New Church Development of the Southeastern Jurisdiction and the Korean-American community in Atlanta.
Growth from painRetired Bishop Woodie White and the Rev. Walter L. Kimbrough discussed African-American spirituality and their experiences in The United Methodist Church. Reflecting on black history and life in America, they said African Americans grow from their pain and deepen their spirituality through worship.
"We have struggled to be who we are and whose we are," Kimbrough said. "The church is the place to come to have hope and find the meaning in life."
The Rev. Young Jin Cho, superintendent of the Arlington district in the Virginia Conference, honored such spirituality.
"The church should touch and embrace the pain of our community," Cho continued, noting that the church has been the center of the Korean-American community since the first Korean immigrants came to Hawaii in 1903.
The Rev. Chan-Hie Kim of Claremont School of Theology encouraged those attending "to train and equip the laity, especially laymen, and include them in the church leadership."
"We also have to prepare for the second-generation ministries and nurture the second-generation pastors," he said.
In addition to celebrating the leadership of five retired Korean clergy, the caucus endorsed four Korean candidates for the episcopacy: the Rev. Bo-Joong Kim, Greater New Jersey Conference, and the Rev. Constance Youngmi Pak, New York Conference, Northeastern Jurisdiction; the Rev. Christina Back Eun Sung, Iowa Conference, North Central Jurisdiction; and the Rev. Youngsook Charlene Kang, Rocky Mountain Conference, Western Jurisdiction.
*Kim is director of Korean resources at United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.
A UMNS Commentary by Bill Mefford*: An invitation to evangelical white males
Bill Mefford
A few months ago, I attended a conference in Memphis, Tenn., where a Texas judge, who identified himself as a white, evangelical male, made a remarkable statement. He called himself "the most discriminated-against person on the face of this earth!"
I was astounded by the comment.
After all, he is in such a unique position of power. How could he possibly feel discriminated against? As a well-paid employee of the U.S. criminal justice system, he sits in judgment of others. He serves in a nation with less than 6 percent of the world's population, yet that houses more than 25 percent of the world's incarcerated. There is an enormously high African-American population among those incarcerated, but this white judge believes he is "the most discriminated against."
I was a rapt listener as he explained his plight. Apparently, he feels threatened by the changing culture in which we live. He is uncomfortable with "changing sexual standards," "alternative lifestyles" and an "influx of cultures" into the United States.
The judge never cited specific actions that constituted discrimination against him personally. Nonetheless, he conveyed his frustration that he no longer can control things he previously took for granted.
Conflicting thoughtsI left that conference with conflicting thoughts. I almost felt sorry for that evangelical, white Texas judge because the world is indeed changing.
As a fellow white, evangelical male from Texas myself, I agree that change threatens my ability to control events that have an impact on me and my family. In an increasingly globalized world where white men are a minority on the decrease, there is a palpable uneasiness, especially because we have occupied positions of power for so long.
On the other hand, when I reflect on Scripture, I realize that nowhere does Jesus instruct his disciples to hold on to the status quo. Quite the opposite is true.
When arguing broke out among the disciples as to who was the greatest among them, Jesus admonished them. He insisted that the new society he was building would be distinctively different from the society they had formerly known.
Jesus said: "
You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28)
Reordering of societyThis overturning of the status quo represents a transvaluation that occurs when Christ's reign is realized. As Christians calling the world to recognize Christ's reign, this is a transvaluation we should not only be aware of, but one we should model.
Overturning of the status quo represents a transvaluation that occurs when Christ's reign is realized.
Reordering society is threatening to those of us who benefitted from the old order. Christ offers a wonderful promise of a new world in which those who have been marginalized will be brought in, those demonized will be honored, and those crushed down will be lifted up.
This promise carries with it what Stephen Charles Mott calls "the principle of redress." In his book Biblical Ethics and Social Change, Mott states that "the goal of redress is to return people to a normal level of advantage and satisfaction in the community, particularly with respect to the capacity to earn a living and to have a reasonably happy life." He says redress is a necessary aspect of justice that "implies each member of the community will in fact be strong enough to maintain his or her position in relation to the other members."
According to Mott, redress requires that as the marginal are brought in, those who dominated access to resources must give way and share that access. He says redress requires that those unfairly demonized for their place in society must be honored. And, he adds that those who have received all of the honor and accolades must assume a new seat in humility, and perhaps obscurity.
Mott says redress requires that those crushed down will be healed and lifted up. He says the powers and mechanisms used to crush them will be transformed into structures that ensure equal and just redistribution of resources. He emphasizes that redress ultimately holds that those with access to resources should advocate and work to gain that same access for those who have been restricted or denied.
Redress thus holds promise for the poor and oppressed, according to Mott, and places demands on the affluent and powerful. Redress is indeed threatening for white, evangelical males-and non-evangelical males for that matter-who have benefitted from the current social, economic and political order.
In the current order, I too often miss opportunities to work with and for women in power, for example. As a white male, I too often miss the discovery of learning about my brothers and sisters of other ethnicities and races. As a white male of privilege, I too often miss the amazement of the creativity and strength of the poor to survive in a society in which so much is stacked against them.
Repentance is difficult
As that white, evangelical Texas judge knows well because of his work, repentance is difficult. Outside of the grace of Jesus and regenerative power of the Holy Spirit, it is nigh on to impossible.
Let's not, however, mistake holding on to power and excluding others we deem different or threatening as a way of bringing reform and renewal to the church. I grow exceedingly suspicious of hearing about a call to reform and renew the church from fellow white, evangelical males who do not also carry the message of personal repentance of racism, ethnocentrism, sexism, radical individualism, materialism and other forms of exclusion.
Reform and renewal cannot be taken seriously until those openly calling for such actions first repent of our own forms of sin. For white, evangelical males, reform and renewal must begin with our recognition that the values we have been raised with and even taught--values of power, dominance, attaining great wealth and honor--are to be intentionally transformed. If the Kingdom of God calls for a transvaluation of all that we hold dear--and it does--then the values we adopt must include humility, serving others, working for justice for others ahead of ourselves, intentional inclusion of others and selflessness.
I pray for reform and renewal of the church. But unless that renewal carries a transvaluation of all of our allegiances related to wealth and power, then it is at best, merely empty rhetoric. At worst, it is a means to protect the current status quo of divisiveness, exclusion and dominance.
Jesus extends a glorious invitation to that Texas judge, me and to all other white males, evangelical or not, who are struggling with changing cultures and a globalizing world. His glorious invitation is to repent and become a participant in his Kingdom dream of seeing the first become last, and the last first. That may not sound like all we wanted or heard previously, but being last in the Kingdom of God surely beats not being there at all.
*
Mefford is the program director, civil and human rights, United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the denomination's social justice agency.
Meet Ben Scharfstein, 'the inviting guy'
With coffee cup in hand, Ben Scharfstein welcomes people to worship at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Tenn. A UMNS photo by Annette Spence.
By Annette Spence*
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (UMNS)--Ben Scharfstein is bubbly. He's full of stories and smiles and warm affirmation that immediately put you at ease.
"OK, darlin'," he says, when informed that his noon appointment is running a few minutes late.
"Don't you worry about it," he says later, when the appointment turns out to be later still.
With coffee cup in one hand and oxygen tank in the other, he waits in the entry hall at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, just like he waits for the people he invites to worship. He promises them he'll be there, to greet them and sit with them and make them feel darn glad they came.
Scharfstein is the "inviting guy" at this East Tennessee church, but it wasn't long ago when he didn't attend church at all. He is so glad to be alive and back in church, however, that he wants to share his joy with others.
"This is a mission God has laid on my heart," he says. "I finally found out where I'm supposed to be."
Church members have been so impressed with Scharfstein's personal evangelism style that Sunday school classes have asked him to share his inviting philosophy and tactics, says Dianna Cantler, Munsey director of connectional ministries.
"I believe he has given many people the courage to speak up and invite," Cantler says. "His outlook is, 'What do I have to lose?'"
In the last few years, Scharfstein almost lost his life. Although he never smoked, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1998. He overcame that bout--with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation--and continued to live the life he had created for himself, which involved lots of property and lots of work.
"I had it all: the big boat, vacation homes, nice Rolex watch," says the 61-year-old entrepreneur. "Like many Baby Boomers, I was so driven for material success."
He and his wife, Caroline, had two sons, who were active at Munsey Memorial, the church of Ben's childhood. "But somewhere in there, I let the church part go, and I let my wife take care of those obligations," he says. "My family tried many times to get me to go back. My classic statement was, 'Look, God is everywhere. I don't need to go to church to find God.'"
When the boys grew up, Caroline got tired of going to Munsey Memorial without her husband and started attending the Baptist church of her childhood.
Turning pointAt a party a few years later, a Munsey member put him on the spot. Her name was Barbara Cox.
"Ben, we're going to pick you up tomorrow, and we're going to take you to church," she said.
Scharfstein was slightly annoyed at Cox's forwardness. "Some people would say Barbara is pushy, and sometimes she is," he says today. "But we live in an age of e-mails and Blackberries. You have to individualize the invitation to get people to come, and that's what Barbara did. You have to make it personal."
Thinking that Cox wouldn't take "no" for an answer, he agreed to come to Sunday worship--on one condition. "I'm not a baby. I can drive myself," he said. "But I will meet you there."
Cox met him before the contemporary worship service, and Scharfstein found himself annoyed, again. He didn't like the idea of going to church in a gymnasium, singing music that he had never heard before. He almost left, but he decided to stay.
It was a turning point.Scharfstein was touched by the acceptance he received from parishioners. "I had never experienced so much love and caring in all my years. It was like I had never missed a day at Munsey," he recalls.
He also was excited by the inviting atmosphere of a contemporary worship service. He liked how people could feel comfortable wearing blue jeans or shorts, or carrying in coffee. The seats, he said, "weren't the most comfortable in the world," and sure enough, he didn't know all the songs. But he liked the music. He really, really liked it.
"It wasn't some sort of funeral dirge," he says. "This music was upbeat. It changed my life."
The art of invitationScharfstein became a regular at Munsey, and he started to invite people to join him. He used the offer of casual clothing, coffee or contemporary music as one way to put newcomers at ease.
"Church can be very intimidating," he says. "I think Christ invited people where they were, and that's what we've got to do."
When chatting with friends or strangers in the business he owns or elsewhere, Scharfstein started looking for entry points to talk about church. One man, who was trying to get Scharfstein to buy a boat, mentioned that his wife was pregnant.
"He was going to sell me a boat, but I was going to sell him something better," he says with a grin. Scharfstein simply asked, "Where are you and your wife going to church?" The conversation led to an invitation, and the young family now attends Munsey.
Church members were amazed at Scharfstein's sudden devotion to the church, and his efficacy at bringing in new faces.
"Ben brought his store manager to church, and she became a member by profession of faith. Then she brought her mother," Cantler says. "One time he even traded someone his lunch if they would visit church with him someday."
"Just be open," Scharfstein says, explaining how he makes it look so easy. "When you see someone in your everyday life, you will have an opportunity. You will recognize it when it happens, and you will have a choice about whether or not you will open your mouth to say, 'Hi.'"
Talk about anything, Scharfstein says: Kids, hobbies, jobs. And then look for the opportunity to talk about your church or spiritual life.
"If you have enjoyed a spirit-filled life, and if you really care about the people around you, then why can't you talk about it?" he asks. "Why can't you say, 'By the way, have you found a church yet?'"
Stepping up the paceOn Labor Day 2006, Scharfstein had difficulty breathing. He learned that the cancer had returned, which explained his 50-pound weight loss. His only option was chemotherapy.
It was a low point for the normally cheerful "inviting guy," who says he came face to face with mortality for the first time. He beat the odds again, however, and became well enough to greet his guests in the Munsey entry hall once again.
He doesn't let chemotherapy or his new sidekick, an oxygen tank, slow him down. In fact, he's stepped up the pace, sometimes using the tank to give his invitations more impact. He'll say, "If I can get up and go to church, carrying this thing around, then you ought to be able to get up and go, too."
At a party in December, one woman who knew of his illness stopped to ask, "How do you get up in the morning?"
Scharfstein replied, "Let me show you how I get up in the morning." And he promptly invited her to church.
He estimates that he has invited 50 people to Munsey, and 20 have accepted. But he's got several more people in mind, and several people to issue second, third or fourth invitations. (He keeps records.)
Last Christmas, Scharfstein was surprised to learn that he had helped bring in a new member, but not with his usual approach. Over the years, he understood why his wife wanted to attend her own Baptist church. But on this one Sunday, Caroline joined him at Munsey, and the Rev. Brian Taylor invited them both to the front of the church.
Scharfstein says he was moved when he heard his wife announce, "I have seen what Munsey has done in Ben's life. I would like to transfer my membership to Munsey and become an active member here."
The inviting guy smiles his inviting smile. "This last year has been the greatest year of my life," he says.
*Spence is the editor of The Call, the newspaper of the United Methodist Holston Annual Conference.
